THE SMALL ROOM exploded in a chorus of retorts.

Suzanna’s skin paled until it filled with red, her blood running to parts unknown and then rushing to the surface. She wobbled on her too-high heels until she found her voice. “What the hell? Her? What the hell?”

Her distaste for foul language was forgotten as she spewed and sputtered. She repeated the question, each time louder, though no one answered. She wasn’t alone. Nox was on his feet, rage permeating his words and oozing from his stance. He wanted Alton out of the room, demanding that Daryl file an immediate restraining order.

Isaac’s eyes were wide as shock registered on Ralph’s and Daryl’s faces.

It was chaos, yet through it all, Alton stood steadfast, his hands now on the table, his beady gray eyes seeing only me. With each passing moment, his thin lips moved to a smile as he slowly scanned me up and down, seeing as far as the table would allow.

My flesh quivered as if his gaze could literally touch me, could see beneath my clothes.

“As I said, a spitfire.”

I reached for Nox as he lunged forward. “Everyone, stop.”

The turmoil quieted though it hung thick in the air.

“Alexandria, it’s your chance to keep what you should never lose and help your mother in the process.”

The first laugh was more of a cough. I feared that it might be filled with the bile that his proposal had produced. It wasn’t. Instead the ring filled the room. With each breath my laughter grew until it poured from my soul. I was manic as tears of hilarity filled my eyes. “Delusional? You’re the one who’s delusional.”

Alton straightened his shoulders. “I’ve always said it would be fun to tame you. Bryce couldn’t handle you, but I can.”

“Out!” Nox yelled. “Get the hell out of here and stay the fuck away from her. If you get within fifty feet, screw that—one hundred yards—you’re a dead man.”

I reached out to Nox’s arm, stilling his words and his threats.

“Ralph can draw up the agreement,” Alton said.

“No.” I turned to Mr. Owen. “You and Ralph take care of whatever needs to happen. We’re done. Obviously it’s my mother’s husband who is in need of medication or maybe hospitalization. I think both medical and psychiatric evaluations are warranted.” I turned back to Alton, doing my best to ignore the glare coming from Suzanna. “You’re a desperate man and desperate men do desperate things. Here’s my advice: go fuck your whore and visit your son before he’s put away for life… or sentenced to death.”

The crimson returning to his cheeks was oddly comforting.

“My mother and I are done.” I reached for my purse as Nox placed his hand in the small of my back.

When Alton didn’t move, Isaac stepped forward. “Sir, step aside.”

As Alton turned, I saw my stepfather in a different light. He wasn’t the monster I’d allowed him to be. He was a pathetic tyrant, a bully of a man. When faced with Isaac’s girth, his wrinkles deepened and he shrunk into his expensive suit.

“Alton?” I heard Suzanna say as we stepped from the room.

I turned to Mr. Owen. “As soon as you can, evict him from the manor.”

Nox’s hand didn’t move from my back as we made our way outside.

 

 

THE SCENES BEYOND the windows of the SUV brought back memories, both good and bad. Nearly nineteen years of my life had been spent in this city and more accurately on the grounds of Montague Manor.

I gripped tighter to Nox’s hand.

“This won’t be the last time you’re here,” he said as the large iron gate moved open, allowing us to enter.

“I kind of feel like if it is, I’m all right with that.”

“It’s yours. You heard Daryl. You’ve read the will. No judge is going to deny you your rightful inheritance.”

Sitting taller I leaned close and kissed Nox’s cheek. “It’s the money, isn’t it?”

“What?”

“That’s why you put up with me.”

Nox’s smile grew. “No, princess, it’s because I like the way you scream when I—”

Deloris cleared her throat. “TMI. You’re not alone.”

We weren’t, not that that had ever stopped Nox before or his comments or actions. However, it wasn’t only Isaac or Clayton this time. Deloris was with us today.

“This won’t take long,” I said. “Jane said she had our passports ready. My mother didn’t trust the mail.”

Deloris nodded. “I feel better being here with you.”

“Jane promised that neither Bryce or Alton were here.”

“Daryl got the restraining order signed,” Nox said. “Your stepfather can’t be within one hundred yards of you.” Nox’s grip tensed. “The things he said. Fuck. I don’t plan to let him get that close. Then again, I wish he would.”

“Lennox,” Deloris warned.

“I should have hit him harder. I will next time.”

“I’m impressed,” I said.

“I’m impressive,” Nox replied with a grin.

