A/N; Wow, I have to admit I've been overwhelmed by the positive response I've had to this. Thank you all for the follows, and helpful reviews. I apologize for the long delay in getting this chapter out. Some things in life cannot be avoided! But good news! The next chapter is in beta right now so should come out soon.

As Alicia approached her car in the Lockhart Gardner parking garage, she heard footsteps coming up behind her. She instinctively tensed up and tightened her grip on her bag turning around to see who it was, vainly hoping it was Will.

"So did he take the offer?" Came the all too familiar voice of John Pierson from the shadows of the dimly lit garage.

Alicia inhaled just as she'd done for nearly two weeks now every time he'd managed to creep up on her. He always seemed to always know where she was, and turned up when she least expected.

"Why do you assume I was here to offer a settlement?" she said, steadying herself up against her car, bracing herself for what might come next.

"Just a hunch! You're losing. Why else would you have driven here after work instead of going home in a storm like this?" The rain had grown heavier and the thunder louder in the time she'd been in Will's office. "Unless you and your former lover were making up. In which case I'm willing take back the question."

"We weren't," she said, looking right at him.

"Why not? I've seen the way he looks at you, the way he watches you." He had moved out from the shadows and began walking towards her again.

"Stop it!" she said cutting him off. "He doesn't "look" at me like that anymore."

He chuckled. "Yes, yes he does, you just don't notice it. Your husband should be jealous! In fact I'm a bit jealous!"

She hated how calm and collected he always seemed. Of course that was how he'd drawn her in in the first place. It wasn't hard to fall for someone with his good looks and seemingly caring demeanor. If he had been arrogant or angry all of the time, his behavior with her would be easier to understand. Even when his tone had risen speaking to her over the past few weeks, it was brief. All but one of her interactions with him had brief since she had been at his cabin two and a half weeks ago. And that had been his first mistake, inviting her to his cabin an hour outside of Chicago.

"Cary, John wants to go over the paperwork for the merger with me later today. I'm going out to his cabin for lunch to take care of it. It's a pretty long drive so I'm not planning on coming back in today," Alicia said, standing in the doorway to Cary's office. "Can you take the depositions with Will and Diane this afternoon?"

Cary looked up from his desk. "Yes, but his cabin? I didn't know he had a cabin."

She smiled. "I doubt it's really a cabin. It's probably a mansion in the woods on five acres backing Lake Michigan! Hidden so well no one would ever know it was there!"

They both laughed. "That guy has more money than anyone I've ever met," Cary said.

"I know!" Alicia said raising a brow. "Lucky for us we're his attorneys!"

"You should get him to donate to Peter's campaign! The whole world seems to love him! I bet it would boost Peter's numbers, not that he needs it!"

Alicia sighed, and looked away. "Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow." She turned to leave.

"Hey, is everything okay? I mean with you and Peter?" Cary said. He noticed the frown that had appeared in her expression at the mention of Peter.

"Sure, everything is great!" It was a fake smile and they both knew it. But he let it go.

"Okay, see you tomorrow," he said, as she walked down the hall to leave.

A little over an hour later she drove down the long path to Pierson's secluded getaway. She had been right. The obviously, but fairly knew rustic looking house was enormous, well hidden, and probably sat on more like fifteen acres rather than the five she guessed. She was greeted by a gentleman who took her keys and led her into the house. It was immaculately decorated she noticed, as she was led through the living room and out onto the back patio that set the scene for a gorgeous view of the lake.

She was told to make herself comfortable at the table that was set with expensive china and crystal stemware. Then asked what she would like to drink and told that John would be with her shortly. She took the opportunity to take in more of her surroundings. It was beautiful. All the trees were in full bloom. The colors of late spring and early summer were abundant. In the distance she noticed a small but very nice speed boat set off a short boardwalk at the water's edge. She scanned the terrain across the small cove set in front of her. Presumably it all belonged to Pierson. Then she noticed something that seemed out of place. Across the cove and tucked into the wooded area she noticed a very run down looking building. It looked like a woodshed. She was surprised that on such a property where such care had clearly been taken to the landscaping, that there would sit such a run down building. She didn't take the time to ponder it much as Pierson appeared through the patio doors.

She stood to greet him. "Alicia!" he said, embracing her giving her quick peck on the cheek. This had become their common greeting over the past months. It was as if they were old friends. She didn't mind the attention and had to admit that his dark brown hair, six foot four height, and very toned muscles had taken her breath away more than once.

"Did you have any trouble finding it?" he said, as they sat down at the table.

"No, although I would have missed the turn off if you hadn't told me to watch for it!"

"Well, not many people even know this place is out here! Anyone who's ever worked out here is sworn to secrecy. This place isn't even listed under my own name. I have to have some place where my adoring public can't find me!" he said smiling at her. The comment could have been taken as arrogance, but she knew he disliked being in the public eye as much as she did. This was something they had commiserated on together over the past months.

She laughed and returned the smile. "I need a place like this! Of course I'd probably never leave if I did. I'd love to get away from the press!" She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her wine.

"Well, you're welcome here any time you want to get away!"

