He thought they were going to share the wealth.

But Sloane had no intention of staying with him once the Hartwell money arrived.

She was letting Nolan play the villain, letting him take the risk of extorting a powerful family, while she prepared to disappear with the spoils.

If Nolan failed to get my signature, his company would collapse within weeks due to the missing funds.

If he succeeded, Sloane would take her share of the new funds and leave Nolan to face my father’s lawyers alone.

I rubbed my temples, feeling the exhaustion of the last forty-eight hours settling deep into my bones.

In the bassinet near the corner of the room, Maisie stirred, letting out a soft, sleeping sigh.

I stood up and walked over to her, looking down at her tiny hands curled near her chin.

She was so small, completely unaware of the storm gathering around us.

I reached down and gently adjusted the pink wool blanket around her shoulders.

“I won’t let them,” I whispered.

The room smelled faintly of lavender soap and the damp air coming through the window frame.