“Not in so many words, but yeah, he did.”
“He’s grasping at straws. He and his crooked police and judges can’t ignore a dead woman on Spencer’s property.”
My teeth clenched. “This is going to be a nightmare. If he exposes Infidelity…”
“As I said, he’s desperate. Before yesterday everything was circumstantial. Now they found a body. That combined with Melissa’s earlier statements… Lennox, you didn’t even know who she was when she went to the police. There’s no connection. Alton Fitzgerald is grasping. I’ve been listening to their phones,” Deloris went on, “and audio from Montague Manor. The surveillance was set up in the manor during the chaos as guests left the party last night. The crew was in and out dressed as part of the catering staff. Mr. Demetri also secured audible surveillance at Montague Corporation and Hamilton and Porter. I can’t listen to everything at once, but I have a team working on it. We’ll know what they’re thinking as soon as they do.”
“It’s Sunday. The law and corporate offices should be closed.”
“The law office has been buzzing. Are you kidding?”
“Is Fitzgerald there?”
“No. He was at Magnolia Woods and now is back to the police station. The poor man hasn’t gotten any sleep. I’ve listened as he’s yelled at Mrs. Spencer about it all morning.”
Mrs. Spencer. The name reminded me of Charli instead of Edward’s mother.
“What do you know about the marriage license they showed me yesterday?”
“Have you talked to Alex about it?”
“No, she’s still asleep.”
“I’m glad someone is getting sleep.”
“Neither of us got much.”
“I’ve told you… too much information.”
I grinned, remembering Charli’s sexy body in my arms. “That’s not where I was going. We should have moved faster. I never should have left her there for that long.”
“And have left her mother and Chelsea in harm’s way? Alexandria wouldn’t have allowed it.”
Fuck her approval.
I swallowed my response and went back to what Deloris had said earlier. “You already had Magnolia Woods bugged. You said Fitzgerald was there. Are you on it?”
“Yes. The nurse, Mack?”
“That big guy,” I said, recalling the video feed from Adelaide’s room.
“He woke with a whopping headache. Though his memory is fuzzy, he’s certain there was a doctor who came in to get Alex’s mom, but the video footage doesn’t corroborate his story. If they’d do a toxicology screen, they’d know he was drugged. They haven’t and pretty soon it will be too late. They seem to have taken the footage as unaltered. Not surprisingly, the facility administrators are more concerned about their reputation than his story.
“Before Fitzgerald was consulted about his wife’s disappearance, Magnolia Woods contacted the Savannah-Chatham police. They’ve taken Mack in for questioning. If I’m to interpret the chatter correctly, they’re currently holding him under suspicion of aiding and abetting in Mrs. Fitzgerald’s kidnapping. They’re waiting for a ransom demand.”
“That won’t last when they learn it wasn’t a kidnapping.”
“No, but they can hold him for up to seventy-two hours. It’s a nice diversion and makes the police and Magnolia Woods feel like they’re doing something.”
“None of this has made the news? No leak at all?” I asked.
“Fitzgerald demanded radio silence. Porter, his attorney, claimed that at the very least the facility is negligent. Magnolia Woods wants it kept quiet and handled internally. They boast the wealthiest clientele. Losing one of them, especially one who was last seen unconscious, isn’t good for business. And the police want it kept quiet until they hear from the kidnapper. They’re concerned that media coverage will bring out false demands.”
I nodded. “Well, at least for now, that seems to be working.”
“From the feed at Hamilton and Porter, I’m expecting Alex and Chelsea to be subpoenaed back to Savannah sooner rather than later.”
The cool air was forgotten. “I’m not allowing her to go alone.”
“I didn’t expect you to.”
My mind went to Demetri Enterprises. I never thought I’d be happy to have Oren back in New York, but I was. I was relieved to know that he would be where I should be while I was away with Charli.
