The hallway of the private VIP floor was dead silent. Twenty men in black suits stood against the walls. Their hands rested over their waists. They didn't blink.

Inside the massive suite, five men stood around the hospital bed.

The Chief of Surgery stood at the foot of the bed. He held a tablet displaying an X-ray. His hands trembled. The tablet shook.

He pointed to the screen. "There are multiple fractures along the rib cage. Some are fresh. Others show calcification, indicating they broke months ago and healed without medical intervention."

Andres turned around. He slammed his fist into the stainless-steel medical supply cabinet. The metal caved in with a loud bang.

Colonel Johnie stood by the window. He clenched his jaw. The sound of his teeth grinding echoed in the quiet room.

Professor Elwin took off his gold-rimmed glasses. He pulled a microfiber cloth from his pocket and wiped the lenses. His eyes, usually calm, were dark and murderous.

Finley turned his back to the bed. He stared at the blank wall. His broad shoulders shook violently. He pressed the heel of his hand against his mouth.

The heavy wooden door clicked open. Two nurses pushed a wheelchair into the room.

Evalyn sat in the chair. She wore a loose hospital gown. Her skin was translucent. Her lips were colorless.

Barron stepped forward instantly. He dropped to one knee beside the wheelchair. He reached out and grabbed her cold hand.

Evalyn pulled her hand away. She didn't look at him. Her eyes locked onto the small figure lying on the bed.

She gripped the armrests. She pushed herself up. Her legs trembled violently. Her knees buckled.

Andres rushed forward. He grabbed her waist. He supported her weight and walked her to the side of the bed.

Evalyn leaned over. Her shaking fingers reached out. She touched the white gauze wrapped around Amari's cheek.

Tears spilled from Evalyn's eyes. They fell fast and heavy. They hit the crisp white sheets, leaving dark, wet spots.

Amari's long eyelashes fluttered. The movement was slow.

She opened her eyes. The bright lights made her blink. Her vision cleared.

She saw Evalyn's face. Amari's pupils dilated. Her breath hitched in her throat.

"Mommy?" she croaked. Her voice sounded like dry sandpaper rubbing together.

Evalyn collapsed forward. She buried her face into Amari's small, uninjured hand. Her shoulders heaved as she sobbed aloud.

Amari turned her head slightly. She saw the five massive men standing around the bed. They wore expensive suits and military uniforms. They stared at her.

Amari shrank back into the pillows. Her eyes darted around the room.

Evalyn wiped her face with the back of her hand. She sniffled. "It's okay, baby. These are your uncles."

Barron stepped closer to the bed. He forced the muscles in his face to relax. He smiled. He reached his hand out to stroke Amari's hair.

Amari flinched. She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled her head away sharply. She braced her body for a hit.

Barron's hand froze in mid-air. The smile died on his face. His chest tightened as if a steel band wrapped around his ribs.

The flinch hit every man in the room like a physical blow.

Johnie spun around. He marched out of the room. He pulled his phone from his pocket.

He walked down the hall. He dialed a number. "Deploy the private contractors. Surround the precinct."

Barron stood up straight. He adjusted his silk tie. The cold, ruthless stare of the Wall Street predator returned to his eyes.

He looked at his brothers. "It's time to make those pieces of trash pay."

Barron turned on his heel. He took a step toward the door to begin the interrogation.

Amari reached out. Her small hand, free of IV lines, grabbed the bottom edge of Barron's suit jacket. She gripped the expensive fabric tight.

Barron stopped instantly. He turned back. He bent at the waist, bringing his face level with hers.

Amari swallowed hard. "I want to take Ghost."

Andres frowned. "Who is Ghost? Is there another child trapped in that house?"

Amari shook her head. "No. He's a black cat. He lives in the shed in the backyard."

Evalyn stroked Amari's hair. She looked up at her brothers. "He was the only friend she had."

Elwin smiled gently. "We can buy you any cat in the world, Amari."

Amari shook her head stubbornly. Tears pooled in her eyes. She tried to sit up, but the movement pulled her fractured ribs. She gasped and fell back.

Finley rushed forward. He placed his large hands gently on her shoulders. "Don't move. We'll get him. I promise."

Barron checked his watch. He looked at Andres. "Prep the heavy medical transport. We go together."

