Masuk(Nash)My phone rings as I reach the hallway.Jack.“Tell me you have good news.”“I don’t.”“Well, today is the day for it apparently. I just got put on a leash by the board and I have a compulsory therapy session to get to. So talk…”“I went through every document you signed without knowing.”“And..?”“You signed the property settlement as part of the same package.”“Fuck. Surely I can contest that?”“You did sign it, Nash. It’s binding. We may be able to argue some of it but considering you are the reason the marriage broke down…”“Whatever, just tell me what she took.”“Half your personal assets, the properties, investments, residential holdings, cash in the banks, everything.”“Damn it. I need a place to live. Can you do that for me?”“No. The assets are tied up until the transfers are complete. You can’t touch a thing. Everything is now frozen.”“The banks will lend me some...”“The banks have seen the headlines, the board review, and the legal position. Nobody’s lending agains
(Nash)I’m in the board meeting they called.No option to not attend. This should be fun. Not.The chairman hands me a document as soon as I sit down.“Read it,” he says.I look at the heading.EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE SUPERVISION PROTOCOL.“What’s this?”“The board’s decision.”I read the first paragraph.Effective immediately, Hawke Industries is appointing an external crisis-management executive with authority over all public communication, investor relations, media response, and any matter that could affect market confidence.“What the hell does this mean?” I ask.“It means you will not make a public statement, approve a major decision, or travel for personal reasons without consulting this person first.”“You think I need a glorified babysitter? You are taking control of my company.”“We know you need a babysitter. We’re ensuring this company is not damage any further.”I look around the table.Nobody looks away.The chairman continues, “the board will review your position twice a mon
(Ivy)Kate has only been gone for a second when I spot the black SUV parked near the staff entrance.The license plate says it all.HAWKE 1.Damn it. Eleanor’s car is out here. If she comes out…I go to wait at the side of the building instead.“Ivy?” Eleanor Hawke’s voice stops me.Goddamn it. Why? I turn around.Piper stands beside her, one hand resting over the small curve of her stomach. She is barely showing.“What are you doing out here?” Eleanor asks as she looks at the cars parked and I know she knows none of them are mine.I keep my voice even. “I’m here with a friend.”Her eyes move over me. Her gaze rests on my abdomen. “I see.”I glance down and see I’m not tucked in at the front properly.Damn, I’m so used to scrubs I forgot to tuck in properly.Eleanor clearly notices.I see the question light up in her eyes as she makes eye contact again. “Of course. I hope your friend gets good news.”“She’s just bringing the car from out front,” I blurt out.“Really? I never saw you i
(Ivy)Kate and I walk into the private women’s clinic just after nine the next morning.I called Dr. Marissa Bell yesterday and asked for an off-the-record scan for a friend who needed complete confidentiality.She is waiting at the reception desk as we enter. “Ivy, good to see you. How are you?”“I’m coping. I’ll be fine.”She nods. “The room is ready,” she says. “Nothing is being entered into the system. You have privacy. We reserve that room for emergencies only.”“Thank you.”Marissa leads us straight down the hallway and unlocks the scan room.“If you need anything flick me a text.” Then she closes the door and I lock it.Kate looks at the machine, then at me. “I’ve no idea what I’m doing.”“You don’t have to.” I put my handbag on the chair. “Just do exactly what I tell you.”“Okay.”I get the machine running and connect the transducer.Then I take off my jacket and climb onto the bed. “The gel should be in that drawer,” I tell her.I’m more nervous that I expected.“Is this it?”
(Nash)Hannah smiles as I pull into the driveway of the suburban mansion.“Wait! Is this the actual house it all happened in?”“This is the house where all the action happened.”She gives a squeal. “Omigod! I can’t wait to get in there.”“I can’t wait to get you in there.” I grin at her.Hannah gets out of the car and looks up at it. “It’s beautiful.”“I know.” I pat her ass and head for the front door. “Come on.”I walk to the front door, she follows me close, grabbing my free hand. I press my thumb to the sensor.The panel flashes red.ACCESS DENIED.What the fuck? I just left here this morning.I do my thumbprint again. Same message.Hannah stands behind me. “Maybe the battery is dead?”“It is not dead,” I snap.I enter the access code.ACCESS DENIED.My temper rises. I enter it again.It doesn’t open.Then I see the envelope taped to the front door.My name is printed across it. I rip it down and open it.NOTICE OF COMPLETED SALEThis property has been sold. Possession has transfe
(Ivy)Robert drops me at the hospital entrance.“I’ll wait,” he says.“You don’t have to wait. We just got in. Go freshen up.”“I’m good. Text if you need me.”I look at him.He gives me a small smile. “Go on. I’m fine.”“Okay.”I head straight through the lobby and up to intensive care.The nurse behind the desk is one I recognize from years of working emergency cases together.“Dr. Ivy,” Melanie says. “How are you?”“I’m well, Melanie. But, I need to see Owen Hawke.”She checks the screen in front of her.“He is still unconscious. The next 48 hours are crucial, it says immediate family only.”“I understand. But if I can just get five minutes. We’re very close. I’ll owe you one.”Melanie looks at me.“If there’s no one else in there…”“I guess, since that influencer hussy has been here…”“Piper was here?”Melanie nods. “She left with Mrs. Hawke.”Eleanor and Piper… interesting.Then she gets up, “follow me.”She swipes her card to let me into his private room. “Five minutes,” she say