My bare skin prickled as the cold wind picked up. At the same moment, a rustling in the tree line caught my attention. My voice lowered. “Oren’s men are out here.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, we’ve spoken. You’re better protected right now than the president.”
“You’ve spoken?”
“Many times.”
“You still work for me.”
“Lennox, right now, we’re all working together.”
I let out a long breath. “I never thought I’d want that, not after he left and moved away, but now…”
“Be thankful.”
I nodded. “I am. I’m going inside to talk to him now and to find out how Charli’s mom is doing, before Charli wakes.”
“One more thing that you should know,” Deloris said.
“What?”
“Just because Edward Spencer is still behind bars, that doesn’t mean they won’t allow him to post bail. I’m sure there’ll be restrictions to ensure that he doesn’t flee, but I’d venture to guess that Mr. Fitzgerald will stop at nothing to get him out.”
“Even with a body?”
“Out until trial. If he’s convicted, which he should be, no one will be able to keep him from going behind bars.”
“I want him dead,” I confessed. “I want them both to be, and I want to be the one to do it.” I flexed the knuckles of my free hand. “I want them to know fear.”
“For a minute or for twenty years?”
I gave her question some thought as the waves blurred, giving the illusion of snow covering frozen water. “Twenty years.”
“Then let him hang himself,” Deloris said. “Without Chelsea’s corroboration, his defense is shaky at best. He does have the travel records. He was in California the night Chelsea was attacked, but let’s find out when Melissa was killed. Let’s see if he has a defense. That’s why they want the ladies back in Savannah. Ralph Porter is betting that they can vouch for his whereabouts.”
“You still have nothing on the ME’s report?”
“I’m waiting. I should learn as soon as Porter does.”
“Let us know.”
“I will. I’m driving up to Rye soon. I hope to convince Chelsea to allow me to take pictures of the abuse. They can be used to get her out of her agreement. Perhaps they could even be leaked to the press.”
“As with Melissa, there’s no way to prove that Spencer was the culprit.”
“No, but with the smoking guns stacking up, someone will eventually believe there’s a fire.”
“When do you plan to be here?”
“I want to get back to the discussion at Hamilton and Porter. Isaac is there in Rye. Since your father has the security taken care of, Isaac’s been concentrating on the manor’s surveillance. My computer pings every time Fitzgerald or either of the Spencers uses their phones. Clayton is listening too. We also have others. I know I can depend on them, but I personally want to hear the ME’s report.”
As I turned toward the windows, my own reflection became visible. I pulled the phone from my ear and looked at the screen. Lifting it back, I asked, “How did you access all their phones?”
“They all called the phone Alex was given. Once I had their numbers, the rest was easy.”
“I don’t say it enough, but damn, I’m glad you work for me.”
Deloris’s laugh made my cheeks rise. “You should be.”
I hung up the call as I eased back into the bedroom.
Charli hadn’t moved. Every bone in my body ached to climb back under the covers with her, to smell her sweet scent and bask in her warmth. My cock twitched,
knowing she was completely nude under those blankets.
Instead, I tiptoed across the wood floor and out into the hallway.
Silence echoed through the corridor. Should I go to the master suite or downstairs? Where would I find my father?
I took one step toward the bedroom he used and remembered my attire, or lack thereof. “Hello, Mrs. Fitzgerald. Nice to meet you.” Yes, I thought that sounded better coming from a man wearing a shirt.
Feminine voices came into range as I descended the stairs and neared the first floor. At the base, I turned toward the sitting room, but stopped short, hearing Chelsea’s voice. Still hidden, I listened.
“…like I’m intruding. Honestly, it’s how I’ve felt since this whole thing started.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re a friend of Alex’s. The Demetris have welcomed you here. You can stay as long as you’d like.”
“They scare me, Mr. Demetri more than Nox.”
“Nox?” Silvia asked. “You call him that too?”
“Only in third person. It’s the name Alex called him from the beginning. I was there when they met.”
