25. TRUST
CHLOE
Captain Johnny seemed concerned on the boat ride to the island. “Dale said there was a security threat—is everything okay?”
“It is. It will be.” Bryce hesitated for a moment. “We’ve had some issues in the family, Johnny. You’ve been with us for a long time, so I’m sure you’re not surprised by that.”
The captain nodded as he carefully steered through the buoys in Northeast Harbor.
“I know your father was upset before he was taken into custody. It was an open secret among the staff, Sir. He’d been complaining about you boys. If you asked me, he seemed paranoid that he would lose his significance within the company.” He shrugged. “Just my two cents.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Bryce nodded. “That’s exactly what he was worried about, and he’s taken some steps to protect himself that I don’t think are very…respectable. I need to ask you something. I want you to know that I won’t hold it against you—I know how my father can be.”
Captain Johnny’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Go ahead, Mr. Windsor. I don’t have anything to hide.”
“Did my father ever approach you? Before he went to prison, I mean. I believe he was trying to get some of the employees to spy on Chloe and me.”
The captain nodded. “He made the rounds, Mr. Windsor. But as far as I know, no one ever accepted his offers. We were all very cordial to him, of course. Your father could be difficult, you know that. He wasn’t an easy man to say no to, but I think he also knew that everyone here loved the family.
We’re loyal to the Windsors , you know?
Not just him. He didn’t ever make a scene about it, as far as I know. ”
“So, to your knowledge, no one on the staff was spying for him?”
“I did hear one thing.” The older man’s face clouded.
“What?”
He sighed. “I didn’t believe it, though. She’s not popular with a lot of the staff because she’s so set in her ways and so particular. I thought they were just gossiping—”
“About who?” My voice was shrill. “Who are you talking about?”
Captain Johnny glanced back at me. “Hazel, Mrs. Windsor. There was a rumor that she was spying for the other Mr. Windsor.”
I felt like I might pass out.
“I’m going to need you to go as fast as you can,” Bryce instructed. “We need to get to the island immediately. It’s an emergency.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The engine roared, and the yacht picked up speed, but to me, time had stopped. Hazel was working for Gene Windsor. Hazel was alone with my brother in his room…
“It can’t be true,” Bryce murmured. “I don’t believe it..”
It seemed to take forever, but we reached the dock. Bryce and I jumped from the boat and ran up to the house. “I want you to stay downstairs,” he panted, but I shoved him out of the way.
“It’s my brother!” Tears were already streaming down my face. “I need to save him!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Windsor, what’s the matter?” Chef practically jumped out of the way as we flew through the house and took the stairs two by two. Midge and several other maids were camped out in the hallway, playing cards.
“Chloe!” She sprang to her feet. “What’s the matter?”
But I flew past her and threw open my brother’s door.
Noah and Hazel were sitting cross-legged on the floor, a bowl of cheese puffs between them, hollering at the television.
“Take that, Renegade Raider!” Hazel’s thumbs clicked furiously on the controller. “I’ve got you now!”
“Dude!” Noah wailed. “You’re shooting backward! I told you—”
“Noah!” I threw myself at him, spilling the cheese curls. “Are you okay?”
“Let go of me!” He wrenched free and peered over my shoulder at the screen. “Thanks a lot, Chloe, you just killed me. What’s the matter with you, huh?”
Hazel rose to her feet, her knees cracking.
“Mr. Windsor, Mrs. Windsor.” She looked at me, obviously concerned, as I clutched my brother. “Has something happened?”
“We need to speak with you, Hazel.” Bryce motioned for my brother. “Stay outside with Midge. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Seriously? I just lost my game!” Noah huffed as he left the room. “Don’t go anywhere, Hazel. We need a rematch.”
Bryce closed the door behind him, then turned to the maid. “I need to ask you something, and I’m sorry to have to do it.”
“What’s this about, Mr. Windsor?”
Bryce sighed. “Someone told me that you’d accepted a bribe from my father. Did he ask you to spy on us?”
Hazel bowed her head. “Yes, Mr. Windsor. He did.”
“And did you do it?”
