Chapter 1 - THE EMERGENCY CODE

Ethan Mercer had one hand around Rachel’s upper arm and a fireplace poker in the other when he said the sentence that ended his life as he knew it.

“Your father cannot save you.”

Rain slammed against the mansion windows.

Thunder rolled so hard the chandelier trembled above the damaged living room. The cream-and-gold walls flashed with storm light. A shattered crystal decanter lay in pieces across the polished marble floor, dark liquor spreading beneath an overturned formal chair.

Rachel twisted her body sideways, using every bit of strength she had left to shield her pregnant belly and her five-year-old daughter.

Lucy clung to the torn white fabric of Rachel’s maternity dress, barefoot and shaking, one small fist locked into the dress at Rachel’s hip.