“Back Off, She’s With Me!”—Single Dad Ex-SEAL Protected a Stranger Who Was Actually a CEO
Chapter 10
The island belonged to Claire’s mother.
An enormous estate stood above the cliffs.
Security surrounded it.
Mason studied the property from a distance.
“Six visible guards.”
Claire looked through binoculars.
“Eight.”
He smiled.
“You’re getting better.”
“I have a good teacher.”
They entered through an underground service tunnel used decades earlier by the family.
Inside, the estate was silent.
They found Emma in a bedroom.
She was asleep.
Mason nearly broke down when he saw her.
“Daddy.”
She woke.
He ran to her.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Did they hurt you?”
“No.”
Emma hugged him.
“I knew you’d come.”
He closed his eyes.
“I always will.”
Claire knelt beside her.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
Emma smiled.
“You came too.”
“Of course.”
They began moving toward the exit.
Then Claire’s mother appeared.
Evelyn Bennett.
Elegant.
Calm.
Older than Claire remembered.
“Claire.”
Claire stopped.
“Mom.”
Mason positioned himself between them.
Evelyn smiled.
“You’re like your father.”
“That isn’t a compliment.”
“It was meant to be.”
Claire shook her head.
“You used me.”
“I protected you.”
“You destroyed my company.”
“I saved it.”
“You used people.”
“I controlled risk.”
Claire’s voice broke.
“Why did you leave me?”
Evelyn looked at Emma.
“Because I knew Victor would come after the trust.”
“And you needed her.”
“Yes.”
Mason stepped forward.
“You kidnapped my daughter.”
“I kept her safe.”
“You don’t get to define safe.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“You should understand.”
“I understand plenty.”
She smiled.
“Do you?”
She turned toward him.
“Emily knew.”
Mason froze.
“Knew what?”
“That your wife had discovered Atlantic.”
“You knew her?”
“Yes.”
“Did you kill her?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“No.”
“Then who did?”
She looked at Claire.
“Your father.”
Claire went pale.
“My father?”
“He ordered the transfer that exposed her.”
Mason’s face hardened.
“That’s impossible.”
Evelyn handed him a file.
Inside was Emily’s final report.
She had found evidence that Richard Bennett was using military contractors to protect the hidden network.
Emily had confronted him.
He threatened her.
Then her car was sabotaged.
Mason stared at the report.
“No.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Your wife was right.”
Claire looked at Mason.
“I’m sorry.”
He couldn’t speak.
His entire memory of his wife’s death had just shattered.
Evelyn continued.
“Richard didn’t kill Emily directly.”
“Then who?”
“The man who handled his private security.”
Mason read the name.
Marcus Shaw.
Claire’s former security chief.
The man from the diner.
Mason’s jaw tightened.
“He’s working for Victor.”
“Yes.”
“Then why is he still after Claire?”
“Because Marcus wants the network.”
Evelyn looked at Claire.
“He wants power.”
She handed Claire another file.
“Your father left a final instruction.”
Claire opened it.
The company must not be inherited.
It must be dismantled.
Claire stared.
“What?”
Her father had discovered what Atlantic had become.
He had intended to destroy it.
But he died before he could.
Evelyn had continued the operation.
Marcus wanted control.
Victor wanted exposure.
Everyone had lied.
Claire looked at Mason.
“We have to destroy it.”
Mason nodded.
Evelyn laughed.
“You think you can.”
Claire closed the file.
“Yes.”
“Then you’ll need the final key.”
Mason looked at Emma.
Evelyn smiled.
“Your daughter has it.”
Emma touched the necklace around her neck.
The black anchor symbol.
Mason stared.
He had seen that necklace before.
Emily had worn it.
Emma had inherited it without knowing what it meant.
Mason whispered,
“Her mother gave it to her.”
Evelyn nodded.
“She was always meant to carry it.”
Then the estate lights went out.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Marcus had arrived.
Evelyn’s smile disappeared.
“Now,” she whispered.
“It’s your move.”
