Chapter 27

Jael leaned forward in her chair and cradled her head in her hands, allowing relief to wash over her. Her future remained uncertain, but the hard part was over. It was difficult to comprehend what it meant.

She looked out the window into the dark. She’d dared to hope and pray. Was it possible that God was not only real but listening? She’d tested Him, asked Him for the strength to turn down Christopher’s advances, and she’d made it through. When Becca had hit a roadblock and they hadn’t known the best way to move forward, Jael had asked Him to show the way, and they’d found it. But what did that mean for her? Lucas McGregor had told her the way, but she still felt she didn’t deserve it.

She squeezed her eyes against the shame of her past until she heard the front door open, and she shot up out of her seat. Her heart was racing in expectation of what Danny’s arrival meant. She didn’t want to let him go, but everything he’d said made it clear they wouldn’t be together no matter how they both felt. But even as those thoughts flooded her mind, a silent warning sent goosebumps up her arms. She’d locked the door, and Danny didn’t have a key.

In the silence of the house, she heard heavy footsteps hurrying across the tiled entryway. She backed against the fireplace and wrapped her fingers around the poker.

“Jael?” Artus said when he opened the door. He looked down at her hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She looked at the poker, then set it back into place, keeping her hand close. He should be in custody by now.

“Is everything okay?” Jael said. “What are you doing here?”

He dropped into a chair. “Sorry. I didn’t know where else to go.”

She kept her focus on him but made note of her phone on the coffee table in her peripheral vision. She’d have to remain calm and act normal until she could send a text to Danny.

“That’s okay,” she said. “You know you’re always welcome here. I’m just surprised to see you is all. I didn’t know you had a key.”

“Gregory gave me one a long time ago. It was more a token of our friendship back then, but today, I’ve found a use for it.”

“Has something happened? Where’s Christopher?”

He stared at her for a moment. “I heard you weren’t feeling well.”

“No. I felt dizzy. I think I’m still sick.”

“Turned out to be a good thing. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Safe from what? What’s happened?”

“The FBI were watching,” he said.

“Watching what?”

“Your engagement party. They were there. You must have left right before they stormed the place.”

“Why would they be at my engagement party?”

“Why do you think? They’ve been after me for years.” He shook his head. “I think they took Christopher in. Danny got to him. It gave me time to escape, but I doubt Christopher got out.”

“That’s— I’m so sorry. Do you think they’ll be able to hold him for long?”

“I don’t know. I’ve heard a few whispers, but to make a bold move like that, they must have something.”

She walked to the couch and sat, glancing briefly at her phone. “They haven’t gotten you before. But I hope he’ll be okay.”

“You don’t have to pretend to be sad.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know you were only marrying him because you had to.”

“I—”

Artus raised his hand. “It’s okay. He’s my son, and I love him, but his credentials as a husband aren’t the best. And I’ve known you a long time. You’re a good liar, but not good enough to fool me.”

She nodded. Artus was practical enough she could be honest with him in this. If she could get him to trust her and relax, she’d have a chance of alerting Danny. “You know I’ve always done what I’ve needed to in order to survive.”

“I know. You’re a remarkable woman. I’ve thought so for a long time. I’ve never known your equal.”

“That’s more praise than I deserve.”

“It’s only appropriate that you say that. But I don’t agree. Gregory and I may not have always seen eye to eye, but I’ve gotta say, he raised a hell of a daughter.”

“That’s kind of you to say.”

He walked over to the couch and sat beside her, resting his hand on her knee. “I’ve been privileged to know you a long time. I think I’ve earned the right to speak into your life.” He was too close, but she didn’t dare move away.

“You’ve been a good friend to our family,” she said. “You’ve also given my dad and me wise advice.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that.” He rubbed his thumb across her knee. “You’re a beautiful woman. But when your father made it clear that he had Christopher in his sights to marry you, I was willing to go along with it. I care for you very much, and I only want what’s best for you. But I always thought he got it wrong. My son is no match for you.”

Jael’s throat was so tight, she had to clear it to speak. “Christopher and I don’t have a lot in common. But in these types of situations, you give up your expectations to fulfill your duty.”

“What if you could do both?”

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

“I see the way you look at me.”

“You’re my father’s friend.” She was tempted to tell him she knew about the murder. She wanted to throw it in his face, but she didn’t.

“His much younger friend. You and I, we aren’t that different in age. And shouldn’t my friendship with your dad only strengthen what’s possible between us?”

She scooted away from his touch. “Over twenty years is not a small gap.”

“I’m not an old man. And I’ve been with women younger than you. I can protect you. Look after you. I understand you weren’t expecting this. I’ve hidden my love for you well.”

“Love?”

“As close to it as I’ve ever been. I put it from my mind for the sake of my son. But there’s nothing holding us back anymore. You can’t possibly consider marrying Christopher now. And if you don’t, you’ll lose everything.”

“This is a lot to take in.”

“I’m handing you your best option, but you have to make a decision. I don’t have long. I’ll have to leave before morning, but you can come with me. We can live in luxury beyond even what you’re accustomed to. I can give you everything your heart desires.”

“What about my foundation?” She was clutching at straws, but Artus was not a man you could turn down.

