1The day my father pulled back the blanket covering my pregnant body, the lies my husband and mother-in-law had buried for months died in a single heartbeat. They had convinced everyone I was weak, emotional, and struggling with pregnancy. They never imagined my father would uncover the bruises they forced me to hide—and they had no idea he wasn't just my father. He was a U.S. Army colonel.

Silas stepped out of the bedroom and into the hallway. The moonlight from the window illuminated his face. He looked older, his face scarred from the fire three years ago, but his eyes held the same cruel intensity. He held a silenced pistol loosely at his side.

"Where is the ledger?" he demanded, taking a slow step toward me.

"I told you on the phone," I said, keeping my weapon leveled at his chest. "It burned. There is no money left."

"I don't believe you," he sneered. "You're too meticulous to destroy your only leverage."

"The leverage was to keep you away," I explained, not moving an inch. "But since you refused to stay dead, the ledger became useless. I don't need blackmail material anymore. I just need you gone."

Silas laughed, a hollow, bitter sound.

"You think you can shoot me, Emmy? You’re a mother. You build gardens and bake birthday cakes. You aren't a killer."