Chapter 23 One week grace
Mandivus studied her for a long moment.
"Even if you have evidence, it doesn't matter, borderlands law supersedes pack law when it comes to contracts signed in borderlands territory."
"We're not in the borderlands anymore," Elara said. "And Silvercrest pack doesn't recognize your authority."
"Then Silvercrest pack will burn," Mandivus said and gestured to his men who raised their weapons toward the mansion.
"Wait," Elara said quickly, and plug in the wire. "Let's make a deal."
"I'm listening," Mandivus said.
"Give me one week to gather my things and prepare Adrian for the transition," Elara said.
"In exchange I'll come willingly and you'll leave Silvercrest territory peacefully."
Behind her through the wire she heard Kai start to protest but Darius silenced him.
"One week and then you run again," Mandivus said. "I'm not stupid."
"One week under Silvercrest supervision," Elara countered.
"I won't leave the estate, you can have someone watching to make sure, and at the end of the week we meet at neutral territory to complete the transfer."
"Why would you suddenly cooperate?" Mandivus asked suspiciously.
"Because you killed Sarah and Marcus," Elara said, letting real grief color her voice.
"And because I'm tired of running, tired of looking over my shoulder, tired of putting other people in danger, if giving you what you want means my son stays safe then that's what I'll do."
Mandivus seemed to consider this. "Neutral territory, and one week, but if you try to run I'll burn this entire estate down."
"Understood," Elara said.
"And I want proof of life every day," Mandivus added. "Video calls with you and the boy so I know you're still here."
"Fine," Elara said.
Mandivus smiled coldly. "See you in seven days, Sera, don't disappoint me."
He climbed back into the armored vehicle with his men and they drove away through the destroyed gates, leaving Elara standing on the steps with her heart pounding.
She turned and walked back inside where Kai grabbed her arm immediately.
"What the hell were you thinking?" he demanded. "You just agreed to hand over your son."
"I bought us time," Elara said and pulled the wire from her shirt. "One week to figure out how to stop him permanently."
"By giving him exactly what he wants?" Kai said.
"By making him think he won," Elara corrected. "Now he'll be overconfident and careless, which gives us an advantage."
Darius was watching her with new surprise in his eyes. "You're more strategic than I gave you credit for."
"I survived two years in the borderlands," Elara said. "You learn to think fast or you die."
"We still have the paternity test issue," Darius said. "You have until tomorrow morning to consent or you're terminated."
"Adrian just watched armed men attack the estate," Elara said. "He's traumatized and terrified, forcing medical procedures on him right now would cause psychological harm."
"The test is a simple cheek swab," Darius said.
"To a two-year-old who's already been through hell," Elara said. "Ask any child psychologist if that's a good idea."
Kai stepped between them. "She's right, Adrian needs time to recover before we put him through more stress."
"How convenient," Darius said. "The moment we demand proof, suddenly the child is too fragile."
"The moment you demand proof, the child witnessed a violent attack," Elara corrected.
"But if you want to traumatize him further for your own peace of mind, be my guest."
She pushed past both of them and headed for the basement safe room where Betty was holding Adrian, and when she entered he launched himself at her crying.
"Bad man came back," he sobbed. "I heard him."
"I know baby, but he's gone now," Elara said, holding him tight.
"And mama made sure he can't come back for a whole week."
"Then what?" Betty asked quietly.
"Then I figure out how to destroy him," Elara said. "One way or another."
She carried Adrian back to their room and spent the next hour rocking him until he finally fell asleep exhausted from fear and crying.
Kai knocked softly and entered without waiting for permission.
"My father agreed to delay the paternity test for one week," he said. "Given the circumstances."
"How generous," Elara said.
"It gives you time," Kai said. "Time to figure out your next move, time to gather whatever evidence you claim to have against Mandivus, time to decide if you're really going to hand over your son."
"I'm not handing him over," Elara said firmly.
"Then what's your plan?" Kai asked.
"I don't know yet," Elara admitted. "But I have seven days to figure it out."
Kai sat on the floor beside Adrian's bed. "Let me help."
"Why would you help me?" Elara asked.
"Because despite everything, I don't want to see a child ripped away from his mother," Kai said. "And because something about you feels familiar in a way I can't explain."
Elara's heat skips a beat but she kept her expression neutral. "Maybe I just have one of those faces."
"Maybe," Kai said but he didn't sound convinced. "Or maybe there's something you're not telling me."
"Everyone has secrets," Elara said.
"True," Kai said and stood up. "But not everyone's secrets involve borderlands Alphas and mysterious pasts. Just get some rest, we'll start planning tomorrow."
He left and Elara sat there in the dark holding her sleeping son, one week left before everything fell apart.