Marc asked, “What was the man’s name?”
“Jack. Jack Mineoff.”
Alethea threw up her hands. “An obvious alias.”
Stephan shook his head in confusion. “We do full background checks on everyone who works here. That was his name.”
Hand on one hip, Alethea said the name again, slowly. “Jack Mee-noff? Seriously? Jack Me Off? No one would do that to their child. This guy was screwing with you from the day you hired him. He has to be Sliver. That would give him the skills he’d need to create a false background.”
Marc countered, “But what links him to Dominic? Why repeatedly go after him? What’s the connection?”
Alethea turned to Stephan. “Did he ever mention Dominic?”
Stephan shook his head. “Not beyond offering to upload the virus to his server. He said it would make him famous.” He held up a hand and said, “Give me five minutes.” He walked out of the office.
Marc crossed to Alethea’s side and put his hand on her lower back, caressing the tension he felt there. “Jack Mineoff. Good catch. And Stephan believes us. We’re going to catch this guy, no matter how many aliases he creates.”
Alethea nodded sadly.
“What’s the matter?” Marc asked, sensing her mood declining.
She shook a bit beneath his hand. “People will always believe the worst about me, won’t they? No matter what I do.”
He turned her to face him. “I won’t. I know what you risked to come here.” He lifted her chin with a finger and said, “So strong on the outside. So easily hurt on the inside. If you let people see the real you, they’d love you.”
As I do.
He didn’t say the words, but they rocked him to his core. This woman fiercely fought for those she loved and secretly yearned to be accepted by those very people. It made him want to protect her from them or demand they see her as he did.
Across town, Abby was folding the napkins on her dining room table for the third time. She’d given her staff the happy news that they would have not only this afternoon free but also the next. She wasn’t sure how either meeting was going to go, but she was sure neither would benefit from an audience.
Marie had arrived early to help with Judy so Abby could get dressed. Only Marie would come early to help prepare for her own visit. Abby couldn’t imagine what she would have done without the woman she considered her mother-in-law. Her support made the absence of her own mother easier to bear.
“Judy is sleeping. She didn’t want to. It’s like she knows you’re having company and doesn’t want to miss anything. So much like her father.”
“Dominic spoils her. All she has to do is whimper and he picks her up. I told him she needs to cry it out and he said he’s not ready to do that yet. Maybe by the time she’s in her teens?”
“He’s going to turn her into a holy terror.”
Abby smiled and sighed. “Not if I can help it. Can you believe that, of the two of us, I’m going to be the disciplinarian? She’s going to walk all over him.”
Marie smiled. “As little girls do with their daddies.”
Abby nodded, taking a moment to savor the wonder of how her life had changed. “My father never could say no to me or Lil.”
“My husband would likely have been the same with our son,” Marie said wistfully, reminding Abby of the extent of her loss: both husband and child over the years.
“Marie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to . . .”
“Oh, hush. It’s me who should be sorry. I don’t know why I brought it up.”
Abby put an arm around the older woman’s shoulders. “Because you loved them and you still miss them.”
Marie’s eyes shone with emotion. “I do.”
“Is that why things didn’t work out with Romario?” Abby asked.
With a purposeful sniff, Marie said, “It was a ridiculous idea to entertain for even a moment. Dating? At my age? I don’t need a man when I have family around me.”
“You’re not that old.”
“Too old for what he wanted,” Marie said, and then flushed.
Abby laughed. “Why, Marie. I do believe you’ve been holding out on me. What happened?”
“Nothing,” Marie said firmly. “And it was for the best. My boys are here. This is where I belong.”
Abby hugged Marie closer and said, “I was the same. All set to live one life and then Dominic came crashing into mine. Do you still talk to Romario?”
“I told him not to call me anymore.”
“And?”
Marie blushed. “He calls anyway. He says he’s not going anywhere. He knows what he wants . . .”
“And that’s you . . .”
Marie made a tsk-tsk sound. “All that chest-thumping should be left to younger men and women youthful enough to appreciate it.”
Abby moved away to double-check the plate settings. “You can tell me it’s none of my business, but I think Romario genuinely cares for you. Why not give love a second chance?”
“I can’t—” She stopped before she lied. “Abby, your generation probably doesn’t understand, but I married the first man I slept with. I’ve only ever been with my husband. I don’t know how to be the wild woman Romario wants. I haven’t had sex in almost a decade, for God’s sake.”
There was a pregnant pause.
Marie closed her eyes for a moment. “Did I just say that out loud?”
Abby returned to her side to give her another hug. “You did, but that’s okay, just don’t let your fears cost you what could be the best chapter of your life. You’ve helped everyone else find love. Give Romario a chance.”
Nicole walked into the room. “Give Romario a chance to what?” When Marie’s cheeks reddened, Nicole’s did, too. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you two were having a private conversation.”
Marie straightened. “Abby and I were simply discussing nonsense to pass the time until you arrived.”
Abby frowned at her but went to welcome Nicole. “I’m so glad you came. I hope you’re hungry. I cooked lunch today. It’s ready to be served, so please sit down and I’ll be right back.”
