Clear The Cove For My Son

It was the height of summer, and Id taken my son to our private stretch of coastline for a diving trip. I wanted him to see the world beneath the waves, a place where the noise of the city couldn't reach us.

Then, the peace was shattered.

A rising star actor and his entourage forced their way onto the sand, acting as if they owned the horizon.

This beach was a special favor from Madeline for me to host my VIPs, he sneered, his voice cutting through the salt air like a serrated blade. You two nobodies need to pack your trash and get lost. Now.

He was arrogant, wielding my wifes name like a weapon against me. And when he realized who I wasor who he thought I washe laughed in my face, calling me a parasite, a trophy husband living off a successful womans charity.

I almost laughed back.

Me? The sole heir to the Blackwood empire, one of the most powerful dynasties in the country? A man whose shadow loomed over every skyscraper in the city? Since when did I become a "kept man"?

The irony was bitter. My wifes entire media empire, every resource she used to climb the social ladder, had been a gift from me.

But when she finally arrived, she didn't stand by me. She stood by him. She went as far as trying to force our son to perform for a group of greasy investors, treating our child like a circus animal to seal a deal.

I didn't argue. I didn't beg. I simply touched the dial on my watcha piece of tech reserved only for the true heads of the family.

Mako Unit. Crescent Cove. Clear the area. Now.

...

Jamie, look what I found!

I turned around, clutching two chilled coconuts, only to feel my heart drop. My seven-year-old son, Jamie, was cornered in the knee-deep shallows. His small face was pale, his eyes wide with a terror no child should know.

Blocking his path was a young man in a loud, silk floral shirt, his hair bleached a trendy, obnoxious platinum. A pack of heavy-set bodyguards stood behind him like a wall of cheap suits.

The blonde guyJaxson, if I recalled the tabloids correctlypointed a finger at Jamie with a look of pure disgust. Where did this brat come from? Get lost!

Jaxsons hosting a private party here today, a lanky sycophant chimed in, stepping forward to loom over my son. Move it, kid. Don't go staining the sand with your cheap presence.

Jaxson? The name clicked. He was the newest 'it-boy' at Madelines talent agency. Rumor had it hed become an overnight sensation after a teen drama went viral, and his ego had ballooned to match his follower count.

I felt a cold fire ignite in my chest. I dropped the coconuts and moved, placing myself firmly between the thugs and my son. I pulled Jamie behind my back, feeling his small hands trembling as they gripped the hem of my shirt.

This is a private beach, I said, my voice low and dangerous. The only people leaving are you.

I was trying to keep it together for Jamies sake. But some people just don't know when to stop digging their own graves.

You? Jaxson scoffed, eyeing me from head to toe.

He took in my faded T-shirtthe one Jamie loved because it was softand my plain board shorts. A slow, mocking smirk spread across his face. You think this is your beach? Buddy, look in a mirror. You look like youre one step away from asking for spare change.

I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer. The air between us turned brittle. Do you have any idea who I am?

For a fleeting second, my tone made Jaxson flinch. But then the tall guy leaned in and whispered something in his ear. The flicker of fear died, replaced by a malicious grin.

Oh, I know exactly who you are now, Jaxson laughed, the sound sharp and ugly. Youre Nate Cross. Madelines little charity project. The stay-at-home husband she keeps in the attic so you don't embarrass her in public.

The bodyguards behind him erupted into a chorus of mocking laughter.

Didn't Madeline tell you? Jaxson took a step forward, his voice rising so the people gathering on the pier could hear. She gave me the keys to the cove today. Im entertaining real people. Important people.

He leaned in, his breath smelling of expensive gin and entitlement. In fact, she probably forgot you even existed. Thats the thing about being a trophy husband, Nateyoure only useful when youre quiet. Now, take your little mistake of a kid and get the hell out of here before I have my guys throw you out.

The way he looked at my son made my stomach turn. I glanced past him. A group of well-dressed socialites was watching from the deck of a nearby yacht, pointing and whispering. Among them was a middle-aged man with a protruding gut and a heavy gold chain, his eyes fixed on Jamie with a predatory, unsettling intensity.

Jaxson caught the look and immediately shifted into a sickeningly submissive posture toward the fat man. Mr. Henderson! See something you like?

He turned back to me, his eyes gleaming with malice. Tell you what. Why don't the kid give us a little show? A little deep-sea diving, maybe fetch some shells for the guests? If he makes Mr. Henderson happy, maybe Ill ask Madeline to give you an extra allowance this month.

You piece of trash, I spat.

I lunged for him, but two of the bodyguards were on me instantly, pinning my arms behind my back. My vision went red.

Jaxson didn't even look at me. He gave a sharp nod to the men nearest Jamie. They began to herd my son further into the water, preventing him from reaching the shore.

Jamie had never seen anything like this. He started to sob, his small body shaking as the water rose to his waist. Daddy! Daddy, help me! I don't want to! I'm scared!

Let him go! I roared, struggling against the grip of the guards.

Slap.

