Chapter 6 - The Father Who Never Died
James Holay was not merely alive.
He had been hiding.
For years.
Mercer found him in a remote lakeside house.
The meeting was brutal.
“You let me believe you were dead.”
James looked at his son.
“I was trying to protect you.”
Mercer laughed bitterly.
“Everybody says that.”
James lowered his head.
“I deserved that.”
“You knew Tavlin.”
“Yes.”
“You knew Lennox.”
“Yes.”
“You knew she was pregnant.”
“Yes.”
“And you did nothing.”
“I couldn't.”
Mercer's anger rose.
“You could have called.”
“My phone was monitored.”
“You could have sent someone.”
“I did.”
“Who?”
James looked at Tavlin.
“Julian.”
Mercer turned.
“My brother?”
Julian nodded.
“I tried.”
Mercer stared at him.
His family had been operating in shadows around him for years.
He had been the only person who didn't know the whole story.
James explained.
Evelyn had discovered the financial network.
Marcus Mitchell had threatened to expose her unless she helped him access the remaining family assets.
James tried to stop them.
He was imprisoned in a private facility.
Julian escaped.
Then faked his death.
But the real reason James stayed hidden was Lennox.
Marcus believed the child was the legal heir to a portion of the original Holay-Mitchell assets.
If Lennox existed, control of the company could eventually pass to him.
Mercer looked at his son.
“So they wanted him.”
“Yes.”
“They wanted my child.”
James nodded.
“And Tavlin?”
“She was the key.”
Mercer felt sick.
Tavlin took his hand.
James watched them.
“I am sorry.”
Mercer looked at him.
“I don't know how to forgive you.”
“I don't expect you to.”
That honesty softened something.
Not enough.
But something.
Later that evening, James gave Mercer a final box.
Inside was a photograph.
Mercer's father.
Tavlin's father.
Julian.
And a little girl.
Tavlin.
She was five.
Mercer stared.
Their families had known each other long before either of them did.
They had shared holidays.
Business.
Friendship.
Then everything broke.
He looked at Tavlin.
“We were always connected.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe that's why this hurt so much.”
She nodded.
At home, Lennox woke.
He stood in the hallway holding his stuffed bear.
Mercer crouched.
“Hey.”
Lennox smiled.
“Dada.”
Mercer's heart melted.
He opened his arms.
The boy ran into them.
Tavlin stood behind them.
Watching.
Mercer held his son close.
“I missed so much.”
Tavlin whispered.
“You're here now.”
Lennox touched Mercer's face.
“Dada.”
Mercer closed his eyes.
“I love you too.”
The moment shattered when the house alarm sounded.
James stood.
“Marcus.”
Julian grabbed a weapon.
Mercer held Lennox.
Tavlin moved toward the stairs.
Lights flashed.
Vehicles surrounded the house.
A loudspeaker announced:
“Mercer Holay, surrender.”
Mercer looked at Julian.
“How many?”
“Too many.”
James smiled grimly.
“Then we do what the Holays have always done.”
Mercer frowned.
“What?”
“Protect our own.”
The battle lasted minutes.
Security fought outside.
Julian led Tavlin and Lennox through an underground passage.
Mercer stayed behind.
He refused to leave.
When the attackers finally breached the house, Marcus appeared.
He aimed a weapon.
“You should have stayed away.”
Mercer stared.
“You almost killed my son.”
Marcus smiled.
“He was an asset.”
Mercer's face changed.
“He's a child.”
Marcus raised the weapon.
Julian fired.
Marcus fell.
But before losing consciousness, Marcus laughed.
“It's already done.”
Mercer frowned.
“What?”
May you like
Marcus whispered:
“Your company belongs to me.”
