CHAPTER 7

PRESENT DAYS (EIGHT WEEKS LATER)

This time, the trip from Tokyo to New York City has been way too long. Or maybe it seemed so, since the only thing he had in mind was seeing Rhiannon, talking to her. Two months without a single word from her had been way more difficult than he’d imagined.

“Face to face… Finally…” he mumbled. “This time I will get to you. This time you will listen and do exactly what I say.”

Paxton had been trying to call Rhiannon from his limo on the drive through thick rain from “Teterboro Airport” into New York City. When all he could get was her voicemail, Paxton had decided to stop by “King’s Wish” on the way to his office to confront her again.

He’d just pulled up at the curb outside the restaurant when Roberto, his private assistant, had called him.

“Roberto, you know you must call only if it’s a life and death matter…”

“‘It is… Sir, you must come immediately to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.’”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“‘It’s about