Chapter 1 - The Door That Wouldn’t Hold
“Open up! She belongs with me!”
Ryan Mercer’s fist slammed against the apartment door again.
The security chain jerked violently.
Madison Reed crouched on the living-room floor, pressed against her mother’s chest. Her ivory wedding dress was torn from one shoulder to her waist. Dark reddish marks covered her arms. Blood glistened along her split lower lip.
Nora wrapped both arms around her daughter.
“You’re safe,” she whispered, although the door shook with every impact. “I won’t let him take you.”
Madison clutched the torn lace across her chest.
“He’ll get in.”
The second entrance opened behind them.
Colonel Daniel Reed stepped inside wearing his dark green Army dress uniform, medals still pinned across his chest.
He had expected to find his daughter preparing to leave for her honeymoon.
Instead, he saw her trembling on the floor.
Daniel stopped breathing.
Then he dropped to one knee beside her.
His hands rose carefully to her face, avoiding the broken skin.
“Madison.”
She struggled to speak.
“He watched them do it.”
The front door burst inward several inches.
The chain barely held.
Ryan’s face appeared through the opening.
Behind him stood Gloria Mercer, still dressed in her champagne-colored wedding gown and holding a thick legal folder.
“She signs tonight,” Gloria said coldly.
Nora rose and planted herself between the doorway and Madison.
Daniel stood slowly.
“Step away from my daughter.”
Ryan finally noticed Daniel’s rank insignia.
For one second, his confidence faltered.
Then he shoved the door again.
The security chain snapped.
Daniel caught the heavy door with one hand before it swung fully open.
Gloria’s folder slipped.
Transfer documents scattered across the polished floor.
Daniel looked down at the top page.
Madison Reed Mercer hereby transfers full ownership of the Dallas residence...
His eyes returned to Ryan.
May you like
“You didn’t marry her,” Daniel said quietly.
“You targeted her.”
