Chapter 11 - Cold Realities

The Long Island estate was heavily fortified by midday. Four additional private security contractors, all former military, guarded the perimeter gates.

Richard sat on the floor of the bright, sunlit playroom in the west wing. The east nursery had been permanently sealed; Richard had ordered a renovation crew to gut the room down to the bare brick and drywall.

On the soft floor mat, Maya sat stacking large wooden blocks.

She wasn't wearing the delicate, stiff lace dresses Victoria used to force her into. She wore a simple, warm yellow cotton jumper. Her hazel eyes looked up at Richard, bright and alert.

"Look, Daddy," Maya murmured, pointing at her tower of three blocks. "Tall."

Richard felt a tightness in his throat. He reached out and gently tapped the top block. "Very tall, baby girl. Good job."

Maya giggled—a tiny, pure sound that Richard hadn't heard in eight months. But then, as a cloud briefly passed over the sun outside, casting a long shadow across the playroom floor, Maya’s smile vanished.

She dropped the wooden block. Her posture went rigid, and she stared wide-eyed at the dark silhouette on the wall, her little breath catching in her throat.

Richard moved instantly. He didn't hesitate. He sat right next to her, pulling her onto his lap and placing his large hand gently over hers.

"It's just a cloud, Maya," Richard whispered, his voice warm and steady. "Look. Daddy's shadow is right here. Nobody is going to put you in the dark. Nobody is ever going to bring cold water. Daddy is here."

Maya turned around, buried her small head into his chest, and took two deep, shuddering breaths. Then, slowly, her fingers relaxed. She reached up and patted Richard’s cheek.

"Daddy here," she repeated softly.

"Always," Richard answered, kissing her temple.

The playroom door opened quietly. Marcus stood at the threshold, holding a fresh legal brief from the United States Attorney’s Office.

"Victoria’s bail hearing is set for tomorrow morning at nine," Marcus said in a low voice. "Her legal team is going for an insanity plea and a suppression motion on the video evidence. They're going all-in, boss."

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Richard looked down at his daughter, who was back to stacking her blocks on the floor.

"Let them try," Richard said, his voice dropping into steel. "Tomorrow, we finish this."