Nicole offered, “Would you like some help?
Abby shook her head. “Oh, no. It’s very simple.”
Abby returned in a flash with quiche and served the two women.
“Where is Judy?” Nicole asked.
“Sleeping,” Abby said. “So we probably have only half an hour left of peace. Then she’s up, she’s hungry, she’s wet . . . I don’t understand how people say you should nap when they nap. By the time I clean up, go to the bathroom, pop some food in my own mouth, it seems like she’s awake again and demanding another meal.”
Marie cut into her quiche. “That stage lasts for such a short time. It puts ten years on you, but it goes by in the blink of an eye.”
Abby said, “I thought I wanted more, but I’m waiting to see if we survive this one before we try again.”
Nicole laughed. “I’ve never seen my brother looking so tired. I wonder how Stephan will handle fatherhood?”
Abby asked, “Speaking of Stephan, how is he?”
Nicole’s face closed a bit. “He’s fine. Why wouldn’t he be?”
Abby put her napkin beside her plate. “Lil told me what happened. All of it. She’s afraid she hurt you.”
“She didn’t,” Marie said. “Alethea was up to her old antics again.”
“I’m glad you brought her up,” Abby said smoothly. “It’s Alethea I want to discuss today.”
Nicole put her hands on her lap, her face purposefully blank. “I have nothing to say about that woman.”
Abby said, “I realize that she’s hard to understand . . .”
Marie countered, “Are you actually defending her?”
With a deep breath, Abby plowed forward. “I’ll admit to having my own problems with Alethea, but Lil is upset. I spent too many years without my sister to risk losing her again because I can’t put the past behind me. Lil told me that she
feels she can’t get married while Alethea is at odds with us.”
Marie shook her head sadly.
Nicole said, “I love Lil like a sister, you know that, but I’m not going to pretend—”
Abby cut her off. “I’m not suggesting we pretend anything. I’m suggesting that we figure out a way today to forgive Alethea. For Lil.”
Marie said, “I’m sorry, I believe that life is too short to hold grudges, but I can’t forget how she treated Jeremy. He adored her and she used him.”
“That’s true,” Abby said. “But this isn’t about Jeremy. He’s happy now. He doesn’t need her anymore.” She looked at Nicole. “And all of us have made bad decisions at one time or another. I’ve made mistakes. You’ve both made mistakes. Families work through problems. We can work through this.”
Silence.
“When I was teaching and my students had trouble getting along, I would have them list what they liked about the other person. It made them realize they were focusing on one or two things instead of the whole person.”
Silence.
“Okay, I’ll go first. Alethea is . . .” Abby’s voice trailed off as the first words that came to her were not flattering. She started over. “What I like about Alethea is . . .”
The three woman looked at each other for a painfully, long time.
Most likely to simply break the silence, Nicole said, “She has good taste in shoes.”
An awkward silence followed as none present could immediately come up with an additional compliment. Eventually, Abby groaned and laughed, covering her face with one hand. “Come on. We can do better than that. Alethea is loyal to Lil. No matter how much I worry every time she lures Lil into a new calamity, I know she would die for my sister.”
Marie grudgingly admitted. “She’s very intelligent.”
Nicole said, “And she doesn’t hold back what she thinks.”
Abby nodded, her eyebrows raised in sarcasm. “No, she certainly doesn’t do that.” After taking a fortifying drink of water, Abby added, “Without her, we would have lost Dominic’s business.”
Nicole made a face as she admitted, “Dominic would have never forgiven Stephan if that had happened. So I suppose I’m grateful to her for uncovering the back door.”
Abby said, “She tests all of our security systems. Granted, we ask her not to, but Lil says she does it because she cares. Maybe that’s what we should try to do. See Alethea through Lil’s eyes. Why does Lil love her?”
Marie said, “Lil told me how Alethea was there with her in the delivery room when Colby was born. When Lil has needed someone, Alethea has consistently been there, at least according to Lil.”
Nicole said, “Lil told me that Alethea defended her throughout high school. She never felt alone.”
Abby wiped away a tear that crested over one lid. “She was there for Lil when I couldn’t reach her. Lil says she gave her unconditional support when I didn’t.”
Nicole got up and hugged Abby. “Oh, Abby, you did the best you could.”
“Did I? How have I spent so many years resenting someone who did so much for my sister? How can I still resent her? All Lil wants is for me to stand next to her at her wedding and pretend to like her. Why can’t I do that for my sister?”
Marie said, “Fear is an ugly thing, isn’t it? You’re afraid to lose your sister again.”
Abby nodded. “I blamed Alethea for so many of the problems I had with Lil. She kept her out late. Even got her arrested once. But they were kids. They’re women now. Lil doesn’t want me to parent her anymore and I have to stop—somehow.”
Nicole whispered, “Alethea doesn’t stop. She has to dig and dig until she finds the truth. I’m happier than I’ve ever been. If this isn’t real, I don’t want to know.”
