yet. Brad and I haven’t talked about when we should do that.”
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled.”
“Yes, I hope so. I really hope this morning sickness calms down before our trip to Disneyland next week. Thank goodness Joe’s best friend is coming along. That way there’s an even number and I don’t have to go on any rides.”
“The boys will have a blast,” Mom said.
I smiled. I could get through morning sickness at Disneyland for my boys.
I’d do anything for my boys.
Dinner was weird.
My father and Brad were off again—that strange energy between them that I couldn’t put into words.
My mother talked animatedly with the boys, so at least we didn’t have that awkward silence. We ate on the deck, and Brad took over grilling from Belinda. I ate a potato and a cob of corn. I couldn’t do red meat when I was pregnant, but the rest of them seemed to enjoy the sirloin steaks.
What seemed like hours later, dinner was over, and my mom and dad got ready to drive back to their hotel.
“Why don’t you stay here?” I said.
“Oh, no,” Mom said. “I’m getting pampered at the Carlton. But we’ll come back for a longer visit soon.”
I kissed her cheek. “I’d like that.”
She pulled me into a hug and whispered, “Take care of yourself and the little one.”
I nodded.
My dad hoisted Talon and then Ryan up. Joe, of course, was too big for that now. He got a handshake instead.
Once they were gone and the boys had resumed their evening activities, Brad took my hand.
“We need to finish our talk, Daphne.”
His eyes were heavy-lidded. He looked troubled. Maybe he’d level with me about what was going on between him and my father.
He led me to the home office and sat with me again in the chairs across from his desk. He took my hand.
“Baby, I love you.”
“I love you too, Brad.”
“This isn’t going to be easy to say.”
“Oh my God. What’s wrong? Is it one of the kids?”
“No. The kids are fine. I’m going to make sure everything stays fine.”
“Okay.”
“Which is why I need you to—”
The phone rang.
“Damn!” he yelled.
I grabbed both of his hands in mine. “Please. Ignore it.”
But he didn’t.
He stood and went to the damned phone. “Steel.”
Pause.
“Yes.”
Pause.
“That’s not surprising.”
Pause.
“I can’t discuss this right now.”
Pause.
“Fine. Goodbye.” He hung up.
“Who was it?” I asked.
“Just business stuff. Now”—he sat back down next to me and took my hand again—“where were we?”
“I don’t know.”
He shook his head. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
“You and the kids are everything to me, baby.”
“I know that.”
“Which makes this difficult. I’m sending you away.”
My eyes popped into circles. “What?”
“Not just you. You and the boys. Some things are happening, Daphne. Things I might not be able to control. I need you and the kids out of harm’s way.”
My blood boiled. “Where do you think you’re going to send us?”
“I have a little island in the Caribbean.”
“What?”
“It’s a safe place.”
“Wait. Are you telling me we’re in danger?”
“No, no. You don’t need to worry. I’m just erring on the side of caution. I can’t take any chances with you or the kids.”
“But…the Disneyland trip.”
“They’ll go another time. Once you have the baby. It will be better then.”
“No, Brad. I won’t leave my home. I won’t disappoint my children.”
“Daphne, I’m not doing this to upset you. I’m doing this to keep you safe.”
“Keep us safe? We live in a fortress! Cliff hovers over me daily to the point that I don’t even notice him anymore. The boys are on summer break.”
“Only for another month.”
“But they’re safe here, Brad. They aren’t going into town to school. They—”
He gently pressed two fingers to my lips. “Baby, I will not take any chances where you and the boys are concerned.”
“Then level with me. Why? Why now of all times do you think we’re in danger?”
He didn’t respond.
“Does this have something to do with the tension between you and my father?”
Again, no response.
“I see.” I stood. “Let me make this clear, then. The boys and I aren’t going anywhere, and we are going to Disneyland next week. We’re taking Bryce with us. We’re going to stay in the Disneyland Hotel and we’re going to meet Mickey Mouse and we’re going to ride Space Mountain. All things I wanted to do when I was a kid but never got to because my parents couldn’t afford it. Well, we can, and I am not disappointing my babies.”
“Daphne, be reasonable.”
A green vase sat on Brad’s credenza. A green vase filled with