“No, I’m impressed that Mr. Owen got the restraining order filed. I can’t believe a judge actually signed something against the great Alton Fitzgerald.”

“Also one stopping Mr. Spencer from going near Chelsea,” Deloris added.

Even without Chelsea pressing charges, her cheek gave reason for a restraining order against Bryce. Mr. Owen hadn’t requested an order for me with Bryce or one for Chelsea with Alton, but between the two of us, we had them both covered.

Clayton brought the car to a stop and I peered up and out of the window. The pristine walls, spotless windows, and expansive stately porches were exactly as they’d always been, yet knowing that my mother’s nightmare as well as my own was about over, gave them a new sheen.

Clayton opened the SUV’s door. As I climbed out, Nox followed behind me.

“You don’t need to go in.”

He lifted his brow. “We discussed the rules. I still haven’t reddened that sexy ass. For the record, going in what is still his house without me is the same as one of his cars.”

My behind tingled and grin returned at his threat. It wasn’t just the warning but the way the talk of his spanking my ass made his blue eyes shimmer. “Yes, Mr. Demetri.”

Nox’s lips quirked upward as he reached for my hand. Together we ascended the steps to an opening door. “Magic?” he asked in a whisper.

“It’s like Hogwarts,” I said. “No, seriously, the Montague staff is magic. They can appear and disappear. I’m not sure how they do it.”

“Alex!” Jane’s welcoming voice echoed in the foyer as we stepped inside.

I wrapped my arms around her and then took a step back. “Jane, this is Lennox Demetri.”

Nox offered his hand. “Very nice to meet you, Jane…?” He allowed her name to linger in the air.

“Peterson,” I said. “Jane Peterson.”

She nodded and scanned Nox up and down. “My my, I see why Alex is smitten with you.”

A hint of pink dotted his cheeks. “She speaks very highly of you too.”

“That’s good to hear.” She leaned closer. “I like that smile on your face. It makes you even more beautiful than you always are.”

“I like it too.”

“Beautiful on the inside too.”

“Maybe one day you could tell me some stories about Alex when she was young?” Nox asked.

“She still young, but yes, sir. I have stories.”

“Alex said you’ve been here her whole life?”

“That’s true,” Jane said. “Mostly because I’m older than dirt. It seems like my brother and I been here since before time.”

“Your brother?” Nox asked.

“Yes, my brother, Brantley. He been driving Montagues before I had diapers to change.”

I shook my head. “When I was little and learned Jane’s last name, I thought they were married.”

Jane’s laugh warmed the room and filled my soul. I could listen to it forever. “Ain’t no man out there who can handle this.” She swept her hand down herself.

I laughed. “Keep looking. There are some good ones out there.”

“Yes, child, I’d say you might have found you one. Besides, Brantley and me ain’t never been that close.”

“But you’ve worked together… forever?” Nox said.

“This place is big. We came here at the same time ‘cause our parents worked for Mr. Charles and Miss Olivia.”

My tone turned serious as I scanned the otherwise-empty foyer and allowed my gaze to linger on the hallway that led to Alton’s office. “Tell me again that he’s not here.”

“No, ma’am. He’s at work. I know from Brantley’s phone, Mr. Fitzgerald’s not left Montague Corporation all day. When he’s here, he’s locked in his office or up in his room.”

“Thank you for helping us. We’ll be heading back to New York soon.” I reached for Jane’s hand. “What are you going to do?”

She shrugged. “What can I do?”

“Come to New York. Momma would love for you to be with her, and so would I.”

“I’d like that. I’d like Miss Adelaide to come home too. This is her house. It’s yours.”

I took a deep breath as I looked around the foyer, taking in the marble floor, the large staircase, and the ornate lighting. It wasn’t as scary as it had been, but it also didn’t fill me with the warmth of Rye. I turned back to Jane.

In her gaze was the warmth, the feeling of home. I smiled. “Who knows? Maybe someday.”

I reached again for Nox’s hand. “While we’re here, let me show you my room.”

His brows rose in question. “You do know that we have a car full of people waiting.”

“Two people. It’s hardly a crowd. Besides, when did you worry about Deloris or Clayton?” I tugged his hand toward the stairs. I’d never imagined having Nox at Montague Manor. I’d never wanted to bring my worlds together, but with his hand in mine, the steps seemed less daunting. The doors weren’t soldiers ensuring my obedience. The keyholes weren’t portals with eyes watching my every move. The corridor was only that—a hallway.

