Chapter 42
ALICE
Iam excited as we pull in through the huge security gates of an estate in Washington. Rose lives here with her husband. She is now both my sister and sister-in-law, and I can’t believe this has happened at all.
I gaze with delight at the beautiful mansion that appears like an apparition and turn to Simeon with an excited smile.
“So, my sister gets the palace while I’m down and dirty in the shadows.”
Simeon chuckles because I have done his home a disservice. It’s more than enough, and I love the homey vibe rather than any luxury brand, and he raises his eyes. “You could live like this; you only have to say the word.”
“No,” I shake my head slowly. “I wouldn’t want this over what we have.”
His hand finds mine and, as ever, the contact of his skin on mine causes ripples of pleasure to pass through my body like a soft breeze on a warm, balmy day.
We come to a stop, and for some reason, tears spill from my eyes when a figure races out of the open door like a whirlwind—then again, she always has been.
“Alice!”
Her shriek is deafening, and as I sprint from the car, I waste no time in falling into my sister’s open arms.
“Oh my God.”
She sobs on my shoulder, and I repay the favor. For some reason pent-up emotion, I never realized was there, spilling free as I cling to my younger sister.
“Are you okay?” Her muffled sob causes my voice to quiver as I whisper, “Yes, are you?”
“I am now.”
I glance past her and notice a man watching us with an amused grin, and my heart shudders. It’s obvious this is Julius, Simeon’s brother. The resemblance is too similar to make any mistake about that.
“Is that…”
“Julius, my husband.”
She peers at me with a guilty expression, and I smile my reassurance.
“It’s okay, Rose. I kind of made my decision too.”
I jerk my head toward Simeon, and Rose stifles her grin. “I don’t blame you if he is anything like his brother.”
“You’re happy then.”
“Ecstatic.”
She reassures me, and I heave a deep breath; any anxiety inside me is reserved for our younger sister now.
Rose grips my hand tightly. “Come inside. We have prepared a feast.”
The mansion exceeds expectations, and as Simeon falls into step with his brother behind us, Rose whispers, “I love it here, Alice. I have never experienced freedom like this. Julius has been so kind, despite the nature of our meeting, and it made my decision an easy one.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
“Same.”
We share a smile, words unnecessary because it’s obvious we are both on the same page. We found our purpose in life and there is no going back, but it doesn’t help that an important part of our family is missing.
We head inside a delightful living area that overlooks the most glorious view.
“I love your home, Rose.”
“I’ll give you the guided tour later, but Julius has some questions first.”
“For me?”
I’m surprised because there is nothing I can tell him that Rose couldn’t, and she raises her eyes.
“He’s a little intense, but you get used to him.”
“Ditto.”
I jerk my head in Simeon’s direction, and Rose raises her eyes.
“I never believed for one second that we would be in this position now.”
“Me neither.”
“And to think I lusted after the convent gardener for all these months.”
Her soft giggle causes me to groan. “That gardener turned out to be a snake.”
“No way! How?”
“I’ll tell you the whole story later, but first I want a cup of tea and to absorb every inch of the story that brought you here.”
I never realized how worried I was until I experienced the relief of seeing my sister again. As she tells me her story, it reminds me of my own, and not for the first time, I thank God for sending us the Ravera brothers.
If any criminal was going to find us, we were lucky it was them, and as I fill her in on my own story, her eyes fill with compassion.
“But you’re okay?”
She grips my hand, and I nod. “More than okay. I decided very early on that losing Simeon would be the hardest path. He may not have the same morals or principles, but he has something way better than that: my heart.”
“You can’t help who you fall in love with, and I know that more than anyone.”
I nod, noting the happiness in her eyes as she smiles lovingly at her wedding ring.
“But Tiffany?” My mind returns to one unresolved problem, and as if they heard us, Simeon and Julius join us from the corner they have been whispering in since we got here.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Alice.”
The eyes of a demon bore deep into my soul, and I swallow hard, recognizing the same malevolence burning behind the welcoming smile that Simeon has perfected.
I nod, words drying in my throat, and Simeon turns to Rose.
“My commiserations, Rose.”
“I don’t understand.”
She appears nervous of him, and I smile my reassurance.
“You married my brother. I thought that was obvious.”
Julius shrugs. “She has no complaints, but I doubt your bride can say the same. I mean, what are you thinking taking her to live in Sodom and Gomorrah?”
Rose gasps in alarm, and I chuckle softly. “It’s perfect, thank you, Julius. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Simeon slings his arm around my shoulder, and it strikes me how strange this scene must be to anyone who knows us.
I voice my thoughts aloud.
