Chapter 5 - The Shadow of the Father
Emily was discharged from the hospital and moved directly into Martin’s private penthouse in the center of the financial district. It was a fortress in the sky, accessible only by a private elevator that required a retinal scan.
She stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, wearing a soft cashmere sweater, sipping hot tea. The bruises on her face were fading to a dull yellow.
Martin walked into the room, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit. For the first time, Emily was seeing the billionaire CEO her father truly was.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, standing beside her to look out over the city.
“Like I’m waking up from a long nightmare,” she murmured. “Dad, the district attorney called. They want me to testify in front of the grand jury next week.”
“Are you ready for that?”
Emily’s jaw tightened. She thought of the cold mud of the shed. She thought of Brandon’s sneering face. “I am. I want to look him in the eye when they take his freedom away.”
Martin smiled, a fierce pride swelling in his chest. “That’s my girl.”
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But down on the streets below, Brandon was meeting with a man he had met in lockup—a violent, desperate thug who asked no questions as long as the cash was green. Brandon slid a heavy envelope across a diner table.
“The penthouse on 5th Avenue,” Brandon whispered. “Make sure she doesn't make it to the courthouse.”
