When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 111

Ethan

I pushed open the door to my office, only to find James already there, sprawled across my Italian leather sofa, scrolling through his phone.

"Took you long enough," he said without looking up. "Your coffee's cold."

"I don't pay you to monitor my punctuality." I loosened my tie and sat behind my desk. "What's so urgent?"

James finally pocketed his phone and leaned forward. "I found out who tried to break Ashley's leg."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning interest when truthfully, I couldn't care less about Ashley's problems. She'd made her bed when she tried to interfere with my family. "And I should care because...?"

"Because it wasn't just one person." James's face grew serious. "There were two. One works for Julian Bennett."

That made sense. Ashley had drugged Olivia, Julian's sister. Payback was inevitable in our circles.

"And the second?" I asked, though my mind was already drifting to the acquisition meeting scheduled in twenty minutes.

"A private security guard who works for Amelia, serving the Astor family."

That got my attention. I felt my jaw tighten involuntarily. "The Astor."

I leaned back in my chair, processing this information. If the Astors were targeting Ashley, it meant they knew about our past. More importantly, it meant they saw me as a threat to Amelia.

"The Astors are more connected than I thought," I said finally. "They're making moves I didn't anticipate."

James shrugged. "They've always protected their own. And like it or not, Amelia is one of them now."

"She's the mother of my children," I corrected him sharply.

"Tell that to her cousin Daniel," James muttered. "The man's had her apartment building under surveillance since you showed up next door."

I was about to respond when the room door burst open without warning. Michael stood there, his normally composed face ashen.

He rushed to my side, leaning down to whisper in my ear: "Lucas is in trouble. He's been taken to the hospital."

The blood in my veins turned to ice. Lucas. My son.

"What happened?" I demanded, already on my feet.

"It's a car accident, but I don't have all the details."

I didn't wait for him to finish. "Cancel everything. All meetings, all calls."

I strode out, Michael close behind. "Where are they now?" I asked, my voice tight.

"They were sent to Center Hospital fifteen minutes ago."

The elevator doors opened, and I moved with purpose through the lobby, barely registering the greetings from staff. "Who else knows?"

"Just us. I've already contacted PR to monitor social media."

"Good. James will handle any leaks." I pulled out my phone as we reached the car, dialing Amelia's number. Straight to voicemail. I tried again with the same result.

"Maybe she's in surgery," Michael explained, pulling the car away from the curb with a screech.

"Faster," I ordered, staring out at the blur of buildings as Michael weaved through Manhattan traffic, ignoring speed limits and honking horns.

I couldn't stop thinking about Amelia's reaction when she found out. She'd be devastated, frantic with worry. The thought of her pain twisted something inside me. And Lucas – my son – hurt and scared in a hospital without either parent.

"Fuck!" I slammed my fist against the window, startling even Michael. "How did this happen?"

"I don't know yet," Michael kept his eyes on the road as he took a corner too fast. "I only know it happened when they were playing outside!"

I tried Amelia's number again, counting each unanswered ring like a physical blow. I activated the car's system. "Call James."

His voice filled the car seconds later. "I'm handling the media blackout now."

"I need more," I growled. "Find out who's responsible. I don't care what it takes or how much it costs. I want names within the hour."

"Already on it," James replied coolly. "And Ethan? We'll make them pay."

"No," I said, watching as the hospital came into view. "I'll make them pay. Personally."

Michael pulled up directly in front of the emergency entrance, ignoring the no-parking signs. I was out of the car before it fully stopped, pushing through the sliding glass doors into the antiseptic brightness of the hospital.

I spotted Lucas immediately—wrapped in a blue blanket, held by a bodyguard.

"Mr. Black," the guard acknowledged, relief crossing his face.

"I'll take him," I said, already reaching out.

The guard hesitated. "Sir, my apologies, but my instructions were strict... I have to take care of him."

"I'm his father," I stated firmly, the words still new on my tongue but carrying the weight of absolute truth. "Give me my son."

Something in my expression must have convinced him. He carefully handed Lucas to my arms. The boy was lighter than I expected, his small body warm against my chest, which made my stomach tighten.

"Hey, buddy," I said softly, working to keep my voice steady. "It's going to be okay. We'll find Mom, alright?"

Lucas peered up at me, his eyes – my eyes – wide and uncertain. There was a vulnerability there I'd never seen before, different from his usual wariness. For a terrifying moment, I thought he might cry or pull away.

Instead, he reached up with one small hand, wrapping his fingers around the lapel of my suit jacket. "Dad?" he whispered, the word a question.

Something broke open inside me, an emotion so powerful it nearly brought me to my knees. I tightened my arms around him, one hand cradling the back of his head with a gentleness I hadn't known I possessed.

"That's right," I managed to say past the tightness in my throat. "I'm here now. I've got you."

When his little arms wrapped around my neck, clinging to me with complete trust, I felt something fundamental shift within me. A fierce, primal protectiveness unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

In that moment, I made a silent vow that whoever had put my son in danger would regret the day they were born.

I was a father. And God help anyone who threatened what was mine.