Visions of Del Mar scattered across my memories. I turned the corner as both Chelsea’s and Silvia’s gazes turned to me.
“Did you forget your shirt?” Silvia smirked.
“I’m looking for Oren. I figured formal attire was optional.”
“Now, I suppose, but I’d suspect this place will get busier as the day progresses.”
“Is Alex awake yet?” Chelsea asked.
“No, she was up late with her mom.” I turned my conversation to Silvia. “I think I’d like to take her some breakfast.”
Silvia lowered the mug she was holding, placing it on the table. “It’s after one. How about some lunch?”
I nodded. “What do we have?”
She waved me away. “Go talk to your father. He’s in the office. I’ll make both you and Alex something.”
“You don’t—”
Chelsea lowered her mug. “I can help. Please, Silvia, let me feel like I’m doing something.”
I turned back to Chelsea. “I owe you an apology. This thing—Infidelity—was never supposed to end up…”
She shook her head. “I’m a big girl. I signed the agreement.”
“I have a question. Did you write the note that the guard gave me at Montague?”
“Yes,” she answered softly.
“The rules. You were giving us a clue.”
“I tried.”
“I just heard you refer to me as Nox, yet the note was addressed to Lennox?”
“I hoped that would let you know that it wasn’t Alex who wrote it.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“I’ll go help Silvia.” Her big hazel eyes looked up. “Thank you. I’m sorry too. I wish I could have done more to help her.”
“You’re her best friend. I’m glad that hasn’t changed.”
I didn’t wait for her response. Instead, I made my way through the rooms and corridors to the office. The door was slightly ajar. For only a second I began to hesitate, but then just as quickly, I pushed it open.
Fuck this. It’s my house.
Oren’s chair was turned, facing the windows that overlooked the pool. “…yet you were there? If the conversation will affect Demetri Enterprises, then I should be informed.”
Who is he talking to?
His chair spun toward me as I approached the desk. “Doyle, I’ll call you back. Something just came up.”
“Doyle Carroll?” I asked after he hung up.
“Yes, he heard some interesting things at the Montague party.”
THE CLATTER OF dishes pried me from my slumber. For only a moment, I scrambled for the blankets. My modesty quickly faded as the handsome man delivering my meal spoke.
“No, princess. Don’t pull those blankets up. I want to see that beautiful body.”
Nox’s deep voice rumbled through me, tugging a lazy smile from me. With bright sunshine from the windows as a backlight, his features were muted. Despite the halo of light, Nox’s mussed hair, wide shoulders, and bare chest sent a tingle of electricity through me. As my eyes adjusted, my gaze lowered, taking in his defined abdomen and the V that disappeared into his low-hanging jeans. I pushed my thighs together as I again reached for the blanket.
My smile blossomed as I scooted toward the headboard pulling the cover with me. Tucking the blanket around my traitorous breasts with their hardened nipples, my attention went from Nox to whatever was hiding below the silver dome. As my imagination filled with breakfast delights, my stomach growled in a very loud and completely unsexy way.
Nox’s lips parted with a big smile. “Hungry?”
I shifted, wondering how the sound of his voice could stir a desire deep in my core, a hunger rivaling the one for food.
“I am. What time is it?”
Nox lifted the cover of one tray revealing a sandwich, soup, and vegetables. It must have been the soup, but the way its spicy aroma filled the room made my mouth water.
“Almost two,” he said. “I figured it was time to wake my Sleeping Beauty, and since breakfast is long past, Silvia suggested lunch.”
The sweet scene, his caring gesture, and even the delicious aroma washed away in a wave of panic. “Two? What?” My legs flailed as I worked to untangle myself from the sheet. “How’s my mom? Have you seen her? How could you let me sleep so late?”
Leaving the tray on the bedside stand, Nox lowered himself to the edge of the bed and seized my hand, stopping my escape before I could free myself from the blankets. “She’s fine. I haven’t seen her but I spoke with my dad.” Nox looked down at his bare chest. “I’m not exactly dressed to introduce myself to my girlfriend’s mother.”
