Page 6 of The Billionaire's Secret Child

"You're going to wake my daughter!" Laura hissed to the unrepentant device as she dove off the denim couch and leapt for the phone. She quickly grasped the four-year old smartphone. “Hello?” she whispered, placing a hand on her pastel pink dining room table for support.

“Laura, I'm so sorry for calling so early, but I just needed to tell someone the news.”

“That’s all right.” Laura relaxed at the welcome voice of Candace, her friend and mayor of Pine Ridge. She wouldn’t call early without good reason. “What’s going on?”

“It’s not anything bad, in case I scared you. Actually it’s something great. A big opportunity for our little town.” Candace’s voice held unchecked excitement, unusual for the typically collected woman. Whatever happened was big indeed.

“Oh yeah?” Laura grinned. With last night’s tumultuous events, she could use a little good news. “Well, don’t wait. Tell me!”

“You’ll never guess who’s coming to town looking for a place to expand his business. It’s someone very, very big. Someone who could put Pine Ridge on the map.”

Laura’s breath hitched. It couldn’t be. There was no way. “Who?” she asked cautiously.

Then…

All time then seemed to stop…

All life seemed to halt…

When Candace responded with two simple words.

“Aidan Bancroft.”

Silence.Laura stood perfectly still, as Candace’s revelation seized her breath and tightened her lungs. The options that seemed so expansive yesterday all but disappeared in an instant. A million and one dangers rose, all culminating in one all-important question:

Did he know?

“Laura, did you hear me? Aidan Bancroft, THE Aidan Bancroft is coming to our small town. Can you believe it? This is the best thing to hit Pine Ridge in years. Everyone on the city council is so excited.” Candace squealed in joy. “Do you know what could happen if Mr. Bancroft comes?”

He could find out the truth. Decide he wanted her daughter. Ravish her.

Wait, where did that last one come from?

“He could create scores of new jobs,” Candace went on, blissfully unaware of Laura’s crumbling world. “Bring new technology, new growth. The charities are especially excited. Mr. Bancroft is one of the biggest philanthropists in the country, with dozens of organizations set up to fight everything from hunger to cancer. This is a big opportunity for our small town.”

“Yes, quite big,” Laura echoed. For everyone else, his presence was the best thing since the general store started stocking the two-ply toilet paper, yet for her a nightmare loomed. She no longer had the leisure of time to make her decision.

If she even had a decision.

“Hey, what is it?” Candace finally seemed to realize her dismay. “You should be thrilled. As a reporter, this is a huge chance for you to get a big-city story. Why are you acting like the bogeyman is coming to town?”

She would have preferred the bogeyman, riding on the back of the Loch Ness Monster and accompanying a dragon who thought humans tasted delicious. All in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. Aidan’s arrival was no mere coincidence.

He had followed her.

Laura fought for calmness. “I will explain everything soon, but there’s one thing I need to know. When is he coming?”

“Well, that’s the biggest surprise. He’s arriving today.” Candace’s voice was now measured, her concern palpable. “Is everything all right?” she asked quietly.

Not even a little. Laura’s time, her space, her very life, was shrinking by the second. Would he ring the doorbell that very moment? “Are you certain?”

“Yes.” Confusion threaded Candace’s timbre. “We’re actually having a big dinner in his honor tonight. I know this is short notice, but many of the important citizens are going to be there, and it’ll be a great opportunity to talk to Mr. Bancroft. I called to invite you, but for some strange reason, I get the feeling you're going to decline.” Her voice softened. “Do you know Aidan Bancroft personally?”

“In a matter of speaking I know him more personally than anyone. Thank you so much for thinking of me, but I can't make it.” She didn’t elaborate further. She couldn't go to the party, offering herself like a virgin sacrifice, however she had no misconceptions about her fate. Sooner or later, he would track her down.

After all, he was here for her.

Apologizing to Candace, Laura made a quick good-bye and hung up the phone. She rubbed her temples as a headache started to bloom.

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