Chapter 3 - The Offer You Can’t RefuseClaire stood protectively in front of her bedroom door, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. She knew the stories. People who tried to run from Vincent Calloway usually ended up as footnotes in police reports categorized as "unsolved disappearances."
"We're leaving," Claire said, her voice shaking despite her best efforts to keep it steady. "You don't have to fire me, Mr. Calloway. I resign. Just let us walk out of those gates. We won't say a word to anyone about... about anything."
Vincent didn't look at her immediately. His gaze drifted down to the manila envelope full of cash on the table, then back up to Claire's pale, defiant face.
"Mrs. Gable is efficient," Vincent noted casually, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets. "Always has been. But she's paranoid."
"Paranoid?" Claire scoffed bitterly. "Your dog is a 150-pound killer, and my daughter walked right up to him with a washcloth! Anyone with a brain would be running for the state line!"
At the sound of raised voices, a sleepy, tired voice drifted from the bedroom.
"Mommy? Is that the friendly dog?"
Vincent’s expression shifted. A microscopic softening touched the corners of his hard mouth. Without waiting for permission, he took two slow steps past Claire, pushing the bedroom door open.
Maddie was sitting up in her narrow bed, clutching her cream-colored stuffed bear with one arm, rubbing her sleepy eyes with the other. Standing right beside the bed—having squeezed his massive frame through the narrow doorway with surprising grace—was Ranger.
The beast lowered his giant head, gently resting his wet nose against the blanket right over Maddie's small feet.
Maddie giggled, entirely unfazed. She reached out a tiny hand and patted Ranger right between his velvety ears. "Hi, buddy. You came inside."
Vincent stood frozen in the center of the small room, looking down at the girl and the beast. In eleven years, Ranger had never allowed a soul within three feet of his personal space while resting. Yet here he was, practically leaning his entire body weight against a toddler's bed.
"He likes her," Vincent said, speaking more to himself than to Claire.
"He could snap her neck in a split second," Claire whispered, rushing into the room and grabbing Maddie's hand, pulling her back. "Please, Mr. Calloway. Just tell us what you want. Do you want us silenced? Do you want us gone?"
Vincent turned slowly, his dark eyes locking onto Claire with an intensity that made her knees weak.
"I don't want you gone, Claire," Vincent said softly. "In fact, I'm doubling your salary starting tonight."
Claire blinked, stunned. "What?"
"And you aren't living in these cramped quarters anymore," Vincent continued, turning toward the door. "Starting tomorrow, you and Maddie are moving into the East Pavilion. It's closer to the main house. Closer to the security perimeter."
"I don't understand," Claire stammered. "Why are you doing this?"
Vincent stopped at the doorway, resting a heavy hand on Ranger's thick neck. The dog let out a low, contented rumble.
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"Because, Mrs. Parker," Vincent said, his eyes flashing with a dangerous, calculating light, "for eleven years, I've wondered who—or what—could ever truly control that animal. Now I know. And anyone who wants to hurt my estate, my business, or my family... will now have to get past a little girl and her dog."
Before Claire could reply, Vincent turned and walked out into the night, the massive mastiff following right at his heel, leaving Claire standing in the silence of the bedroom with more questions than answers.