“I have enough money to cover the costs. You won’t need your inheritance or Heber Industries. I’ll fund it myself. And I’ll make sure you have as many houses as you need to look after those women. You can run it from paradise. And I have contacts. I can help. We can build something greater together. Help more women find the freedom they want so desperately. You know about wanting freedom, don’t you?”

It would be so easy to give in. Artus was offering her everything she thought she wanted, but deep inside her soul, she knew it was a facade. She wanted truth more.

She looked at her phone again when she shouldn’t have. He saw it.

After snatching it off the table, he quickly tucked it in his jacket pocket. “You’re not convinced. It’s a shame.”

“You talk about giving women their freedom, but no one wants to let me have my own.”

“But don’t you see? That’s exactly what I’m offering you. You can have anything you want. The world will bow at your feet.”

“What if I don’t want to get married?”

“Who said anything about marriage?” He laughed. “I have no interest in being tied to anyone. I will live to please you, and you can live to please me. Everyone wins.”

“I like my life here.” Her voice barely made it over a whisper.

Artus shook his head. “I don’t know what to say.” He stood and walked to the door.

She let out a silent breath, her body tingling in relief. She didn’t dare move, but silently rejoiced. Thank you Jesus.

But when he reached the door, he shut them both in and turned the elaborate key in the lock. It had been a decorative piece, left in the lock for the look of it, but now she was a prisoner.

After a couple of cranks, he pulled it out and tucked it in the same pocket as her phone.

“What are you doing?” she said.

“Protecting you. You’ve walked through life with your father by your side. He’s directed you and helped you understand the best way to navigate the intricacies of your position. You don’t have that anymore, but I’m offering you something better.”

“By locking me in here?”

“I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. A lot has happened in your life recently. I realize my declaration is unexpected. I want you to have the opportunity to change your mind.”

She crossed her arms against the chill that ran through her. “And if I don’t?”

“That would be truly unfortunate. Do you know what happens to a puppy if they lose their mother before they’re weaned?”

“You’re comparing me to a puppy?”

“Because that’s what you are. You won’t survive without help. You’re not ready for the world.”

“I’m a grown woman.”

“If I can’t convince you to come away with me, then I won’t let you suffer.”

“You’re going to kill me?”

“It’s for your own protection. I own all the skeletons in your dad’s closet. And I know that you share some of them. I won’t leave you to a fate worse than death. I know how your mother suffered. I tried to help her, but in the end… I don’t want you to suffer like she did.”

He walked up and reached for her, but she balked. His face hardened, and he grabbed her arm, dragging her close. His breath was hot on her cheek.

“I want you. Jael. I’ve spent too many years holding myself at bay. You need to let me have you.”

“You’re sick.” She ripped out of his grasp, and he backhanded her, knocking her to the floor.

Danny paced the ballroom, his focus on the swirling patterns covering the floor. The guests were being questioned and processed, but it was taking too long. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Jael, telling her to sit tight. He couldn’t quite bring himself to tell her Artus had escaped.

The FBI were watching for him everywhere, but he was a man with a lot of resources and connections that could get him out of the country without anyone knowing.

A door banged, and he looked up to see a body bag being carted away.

Barak appeared at the door and watched the path of the gurney as they crossed the floor. Then he spotted Danny and walked over. “That was good work. I know we’ve had our differences, but I’m not too proud to say that Deborah was right about bringing you in. You got the job done.”

“I’ll thank you for your kind words once Artus is behind bars.”

“We’re doing everything we can to find him, but even if the best we can do is get him out of the country, I’d call that a win. He’ll lie low for a long time.”

“You don’t care if he lives free for the rest of his life?”

“I care, but it’s bringing down his empire that I’m interested in now. And with all the evidence we’ve got, we’ll easily get a warrant to comb through everything he’s ever touched. We’ll unravel a lot of what he’s built. Even if we don’t get the man, tonight was a big win for the bureau.”

“I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll take your foot off the pedal to find him.”

“Of course not. Deborah’s given me full authority to do what I have to do. We’re already getting phone calls from the public with possible sightings.”

“You’ve made it public?”

“Like I said, we’re doing everything in our power to hunt him down. We have no time to waste. If he’s not in custody in the next twelve hours, we’ve lost him.”

“You’re going to waste a lot of resources following leads that go nowhere.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

Danny ran his hands through his hair. “No.”

“Don’t worry. We’re pretty good at sifting through the garbage calls. A neighbor of Gregory Heber’s called to say they’d seen a prowler that fits Artus’s description. Can you believe it? Like he’d go back to the scene of the crime.”

Every muscle in Danny’s body flexed. “Jael’s staying there.”

“Yeah, but Artus won’t go there. He may as well hand himself over to us.”

“Have you sent someone to check it out?”

“A second ago you were worried about wasting time, but yes, a police cruiser is headed that way now to have a look, but we’re putting our biggest energy into the tightest leads. Artus will be getting as far away from here as possible. He hasn’t survived this long by making stupid moves.”

Danny pulled out his phone. “Still.” He dialed Jael’s number, and it went through to voicemail. He hung up. “I’m going to go check myself.”

“Do whatever you want. You’re off the clock.”

Danny ran to his car as icy fingers snaked deep into his heart. Barak was right. It made no sense for Artus to retreat to Gregory’s house. But he couldn’t let it go.

God, please let me be a fool when I turn up and everything is as it should be. He knew he was letting his emotions rule him, but he couldn’t help it.