Fear struck my chest like a dagger in my heart. He was going to make me work it off somehow. My stomach churned as sweat collected on my chest. There were so many possibilities for what he wanted.

I couldn’t blame him for asking, however, and realized I’d have to do whatever he deemed appropriate. But it wasn’t that simple.

It was reasonable for him to expect it back, sure, but I just got out of prison and had no savings. Just how was I going to pull this off?

Then, an idea came to me, and with it, a glimmer of hope. But it was a long shot. My throat tightened just thinking about what it entailed. Andre’s eyes bore a hole through my soul as he waited. The only thing that I had to offer was a potential deal for my family with his.

“I have an idea. Since I’m a Lanchester and you’re Mars Group, perhaps a merger would be beneficial.”

Andre pulled up a chair across from me, rested his elbows on the table, and linked his fingers.

“Interesting. Please, tell me more.”

“My maternal grandfather ran the company years ago, then handed it down to my mother. If I can convince them to partner with your company, it will not only be more profitable, but you’ll continue to collect on it for years to come. What I’m suggesting is better than a payoff. You’ll be the richest man in Dragon City.”

Andre’s eyes were pinned to my face. Though he was incredibly handsome, he scared me. The earlier sheen of sweat was now droplets sliding down my chest. The longer he stared at me like that, the more afraid I felt.

Finally, he broke the silence.

“You’re right. A partnership would be more beneficial than continuing to compete the way we have been. We’ve been neck and neck fighting for the top. Of course, Mars Group is winning overall.”

He smugly smirked.

Part of me wanted to object obstinately, feeling a striking pang of competition in my heart. It was natural to want to defend my family’s name. However, I didn’t rise to the bait. Though he was probably goading me, I had to concede that he was correct.

Mars Group often had the upper hand.

I knew what I was promising was more than I could offer, at least with my father running things. Lanchester Company had partnered with another big company, Aurora Inc., years back, and giving up the double companies would be like pulling teeth. My father was stubborn and had no intentions of changing his mind about partnering.

He was greedy and didn’t care about how he’d come to “inherit” Lanchester Company. His moral compass wasn’t the best to begin with, but after he’d attained this power, his ethical indiscretions increased. But he was only part of the issue.

Besides contending with my father, there was another person I’d have to face. My ex-fiancé was a part of Aurora Inc., which meant he’d weigh in. However, although we’d been broken up since my imprisonment, the two companies were able to keep the connection strong. At least someone was mature about running a business.

God knows it wasn’t my father.

A shudder made my stomach feel like jelly as I imagined confronting my ex. It had been three years since we had spoken. Shame echoed in my chest as I thought about walking into that room and seeing him. Would he be judging and make me feel horrible?

No matter, though. I bucked up, sitting straighter in the luxury chair. It would be difficult for me to confront my past, but I had to use this to compensate Andre.

“The proposal I’m offering has a condition.”

Andre had the pretense of a sneer on his face. My heart began to race. If he didn’t go for this, I was out of luck. Still, I’d just been released from prison, and I had dealt with worse.

I was daring enough.

“When Barry comes to you for the collaboration, you should help retrieve the company which was mine by birthright. If you manage to do that, you’ll receive much more than you would if you partnered directly with my father. I’ll make sure of it.”

Andre studied me with narrowed eyes of skepticism. Was he offended or genuinely baffled? My heartbeat picked up when he stared at me like that. It was like he could see through me when he pierced me with those irises.

“I don’t believe you’re in a position to negotiate anything since you are the one who is in my debt,” he said, “However if you are able to persuade your father to change his mind, I’ll consider collaborating.”

My hands began to sweat. This was a complicated dilemma. Not only did I need to speak with my father, but I had to somehow convince him to engage in a wager that he would fight tooth and nail over. Had I overpromised?

Andre’s intimidating eyes brought me out of my daze as he gave me a warning.

“I suggest you tread carefully. Whatever your choice, you’ll need to pay a price for it.”

“I understand,” I said to him. With that, I stood up and thrust the credit card to him. Instead of accepting it, however, he put his hand up.

“Make the deal, and then I’ll take it back. Until then, keep it to remind you of the debt you owe me.”

I found that to be unusual and manipulative. He wanted me to feel guilty every time I glanced at or touched it. What a way to punish me psychologically. I felt like there was a stone in my stomach as I nodded in agreement.