“Sister Agatha would pray non-stop for a month if she saw us now.”
Rose giggles as Julius grins. “Who do you think arranged this in the first place?”
He has my attention.
“You mean she arranged this?”
“The escort to America, sure she did.” Julius says with some amusement, and Rose nods.
“Mrs. Ravera is a close friend of Sister Agatha, and she asked for her help. When we left the convent, it was into her care, and you should meet her, Alice; she is amazing.”
I glance at Simeon, who smiles with pride, and I have no doubt that his mother is a very special person indeed.
Julius interrupts, “We have a problem that needs to be addressed.”
Fear prickles down my back as Simeon adds, “Your sister is refusing to leave the convent, and if she remains there, your inheritance may never be yours.”
“That doesn’t matter to me.” I say firmly. “Tiffany’s happiness is worth more than any fortune, and you will not change my mind on that.”
“Nor mine,” Rose adds, the fierce tone in her voice causing Julius to sigh.
“There is also the mystery of the three keys.”
I nod, catching Rose’s eye, and she slumps back in her seat.
“I don’t know what they unlock or where to go to use them.”
“Neither do I. They were given to us before our father died, and he told us he would inform us what to do.”
“Is it in his will?”
Simeon addresses Julius, who shakes his head.
“No. There is nothing about any keys.”
“Do you think Morgan knows about them?”
I’m worried about that possibility, and Simeon groans. “If she does, its doubtful, you will ever see them again. I asked Joseph to retrieve them from Sister Agatha when he collects Tiffany from the convent.”
“But she won’t leave.” I remind him, and he nods.
“So it would seem.”
“Perhaps you should call her.”
Julius includes both me and Rose in his statement, and we shake our heads in sync.
“No. We cannot interfere with Tiffany’s choice. If she doesn’t want to leave, that is her decision to make.”
“Don’t you want answers?”
Simeon sounds frustrated, and I shrug.
“Obviously I’m curious, but it won’t make any difference to my life. If I lose my money, I would consider it an albatross falling from around my neck.”
“Same,” Rose adds. “You may think it’s strange that money doesn’t motivate us. If anything, it repels us.”
“Says the woman living in the lap of luxury.”
I can’t help teasing her, and she shrugs. “I would happily live with Julius in the ghetto if that was where his home was.”
“Like Alice, I’m guessing.” Julius says in a sly dig to his brother and I turn to Simeon and smile softly. “It’s hardly the ghetto, but Rose is right. I would live with Simeon in a trailer if that was his home.”
“For fuck’s sake.” Julius shakes his head. “A little help would be appreciated.”
“Why, honey?” Rose turns to him, and her smile softens his expression. “You have money, more than you can spend, and so does your family. Would you really sacrifice Tiffany’s happiness to add more to the pile, knowing it would make her miserable?”
He says nothing, and I add, “Sometimes secrets are best left buried, and I can testify to that more than most.”
I fix Rose with a sad smile.
“I found my mom.”
“Oh my God.”
Rose is aghast, and I nod sadly. “Yes, she didn’t die that day; in fact, she went on her own adventure and ended up with a new identity and a new family, as it happens.”
“You met her?”
Rose sounds sad about that, probably because she can tell it was not a happy reunion.
“She abandoned me to him, Rose, and no matter how much I wish she had fought for me, she didn’t. She told me it was to save my life, but I don’t buy it.”
Rose shifts and sits beside me and takes my hand, pity pouring from her eyes as she whispers, “I’m so sorry, Alice. I know how much you hoped to find her.”
“But that’s water under the bridge now.” I shrug as if it no longer matters. “I know where she is and perhaps in the future our relationship will change.”
She says nothing because she knows me so well and realizes this is not the time or the place to go into details.
“It threw up many questions and–”
Simeon falters and glances at his brother, who beckons Rose to his side.
She sits beside him, and I love how he places his arm around her and peers at her with concern.
“Your mother may not have taken her own life.”
For a moment she says nothing, and her face is ashen as she eventually whispers, “Are you saying that my mother was murdered?”
My heart breaks for her because I’m already aware it’s a distinct possibility, and Julius nods, his expression grave.
“It appears that Morgan Sorcusi was part of your father’s life from the beginning. Before Sarah Goldsworthy and your mother, Rose. We also believe she had a hand in your father’s death, so if you want to get your revenge, you must do as we say.”
Rose locks eyes with me, and I recognize the determined gleam in her eye.
“Tell us what we must do.”
“Anything.” I add because, decision or not, Tiffany is the end to a lifetime of nightmares, and we need her more than anyone to bring our stepmother down, and it will be our pleasure as payback for wrecking all of our lives.