Audrey. You're Audrey, Dean said, his voice flat. I am Audrey Hayes, she said, her chin lifting. It was a name meant to intimidate. When Dean didn't react, her eyes narrowed.
I don't know how you found her or why you didn't immediately take her to a hospital, but if you've harmed one hair on her head, my lawyers will ensure you spend the rest of your pathetic life in a federal cell. Now, where is she? Dean felt a hot spike of anger hit the base of his skull. He hadn't slept properly in 5 days. He was starving.
His knuckles were bleeding from slipping on a wrench an hour ago. He had given up his bed, his food, and his sanity for a woman he didn't even know. And this billionaire ice queen was standing in his driveway threatening him. Dean took a step forward. He was a head taller than her, broad and built from a lifetime of manual labor.
The bodyguard tensed, his hand hovering near his jacket. Dean ignored the suit. He locked eyes with Audrey. First of all, Dean said, his voice dangerously low, dropping an octave. You can tell your pet gorilla to relax because I don't give a damn who you are.
Second, I found your mother freezing to death at a bus stop on Friday night in the pouring rain. She didn't know her name. She didn't know you. All she knew was that you were very busy. Audrey flinched.
It was microscopic, a tiny twitch of the eyelid, but Dean saw it. The armor cracked just for a second. I called the cops, Dean continued, relentless. "They told me they'd lock her in a holding cell until Monday, so I took her in. I fed her.
I gave her my bed. I've been calling hospitals for 3 days trying to find you. So, take your threats, take your lawyers, and shove them back inside that fancy car. Silence hung heavy in the damp morning air. Audrey stared at him.
She was used to people cowering. She was used to people apologizing, stumbling over their words, looking for a payout. Dean was just looking at her with pure, unadulterated contempt. She opened her mouth to reply, her defensive wall slamming back up when a small voice echoed from the garage. Audrey.
Audrey froze. The anger vanished from her face, instantly replaced by a vulnerability so raw it made Dean uncomfortable to witness. She spun around. Martha was standing in the doorway of the shop holding Noah's hand. She was wearing Dean's oversized flannel shirt and a pair of Noah's mismatch superhero socks.
She looked ridiculous. She looked safe. "Mom," Audrey breathed. The billionaire CEO broke into a run. Her expensive heels clacked wildly on the concrete.
She dropped to her knees right in the dirt and grease, throwing her arms around the frail old woman, burying her face in her mother's chest. "Oh, mom. Mom, I was so scared. God, I was so scared. " Audrey was sobbing. The sharp, terrifying executive was gone, replaced by a terrified daughter clinging to her only family.
Martha looked down, resting a hand gently on Audrey's perfectly styled hair. The fog was gone. "I'm sorry, darling," Martha whispered. "I just wanted to get that sourdough you like from the bakery on Fifth. I got turned around.