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Was the man ever off duty? And where was his Hummer? He locks on me with unsmiling eyes as his big frame blocks my access to the call button.
“What are you doing here, Ms. Chase?”
“That’s my business.”
“Mr. Peters won’t like it.”
“I don’t report to Mick.”
“I do.”
We stare at each other in a battle of wills, neither of us prepared to yield. I’m about ready to go off on him when the gate suddenly opens.
“Don’t!” Stiles warns as I hit the gas. He leaps forward in an attempt to stop me.
I floor it; swerve, narrowly missing him and drive through.Sorry Stiles, I wince, leaving him in my dust. He likely won’t have time to get to his car and make it inside before the gate closes. And, if he follows on foot, I’ll have a decent head start.
The driveway is a long, winding stretch; a distant memory of the snow-covered joy ride it used to be. At the top, set among a bevy of trees, sits a Tudor-style mansion with three steeple roofs and two lion statues framing the entranceway. But my eyes are immediately drawn to the front porch where underneath the cobblestone arch, stands the King of the Castle. Older, grayer, a slight paunch, but no less intimidating.
I don’t have time to settle my hyper bouncing heart, assuming a physically-fit Stiles is on my tail. Adrenaline pumping hard, I leave the engine running and exit the car.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Deeana Rae Chase,” Malcolm greets with his patented smile. “This is quite a surprise.”
“You don’t look surprised.” But his face does look like it had taken a few good punches. His jaw is bruised, his left eye swollen, and there are three butterfly bandages on his cheek.
“Technology is amazing these days.” He holds up his phone. “I get a ding whenever someone arrives at the gate and I can see who it is. Seemed like your bodyguard was giving you a hard time.”
“What made you think he was my bodyguard?”
“Ah…” He taps his temple. “I know a lot, Deeana. You must have really wanted to see me.”
“Don’t be flattered. It’s not a social call.”
“I see you developed some moxie over the years. You used to be a shy, frightened rabbit, scared of your own shadow.”
“I didn’t come here to talk about me.” I walk to the edge of the steps and stay there.
“Come inside and have a drink.”
“Of whiskey? Like you brought to Mick’s.”
“Is that what he told you?”
“He didn’t tell me anything about Friday night. But I know you were there. And from the look of your face, it wasn’t a friendly father-son chat.”
“You don’t know anything.”
“Oh, I do. I know about the abuse, Malcolm.”
His fake smile loses its shine. His mouth thins.
“Mick told me years ago. I kept it a secret when I never should have. I thought…hoped…once he got away from you, he’d be free. But I’ve witnessed his nightmares. Horrible and vicious, filled with violence where he’s fighting back. Looks like he finally did.”
“I’d be very careful about levying unfounded accusations.”
“They’re not unfounded.” My voice trembles with anger. It takes every ounce of prudence not to lunge at him as he stands there all indignant and self-righteous. “You got what you wanted. He played ball. He became the superstar you were grooming him for. He gave you bragging rights. He bought you this house. But it’s still not enough, is it? What do you want from him now?”
“I gave him the life most can only dream of. More than he deserved.”
