The Name He Cannot Deny

Kiera drove home in a daze; thoughts danced in her head, her head were jamming with fear and worry, voices screaming in her head.

'No, no, no' was all she could say.

She had her suspicions, she had evidences to prove James belonged where he shouldn't be but a part of her wished strongly that this would be a lie. Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to process all that was going on with her.

How would Tessa feel when she learns that her beloved father belongs to a group that kills people for money, fame and power? It would be a very disheartening issue but how long will this be hidden from her?

She parked her car at the manor's massive garage which was unlike her; they usually parked directly in front of the mansion where the servants would clean and park the car at the garage and then bring it out again for the next use. But she needed to clear her head prior to the time she would be inside the house.

She took a deep breath and walked limply to the house but immediately made a smart move to avoid her daughter. At this moment, it would be a difficult task to comport herself in Tessa's presence. She gave instructions to keep Tessa away for the meantime.

She cursed the day of the attack and Draco's visit, if only it hadn't happened things would still be normal.

"Why........." she lamented but drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later, James came home. He was humming excitedly and definitely looked thrilled to be home.

"Darling I'm home!" he was greeted my Tessa excited squeal and little feet tapping towards him.

"Daddy!!" she yelled and jumped on him.

"The grand princess of this esteemed abode, I am honored by your warm welcome"

"You're welcome grand knight, it's a pleasure to have to once again" she grinned.

"Now where is our queen, my queen?" he asked looking around eagerly.

"Upstairs. She hasn't come down since she came back, I haven't seen her either" Tessa shrugged innocently.

James frowned; Kiera was out of the house? She didn't tell him about her whereabouts and that was not her nature to do so. He hoped she hadn't gone out snooping again.

He shook his head, maybe she was out with friends and it probably skipped her mind. She had never done anything silly that would make him lose trust in her so he should keep on trusting her.

"Is there any chance you have an idea where had gone to?" he inquired, looking at Tessa intently.

"Nope!" Tessa shook her head, he turned to look at the servants nearby but they shook their head as well.

"Gosh!" he chuckled and shook his head, "What am I even doing?" he mumbled to himself.

"Alright princess, let's go see mummy" they sang Tessa's favorite song on the way.

When they got to the room, they met Kiera sitting in a couch, lost in thoughts. Tessa jumped down from her father's arms and ran to her.

"Mummy!!" she said excitedly."I haven't seen you today and I miss you so much. Why didn't you let me see today?" Tessa bombarded Kiera with so many questions while James stood and observed her.

Kiera was not one to hide her emotions and Tessa was a very smart child, it would be damn easy for her to notice the change in her mother's mood. Hence the reason she locked herself in.

"Mummy is everything okay?" she continued, exuding her childlike charm and innocence. Kiera jolted and looked around, she didn't know how much time she has spent on thinking her brains out. She smiled weakly at Tessa, ignoring her husband.

"I'm fine baby. Mummy was so stressed. I had a long day so I had to rest, I'm sorry if you're worried about me"

"What about me?" James exclaimed with his hands up in the air, Kiera must be so occupied with Tessa so he had to make an effort. But she was becoming too cold in her attitude. Although there were times she portrayed such whenever she was upset but now, she seemed distant.

That incident had really shaken their family and is creating a strong rift between them.

She looked up at him and stared grimly before uttering a word. "Welcome back. How was work today?"

No excitement, no jumping on him for a hug and a kiss. It was very unusual, something is definitely going wrong.

'What's that all she could say?' James frowned. He walked up to her with a sly smile.

"MI cara, is anything the matter?" he sat close to her and tried to pull her in for a kiss, she pulled back and turned her face away.

James heartbeat began to quicken, he wasn't supposed to be afraid or anxious about the attitude Kiera was showing but he couldn't help but wonder what exactly the problem was.

"Tessa, could you please give us a minute? Mummy and Daddy time" he implored.

"No fair! I just met mommy now, I want to be with her much longer" Tessa pouted and protested.

Tessy darling, it's almost dinner time. Why don't you go downstairs and wait for I and your father, after dinner we could have our girls time as long as we want okay? Please" Kiera pleaded.

Immediately Tessa left the room, Kiera started her investigation, confronting James at once.

"What kind of operation does the shadow organization run?"

James eyes widened in shock but he masked his surprise immediately before Kiera could face him again. So this was the reason behind all these attitude she has been giving him. When was she ever going to learn? He had successfully kept his family from the organization for so many years but the one involvement with Mr. Banders is threatening to ruin all his efforts.

Is she not threatened enough by the text and the other tales she must have heard from the public. He stared at her long and hard before answering her.

"Where did you hear of this?"

"Does it really matter, I heard one Mr. James Smith belongs to that organization so it's most likely for you to be a suspect. Plus you're a businessman, these names must have crossed your ears" she challenged, pointing her fingers at him.

Her boldness was definitely going to put her in grave danger he may not rescue her from.

He shook his head, why wouldn't she leave things as they are? She is endangering their lives for God sake! All the years of efforts to hide them from the cruel world of corruption and evil was threatening to go down the drain.

He was really at loss for words!