“I know,” Ethan said. “But he does not own me.”

He looked down at the sealed bag in his hand, his jaw tightening.

“We will find out exactly what my father was planning,” Ethan said.

He turned and walked back toward his study to prepare the package for the courier.

I stood alone in the hallway, looking at the dark wood of the floor.

My phone suddenly vibrated in my apron pocket, the sharp buzz making me jump.

I pulled it out and looked at the screen.

It was an unknown number, but I recognized the prefix.

It was the main line for the Cole Corporation headquarters.

I tapped the screen to answer, my hand trembling against the glass.

“Hello?” I whispered.

There was only the sound of heavy breathing on the other end of the line.

Then, a low, familiar voice spoke, sending a wave of ice through my veins.

“You should be careful what you say to my nephew, Maria,” Richard’s voice said.

My throat tightened, making it hard to breathe.

“I told you what would happen to your grandmother,” he whispered.