Chapter 13 - The Betrayal Inside His Own House
Rafe Calder had trusted Malik more than almost anyone alive.
For nine years, Malik had stood beside him through threats, negotiations, and family funerals.
He'd protected Sloane.
He'd been present at their wedding.
He'd even cried when Rafe announced they were expecting a daughter.
Now his signature appeared on a contract designed to transfer control of Calder Maritime.
Rafe placed the document on his desk.
Malik stared at it.
“Where did you get this?”
“Grant's office.”
Malik's face tightened.
“That agreement was canceled.”
Rafe leaned forward.
“Then explain why it exists.”
Malik sat slowly.
“Eight months ago, Grant approached me with a proposal.”
“What proposal?”
“He said you were becoming distracted. That your marriage and the pregnancy were making you vulnerable.”
Rafe's jaw tightened.
“And?”
“He offered me a leadership position if you stepped away.”
“You agreed?”
“No.”
Malik pointed to the signature.
“I signed an acknowledgment that I'd reviewed a draft restructuring plan, before I understood the real purpose. When I realized what he wanted, I refused.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Malik looked ashamed.
“Because I thought you'd fire me for even considering it.”
Rafe stared at him.
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
Another secret.
Another man convinced silence was safer than truth.
Rafe leaned back.
“I'm tired of being surrounded by people who decide what I should know.”
Malik lowered his head.
“You're right.”
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Malik reached into his pocket.
“I brought something.”
He placed his company identification and security badge on the desk.
“I'll cooperate with investigators. If you want my resignation, you have it.”
Rafe looked at the badge.
For years, he'd responded to betrayal with anger.
Threats.
Control.
Now he felt only exhaustion.
“Leave the badge,” he said quietly. “We'll let an independent investigation establish what happened.”
Malik nodded.
As he stood, Rafe added, “And Malik?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Thank you for watching over Sloane.”
Malik's eyes filled.
“She deserved better from all of us.”
After Malik left, Rafe sat alone.
He thought about his father's mistakes.
Tessa's fear.
Malik's silence.
And his own terrible habit of believing love meant handling every crisis personally.
Then his phone rang.
Sloane.
He answered immediately.
“Hi.”
Her voice sounded fragile.
“Rafe?”
“I'm here.”
“I need you.”
His heart lurched.
“What's wrong?”
She breathed shakily.
“I've been having contractions.”
Rafe stood.
“How far apart?”
“I'm not sure. Harper's taking me to the hospital.”
“I'm coming.”
A pause.
Then he stopped himself.
“Sloane, do you want me there?”
For a moment, she didn't answer.
Then her voice broke.
“Yes.”
Rafe grabbed his keys.
“I'll be there.”
He drove through Manhattan traffic with his hands trembling on the steering wheel.
Not because he feared an enemy.
Because the two people he loved most were waiting for him.
At the hospital, he found Harper outside the examination room.
Her face was pale.
“Where's Sloane?”
“They're checking her.”
“Is the baby okay?”
Harper hesitated.
“Rafe…”
His heart stopped.
“The doctors are concerned the baby may be coming early.”
He looked toward the closed door.
Then a nurse stepped into the hallway.
“Mr. Calder?”
“Yes.”
“Your wife is asking for you.”
Rafe entered.
Sloane lay against the pillows, frightened and exhausted.
He reached her bedside.
“I'm here.”
She gripped his hand.
“Don't leave.”
He bent toward her.
“I won't.”
Then the fetal monitor changed.
A sharp alarm sounded.
The medical team moved quickly.
May you like
And Rafe heard the doctor say the words he'd feared most.
“We need to prepare for an emergency delivery.”
