Dane

"Impossible," Dane spat. "She'll fight for me. I'm already going to have to talk her into leaving without me."

​​

His father didn't move, but his presence suddenly swelled, becoming heavy. Oppressive. Dane remembered the feeling from his childhood, as if his father's rage was a tangible thing. But when he spoke, his voice was very, very quiet. "If I'm negotiating fort this, you better be pretty persuasive, Dane. But don't worry, I'll help. I can't have her out there, loose and alive, still in love with you."

Dane frowned. "Why not? What difference does it make how she feels?"

His father's gaze sharpened. "Because I know you. And I know if you've got a good woman out there who's in love with you, you've got hope. You've got options. I won't leave you options, Dane. I'll give you what you want and let her go, because it gets me what I want. But because you're my son, I'll tell you something I wouldn't tell anyone else in your shoes: She doesn't leave here until she doesn't want you back. You better get used to that idea. That's our endgame. If you want her out of here, that's what you're working for."

"Wait." Dane's jaw ached, he clenched it so hard. "I won't hurt her, Dad. That's not part of a bargain where she leaves here safe. I'll do whatever you want when she's gone, but I won't raise a hand to her."

Dad shakes his head. "You've been away from me for too long, Son, you've forgotten. The kinds of wounds you're talking about, they're temporary. Bruises, broken bones, they all heal. My work is far more permanent. So, when she leaves here, it will be because the only person left who loves you will be me. Are you prepared for that? Is it worth it? Because you can walk out of here right now. I'll let you. You can be free, if you want. But she stays."

Dane didn't even hesitate. "I was already coming to be with you, anyway, Dad. So what's the difference?" he lied. His father smiled. But Dane continued. "But that means you don't drag this out. You get it done, whatever it is. And she gets out of here. Untouched."

They stared at each other, two men of so similar physical size and appearance, a stranger wouldn't pick the difference in silhouette, yet Dane told himself there was a difference. There had to be. He could feel the battle waging between their wills like it was a physical thing.

"Two days. Two days with both of you here so I can get all my checks done, and I won't delay her departure. She'll be gone in three," his father said finally.

"You let me block whatever cameras you have in the room—you can have your guards. But you don't film her anymore."

His father's eyes narrowed. "You go in as naked as you are now, and we only record sound."

"Agreed," Dane said.

*****

Less than an hour later his father beckoned him to follow, and headed for the door out of the office. "Ready to get moving?" he asked.

Dane nodded, kept his jaw tight. He was going to see Lila. He was going to see her!

As they walked out the door, Dane was surprised to find no guards outside. Either his father was more confident in him than he'd thought, or they were hidden somewhere nearby and watching everything through hidden cameras.

It was a relief, he supposed, since his father had kept him buck naked. He didn't really care, but even on a normal day it would have been a mindfuck to have to be around people who were dressed. And now… dear Lord, he was going to see Lila.

His hands shook.

His father walked slightly ahead of him into the grand hallway and off to the right. The interior of the building was plain, but the ceilings were vaulted, there were massive windows lining the left wall—though the glass was all obscured—and a dozen doorways off the right side. Dane wondered how long the walk would be, whether they'd have to go to another building, or whether she was here—when his father suddenly stopped just three doors down from the office where they'd been and said casually, "Are you ready?" He looked for a key on his key ring, muttering about old-fashioned security.

Dane's jaw dropped. "She's right here?"

His father stopped looking at keys and stared at him. "Did you really think I'd leave her in someone else's hands? She's my daughter in law, Dane. I've been personally handling her… visit."

Dane swallowed and put a hand to his father's hands that were flipping through the key ring—a mistake. His father stiffened under his grip. Dane removed his touch quickly, but kept his eyes on his father's that were lit with barely concealed anger.

"Promise me," Dane said, a conversation he'd planned to have in the car, or during the walk—he thought he had time!

"Promise you what?" his father said through his teeth.

"Promise me, your son, your heir, that you let her go. She walks out of here as long as I stay. You don't execute her, like you did Talia."

His father smiled. "What's it going to take for you to believe me, Dane, a schoolyard pinky swear?"

Dane swallowed. "I want your word. Just between you and me."

"You have it," he said simply, his smile going cold. "I'll have no further interest in her when she doesn't love you anymore, anyway."

Dane sucked in a deep breath. "Then I'm ready."

His father found the key he was looking for and pinched it between his fingers, letting the others drop. He tilted his head at Dane. "Are you though, my soft-hearted son? I doubt it. "But I guess we're both about to find out, huh?"

Then he knocked on the door and put the key in the lock.

Dane's heart raced so fast he thought it might explode.