What other choice did I have?

Though I wasn’t naturally inclined to criminal behavior, I had essentially stolen from him. Not only that, but I have a record now. If the police were called, it wouldn’t take much convincing for grand larceny to be added. They’d tack on another several years.

I didn’t want to contend with that cold block building again. I’d make sure I never went back. My mother needed me, and if with me on the inside, there was little if anything, I could do to ensure her safety. Locking eyes with Andre, I gave him a confident nod and then walked to the door.

Crossing the threshold, I left the meeting room into the main foyer. The swiveling doors clicked and rotated, allowing me to leave. Once I was out of the Mars Mansion, I peered over my shoulder and saw Andre through the French window. He was watching me with steeled eyes.

At first, I thought I was imagining it, but then I realized he was mouthing something at me. Squinting, I made out the words, “Appreciate your second chance. This is the last one you’ll ever get.”

Head to toe, I felt a shiver from shock. Did I truly see that, or was it in my head? But the words were so clear from his lips. Only my nightmare voice would understand the bargain between us.

Was Andre linked somehow to that dream?

Dropping my chin to the ground, I knit my brow, but when I dared to pick my head up and peek again, Andre disappeared. It was like a dream or even a hallucination. He was there, then gone like magic.

Shaking my head at myself, I tightened my ponytail, shoving my hands in my pockets. The plastic card pressed against my fingertips. I could do this.

Finding the cab, I went back to the hospital. I breathed a shuddering sigh of relief, seeing that Mom had been stabilized like the doctor promised. The security of her survival was behind me for now, but I was still fighting an uphill battle. My father was the next hurdle to overcome.

Imagining having to deal with him put a sour taste in my mouth. Convincing him to give up the company to me was damned near impossible. In my stomach, smoldering embers of frustration threatened to burst into full-on rage. I’d remain calm, however.

Mom’s life depended on it, and I wasn’t one to impulsively explode.

Clutching Mom’s hand like I had in my nightmare, I once again pressed her cool fingers to my forehead. I couldn’t believe it, but my body was on fire from the interaction with Andre and the stress of what lay before me.

Briefly, I took solace in her comforting touch. Even if she didn’t put her hand there of her own volition, she still managed to make me feel like she did when I was a little girl. Cared for, seen, and proud.

After one more deep breath, I drummed up the courage to release her hand, tucking it under the blanket. It was cold in this hospital, and I didn’t want her to suffer. Standing up, I decided it was time to leave and face my fate. Maybe I shouldn’t have promised something so difficult, but seeing my mother this way only solidified my resolve.

Time was ticking, and I had to get moving.

As I left, the hallway wasn’t as busy as I’d seen earlier. Disinfectant hung strongly in the air, and the scent of warm food led me toward another room. My stomach growled as I realized I hadn’t eaten in hours. Now that Mom was okay, perhaps it was time for my basic needs to be fulfilled.

Passing by a ward, I noticed a little girl lying on the bed alone. Though the temperature was cold in the room, she didn’t bother putting herself under the covers. One of the nurses came over and covered the girl.

“Here are some nice fresh blankets straight out of the dryer for you, love,” the nurse said, then adjusted her cap over her sharply cut ash-blonde bob. Though the little girl blinked awake, she didn’t respond. Another nurse pulled the first one aside.

“She’s so lonely, I fear it’s only making her condition graver,” the nurse who brought the blankets said.

The second nurse with wavy fire-red locks spilling down her shoulders nodded in agreement.

“Her health has deteriorated significantly since her mother hasn’t had time to visit.”

“What do you expect with her havin’ to be a maid for that wealthy family in Dragon City?” The nurse with the bob haircut asked.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with duty. She’s never been to visit, and I think that’s her choice. It’s like she doesn’t even care about her daughter.”

Squinting at the chart, I thought I saw the letters B, A, and K for the last name. There wasn’t much more of a hint I needed. I already suspected I knew what the last name was. The nurse with fire-red hair turned around to see if the little girl was listening, but she was fast asleep.

Before I was caught eavesdropping, I quickly left. Already, I had an idea who the little girl’s mother was. I was curious enough to find out if I was correct.

Sneakily, I walked to the doctor’s office, finding an unlocked computer. Records were listed as I typed the name in the database search bar. Sure enough, the name was Nancy Baker. She’d served for the Lanchester Company as a maid, which, of course, meant she served for my father.