A BLOODY SURROGACY DEAL.

Chapter one Clara’s POV I never thought being a surrogate for a billionaire wasn’t as easy as it seems. I owned a restoration shop and I sat by my desk and threw yet another glance at the SUV that was parked idly out on the street. My window gave me a clear view and even now, I knew that car didn’t belong here. Or was I being too paranoid? Tearing my gaze off the SUV, I returned my attention back to my laptop. "Mama, look. Tall tower!" Leo’s voice chirped from the corner of my small office, breaking the suffocating silence. I turned my head and a smile spread across my face as I met his eyes. He was sitting on the rug while he played with his blocks. He had my chestnut hair which was messy and curling at the ears, and my dimpled smile. But every time he looked up and our eyes met, I was reminded of the man I fled from four years ago. Leo’s eyes were the color of a winter storm. They were a piercing, rare gray that didn’t exist in my family tree and they were the type that couldn’t be seen randomly on a person in the street. They were the Thorne eyes. "It’s beautiful, Leo," I whispered, forcing a smile as I pushed my thoughts to the back of my mind. "Build it even higher, okay?” “Okay, mommy!” He replied before grabbing some blocks and running to the other room to continue playing. I went back to my work, but I still couldn’t shrug off the weird feeling. I had just released a deep breath when the doorbell rang and someone walked in. The air changed immediately and although I remained seated, my heart began to beat frantically against my chest. "We are closed for the morning," I said, my voice remarkably steady as I didn’t bother looking at whoever just walked in. "You were never very good at lying, Clara." I stiffened immediately as that voice sounded oddly familiar. It was the same voice I had hoped not to ever hear again. My head snapped up and my eyes settled on the intruder. Dominic Thorne. The man that once hired me to be a surrogate for his wife and everything was going pretty well until she died in an accident and my life was threatened because I was carrying the heir. The only way to save my life was to lie about a miscarriage before disappearing. I have spent four whole years hiding, but not anymore. He stood in the center of my humble shop, and suddenly, everywhere felt too tight. He was a towering at least six foot four and his black hair was styled with a precision that screamed how wealthy he actually is. His face was exactly how I remembered it but this time, he looked even more handsome. He looked absolutely handsome in a navy blue suit that probably cost more than my entire shop. His hair was perfectly styled but it was his eyes that trapped me. Those eyes were exactly like Leo’s. "Dominic," I breathed, hoping I was wrong. "Four years," he said, his voice dropping as he assessed me. "Four years of mourning a son I was told never drew a breath and you have the guts to play some silly jokes on me?” "I don't know what you are talking about," I said, standing up as my whole body vibrated with fear. I cast a quick glance to the entrance of the other room Leo had just run to and I could only hope he wouldn’t come out. "My name is Claire. You have the wrong person. Please leave before I call the police." Dominic wasn’t fazed by my threat. Instead, he entered the room fully and I had to resist the urge of sprinting for the other room. "The police?" He asked with a humorless laugh. "I own the firm that provides the software for every precinct in this state. Call them and I would love to see how long it takes for them to realize you are living under a stolen social security number." I swallowed hard and watched as he pulled out a photo from his pocket and placed it on the table. I dared to take a look but regretted it instantly. It was a photo of Leo and was clearly taken without notice. "You faked a miscarriage," Dominic stated coldly as I began to sweat. "You sat in that clinic, took the Thorne family money, and then you stole what belonged to me." "I saved him!" I snapped, my fear finally twisting into a sharp, jagged defiance. I had spent years hiding and trying to make sure I kept us safe and he was going to treat me like a thief? I dared to step around the table, creating more space between us. "Your family tried to kill him, Dominic. Your lawyers sent the order and they wanted to erase him the second your wife died. I did what I had to do." Dominic’s expression didn't change, but a muscle jumped in his jaw. "My lawyers do what I tell them," he hissed, taking another step toward me. "And I never ordered the death of my heir." Before I could respond, I heard an excited giggle before light footsteps drew closer. My eyes widened in alarm but there was nothing I could do as I watched Leo run into my office. Dominic froze when his eyes settled on an oblivious Leo, who had come out because of the voices he probably heard. He stopped by the doorframe before looking between me and Dominic with a confused expression. “Mommy, I made the block higher.” Leo said, finally looking back at me. “Good boy.” I whimpered helplessly. I watched as Dominic took Leo in. His gaze moved from his chestnut hair, dimpled chin and finally, at those gray eyes that only belonged in his family. The truth was right in front of him and there was nothing I could do. Leo stared back, unafraid as he tilted his head in that curious way that was so like Dominic it made me want to scream in frustration and funny enough, I realized Dominic was tilting his head in the same way too. When Dominic’s eyes finally met mine once again, the stare he gave me made me take a scared step backwards. "Tell me, Clara," he whispered, his voice deep with rage. "Tell me why my dead son is breathing."