Chapter 1 - The Arrest
Arthur Sterling did not raise his voice.
He didn’t have to.
The silence that fell over the freezing park was heavier than any scream.
Victoria stepped backward, her designer heels sinking into the muddy frost.
“Arthur, darling, he is just confused,” she stammered, her voice high and desperate.
“The cold is making him hallucinate.”
But Arthur was no longer looking at her as his future wife.
He was looking at the woman who had tried to murder his only child.
The police officers, sensing the sudden shift in the billionaire’s demeanor, placed their hands on their holsters.
“Mr. Sterling, is there a problem here?” the lead officer asked cautiously.
Arthur’s jaw tightened into a terrifying, rigid line.
“Arrest her,” Arthur commanded, his voice cold enough to freeze the blood in Victoria’s veins.
Victoria let out a shrill gasp, her hands flying to her flawless face.
“Are you insane?” she shrieked, dropping the sweet act entirely.
“You can’t do this to me, I am a Sinclair!”
Arthur gently passed Julian into the arms of the waiting paramedics.
Then he turned his full, terrifying attention to the screaming woman.
“You purposely abandoned my disabled son in the freezing dark.”
“You took his crutches away so he could not crawl to the street for help.”
“If this little girl had not found him, my son would be dead in the morning.”
The police officer did not need to hear another word.
He unclipped his handcuffs and grabbed Victoria’s wrist.
She kicked, she screamed, and she cursed my name as they dragged her toward the squad car.
I stood shivering in Arthur’s oversized cashmere coat, my heart pounding against my ribs.
This was my chance to disappear into the shadows while everyone was distracted.
I took one step backward into the darkness of the trees.
Then two.
But before I could turn and run, a strong, warm hand gently grasped my shoulder.
“Where do you think you are going, Maya?” Arthur asked softly.
I looked up into the eyes of a man who owned half the city.
“Back to the streets,” I whispered, staring at my dirty shoes.
“You are never sleeping on the streets again,” Arthur replied fiercely.
May you like
He scooped me up into his arms, carrying me toward his armored SUV.
For the first time in my miserable life, I felt completely safe.