I opened the door to my room.

“Very girly,” he said, taking in the frill.

I hurried toward my bed and bounced on the edge. “It is. Flower wallpaper and a canopy bed.”

Nox sat beside me. “I like it.”

“You do?”

“I like learning more about you.” He ran his hand up the smooth wooden post that held the canopy. “And I like what we could do with these posts.”

Heat filled more than my cheeks as my insides twisted and legs squeezed together. “Car with people, remember?”

He leaned over me, pushing me back to the mattress. “Just imagine you tied to these posts, your legs spread wide and sexy tits vulnerable.”

“Nox?”

He ran his finger along the neckline of my dress down to my breast and circled my covered nipple. His smile grew. “Your nipples are hard just thinking about it. Think what I could do to them if we took off this dress?”

He was right.

“They aren’t the only thing that’s hard.” He reached for the hem of my skirt. “Come on, princess, let’s be naughty in your bedroom.”

“I…”

“What do you have here that I could use to tie your—”

A knock came on the doorframe, its sound stopping the rest of his question.

“Excuse me.”

My cheeks warmed as Nox and I turned to the open door and Jane’s smile. “Umm, yes?”

“The gate just called.”

I sat up as Nox sprang to his feet.

“It ain’t Mr. Fitzgerald.”

“Bryce?” I shuddered at his name.

“No, ma’am. It’s Mrs. Spencer.” When my eyes narrowed, Jane went on. “This is your house. You shouldn’t let that woman push you out.”

“I know, but I’m done with confrontation for now.”

“Then you best be going.” She extended her hand with two small folders. “Here’s yours and your momma’s passports. I sure hope I see her before she goes far away. I ain’t never been to New York.”

Nox extended his hand. “Miss Jane, we need to rectify that very soon.”

She nodded. “I think I’d like that, Mr. Demetri.”

Standing, I smoothed the skirt of my dress. “I know Momma would like that too. Thank you, Jane.”

“Thank you. I knew you would save her. I prayed you would.”

“I wasn’t alone.” I glanced up at Nox.

“Thank you,” she said to both of us. Her big brown eyes glistened with unshed tears.

I wrapped my arms around her. “Come now. With us. There’s nothing stopping you.”

Jane patted my back. “How do you know? I happen to be a very busy woman. I have business. Remember, I’m the house manager? What do you think would happen to this place if I just ran off? Then when you and Miss Adelaide come back, it would be a mess. I can’t let that happen.”

“I love you,” I said, kissing her cheek just before Nox and I hurried down the stairs and out onto the driveway. As we slipped into the back of the SUV, a black sedan turned into the circular driveway.

Deloris nodded toward the car.

“Suzanna,” I offered.

“I was concerned.”

“Jane said he wouldn’t be here. I trust her.”

“Nice woman,” Nox said, adding with a grin, “with terrible timing.”

Even though winter was approaching, most of the giant oak trees held tight to their leaves. The moss never went away. It was the other trees on the property that stood like skeletons, their flesh gone, leaving only the naked bones. I sighed as the tires bounced upon the cobblestones. A glance out the back window revealed only dried leaves blowing in our wake.

I turned back around and leaned against Nox’s shoulder. “Thanks. I liked having you there.”

“Do you think your mom will ever want to come back?” Nox asked once we were off the grounds.

I shrugged. “I wouldn’t blame her if she did. She’s never lived anywhere else.”

“Never?” Nox asked.

“I think she and my dad had an apartment before they were married while they both attended Emory. They married right after she graduated and moved here.”

“That would have been intimidating.”

“You think so?” I asked, surprised that Nox would think anything was intimidating.

He nodded. “And your grandfather. I don’t know anything about him, except his will. Princess, that is the document of a narcissistic egomaniac. I’d venture to guess that Bill Gates’ last will and testament isn’t as detailed.”

“And yet, it isn’t,” Deloris said. “It’s wordy and specific while at the same time vague.”

As the SUV moved closer to the hotel, I asked. “Do you think there’s any merit to my mother’s accusations that my grandfather was killed?”

“Like Lennox said the other night, it’s the date of the codicil,” Deloris said. “Your grandfather added it the day he died. That isn’t enough to warrant an investigation.”

“It’s enough to be suspicious,” I agreed.

“We need to hurry,” Deloris said, looking at her phone.

“What is it?”

“It’s Isaac. Our eyes outside the hotel contacted him: Mr. Spencer just arrived.”