Page 53 of Coerced Queen

I pull on a pair of tracksuit pants and fit the eyepatch before opening the door.

“Ah.”She smiles.“There you are.”

“I didn’t hear you get in.”

“We’re a little early.It’s been a long day.”

My gut tightens.“Is Anya okay?”

“Sure.She went upstairs to run a bath.She needs a little relaxing.”

“I ordered dinner.It’s in the warming-drawer.”Taking in her off-shoulder T-shirt with Flashdance written in bold letters over a big lightning bolt on the front and the baggy exercise pants, I ask, “Going somewhere?”

“I have a stage dancing class.Claire is in her crib.”She walks backward, giving me a wave.“She shouldn’t wake up for another two hours.”

I grab my crutches and follow her into the hallway.“Who’s driving you?”

“I’ll get an Uber,” she says, donning her coat and taking a scarf with tussles from the closet.

“You won’t.”I open the front door for her.“My driver will take you.”I nod at the man on duty, a silent instruction not only to summon Kevin but also to send a guard with them to keep Livy safe.

“Thanks.”She goes on tiptoes and kisses my cheek.“You’re still a gentleman.”

I still disagree, but I give her a half smile and see her to the car.

When I’ve gone back inside, I hover in the entrance for a moment, pricking up my ear.The house is quiet.I move to the staircase.If I focus hard, I can hear the sound of running water.

Leaving Anya to her bath, I go to the study and install myself behind the desk to go over the documents my financial adviser emailed.I created a trust fund for Claire to ensure all her financial needs are taken care of until the day she comes of age.An education policy will cover her tuition fees.There’s enough to send her to the best schools and university.My life insurance will be sufficient for Anya to live comfortably as well as afford the best security for the rest of her life.She won’t have to spend all her time at an office, doing my books, instead of being a mother to her daughter.

Happy that all of that is in place, I turn my attention to After Dark.Dante will inherit my shares.He has the savvy to make a success of the business.In case both of us don’t make it out, the shares are to be sold and the profits shared between the men.The house is paid off, so Anya won’t have to worry about settling a big bond.I sold the Corvette for a million.It’s worth a lot more, but I was in a hurry.I couldn’t wait for a better offer.The money is enough to see us through for a while and to pay for the extra weapons I ordered.

I’m nitpicking through the stock list when Claire’s crying reaches me through the open door of the study.

I still.

Is Anya in the bath already?

Guilt assaults me when I imagine her getting out of the water, dripping wet, and hurriedly drying herself off to tend to her daughter when she needs that downtime more than anything.

My gut twists as the crying continues, yet I remain frozen to the spot in a bout of panic, torn between running upstairs to soothe Claire and staying the hell away.

What if Claire chokes?

What if she cries so much she throws up?

She can drown in her own vomit.

Fuck.

The fitful pitch of her sweet baby voice reaches a new crescendo.I don’t need a monitor to hear that.The desperation in that cry is loud enough to travel through the house.

Flying out of the chair, I grab the crutches.Forget about the stairs.It’ll take too long.I rush to the elevator, get inside, and slam a palm on the button.

The door closes in fucking slow motion.All the while, that crying turns more urgent, ripping into my chest.

I peel out on the second floor before the door has completely opened and swing the crutches with every ounce of strength in my arms.The door to the nursery stands open.I stop in the door frame, sweat running down my temples.There’s no sign of Anya.Claire’s tiny body is visible through the bars of the crib.She kicks angrily with her short little legs while flailing her arms.

Shit.

---