“Not exactly.” Hazel dug into the pockets of her uniform, revealing a small zipped bag. “Here.” She handed it to Bryce.
He looked perplexed as he opened it and pulled out a wad of hundred-dollar bills. “You took his money?” Bryce sounded crushed.
Hazel raised her gaze to meet his. “Yes, Mr. Windsor. And I told him that I would spy for him. But I was only doing it to protect you. I only told him lies. And I planned to turn the money over to you, to put it into a trust for the boy.”
“For Noah?”
She nodded. “I wasn’t very kind to Mrs. Windsor when she first arrived here—I didn’t trust her intentions. Ever since you were a boy, I’ve been protective of you, Mr. Windsor. So I treated Mrs. Windsor too harshly.”
She peered past Bryce to me. “I believe she has your best interests at heart, Mr. Windsor. And I think you know me well enough to recognize that I would never be loyal to anyone but you. I did this to protect you. And I kept the money for the boy because I know what it feels like not to have parents looking out for you.”
She dropped her gaze. “If you feel it’s necessary to terminate me because I didn’t reveal this to you, I understand.”
“Aw Hazel, c’mon.” Bryce surprised all of us by sweeping her into his arms for a hug. She yelped, and he quickly released her. “You’ve been like a mother to me since my mom passed. I’m giving you a raise. I’m going to buy you a house wherever you want.”
“I only ever wanted to stay here and be of service.”
He smiled at her. “Then you can stay here and be of service. But I’m sending you on a trip someplace nice. All expenses paid, five-star all the way. How does that sound?”
For the first time ever, I saw Hazel crack a smile. “That sounds lovely, Mr. Windsor.”
I stepped forward. “Hazel, thank you for looking out for Noah while we were gone. And thank you for setting that money aside for him.” I was touched by her gesture.
“I think Noah was really having fun hanging out with you. Is it okay if you stay with him a little longer? Bryce and I have some business to take care of.”
“Of course, Mrs. Windsor. It would be my pleasure.”
I brought my brother back in, and he immediately coerced her back to the floor. He handed her a cheese curl and an x-box controller. “We’re totally gonna win this game.”
“You know what? I think you might be right.” Hazel popped the cheese curl into her mouth and chose her Fortnite skin—a female Viking warrior wearing a pink-bunny backpack.
“Thanks again, Hazel.” I was so lucky that my brother was surrounded by good people. “See ya, Noah.”
“Smell you later,” he said. “Hazel, look out for the storm! It’s coming in hot!”
I shook my head as we left them. Midge and the others were waiting for us, worried expressions on their faces.
“Is everything okay?”
“What’s going on?”
“Why does Dale have the security team locked in the conference room?”
“Are we safe? Is Noah okay?”
Bryce held up his hand. “Everything’s going to be fine, and yes, we are all safe here. Noah’s safe. Thank you all for your continued patience with me and your dedication to the family. Everyone’s getting raises—big raises.”
“Ooh, yay!” Midge’s eyes glittered. “I’m going to help my niece pay for grad school!”
“I’ll pay for it. It’s on me.” Bryce smiled. “Does anyone know where my brothers are?”
“Jake’s in the study. I think Colby’s at the guesthouse with Tate?”
“Thanks, ladies. Stay here until everything’s finalized, okay? I’ll have Chef send up some appetizers and some wine.”
They were all smiles and good cheer.
“Thank you, Mr. Windsor!”
“That’s so nice of you!”
“We’re so glad you guys are back!”
We hustled down the stairs, and Bryce whipped out his phone. “Jake, I need you to meet me outside the conference room. Yes, right now.”
He called Colby next. “I need you at the house. Bring the girl.”
We stopped in the hallway, and he turned to me. “Are you ready for the next act?”
I took a deep breath. “I hope so.”
He nodded. “Just remember, we’re coming out of this on top. No matter what.”
He held out his hand and I clung to him for dear life. “I hope you’re right.”
“Babe.” Bryce smiled. “I don’t like to flaunt it, but… I’m always right.”
“Ha!”
“I was right about you.” He leaned in for a kiss. “Now let’s just hope that luck holds out a little longer.”