Chapter 1 - YOU CAME BACK?
"You came back?"
Emma Collins nearly dropped the silver breakfast tray.
At 5:07 on a rain-black Thursday morning, Dominic Mercer stood inside the servants' pantry of his own Newport mansion with one finger pressed to his lips.
He was supposed to be in London until Monday.
Instead, rainwater darkened his black coat, his private jet had landed off schedule, and only two members of his security team knew he was home.
"Does Brooke know?" Emma whispered.
"No. And she cannot know."
"Why?"
"My nephew called me crying last night."
Emma froze. "Noah?"
"He asked why Brooke said his mother wouldn't be allowed to live here after Saturday."
Saturday was Dominic's wedding.
His younger sister Natalie had moved into the Mercer estate six months earlier after her husband, Owen, died in a highway accident. She had asked for no money. Only a safe place for herself and nine-year-old Noah.
Their late mother, Catherine Mercer, had made Dominic promise Natalie would always have a home on the property.
Then Dominic added, "Noah asked why Brooke said my mother's cottage belonged to her now."
The east cottage was held in Catherine's family trust for Natalie and Noah.
It was not Dominic's to give.
Footsteps sounded outside.
High heels.
Brooke.
Dominic slipped behind an old service door leading to the wine corridor.
Seconds later Brooke entered, blond hair perfect despite the hour, cream coat over a silk robe, leather folder in hand.
"Where is Natalie?"
"Upstairs," Emma said.
"Wake her."
"Why?"
"Because your job is to follow instructions, not question the future Mrs. Mercer."
She deliberately tipped a coffee cup from Emma's tray.
Porcelain shattered.
"Careless," Brooke said.
"You dropped it."
Brooke leaned closer. "And who exactly will believe you?"
A soft voice came from the hall.
"Brooke?"
Natalie appeared in pajama pants and her dead husband's college sweatshirt.
Brooke's face sweetened instantly.
"There you are. I need your signature."
Her face changed.
"This says Noah and I permanently waive every claim to Mom's east cottage."
"It's a residency cleanup."
"The cottage is in trust for Noah."
Brooke sighed. "After Saturday, Dominic and I need a clean estate structure."
Natalie stared at her. "You don't own this family."
Brooke's voice dropped.
"After Saturday, I will own enough of it."
Behind the door, Dominic went still.
Then Brooke placed a second document on the counter.
"Sign both, Natalie. Or the police get the file proving Owen was stealing from Dominic before he died."
Natalie's face drained of color.
"That's a lie."
"Then prove it after you and your son are homeless."
May you like
"I'd like to see that file."
For the first time since Emma had known her, Brooke Harrington looked afraid.
