Chapter 102ChloeBut it was too late. He had already pushed past me, striding with urgency out of my bedroom and into the next room."Nathan, stop, you can't just barge in here like that" I yelled after him, feeling the panic in my voice.He ignored my protests, pushing the door to Adele's room open and walking in.There, in a crib, was a little girl with dark curly hair and big brown eyes. She was crying loudly, her tiny fists balled up and waving in the air.Nathan stood there, staring at her in shock. "Chloe, who is this?" he asked quietly. I could tell the answer was quite obvious to him.I bit my lip, tears welling up in my eyes. "Nathan, I..."Nathan's mouth fell open. "Our daughter? Why didn't you tell me?"I could feel the panic rising, I had to do something, fast "Nathan, don't be ridiculous."He stepped closer to the crib, looking down at the little girl. She slowly stopped crying, staring at him curiously before holding out a chubby hand towards him. He hesitated before re

104I felt the red-hot anger boiling inside me as I reached for my daughter. But Chloe, with agility that surprised me, threw herself between me and the cot staring up defiantly at me. Addison slid next to her, protecting the baby from me, her father."Chloe, move out of my way. I'm taking Adele home with me," I growled, my voice low and firm."No, Nathan," Chloe said, stepping planting herself firmly, refusing to lose her ground. "I won't let you take her. You're being rash, and you're not thinking straight.""I am thinking straight," I snapped back, trying to push past her. "I'm her father, and I have every right to take her home with me."Addison stepped forward, putting a hand on my chest. "Nathan, please, don't do anything you'll regret. Adele is scared, and you're only making it worse."I craned my neck to see Adele behind them, her small frame shaking with fear. "Mommy... mommy?" she cried, her voice breaking. I immediately realized my sudden outburst must have scared her shit

106I had just gotten out of the shower when the phone rang, it's shrill ringing snapping me out of my reverie."Hello?" I answered, picking the call. I didn't bother to check the caller ID, I already knew who it was. "They are on the move boss." Came the reply. The infamously gruff voice confirming my guess.Joseph "Mando" Ackerman, ex United States Navy SEAL, veteran of the Iraqi and Afghan wars, took an honorable discharge after he got wounded out on a mission to take out a cell of Taliban terrorists and now working as the chief of my security detail. Standing at a massive 6'5 and 240 pounds of pure muscle. He looked like a walking tank. "You are on their tail?" "Affirmative sir."I chuckled slightly, like most veterans, he kept the habit of answering like I was his commanding officer."Good, stick to them, don't be spotted, text me whatever location they get to when they stop.""Copy that boss." The line went dead.***I sat in my office, staring blankly at the computer screen

I stepped into the cavernous lobby of Azul Enterprises, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This was it, the moment I had been waiting for. As I walked with David, my lawyer, towards Eduardo's office, I couldn't help but notice the grandeur of the building. It was evident that Azul Enterprises was a force to be reckoned with.Eduardo greeted us with a warm smile and a handshake, and we exchanged pleasantries as we made our way to his office. I immediately noticed how confident Eduardo looked, even as we walked into his territory. He knew he has us on the ropes. He knew we needed him, I didn't like that.Once we were seated, David started speaking about the acquisition that I was interested in, our flamboyant host cut him off almost immediately."Ah no business yet, I am a gracious host you see mi amigos." He said smiling widely, pressing a button on his intercom, he beeped his secretary. "Elizabeth dear, can you bring in some refreshments for our guests?""Mr Eduardo, it'

110I was sitting on the couch in my living room, trying to distract myself by watching some mindless TV after the disastrous deal with Eduardo. I just couldn't believe that I had messed up so badly. I had put everything on the line for that deal, and now it had all fallen apart. It was like my entire future was hanging in the balance.Suddenly, Addison walked in, interrupting my thoughts. "Hey, are you alright?" She asked, concern in her voice."Yeah, barely."Addison was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then she spoke up. "Chloe, maybe it's time for you to cut your losses and move on. North Carolina has been nothing but bad news for you.""Yeah," I said, smiling weakly. "You know what they say, never go back to an ex."We both shared a chuckle, the tension in the air loosening for a bit. I really needed as many laughs as I could get these days."Chloe, have you ever considered moving back to New York?" Addison asked out of the blue."What? Why would I move back to New York?" I asked,