My head snapped to the side. Jaxson rubbed his knuckles, his expression bored. You should worry about yourself, Nate. Youre ruining the vibe.

I watched, helpless for a heartbeat, as they shoved my son into the deeper water. Jamie tripped, his head going under for a second. He came up sputtering, coughing out salt water, his eyes wide with panic.

My heart felt like it was being ripped out of my chest. I stopped struggling and looked Jaxson dead in the eyes. My voice was no longer a roar; it was a cold, dead promise.

I am telling you one last time. Get my son out of that water. Now. Or you will lose everything you have ever touched.

Jaxson threw his head back and laughed. Lose everything? From you? A man who begs for his grocery money? Listen to me, you pathetic loser. If he doesn't entertain my guests, he doesn't come out. And even if he drowns... Madeline wouldn't shed a single tear for your brat. Shes too busy making sure Im happy. She told me herselfyoure a drag. Shes looking for real excitement now.

If Madeline saw what you were doing to her child, she would end you, I said, though a cold dread was starting to seep into my bones.

Please, Jaxson sneered. Maddy told me months ago that she regrets the day she met you. She says youre old news. She loves me. Hell, I might even give her a kid she actually wants once Im done with you.

I stopped talking. There was no point in communicating with a rabid dog.

With a sudden burst of strength, I threw my weight backward, catching the guards off guard. I broke free, ignored their shouts, and dove into the ocean.

The cold water hit me, but it couldn't touch the fire in my blood. I swam to Jamie, pulling his shivering, small body into my arms. He clung to my neck, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Daddy Im sorry I was so scared

Ive got you, Jamie. Ive got you. I held him tight, shielding him from the wind.

Back on the shore, Jaxson was fuming. Are you kidding me? Who told you to bring him up? Youre ruining the deal! Do you have any idea what Mr. Henderson is worth? Im calling Madeline right now. Youre done. Both of you are out on the street tonight!

He fumbled for his phone, his face twisted in a mask of rage.

Before he could dial, the low, rhythmic thrum of an engine echoed across the water. A sleek, white speedboat tore toward the cove, its hull cutting through the waves like a knife. It pulled up to the pier, and a woman stepped out, flanked by assistants holding umbrellas and designer bags.

Madeline.

She looked perfect, as always. Designer sunglasses, a flowing silk cover-up, the very image of a media mogul.

Jaxsons demeanor changed instantly. He sprinted toward her, his face shifting from rage to a practiced, pathetic pout. He grabbed her arm, his voice turning into a high-pitched whine that made my skin crawl.

Maddy! Thank God youre here! You won't believe itthis man and his kid just appeared out of nowhere. Hes claiming this is his beach! Hes being so aggressive, Maddy. He tried to hit me! Hes embarrassing us in front of the investors!

His acting was flawless. A total reversal of the truth.

Madeline took off her sunglasses. She didn't look at Jaxson with love; she looked at the situation with pure, unadulterated annoyance. She glanced at the investors on the yacht, noting their displeased expressions. Then, finally, her gaze landed on mesoaked, holding our shivering son.

Maddy I started.

Mommy Jamie whispered.

Her brow furrowed. There was no warmth in her eyes. Only shame.

What are you two doing here? she demanded, her voice cold. I told you I had the cove booked for a corporate retreat. Do you have any idea how much this contract is worth? Take the boy and leave. Youre making a scene.

Jamies breath hitched. The mother he knew was gone. In her place was a stranger wearing her face.

I stood there, paralyzed by the sheer weight of her betrayal. Madeline, this is my private property. How can you possibly

Enough! she snapped, waving a hand as if to brush us away like flies. She turned her back on us, facing the yacht with a bright, fake smile. Mr. Henderson, Mr. Miller, I am so incredibly sorry. These people don't know their place. Ill have them removed immediately so we can get back to the festivities.

I looked at her, truly seeing her for the first time in years. Jamie huddled against my chest. Daddy, why is Mommy calling us those names? Does she... does she not want us anymore?

A chill that had nothing to do with the ocean settled in my marrow. Everything I had done for herthe companies Id built for her, the quiet life Id led so she could shineit was all a joke to her. She thought she was the one in power. Shed forgotten who gave her the throne.

I smiled. It wasn't a happy expression.

Madeline, I said, my voice eerily calm.

She paused, but didn't turn around.

Are you really going to pretend you don't know me? Are you going to pretend you don't know the son you carried for nine months?

She stiffened. I saw her shoulders tremble for a fraction of a second, a flicker of panic entering her eyes. But she didn't turn. She couldn't lose face in front of her "important" friends.

Jaxson, seeing her silence as permission, got even bolder. He started barking orders at the guards. You heard the lady! Drag these beggars out of here! Now! Throw them in the parking lot for all I care!

I looked at Jaxson. Then I looked at the back of the woman I used to love.

Fine, I whispered. This was your choice.

I raised my left wrist. I pressed a sequence on the discreet, matte-black watchthe one with the family crest etched into the underside of the band.

The line picked up on the first vibration. A deep, gravelly voice answered: Sir?

I said seven words.