SEVENTEEN
“I CAN SEE WHY my wife likes you,” Benedict Breckenridge said, topping off her wine glass after his wife’s. “You’re dedicated.”
“It’s a hobby. Whenever there’s a chance to sign up for something, I do it. Why not? Isn’t it better to use our time for good than sit around and do nothing?”
“Darling, you are not to introduce her to Lesley or Ernie.”
Alice laughed, then clued her in. “Our friends at the adoption agency.”
“One dinner with them and you’ll be signed up for three by dessert.”
“Ben,” Alice chastised, nudging her husband. “You’ll scare the girl.”
The couple sat by each other, against each other really, Alice’s hand and forearm lay twined with her husband’s on the table. Yeah, she was kind of the third wheel, but they were the epitome of relationship goals. She couldn’t tear her eyes away.
“Are you planning to adopt more? I have to say, Buoy is just adorable.”
“Unfortunately, my wife is attached to him, so he’s off the market,” Benedict said, flashing a smile at Alice. “Our boys mean more to her than anything.”
“They return her affection, I’m sure.”
“They do. Vehemently.”
“You wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said, spouting Darroch’s words. “Although you’re her greatest defender.”
“Am I?”
“I like that.” Her smile bloomed. “Chivalry is rare, it’s nice to discover it still exists somewhere in the world.”
“Savanna hasn’t had the best experience with men,” Alice explained. “I’ve told her our boys will treat her right.”
“Ah, that’s what this is,” Benedict said and kissed his wife’s hair, resting his lips there. “We’re interviewing her for a daughter-in-law position? We do have vacancies in that department. Many vacancies.”
Terror was cold. “Oh, God.”
“You’re scaring her again, Ben. We’re here because I think she’s perfect for our partnership with Huddle and Roxie.”
“Roxanna’s putting together quite the team.”
“We’re investing in a solid future,” Alice said more to her than her husband. “Something we can be proud of and pass along to our children.”
“Which Alice is passionate about.”
“Roxanna’s friend, Roux, is Head of Huddle Hope Operations in California, the original idea was hers. My best friend, Carolyn Hunt, is taking the lead for Lighting Darkness over there.”
“Alice and Carolyn have known each other since they were children,” Benedict added. “We trust Carolyn completely.”
“Unfortunately, Savanna didn’t get the chance to meet Freya last night.”
Benedict seemed impressed. “She’s an incredible role model.”
“Yes, she is,” Alice said.
“Another woman my wife would love to have as a daughter-in-law.”
“I would never raffle my children off to my friends.”
“Not for anything other than charity,” Benedict said, smirking.
“I’m happy so long as they are happy.”
“Men tend to take longer to settle down,” she said. Like how the hell would she know? “They have all the time in the world.”
That statement gave Alice the opening to ask, “Do you want children of your own, Savanna?”
“Alice would talk of children all night.”
“A mother should be proud of her offspring. And, from what I’ve seen, she has a lot to be proud of.”
“We’re both proud,” Benedict said. “Communication is our family’s greatest achievement. It’s not about impossible standards or perfection, we get where we get together.”
“Very wise,” Alice said, resting her head against him.
On a laugh, he kissed her head again. “She says that because I learned it from her. Every piece of wisdom comes from her. She schools us all.”
“I’m honored you listen. And we built this family together. Everything we do is together.”
He picked up his wife’s hand to kiss her palm. “Always.”
That bedroom terrace was in the couples’ adoring eyes, which was her cue.
A reflex smile spoke to her wonder. “I’m sorry I’ve taken up so much of your time.” She pushed back her chair to stand; Benedict immediately followed. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Alice picked up her shawl and rose in one slow move like a delicate ballerina. Her actions were so deliberate, so precise, so graceful.
“We’ll take you home.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I can—”
“We would never allow a woman to make her own way home,” Benedict said. “It’s late and we have a car waiting.” Sure they did. “It’s no trouble. We insist.”
Yeah, because that was what decent people did. They concerned themselves with the safety of others.
When they stopped at her building and she got out, she paused, expecting the car to leave. Instead, Alice gestured for her to go inside.
Going up the stairs, amazement overcame her. Believing the developments in her life were near impossible. Dining in a billionaire’s mansion? Having dinner in exclusive restaurants? Meeting for drinks with wealthy moguls and honest-to-God celebrities? Who was she? What happened to set her on this path? Fate was out there, but what did it all mean? She’d never have anticipated these turns and didn’t quite know what to make of them.