The lunch was filled with pleasant conversation. He offered to take her out on the lake in his boat, which she gladly agreed to. Two hours later when they returned to the house she told him they better get their work done. She had a long drive back to the city. He walked her through the large kitchen and living room with floor to ceiling windows and down the hall to his office.

"Does every room in this house have such a great view?" she asked, sitting across from him at his dark cherry wood desk. His decorating style was much the same as hers, and she had immediately felt at ease when entering the home.

He smiled over to her grabbing a pen. "Yes! But the view from the master bedroom is the best. I'll have to show it to you later!" This subtle flirting from him had gone on since day one. At times it almost seemed like he was testing her ability to resist his good looks and charm, which she had admittedly done a good job off. But if anyone had asked she would have had to honestly answer that if she had been single she probably would have given into his flirtations months ago.

He signed all the documents she needed him to, and they discussed an upcoming deal he was thinking of doing. Forty-five minutes later he offered her another glass of wine before she left. She accepted, and he gave her a tour of more of the house. She noticed he had photos of himself and an attractive woman scattered throughout the house. She stopped in front of the fireplace where one of the photos sat on the mantel and looked at it for a moment.

"Is this your girlfriend?" she asked, turning to face him. He stood near the window just to the left of her.

"No, that was my wife?"

She hesitated in pressing him further, but did so anyway. "Your wife? I didn't realize you had been married."

He didn't turn to look at her and took another sip of his wine before continuing. "It was ten years ago before I became the John Pierson everyone knows today."

Alicia moved closer to him. "What happened? Did you divorce?"

He looked down at his feet then smiled back up at her. "You ask a lot of questions Alicia."

"I'm a lawyer. It's my job to ask a lot of questions! But if you don't want to talk about it we don't have to." She turned, and once again took in the view of the lake.

"Well, since you asked," he continued. "We had been married for eight years. Happily married, or so I thought." He sighed and placed his wine glass on the end table. "One morning I came home from a business trip and she had overdosed on pain pills."

"I'm so sorry," Alicia said, holding her glass to her lips again.

He shook his head and turned to look at her. "Don't be. It was a long time ago, and it was an accident. Rachel got really horrible migraine headaches periodically. I had talked to her the night before it happened. She had been fighting one for two days. She just took too many pills before she went to bed that night. She was my whole life, that's why I keep the photos of her around. It's a reminder of what we had. They keep me going."

Silence filled the room for a few moments. His demeanor had suddenly changed, and he became very serious.

"Alicia, I need you to settle this suit against Mike."

"I'm doing the best I can. But Maddie seems set on getting ten million and dragging your partners name through the mud."

"He didn't do it. This whole case is ridiculous. Word has gotten out about the suit and our stock prices have dropped. We can't afford for this to go to trial."

"Well, we can make an offer one more time and see if she'll take it, but you'll have to up the offer."

He sighed and turned his gaze back to the outdoors. "Listen Alicia, there's something I think you need to know."

"Okay, is there something you can offer that will help with the suit?"

"Mike is my half brother."

She couldn't believe what he'd just said. The shock must have been evident. "He doesn't know, and I intend for that secret to be kept. But I'm telling you because I want you to understand how important it is that this case go away. You have a family, children, and wouldn't you agree that you would do anything to protect them?"

"Yes, but I still don't understand how that is relevant."

"Mike and I share the same father. I grew up with wealth, with privilege. Both of my parent's were successful. But their careers eventually got in the way of their marriage. My father went looking for affection because he wasn't getting any from my mother. Mike's mother was a waitress at the country club my family belonged too. She was young, and very pretty. When she told my father she was pregnant he didn't want to have anything to do with her, or the child she carried. He gave her a very large sum of money to keep himself out of the picture. A year after Mike was born she married a nice man. They lived a happy, but poor life. I found out years later, that despite Mike's meager means, he grew up and got a scholarship to Harvard.

I grew up with money, but not much else as far as love and attention. Before my father passed away he told me about Mike. He'd kept track of him over the years despite what he'd told Mike's mother. When I met Mike eight years ago I was impressed, and was looking for a partner. I felt a little guilty about all that my father hadn't provided for him, and thought that partnering with him would help make some of that up to him."

"But he doesn't know?" Alicia couldn't believe this story. She'd been with both men numerous times and they didn't look anything like each other. At least she thought at the moment. Although she realized she hadn't ever seen them together.

"No, he doesn't. Mike is a good man. He loves his wife, and child, and would never do anything to hurt them. He left that restaurant that night by himself. Maddie was still in the restaurant when he left. I know because I was still there."

"Did you tell the police that?"

"Yes, and that's part of the reason the State's Attorney's office dropped the case. But Maddie was convinced it was Mike who'd grabbed her outside the restaurant and raped her. That's why she brought this suit against him. So you understand why this needs to go away. Mike doesn't deserve the reputation and I don't want our stock to drop anymore."

"Yes, but I can't guarantee I can make it go away."

He chuckled, "Well if you don't, I may have to get rid of you."

"You'll fire me if I don't win this case? Even after everything we've done for your business?"