Ten minutes later, a massive mobile ICU truck pulled up to the hospital entrance. Four medics rolled Amari's bed inside. Andres pushed Evalyn's wheelchair next to it. Six armored SUVs formed a convoy.

Miles away, inside Delma's living room, the air was thick with tension. Delma and Jazmyne sat on the sofa, their hands zip-tied behind their backs. Four tactical guards stood in the corners like stone statues.

Jazmyne thrashed. "You can't do this! My family will have you thrown in federal prison!"

The guard captain stared at her with dead eyes. He walked over, pulled a dirty rag from his vest, and shoved it into her mouth.

Outside, the rumble of heavy diesel engines shook the windows. Tires screeched. The mobile ICU truck parked directly in front of the broken gates.

The guards inside moved to the entrance. The ruined doorway was suddenly filled with bright afternoon sunlight.

The sudden glare hit Delma's face. She squinted.

When her eyes adjusted, she looked at the doorway.

Evalyn sat in a wheelchair, wearing a hospital gown. Her posture was rigid. Her eyes locked onto Delma with pure, concentrated hatred.

Delma's breath caught in her throat. The blood drained from her face. The woman she thought was a brain-dead vegetable was staring right at her.

Barron walked into the living room. His long legs closed the distance to the sofa in three strides. He stood over Delma, blocking the sunlight.

The guard captain stepped forward. He grabbed the rag in Jazmyne's mouth and yanked it out.

Jazmyne gasped for air. She glared up at Barron. "My father is the CEO of Adkins Enterprises! We have lawyers! We will destroy you!"

Barron reached into his breast pocket. He pulled out a white silk handkerchief. He wiped his hands slowly, as if the air around her disgusted him.

He let out a short, hollow laugh. "Adkins Enterprises. Cute. I am Barron Dale. CEO of the Dale Media Empire."

Jazmyne's jaw dropped. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets. The color vanished from her skin, leaving her looking like a corpse.

She knew that name. Everyone in the country knew that name. The Dale family controlled sixty percent of the media, news, and entertainment in the United States.

Delma shook her head frantically. She looked at the wheelchair. "No. No, that's impossible. She's a nobody. She's just a stray with amnesia!"

Evalyn spoke. Her voice was raspy, but it cut through the room like a blade of ice.

"I woke up years ago," Evalyn said. "I felt every needle. I heard every insult. I listened while you starved my daughter. I was trapped in my own skin, waiting for the day I could tear yours off."

Delma's whole body began to violently tremble. She threw herself off the sofa. She landed on her knees. She slammed her forehead against the hardwood floor.

"Please! It wasn't me!" Delma screamed. She pointed a shaking finger at Jazmyne. "It was her! She made me do it! She hated the kid!"

Jazmyne snarled. She threw her weight sideways. Her shoulder rammed into Delma's ribs. The two women collapsed onto the floor. They kicked and bit at each other like rabid animals, their zip-tied hands useless.

Johnie stood by the door. He rolled his eyes. He raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.

Two guards walked into the room. They held thick leather leashes. At the ends of the leashes were two massive, retired military Belgian Malinois.

The dogs planted their feet. They bared their teeth. A deep, guttural growl vibrated from their chests. They stared directly at the two women on the floor.

Delma and Jazmyne froze. They screamed. Delma curled into a tight ball. A dark, wet stain spread across the front of her expensive pants.

Amari lay on the stretcher just outside the door. She watched the women cry. Her face was completely blank. She felt nothing for them.

Barron pulled his phone out. He hit a speed-dial number. It connected straight to his lead broker on Wall Street.

"Dump it all," Barron ordered. "Short-sell every share of Adkins Enterprises. I want their stock at zero before the market closes."

Jazmyne sobbed hysterically. "No! Please! My family has nothing to do with this!"

Barron ended the call. He tossed the phone onto the cracked glass coffee table.

He looked at the guard captain. "Hand them over to the FBI agents waiting at the perimeter. Make sure the warden at the federal penitentiary knows they require special attention."

The guards grabbed the women by their hair and collars. They dragged them backward out the door. Their shoes scraped against the floorboards.

The living room fell dead silent. Only the heavy breathing of the dogs remained.

Evalyn turned her head. She looked at Amari. The ice in her eyes melted into warmth.

She nodded at Finley. "Take her to the back. Let's get her cat."

Finley nodded. He grabbed the rails of the bed and pushed it toward the sliding glass doors that led to the backyard.