THE BILLIONAIRE’S WATCH AND THE BROKEN RABBIT

"I don't even know you," I panicked, holding Lily tight.

"I am your daughter's grandfather. And right now, I am the only shield you have."

The door burst open.

Three police officers stepped inside.

"Rosa Mendez?" the lead officer asked.

"Yes?"

"We received a report of a theft at the Grand Belmore Hotel. A diamond bracelet belonging to Claudia Whitcomb is missing. We have a statement saying you were seen leaving the premises in a hurry."

"I was leaving because my shift was over," I said, my voice trembling.

"We need to search your bag, ma'am."

I handed over the cheap canvas tote I took to work.

I had nothing to hide.

The officer dug through my uniform, the juice box, the crackers.

Then, his fingers caught on something shiny at the bottom.

He pulled it out.

A platinum bracelet crusted with diamonds.

"No," I gasped. "No, I didn't take that. Someone put it there! Claudia was standing right next to my bag in the prep room!"

"Ma'am, you're under arrest for grand larceny," the officer said, reaching for his handcuffs.

Lily started to cry. "Mama! Don't take my mama!"

"Stop."

Marcus stepped directly between me and the officers.

The lead officer looked annoyed, then recognized the billionaire.

"Mr. Cole. We're just doing our job."

"And you're doing it poorly," Marcus said sharply. "That bracelet wasn't stolen."

"It's in her bag, sir."

"Because I put it there," Marcus lied smoothly, without a single flinch. "It was a gift. For the mother of my granddaughter."

The officers froze.

I stared at Marcus, completely stunned.

"A gift?" the officer repeated, unsure.

"Yes. Claudia must be confused. I purchased that bracelet for her years ago, and I decided to re-gift it to my family tonight. Are we going to have a problem here, Officer?"

Wealth has a gravity to it. It bends reality.

The police apologized, left the bracelet on the counter, and walked out.

I collapsed onto a kitchen chair, pulling Lily into my lap.

Marcus looked at the brass key on the counter.

"Claudia knows David left proof," Marcus said quietly. "Framing you was her way to get you into a jail cell so her people could tear this apartment apart looking for it."

He looked at me.

"Tomorrow morning, we take this key to the bank. We find out what David died trying to protect."

Lily wiped her eyes. She held Bun Bun up to Marcus.

"You saved my mama."

Marcus gently touched the rabbit's crooked ear.

"I failed your father, little one. I won't fail you."

But as he said it, his phone buzzed.

He looked at the screen, and his face turned to stone.

"What is it?" I asked.

Marcus showed me the screen.