Chapter 22 - THE COST OF BECOMING LEGITIMATE
Destroying a criminal empire was easier than running a legitimate corporation.
Victor discovered this during a board meeting.
“You cannot threaten the auditor,” Clara told him afterward.
“I didn’t.”
“You said, ‘Reconsider while you still have options.’”
“He had options.”
“Victor.”
“I’m adapting.”
Clara laughed.
For several months, life almost became normal.
Mercer remained in federal custody.
Grace joined the Nathan Hayes Community Medical Center.
Thomas entered witness protection.
Rebecca and Lucas moved nearby.
Roman became director of security and complained constantly about paperwork.
Clara became pregnant.
She discovered it at 5:12 one morning.
She stared at the test.
Then took another.
Then another.
Victor found three tests lined up beside the sink.
He stopped.
Clara watched his face.
For once, Victor Kaine had absolutely nothing to say.
“Victor?”
He sat down.
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
Clara laughed nervously.
“That’s concerning.”
He looked at her.
“I’m terrified.”
“So am I.”
“What if—”
“No.”
He stopped.
Clara knelt before him.
“We’re not borrowing tragedy from tomorrow.”
Victor touched her stomach.
Nothing showed yet.
His hand trembled.
Clara covered it.
“We do today.”
Victor nodded.
Then he cried.
Quietly.
Clara pretended not to notice for approximately three seconds before crying too.
Roman found them ten minutes later.
He looked at the tests.
Then at Victor.
Then backed out.
“I saw nothing.”
By noon, everyone knew.
S arrived with balloons.
Grace bought baby clothes.
Eli announced he would teach the baby basketball.
For the first time, Victor allowed himself to imagine a future longer than the next threat.
Then Clara received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph.
Nathan Hayes holding an infant.
Grace.
Beside him stood another man.
Jonathan Mercer.
On the back:
ASK YOUR SISTER WHAT NATHAN PROMISED ME.
Clara looked toward Grace.
Grace’s smile disappeared.
May you like
She had known something.
Something she had never told Clara.