With good usually came bad, the balance of the universe depended on it. That didn’t bode well for what might happen next. Her inner cynic never missed an opportunity to speak up. Could she maybe try to ignore it this time? To think the best might come from recent experiences?
That thought stuck as she unlocked her door but—the moment she flicked on the light, everything came to a crashing halt, including her.
The place was trashed, drawers emptied, furniture upside down. Her kitchen cabinets were open, food was scattered all over, liquid on the floor mixed with dry pasta and laundry detergent. What a mess! Why would someone, anyone…?
“Oh my…”
A spasm of pain clenched her gut. Sinking onto the carpet, she couldn’t think. Darkness from beyond the hall parallel to her kitchen, the route to her bedroom, could be sanctuary or her ending. How much bad luck could plague one family? What was fate trying to tell her this time?
***
SOMEHOW, she’d called the cops. The who, what, and where were foggy. Again.
The mess continued into the bedroom. Her closet was tossed, the nightstands. Nothing was missing, nothing valuable, she didn’t own anything of monetary value. What had the asshole been looking for?
“It is unusual,” Detective Chapman said. “To see this level of mess. None of your jewelry is gone? You sure there are no devices missing?”
“No.” She shook her head. “My phone was in my purse. I had it with me.”
“You don’t have a computer or—”
“I… I left it in my locker at work… I think.”
“You think?”
“I haven’t used it for—why my apartment? Why this floor and—”
“There will be a complete and thorough investigation.”
And he seemed damn adamant about that. Defiantly so. Strange, no, suspicious was a better word. People didn’t look out for her, they didn’t get worked up and—
“…a nightmare…” the feminine voice stalled her thoughts.
When she whipped around, it was confirmed, Alice Breckenridge was in her apartment… with her husband.
Their eyes met and Alice immediately rushed over.
“Alice,” she said, somewhat in shock as the woman pulled her into an embrace. “What are you doing here?”
“This detective called and I’m glad he did.”
“Detective?” she asked, her attention tracking to the thorough guy she’d just been addressing. Ah, see, now his behavior was less suspicious. The word “Breckenridge” probably changed a lot of outlooks. “How did you know to call them?”
“Saw the card sticking out of your purse.”
Somewhere on the floor by the door still. Outrage compelled her to say something, but the notion vanished when crime scene techs, white suits and all, barreled in full of purpose.
“What is going on?”
“Detective Chapman will keep track of everything for us.”
The world was—she couldn’t quite believe this was reality. “What?”
“Call me direct,” Benedict said, handing the detective a card. “We want to know who’s behind this. Use all your resources.”
“Was it random?” Alice asked, arm still tight around her. “Have there been other break-ins?”
“Not in this area. We’re not tracking anyone particular around here, but this is a concerning case.”
“How so?” Alice asked, genuine in her concern.
That worry was touching and completely foreign. It was almost… maternal.
“The degree of disruption,” Benedict said, scanning a discerning eye across the scene. “The electronics are still here, so it wasn’t about money.” His attention stopped on her. “Unless you had a significant stash somewhere that may have appeased them?”
Her head shook. “No stash.”
“Initial thoughts?”
Benedict and Chapman wandered off, surveying the chaos. Alice drew her to the side of the room to let the techs pass.
“Would you like to pack a bag of your own things? Gather your essentials. Anything personal or sentimental. I’ll arrange for everything else you might need brought to the house, new attire, toiletries—”
“The house?”
“Yes,” Alice said. “Oh, you can’t stay here tonight. Have you called Darroch?”
“No! God, no.” So his mom didn’t know about any phone phobia or trauma, interesting. “He doesn’t need to know about this.”
“No, I understand. There’s no need to worry him, of course. Tomorrow is a big day for him.”
And that lit her intrigue again, but it wasn’t exactly appropriate to ask, not in that room at that time, given the circumstances.
“I appreciate your generosity,” she said instead of peppering the woman with questions about her son. “There’s really no need—”
“Nonsense. If you’re uncomfortable at the house, Ben and I will stay with you in the city. We’ll take a suite at the Grand Hotel—”
“No, you—”
“This is important to me,” Alice said as Benedict joined them again. “Tell Savanna we’d be delighted if she stayed at the house.”
“Of course we would. We insist. There’s plenty of space.”
“You’ll be safe there, protected, comfortable.” Still at her husband’s side, Alice took her hand. “Breakfast with Buoy.”
The deal breaker. The woman’s smile was so hopeful, so warm. Fighting wouldn’t get her anywhere with the tenacious, persistent Breckenridges.
“How can I say no?”