Chapter 2 - Daniel Mercer
Daniel insisted his men remain outside.
They obeyed immediately.
That frightened me more than if they'd argued.
I sat again.
"Start talking."
Daniel did.
"Mercer Home and Living belongs to my family."
I blinked.
"Your family?"
"Yes."
"Mercer."
"Correct."
I stared at him.
Then at the embroidered company logo on my work tote beneath the table.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Lily leaned toward him.
"So you're Mom's boss?"
"Technically."
"How technically?"
Daniel almost smiled.
"Very."
I folded my arms.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't ask whether I owned the company."
"I asked what you did."
"I said retail."
"That's like the president saying he works in government."
"Fair criticism."
Something still didn't fit.
"Company owners don't travel with four security guards."
Daniel's amusement vanished.
"No."
"Who are you really?"
Silence.
Lily looked between us.
Daniel finally spoke.
"My family has interests beyond retail."
"What kind?"
"Clare."
"What kind?"
His eyes held mine.
"The kind you should never have to worry about."
That was an answer without being an answer.
And somehow it told me everything.
I grabbed my purse.
"Lily."
"But pie—"
"Take it."
Daniel stood.
"Clare."
"We're leaving."
"I understand."
I stopped.
He wasn't threatening me.
He wasn't blocking the door.
He simply looked disappointed.
Lily walked over and hugged him.
Daniel froze.
Completely.
"Lily!"
"It's Thanksgiving."
His hands remained awkwardly at his sides.
Then slowly, carefully, one settled against her back.
"Thank you," he said.
She released him.
"You better keep the card."
"I will."
We left.
I assumed that would be the end.
I was wrong.
Monday morning, my store manager was waiting for me.
"Clare. Office."
My stomach dropped.
Inside sat regional director Martin Harlow.
Martin never visited Franklin unless someone was getting fired.
"Sit down."
I remained standing.
"What's wrong?"
Martin slid papers across the desk.
"Your employment is being terminated."
I stared at him.
"What?"
"Repeated violations of company policy."
"What violations?"
"Customer complaints."
"Show me."
"That's confidential."
"They're complaints against me."
"Security."
Two guards appeared.
My face burned.
Six years.
No write-ups.
No suspensions.
Nothing.
"You can't do this."
Martin leaned back.
"It's already done."
I packed my desk while coworkers avoided looking at me.
Then the front doors opened.
Everyone stopped.
Daniel Mercer walked inside.
Black suit.
No overcoat.
Tattoos visible across his hand.
Three men followed.
Martin went pale.
"Mr. Mercer."
Daniel didn't acknowledge him.
He looked at the box in my arms.
Then at me.
"What happened?"
I swallowed.
"I was fired."
The store became silent.
Daniel turned toward Martin.
"You fired her?"
Martin stammered.
"Based on documented performance concerns."
"Show me."
"They're confidential."
Daniel's voice dropped.
"Martin."
The man hurried into the office.
Daniel followed.
Five minutes later, something crashed.
Then Daniel emerged carrying a folder.
His expression was terrifying.
"Clare."
"What?"
"Come here."
Inside the office, Daniel spread six complaints across the desk.
"These were filed Friday."
"The store was closed Friday."
"Exactly."
Martin said nothing.
Daniel looked at him.
"Who told you to fire her?"
"No one."
Daniel leaned closer.
"Try again."
Martin's hands trembled.
"Your uncle."
Daniel went still.
"Which uncle?"
"Victor."
The room changed.
Daniel looked toward me.
And for the first time since meeting him, I saw genuine alarm.
"Clare, take Lily somewhere tonight."
"What?"
"Somewhere you don't normally go."
"Why?"
Daniel turned toward Martin.
May you like
"Because someone in my family knows who you are."
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