Chapter 5
ALEX
Alex’s features pinched as Ava waved to him, her car pulling in the opposite direction of his.
As Ava's car pulled away, a lump formed in Alex's throat, his chest tightening with a cocktail of fear and love.
The distance growing between them wasn't just physical—it was a vivid reminder of all he stood to lose.
He gripped the door handle, his knuckles white, fighting the urge to call her back and keep her safe by his side.
It wasn’t so much that she couldn’t take care of herself than the all-consuming need he had to protect her.
He no longer had to hide behind the guise of friendship. With his feelings out in the open, he could now unabashedly fret over her every move. It was appealing and overwhelming at the same time.
His knee bounced as the cars continued further apart, and he relented to the idea that she would have to do some reconnaissance on her own.
Maybe it was for the best. Visions of an angry Ava, that eyebrow arched and her hands on her hips as she lectured him about how she was an independent woman danced in his mind.
He slouched down in his seat, pulling his phone from his pocket to enable his special app that would search the area for any mobile devices, hack them, and leave a greeting message.
Instead, he found himself staring at the picture he’d snapped with Ava at their first dinner together back in the Hamptons.
He traced the outline of her face, the corners of his lips turning up as he stared at her. She had been his wife then, but now that wasn’t in name only.
He chewed his lower lip as worry coursed through him. Would he be enough for her? He’d promised over and over that he’d prove they were right for each other, but a gnawing doubt ate away at him.
Ava was an incredible woman. He’d only captured her by an arrangement–one that she had fully expected to end.
They’d been together by accident, not by choice.
Would that become a problem?
The driver’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “On behalf of both Mr. and Mrs. Harrington, I’d really like to thank you for coming down to help.”
“No problem. Julia’s an old friend.”
“On a personal note, I’d like to thank you, too,” the driver said. “Sierra–the one in the photos you’re about to erase–is my girlfriend.”
Alex raised his eyebrows, the information surprising. “Oh, uh, wow, how’s that going over with big daddy? Or does he not know?”
“He knows. It was…not his favorite thing. But he’s gotten used to the idea.”
Alex bobbed his head as he tried to think of something to say. Small talk wasn’t his thing.
“So, how long have you known Mrs. Harrington.”
“Since college,” he answered. “It’s still kind of weird hearing you call her that.”
“Oh, yeah? I don’t recall you being at the wedding. Were you?”
“No. I don’t get out much,” Alex admitted.
“Well, I’m sure glad you got out this time. Sierra will be devastated if these pictures get out.”
Alex shifted in his seat as they turned into the driveway of a rambling estate.
“Typical,” he murmured as the car pulled to a stop outside of the stately house.
The driver dashed around to open his door as a butler greeted him and showed him into the foyer. His eyes rose up to take in the ornate space.
“Mr. Harrington has been expecting you, sir. I’m sorry to say Mrs. Harrington is not available at the moment but will join you as soon as possible.”
“Right,” Alex said as he stared at the suit-clad man who looked every bit the quintessential butler. “Well, lead the way, my good man.”
“This way, sir,” the butler said, motioning toward a set of double doors off the foyer.
The man preceded Alex, pushing open both doors with one smooth motion before he stepped inside. “Mr. Harrington, Alex Stone has arrived.”
A fit, confident male looking man rose from behind a massive mahogany desk. He looked like the quintessential billionaire from one of those billionaire romance novels.
A fleeting vision of his smarmy smile directed at Ava made Alex’s nostrils flare with irritation.
The man extended his hand, a confident grin spreading across his face. “Mr. Stone, Grant Harrington. Really glad you come down to our neck of the woods.”
Alex lifted his chin, his protective instincts kicking in. After years of being taunted by assertive types like Grant, he’d honed his reactions to project a false confidence. “No probs, Big G. Julia’s an old friend.”
Grant offered him a quizzical glance before he cleared his throat, motioning toward the chairs opposite the desk. “Have a seat.”
Alex slid into the chair, slouching down as his gaze traveled around the space. “Interesting place.”
“Thank you,” Grant answered, his eyes narrowing a little. “So, you’re in the Hamptons?”
“Among other places.”
Grant bobbed his head. “Well, I can’t tell you what a relief it was when Julia told me you were willing to help. This has been…a real concern.”
Alex clasped his hands, shrugging a little. “I’m sure. So, uh, who’s the offending party? Ex-boyfriend of your daughter’s or…?”
Grant’s features devolved into a deep grimace. “My ex-wife, Sierra’s mother.”
Alex leaned forward a little. “The kid’s own mother is doing it?”
