Chapter 2 - The Untouchable Boss
Jude Mercer did not flinch.
For three agonizing seconds, the grand study was completely lifeless. The air hung heavy with the scent of old paper, expensive leather, and pure tension.
Ellie couldn't scream. Her lungs refused to work. In Providence, men were shot for looking Jude Mercer in the eyes.
Before Ellie could take a step into the room, heavy footsteps sprinted up behind her.
Reggie Shaw burst through the doorway, his face twisted in fury. He grabbed Ellie by the upper arm, shoving her back violently against the doorframe.
"What the hell is this?" Reggie roared, reaching for his waist holster as he stepped toward Brinley. "I told you to keep the brat locked away!"
Reggie reached out to grab Brinley by her dress, expecting Jude to order them both thrown into the Providence River.
"Don't touch her," a deep, gravelly voice sliced through the room.
Reggie froze mid-stride.
Jude Mercer slowly stood up from behind his desk. He towered over everyone in the room. He didn't look at Reggie, nor did he look at the black gun resting on his desk.
Instead, Jude rounded the desk with slow, deliberate steps. He stopped right in front of Brinley.
Ellie gasped softly, trying to break free from Reggie’s grip, but Reggie held her fast, his broad chest heaving as he watched his boss with wide, shocked eyes.
Jude crouched down on one knee. The most feared man in the state was now at eye level with a three-year-old child in a faded pink dress.
With incredible care, Jude reached out and lifted Brinley into his arms. He stood back up, adjusting her easily against his chest, and walked back to sit in his high-backed leather chair, placing Brinley comfortably on his lap.
Brinley again reached out her small fingers, gently tracing the jagged edge of his facial scar.
Jude’s icy, controlled posture cracked. For the first time, his eyes looked visibly shaken.
"Why do you think that?" Jude asked, his voice low, almost a whisper.
Brinley leaned her head against his chest and softly answered.
"Because sad people aren't evil."
A heavy silence descended over the office.
Ellie finally ripped her arm away from Reggie’s grasp and rushed toward the desk. "Mr. Mercer, please! I’m so sorry! She didn't mean—she doesn't know who you are!"
Ellie reached out to pull Brinley into her arms.
Normally, Jude would have handed the child over without a second glance. But as Ellie’s hands reached for her daughter, Jude’s broad arm tightened protectively around Brinley’s waist, pulling the toddler closer against his chest.
Nobody moved. Reggie took a subtle half-step back, his hard face darkening.
Jude’s eyes slowly drifted away from Brinley. He looked past Ellie, past the doorway, and settled his gaze on a thick Manila folder resting half-open on the corner of his desk.
Inside the folder lay a glossy photograph.
It showed Ellie’s missing husband, Julian Carter, standing outside an unmarked docks warehouse six months ago.
He was shaking hands with Reggie Shaw.
Ellie, still panicking over her daughter, did not see the photo.
Jude did.
Jude’s cold blue eyes slowly lifted from the photograph and locked straight onto Reggie.
"Get out," Jude said coldly.
Reggie’s face instantly changed. His jaw tightened, a flash of genuine panic crossing his eyes before he masked it with a stiff nod.
"Boss—"
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"I said get out. Both of you," Jude repeated, his tone dropping an octave, deadlier than a drawn weapon. "Leave the child."
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