Chapter 3 - THE DAUGHTER HE NEVER KNEW
David spent the next six hours refusing to sleep.
Every nurse told him he needed rest.
He ignored them.
He wanted Chloe.
I refused.
"You've just survived surgery."
"I don't care."
"You nearly died."
"I know."
"Then act like it."
His eyes flashed.
The old David was still there.
Then he looked toward Chloe.
His anger disappeared.
"Please."
That word stopped me.
David Carter didn't say please.
Not to anyone.
I walked outside.
Chloe was sitting with a coloring book.
"Sweetheart."
She looked up.
"Is the sick man better?"
"Yes."
"Can I meet him?"
My heart pounded.
"Maybe."
She smiled.
"I want to thank him for letting me help."
I almost laughed.
"He didn't exactly choose it."
She followed me inside.
David looked at her.
Chloe stopped beside the bed.
"Hi."
His lips parted.
"Hi."
"I'm Chloe."
"I know."
She frowned.
"How?"
David looked at me.
"Your mom told me."
It was a lie.
But I allowed it.
Chloe smiled.
"You're welcome."
David looked confused.
"For what?"
"For letting me help you."
His eyes became wet.
He looked away.
"Thank you."
Chloe glanced at his machines.
"Are you going to die?"
"Not anymore."
"Good."
She smiled.
"Because Mom doesn't like hospitals."
David looked at me.
"Why?"
"Because of you."
He understood.
I could see it.
"You thought I would come after you."
"I thought your world would."
He lowered his eyes.
"Did anyone threaten you?"
"Yes."
His expression hardened.
"Who?"
"It doesn't matter."
"It matters to me."
"It was eight years ago."
"Who?"
I didn't answer.
David tried to sit up.
Pain crossed his face.
"Don't."
I pushed him gently back.
He looked at my hand.
Then at me.
"You still care."
I pulled away.
"I care because you're Chloe's father."
Something broke across his face.
He looked at our daughter.
"What does she know?"
"That her father wasn't around."
"Does she know my name?"
"No."
He swallowed.
"Good."
I frowned.
"Good?"
"If she knew what I was, she might hate me."
"She doesn't know enough to hate you."
"Maybe that's worse."
I didn't expect that.
David stared at Chloe.
"I missed everything."
"Yes."
"First steps?"
"Yes."
"First day of school?"
"Yes."
"Birthday?"
"Every one."
His jaw tightened.
"I deserved to know."
"Maybe."
He looked at me.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was afraid."
"Of me?"
"Of what loving you would cost her."
He closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked exhausted rather than powerful.
Then his phone rang.
Michael answered it.
His expression changed.
He walked toward the window.
"David."
"What?"
"We have a problem."
Michael showed him something.
David's face became cold.
"What?"
"Someone knows about the girl."
My stomach dropped.
"Who?"
Michael looked at me.
"The message came from a number connected to Vincent Hale."
David's eyes hardened.
Vincent Hale was a rival.
He had spent years trying to take territory from the Carter family.
And now he knew David had a daughter.
"What did he say?" David asked.
Michael hesitated.
Then:
"A king's greatest weakness is always his blood."
David looked at Chloe.
She was coloring quietly.
His expression changed.
Fear.
Pure fear.
He reached for my hand.
"Take her."
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
"You just told me you wanted to meet her."
"I do."
"Then why?"
"Because she's in danger."
"She's been in danger since the moment she became yours."
David looked at me.
"Then I'll make sure nobody ever touches her."
I believed him.
And that frightened me.
Because David Carter was not a man who made empty promises.
When he promised protection, people disappeared.
When he promised revenge, entire businesses collapsed.
But now his enemy knew about Chloe.
May you like
And I suddenly realized the secret I had protected for eight years had not only been discovered.
It had become a weapon.