“Yeah. It’s been…a real interesting year. But like I said, thank goodness you’re willing to help us.”
“Yeah, no problem. This shouldn’t take long. At least not for me.” Tech was the one thing he could be overconfident about, so he flexed his digital muscles.
The door to the foyer opened, and a brunette with soft features and dark eyes slid inside.
Alex’s features broke into a wide grin, and he leapt from his seat to wrap her in a bear hug. “Hey, kid, long time no see.”
“Hi, Alex. Thank you so much for coming,” she said as he released her.
“Of course. I was just telling the old ball and chain here that I’ll have this wrapped up in no time.” He plopped back into the chair, cupping his hands behind his head to portray his confidence.
Grant’s chiseled jaw tightened as he stared at Alex.
“Good,” Julia said as she eased into the chair next to him. “This can’t be over soon enough.”
Alex shot her a grin. “You came to the right man. I am the best.”
“Julia’s right. This needs to be over. What do you need from us.”
“Chill, bro. It’ll be done lickety-split as soon as I have access to the former missus and some of her…tech goodies.”
Grant’s eyes narrowed at him before he began to speak. “Well, bro…”
Alex winkled his nose until Julia interrupted her husband. “We are very grateful for that.”
“No worries. Hey, Sunshine–”
A giggle escaped Julia’s lips at the name. “Wow, it’s been so long since anyone has called me that.”
“Sunshine?” Grant asked, irritation obvious in his voice.
Alex couldn’t help but be pleased by that. He’d spent enough time being taunted by men like Grant, so he loved when he could wield some power over them. “Yeah. Because this kid always brings a ray of sunshine wherever she goes. Am I right?”
“Oh,” Grant murmured as Alex continued with his inquiry.
“Anyway, Ava’s at the hotel, but she’d love to see you. Any chance for a gal group meet and greet?”
Julia’s features registered her surprise. “Ava’s here? Oh, wow. I have to admit, when I called and you two were together, I was a little surprised. I didn’t think you saw each other that much.”
The statement cut him as he realized how narrowly he’d escaped from losing her. “Yeah, that’s a recent development.”
Julia glanced down at his hand, cocking her head at the gold band around his finger. “Are you two still married.”
“Still hitched,” he said, waving his hand in the air, his heart swelling.
“Really?” Julia said, shock edging her voice.
Alex shifted in his seat, leaning closer to her. “Look, Sunshine, it’s kind of complicated. Maybe ixnay on the arriagemay talk when you see her, if you get my drift.”
The last thing he needed was Julia’s innocent questions leading Ava to run screaming.
“Oh,” she said, bobbing her head up and down, “right. I won’t say anything.”
Grant’s hardened stare twisted into something more personable as he tried to remove whatever emotion floated in his eyes as the attention turned toward him. “I was just about to invite Alex to dinner here…and, ah, your wife, Ava, of course. But I hadn’t gotten to it before you joined us.”
“Excellentay, Big G. We would love to. Shall we say seven?”
“Sure,” Grant answered as the door opened again, and a younger man stepped inside.
Alex’s eyebrows pinched as he stared at what appeared to be a younger version of Grant. “Whoa. Time machine moment, am I right?”
“What?” Grant asked.
“It’s like stepping back into the ‘Young Grant’ exhibit at the museum. The resemblance is uncanny.” He shifted his gaze to Kyle. “My dude, has anyone ever told you how much you look like your dad?”
Kyle’s jaw clenched as he tightened his grip on the phone he held in his hand. “It’s come up.”
“No kidding. Ha! Trippy. Anywho…I’ll see you later. Sunshine.” He winked at her before pecking her cheek, then strode toward the door. “Peace out.”
Alex strode through the foyer, letting himself out the front door, his mind already whirling with ideas for solving Julia’s problem while another thread worried about Ava.
He slid into the backseat of the car awaiting him and tugged his phone from his pocket. Before he checked his messages, he toggled into his app, a grin crossing his features. His program had successfully hacked both of their phones.
He sent a custom message to each, laughing as he typed each one and sent it via his app.
His grin disappeared as he checked his other notifications, finding nothing from Ava. He drummed his fingers on his thigh, wondering why she hadn’t texted or called.
With tension growing between his shoulders, he pressed the call icon next to her name.
The knot in his stomach eased as Ava’s voice echoed in his ear. “Hey, Ace. You all done?”
“Ava,” he said with a sigh of relief. “Tell me you’re at the hotel.”
“I’m at the hotel,” she said.
He raised his eyebrows. “Okay, now tell me if you’re lying or not.”