Marie said, “You don’t mean that, Nicole. And it is real. Stephan loves you. Anyone can see that. Jeremy says that Alethea only sees the worst-case scenario and works backward from the idea of ‘what if it were true.’ She didn’t accuse Stephan because he did anything. She accused him because she can’t imagine a world where he wouldn’t do something like that.”
“I know you’re right,” Nicole said. “That’s why I haven’t said a thing to him. I know it’s not true.”
Abby said, “I’ve never really given Alethea a chance. Lil says she’s not close to her own family. She considers us her family. What if she doesn’t know how to trust people? We could show her. We could take the first step and really open up to her. Look at all we have. We’re incredibly blessed. Maybe she would relax if we opened up to her first.”
When neither of the other women said anything, Abby added, “For Lil.”
Marie nodded. “You’re right, Abby. I’ve never hidden my dislike of her. That’s not fair to your sister or to Jake. If Lil is putting off the wedding until we sort this out, then it’s time for us to put this all behind us.”
Nicole let out a shaky breath. “I love Stephan. Alethea asking questions won’t change that. I can forgive and forget if I know that doing so means that much to Lil.”
Abby picked up her fork. “Okay, it’s settled then. I’d like both of you back here tomorrow afternoon for tea. I’ve invited both Lil and Alethea. Let’s show them that we can make this work.”
Marie made the sign of the cross and appealed to the heavens. When Abby and Nicole looked at her, she said, “We’re going to need all the help we can get.”
Chapter Fourteen
Outside Jake’s office, Marc offered Stephan a short reprieve. “I can go in first, update him on what we know, and then tell him you’re here.”
Stephan won Marc’s respect by shaking his head and saying, “If this problem is a ripple effect of what I did last year, I’m not going to dance around whose fault it is. It rests firmly on my shoulders. I appreciate your support, but I don’t need it. Jake will listen to reason. And Dominic . . .” Stephan sighed. “I’ll figure out something.”
Marc spoke briefly to the secretary and then Jake opened the door himself. “Stephan, come in.”
When Alethea stepped forward to go inside, Marc held her arm and led her to the couch in the waiting area. Most men would have let go of her arm when she shot them the how-dare-you glare she sent him, but Marc only tightened his grip. She didn’t belong in there, not yet. If she’s right, they’ll come for her.
Neither sat as they waited.
Between gritted teeth, Alethea said, “Get your hand off me.”
“Can’t do that. They need time to sort this out before they involve us.”
“So, what do you expect me to do—wait here until they bestow an invitation on us?”
“Yes.”
She said something rude under her breath.
Marc hid a smile. Patience was one quality his little warrior lacked. There were worse faults a person could have. Patience could be learned; loyalty couldn’t. The more time he spent with Alethea, the more he respected what drove her decisions. Even though she approached problems with a battle-axe when others would have used a more delicate tool, she was driven—almost obsessively so—to protect the ones she cared about.
A strong, loving woman whose worst enemy was herself. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he wanted to help her find the kind of family she sought. Here with the Corisis, if possible; elsewhere, if necessary.
The secretary addressed them. “Mr. Walton will see you now.”
Still holding her arm, Marc looked down at Alethea and said, “This time, let me do the talking.”
Her lips pressed into a straight line of displeasure.
“Do you trust me?” he asked softly.
She glared at him and then looked down. “Yes.”
“Then follow my lead here. This is a tricky situation. Jake knows what you think is going on. Stephan may. Don’t ram your theory down their throat. Let them come to it naturally. I’ve already increased security. The situation is being dealt with.”
“I can’t just—”
Marc turned
her to face him. “Yes, you can. The goal of a good security team is to protect without scaring the shit out of the people you work for. We’ll watch, Alethea. If you’re right and this is a small piece of something bigger, we’ll find the proof and we’ll stop the bastard responsible. But Jake deals with facts, and all we have right now is server breach.”
Dressed in a dark suit and looking every bit like he belonged, Jeremy Kater walked into Jake’s outer office. He stopped when he saw Alethea, then continued toward them.
He shook Marc’s hand and then Alethea’s. “Jake called and said Stephan is here. I should have guessed you’d be here, too.” He nodded at Alethea.
Marc let go of Alethea’s arm and placed his hand on her lower back. Did she have feelings for him? They’d been friends for a long time.
Oh, my God. I’m jealous. I’m never jealous.
That’s because Alethea is the first woman who actually matters.
Alethea asked, “Did you bring Jeisa back with you?”
Jeremy’s expression became guarded. “No, she stayed in California. She is in the middle of a big fundraiser.”
Alethea nodded and gave a small smile. “You look happy, Jeremy. I know I haven’t always appeared to be happy for you, but I am.”
Relaxing a bit, Jeremy said, “Thank you. For the first time I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be, doing what I was meant to do.” He looked from her to Marc and back. “I hope you find the same, Al.”
Marc was tempted to proclaim she had, but he held his silence. This was not the time or the place.
Alethea tensed beneath Marc’s hand, but she didn’t look back at him. She asked, “Did you find anything to help Stephan?”
Breaching the Billionaire, AR, Kobo Page 14