His words registered: she’s fine. She’s fine.
Warmth filled my cheeks as I again studied his lack of clothing. “My mom’s old but I’m pretty sure you’d make quite the impression.”
“How about on her daughter?”
“On me?”
“Yes, princess…” He scooted nearer until our noses touched. “…have I made an impression?”
With a slight tip of my chin our lips came together. The sheet that had thwarted my escape dropped to my waist as his muscular chest pushed toward me. My moan filled the room as his touch roamed my side, grazing my breast and skirting lower. With Nox as my puppeteer by way of invisible strings, inch-by-inch my legs willing opened, exposing my ready core.
“Oh, Nox.”
The food he’d delivered was forgotten as my neck strained and back arched to his touch. With a kiss to my lips, his fingers plunged and thumb made magical sparks as he strummed my swollen clit. I reached for his jeans, wanting to free what I needed.
“What do you want?”
My breathing quickened as my smile grew. “You’re such a dick.”
“But you love me.”
“I do.”
“Say it.”
“I love you.”
His head moved back and forth. “No, tell me what you want.”
“I want your cock.” My declaration was much softer than it had been in a gas station months ago.
“Enough that you’re willing to wait on lunch?”
I looked at the tray and then back at the eyes above me, devouring me. His erection strained against his jeans and pushed against my leg. My hunger for food wasn’t gone, but unquestionably, my desire for him was greater. “Yes.”
“Oh, princess, I want you too.” His hand trailed the inside of my thighs. “I want to give you my cock.” He teased my clit. “And I want to make you my lunch.”
“Nox.”
He sighed. “But my dad said your mom will be downstairs soon. I’m still working on that first impression. Sorry we’re late, I was busy fucking your daughter probably isn’t the way to go.”
I giggled. He was right. “Okay, but… maybe we could work on that lunch part. I mean, I don’t want you to starve.”
Nox laughed. “And D
eloris is on her way, and…”
I waited, not sure what the and meant.
“And?”
“Deloris thinks we’ll need to head back to Savannah soon, possibly tonight.”
My pulse quickened as the idea of a quick afternoon delight faded away. “No. We just got here. I finally slept. I don’t want to go back.”
Nox brought the tray of food over to the bed. “Eat.”
I shook my head. “No. I just lost my appetite.”
He lowered the tray to my lap. “I don’t think you ate the entire time you were gone. I swear you’ve lost weight.”
“After all Lana’s cooking, that’s probably a good thing.”
“No, it’s not. Eat. Besides, if you think Lana’s a good cook, you need to eat Silvia’s food.”
I wanted to argue, but the feast before me wouldn’t allow it.
“While you eat,” Nox said, “let me explain what my dad and I were told earlier by a member of the Demetri legal staff.”
I shook my head. “I’ve thought about it already. I think I know.”
“Okay, tell me what you think—after you’ve eaten.”
I lifted a piece of the sandwich and took a bite. As I began to chew, my stomach did the loud growling thing again. Shaking my head, I took a drink of the iced tea. “Fine. I’m still hungry.”
“They were talking about you and Chelsea making a statement,” he said.
I swallowed. “They think it was a mistake to refuse the police last night?”
“Yes and no.”
“I don’t want to go back, but they’re right. It would look better if Chelsea and I were willing to make statements. And I’m nervous that the policeman called me Mrs. Spencer.”
Nox exhaled. “At the police station they showed me a marriage license dated Friday. Your stepfather offered me a deal if I agreed not to contest your marriage and obeyed a restraining order to stay away from you.”
Blowing on a spoonful of soup, I shook my head. “Alton won’t stop. He won’t.” And then my mind filled with the last twelve hours and I met Nox’s gaze. “I’d say if you accepted his offer, you’re definitely in violation of that restraining order.”
“I told him to stick it up his ass.”
“You what?”
“Not directly, though we did speak.”