A sly smile crossed his lips, a smile that made her uneasy. "Something like that. Just get your good friend Will to convince his client that our offer is a good deal."

Alicia chuckled. "He's not my good friend anymore." She rolled her eyes, and picked up her wine glass drinking the last bit that was left. "And in case you hadn't noticed, Will doesn't back down very easily."

"Oh come on Alicia, some friendships never die no matter the circumstances. Get Mr. Gardner to settle. It will be better for you if you do."

"You're serious aren't you?" She was a little appalled at the thought that he would fire her for something she had little control over. Of course fire her was not what he meant, but she didn't know that until three days later when the case was moved to a trial.

He'd stormed into her office late in the evening the night before the trial began. He backed her up into a corner. It was then that he told her that her life was in danger if she didn't win the case. She pushed past him and went to call security.

"Are you drunk?" she said, reaching for the phone. "John you need to calm down, and think about what your saying."

"No, and I wouldn't do that if I were you Alicia." He moved quickly over to her and grabbed her hand that held the receiver to the phone on her desk.

"Get out of my office." she said, yanking her hand away from him. He grabbed her as she tried to move around her desk to get away, and pressed her hard against the bookshelf that set behind her.

He pulled out his phone. "Do you see this?" he said, showing her the screen to his phone. Her heart sank. "This is your daughter two hours ago walking into your apartment building. Don't worry she's safe inside your apartment right now, and has no idea that your building is being watched."

Alicia tried to get out of his grasp but she couldn't. "You leave my daughter out of this."

"I'm afraid I can't. If you call the police, or tell anyone about the conversation we've had tonight, your daughter will disappear, and you will never see her again." He moved his face just inches from hers. "Do you understand?"

Alicia couldn't believe this was happening. What had happened to the kind gentle man she'd spent hours with just days before? "Yes, I understand," she said, looking directly at him.

He held her arm and kept his body pressed against her for a few more moments before letting go and backing up. "Good. Win this case, and we can pretend none of this happened." He turned and left her office leaving her shaking, scared, and very angry.

Pierson kept his distance leaning against the car in the parking garage across from where Alicia stood. She recognized the car as Will's as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Well you are free to think what ever you want." Alicia said. "But I don't think Peter has anything to be jealous of."

"Maybe not, but its irrelevant now. I want to know what you're going to do tomorrow to get the judge to rule in your favor."

She looked him right in the eyes. He may have her scared out of her mind, but she wasn't going to back down to him. She always looked him in the eyes when she spoke to him. She wasn't going to give him the pleasure of thinking she was weak. "There isn't anything else I can do. I'm going to hope the judge takes a good look at the evidence and rules in our favor tomorrow. Mike is innocent. I know that, you know that."

He stepped over to her and she pressed her hands against the car for support if she needed it. He reached and ran his hand along her mid section as his eyes roamed up and down her body. She felt sick when he looked at her like that. Then he placed his hand under her chin. She held her gaze on him even though she wanted to scream in the hopes that someone would come to her rescue. But she knew Pierson had someone watching Grace, or at least had someone on call if things were to go wrong. So she didn't make a sound.

"You should have used those beautiful eyes and sexy curves to convince Mr. Gardner to drop this case weeks ago. Imagine how he's going to feel when he finds out he was the cause of your demise."

She could feel her inner self beginning to tremble. "It's not his fault. And anyway he'll never know the real reason because you're just going to make me disappear without a trace, just like you did with the other four women. Tell me something, the night you gave your wife too many pills and she died, was that the first time you'd tried to kill her? I mean it must have been difficult living with someone who had cheated on you. Someone you loved so deeply."

He began to grow angry. "You don't know what you're talking about." He moved his hands to her arms pressing her body against the car.

"I know who you are. I know what you've done. No matter the verdict tomorrow, sometime in the next few days I'll disappear just like the other women. You never had any intention of letting me live. Even if the verdict comes in in our favor tomorrow, you know what I know, and you know you can't let me live with that knowledge. It's to much work to keep track of Grace and I for the rest of your life."

"Stop it Alicia, you don't know what I'm thinking, or what I have in mind for you." He raised his fist, and she braced herself for the blow. "Don't force me to hit you today to keep your tongue under control."

He held his stance for a moment. He had to give her credit, she'd never once cowered in front of him. She had more will, more resistance than the other women had had. Moments later he lowered his hand and backed up. "I'm a man of my word Alicia. I told you exactly what my expectations were and the consequences. You're right, you do know too much, and if the verdict comes in in our favor, I'll be the one be the one to vanish. I'm tired Alicia. Making millions a year, keeping up a celebrity image, I think I'm ready to retire." He turned and began walking towards the exit. "And like you said, keeping track of you is hard work."

Once he was out of her sight she exhaled and got into her car. Her first priority was to make sure that no matter what, Grace would be safe. Her second priority would be to leave enough clues that if Pierson snagged her at some point, someone might be able to find her before it was to late. What Pierson didn't know was that she had figured out what he'd done with the four other women. If she ended up dead, she wanted someone to be able to find her body so that Zach and Grace could put some closure on her death, and not be left wondering what had happened to her for the rest of their lives.