Divorced, Now Watch Me Rise novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Dalton Alone

"Don't get up," Dalton said again. "I only want to talk."

He stood at the top of the stairs, a shape against the grey of the landing window.

He was thinner than I remembered, and he smelled of sweat and cold air.

In his right hand was a pistol.

Brogan moved, and the pistol turned to him.

"Stay on the bed, Brogan," Dalton said. "Or I put one in her first."

Brogan stopped.

I felt his whole body go still against my arm.

"How did you get in?" I said.

"Your man in the alley went for coffee at one." Dalton laughed, short and unsteady. "I came in through the pantry window and cut the power at the meter. I've been in your house for an hour. I watched you go up the stairs."

My skin crawled.

I had been asleep in his hearing, and I made myself not think about that.

"What do you want?"

"My child."

"You said she wasn't yours," I said.

"I was wrong!" His voice cracked. "I said it before witnesses and a dead man's lawyer took my company. I want it back. I want you to sign the vote over to me, tonight, and I'll take my daughter and go."

"She isn't born yet."

"Then I'll take you until she is."

I got up slowly, with the sheet around me.

Brogan's hand caught my wrist.

"Don't," he said, almost soundless.

"Trust me," I said.

I had no idea whether I deserved it, and I walked toward the landing anyway.

"Dalton," I said. "Look at me."

He did.

I stopped three steps from the muzzle, with my hand spread over my stomach.

"If you shoot me, the trust goes to a court," I said. "A judge picks the next voter. She'll be a stranger, and she'll never have heard of you."

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