I took a job bathing a paralyzed billionaire because my children were starving and I had no other choice. I told myself it was only work, only a…
Seventeen years of grief.
Seventeen years believing my brother was ashes scattered beneath a maple tree.
And now there was a chance.
Tiny.
Impossible.
But real.
“What do we do?”
Christopher stared at me.
“We?”
“You have information.”
“You have no idea how dangerous this is.”
“I buried my brother at twenty-two.”
My voice trembled.
“I raised two children alone. I slept hungry so they could eat. I walked into this house because I was desperate enough to bathe a stranger for money.”
I leaned toward him.
“Do not mistake poverty for weakness.”
Christopher said nothing.
Then, slowly, he nodded.
“Okay.”
That night we opened every file.
Christopher showed me names.
Accounts.
Properties.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Marcus Bennett.
His uncle.
Another appeared beside several transactions dated after Ryan entered witness protection.
R. Mercer.
“Ryan Mercer,” I whispered.
Christopher nodded.
“His alias.”
There was one recent transaction.
Four months earlier.
A payment from a private foundation to a rehabilitation center in Wisconsin.
My pulse jumped.
“Could that be him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Call them.”
“If Marcus monitors communications—”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.”
Christopher’s voice sharpened.
“You have children.”
I went silent.
He was right.
That made everything harder.
Three days later, trouble arrived at the mansion.
A black Mercedes pulled up.
Mrs. Alvarez entered the library.
“Christopher.”
Her face was pale.
“Your uncle is here.”
Christopher looked at me.
“Take the side stairs.”
“No.”
“Rachel.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“You are if you want your children safe.”
That stopped me.
I left through the service corridor.
But I didn’t go far.
I stood behind the half-open pantry door and listened.
Marcus Bennett entered laughing.
He sounded charming.
That made him more frightening.
“Nephew.”
Christopher’s voice was flat.
“Marcus.”
“I heard you hired a new nurse.”
“Caregiver.”
“A pretty one?”
My skin crawled.
Christopher said nothing.
Marcus continued.
“You should be careful who you allow inside this house.”
“Why?”
“People get curious.”
My heart began racing.
Marcus knew.
I was sure.
After he left, I rushed upstairs.
Christopher was furious.
“You were listening.”
