Chapter Ten

Robert looked up as he sat in his office chair at work. “Come in,” he called out when the person knocked.

Three men he didn’t know walked in. Ones he’d never met but could tell were bad news.

Claire pushed past them. “I’m sorry, Sir. I told them to wait.”

Robert waved his hand. “It’s okay, Claire. Go back to your desk.”

When the door closed behind his secretary, he focused on the men. All three looked like thugs and vaguely familiar.

Robert relaxed back in his chair. “What is it, Gentlemen?”

The one in front spoke up. “Emmet Nichols sent us to talk to you.”

Robert’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, really. About what, and why couldn’t he just call me?”

“It seems you have his daughter, and he wants her back. He told us he’s tried to get in touch with you and tried to see his daughter, but you wouldn’t let it happen.”

Robert shook his head. “And he won’t. The man was extremely abusive. He’d make her stay in her room for a week without food and just the water from her bathroom sink. He also left bruises. A lot of them. They are healed now, but I’ll never forget the sight of them.”

The one in charge shrugged. “That’s not our problem. He says if you give her up peacefully, he’ll let her come back to nanny for you.”

Robert snorted. “He can’t have her. She’s twenty-four years old. An adult who can make her own decisions.”

The one stepped forward after pulling an envelope from his breast pocket. “He said you might say that.”

Robert opened the letter and ran through it quickly. It was something he thought the man would do to get his power over her again. He laughed, making all three men glance at each other. None of them had expected this kind of reaction.

“This says she’s clinically depressed and needs help.” Robert shook his head and grinned. “Really? She’s been with me for five months, and I haven’t seen any sign of mental illness.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’s her guardian…”

Robert shook his head and smiled again. “No, he’s not. As her husband, I’m her guardian. There is nothing the man can do to get his daughter back.”

The man scowled. “He said you had a daughter?”

Robert’s smile grew cold. “You touch one hair on my daughter’s head or even think about it, and I’ll take out all three of you.”

All three men stiffened.

The one in front took a menacing step forward. “Are you threatening us?”

Robert stood abruptly, making the man back up. He flattened his hands on the desk and leaned over. The fact that he was taller than all three and muscular made them cautious.

“I am threatening you. I’ve got you three recorded, and I know people that can get your names within minutes. After that, I’ll have information about you on file. You might think that’s nothing, Gentlemen, but I guarantee you’ll regret ever dealing with Nichols. I’m only going to say this once. Don’t come around my family. Ever.”

He waited for it to sink in. “Do you understand?” he barked.

The three nodded but looked even angrier than a minute before they turned and walked out.

Claire came to the doorway. “Is there anything I can do, Sir?”

“Yes. I want you to go home, pack a bag, and visit a relative. Can you do that?” He wanted her away from the situation until he knew it was under control.

She nodded. “I can do that.”

“I’ll call you when the problem is taken care of. In the meantime, have a nice vacation.”

“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be at my sister’s in Arizona.”

Robert nodded. “Good. Be careful.”

“You, too, Sir.”

He waited until he heard the outer door close before he made a call.

“Crenshaw Residence?” Taylor answered.

“It’s me. Where are the other girls?”

“Out in the backyard. What’s going on?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you all of it later, but for now, I think they might be in danger. Bring them into the house and lock all the doors. I’m going to send some men to watch over you three. Have the guy give you a code word before you open the door.”

“I can do that. Tell him the code word is ‘spaghetti.’”

Robert smiled. “I’ll tell them. I’m headed home now.”

“We’ll be here. Be careful.”

Robert started to stuff papers in his briefcase as he called down to the doorman.

“Cliff, can you call an Uber for me and have it waiting in a few minutes?”

“Yes, Sir. It will be here.”

“Good. Thank you.”

Robert planned to drive his own car, but one, he may be being watched, and two, it would let him concentrate on the phone calls he had to make.

As he walked out of the elevator, he had already set up several men who were headed to his house.

“I hope it’s okay, but I grabbed one of the drivers for the building. It might have taken a few minutes to get an Uber here, and he was just sitting on the curb.”

“That’s perfect. Thank you.”

Cliff nodded and opened the door. “You’re welcome, Sir. Have a good day.”

“You, too.” He caught sight of Jimmy, one of the main drivers, with the back car door open and waiting for him.

“Thank you, Jimmy.”

“It’s my pleasure, Sir.”

The door closed behind him.

Jimmy slid into the driver’s seat. “Where to, Mr. Crenshaw?”

Robert looked out the side window. “Home, Jimmy.”

“All right. I know where that is.”

Robert was dialing before they left the curb.

“Channing, I need your help.”

“Anything you need, man,” Channing said.

“Emmet is threatening my family. I have guys at the house, but I told the men he sent that Grace and I are married.”

“I can have Judge Philips meet you at your house. He’ll take care of whatever you need.”

Robert pressed on his eyes. “Good. Can you be there as a witness? I’ll have Taylor there, too, if needed.”

“I’m on my way,” Channing said.

“We’ll also need to make the marriage date a week or so before.”

“That can easily be done. Don’t worry. We’ll get everything taken care of,” Channing said.

Robert tried to relax, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to until he was with his girls.