Chapter 36

Tarquin’s brow furrowed, and after a moment of silence, he spoke, “Pull out that fifty million we invested in the Slater family. And drop a message to Donovan Slater for me–tell him I’m not fond of being played for a fool.”

How many times had Nola lied to his face, taking him for some kind of chump?

Lowell could see the storm brewing in Tarquin’s eyes and nodded in understanding. “Got It.”

Back in Elijah’s hospital room, the fury in Tarquin’s eyes melted away, leaving only tender concern and a sense of helplessness.

The little guy was still deep in slumber. Tarquin gently lifted his hand to caress his son’s small cheek.

“Mommy…” Elijah murmured in his sleep.

5 F F F Tarquin’s heart clenched even tighter.

That heartless woman, when would she come back?

Her son missed her dearly. If she were here, surely the boy would recover faster. After all, he was her flesh and blood, too. Didn’t she have any love or compassion for him?

Suddenly, the image of Elysia flashed through his mind…

The memory of her kiss lingered before his eyes.

Tarquin’s hand, still on Elijah’s cheek, froze.

Nola was right; no woman had come close to him in years, let alone kissed him. But Elysia had not only held him but kissed him as well.

When she cried, his first instinct was to feel compassion. When she kissed him, he didn’t. push her away; instead, he thought of Elijah’s mother.

What did that mean? Could it be that she was the woman from back then?

A tightness gripped Tarquin’s brow, and his heart skipped a beat.

But if she was indeed Elijah’s biological mother, why hadn’t she acknowledged that fact openly?

He had promised to treat her well back then. If she had an ulterior motive, wouldn’t it be simpler to come forward and reveal herself?

Or was he so yearning for her that he mistook any woman who stirred his feelings for her?

Tarquin sat beside the hospital bed, lost in thought, until he finally pulled out his phone 10-060 and called Lowell.

Bring Elysia to mel “What? Now?”

“Yes, now!”

Whether she was the one or not, Tarquin needed answers. A paternity test would settle it.

If she was Elijah’s mother… Tarquin’s throat tightened at the thought.

If she wasn’t… Tarquin’s brows knitted together. Daring to kiss him, she’d sealed her fate.

Upon receiving the order, Lowell hurried to find Elysia.

With no luck in tracking her down, he headed to the bar to gather information.

The night manager reported that Elysia wasn’t listed among the part–time workers for the evening.

Lowell showed him Elysia’s photo.

Recognition dawned on the manager’s face, “Oh, her! She doesn’t go by Elysia. Look, this is how she signed in–not as Elysia.”

Lowell and his team exchanged a look, all thinking the same thing: clearly, she really needed money.

“Do you have her address?”

“It’s here, but who knows if it’s real. Take a look.”

Lowell glanced at the registry and sent his men to check, and unsurprisingly, the address was bogus.

Returning to the hospital with a headache, Lowell reported, “Tarquin, Ms. Thorne has vanished again.

We’ve looked everywhere but can’t find her. The Denton family is also on the hunt; apparently, Corbin’s been crying his eyes out for his pretty lady ever since he woke up. Seems like the Dentons are even more desperate than us.”

Tarquin’s displeasure was evident. “Didn’t you check the bar?”

“We did. But Ms. Thorne used a fake name and address there. Look, she signed in herself.”

At first glance, Tarquin admired her handwriting, which was surprisingly elegant.

At a second glance, his lips pursed as he turned to Lowell. “Cash Thorne?”

Lowell couldn’t help but chuckle, “Ms. Thorne is clearly infatuated with money.”

Tarquin didn’t continue the topic. “Keep searching.”