“This would begin as a legal arrangement. My name would place you and Hope under the protection of every person loyal to me. Your brother would be guarded. No enemy could approach you without declaring war on the entire Cain organization.”
“And what would you get?”
“The right to keep you alive.”
“That isn’t enough.”
“It is to me.”
The door opened behind him.
Bishop entered, his face grim.
“We have a problem.”
Adrien rose.
“What?”
“One of Rourke’s people accessed the hospital system before we did. They know Miss Hart gave birth.”
His gaze fell to the child.
“And they know the father is you.”
Adrien turned toward Mabel.
The gentleness disappeared from his face, replaced by the controlled darkness that had made Chicago fear him.
“By sunrise,” he said, “every enemy I have will know you are the only woman I have ever loved.”
Part 2
Mabel did not accept the proposal that night.
She allowed Adrien to move Hope into a private guarded room because a nurse found an unauthorized man near the maternity ward. She allowed Bishop to escort Toby to a secure apartment. She allowed Adrien to pay the hospital after an administrator threatened to discharge her before she was medically ready.
But when he mentioned marriage again, she looked him directly in the eyes.
“No.”
Adrien stood beside the window, broad shoulders silhouetted against the city lights.
“It is the strongest protection I can offer.”
“I spent my whole life watching powerful people make decisions for me. My father’s creditors decided we deserved nothing. Rossi’s customers decided I was a thief. You decided I didn’t deserve the truth.”
His jaw tightened.
“You are right.”
“I know I am.”
“I am still asking.”
“And I’m still saying no.”
He accepted her answer.
That frightened her more than an argument would have.
Adrien arranged Evelyn’s funeral without turning it into a performance. He stood at the back of the small chapel while Mabel held Hope and Toby delivered a trembling farewell to their mother.
When Mabel nearly collapsed beside the grave, Adrien stepped forward.
He did not take her from Toby.
He simply stood close enough that she knew he would catch her.
After the service, Coraline Mercer appeared outside the cemetery.
Mabel stared at the woman who had destroyed her livelihood.
Coraline’s gaze moved from Mabel’s black dress to the child in her arms.
“I heard about your mother,” she said without warmth. “Tragic.”
Adrien came down the chapel steps.
Coraline’s face changed.
Everyone in her social circle knew him.
“Mr. Cain.”
Adrien stopped beside Mabel and placed one hand at the small of her back.
The touch was protective, not possessive, but Coraline noticed it.
“This is the woman you accused of theft,” Adrien said.
Coraline swallowed. “There was evidence.”
“There was a bracelet planted in her bag.”
Mabel looked at him.
He had already discovered the truth.
Coraline forced a laugh. “That’s an absurd allegation.”
“I have Rossi’s security footage.”
The color drained from her face.
Adrien’s voice remained calm. “It shows Whitney distracting the hostess while Deline opened Miss Hart’s handbag. It also shows you removing the bracelet before dinner and handing it to Deline beneath the table.”
Coraline’s lips parted.
