Page 148 of Prized Possession

“You know the rules if we use the code word, Marcus. I expect you here within the next thirty minutes…and bring Chloe.”

“Why do I need to bring Chloe? I thought you said this was work-related.”

“It is. Just bring her and I’ll explain everything,” he states, and my anxiety begins to spike.

“If you’re misusing the code to get to your daughter, there will be consequences.”

I make sure he can hear the unspoken threat in my voice.

“I’m not misusing the code. Get here, now.”

He hangs up before I have a chance to say anything further, and it takes all of my willpower to keep the phone in my hand, instead of throwing it at the nearest wall.

Chloe is perched on the end of the bed, staring at me. She’s fiddling with her fingers, looking anxious, and I know she heard me mention her name.

“Is everything okay?”

I let out a long sigh as I reach over and cup her cheek, rubbing my thumb over it softly. She leans into my touch, giving me a small smile.

“We need to go to your father’s house, now. He didn’t give me any other information, but I need you to come with me.”

Her eyes widen in shock. “Me? Why me? Didn’t you say the code was for business?”

I give her a nod, trying to keep all of the anxiety and anger from my expression.

“I don’t know why he wants you there. He used the work code, and he wouldn’t do that unless it was urgent. Nothing good ever follows us using the damn code.”

Chloe begins to tremble beneath my touch, lookingterrified.

“I promise, whatever it is, I will keep you safe, Mio. I need to call Miles, so can you get ready quickly, please?”

Chloe nods, and I lean down to give her a kiss. It’s not the way I want to kiss her this morning, but it’s all I have time for.

After twenty minutes, we’re down in the garage, waiting for the car to arrive. My back-up driver Leo opens the door.

“Where’s Miles?” Chloe asks once we’re inside.

“He’s busy and wouldn’t have been able to get here in time, so I called Leo. He’s my reserve driver,” I reply, trying to ignore how nervous I feel at not having my best friend by my side.

In next to no time, myself, Chloe, and Leo are pulling up outside of the Santoro house. A member of Caleb’s security greets us, performing the usual safety checks on us all.

As we go to make our way inside, he blocks our path.

“Mr Santoro has requested that your driver wait with the car, since he’s not your usual security, and doesn’t have the same level of security clearance.”

I freeze, my brain working a million miles a minute to try and think of a way to refuse, but he’s right. Although Leo is trained in security, none of my staff—other than Miles—have the security clearance to be part of Blackthorn Council meetings, which this clearly is.

I don’t like the idea of having no back-up by my side, particularly when I have no idea what I’m walking into, but on this occasion, I have no choice.

I turn to Leo. “Wait by the car, but be alert for my signal.”

He gives me a nod of understanding, before turning to stand by the car.

Once he’s gone, I turn back to the man who is showing us inside. Only now the look on his face is of extreme caution, and I’m instantly worried.

“Thank you. Mr Santoro has also requested that Miss Santoro wait in the living room, since she has no reason to be part of Council business.”

As soon as he’s finished, he visibly tenses, no doubt waiting for me to kick off.

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