She has a picture of her mother in her room.Was it the only one she had? Had she ever found Julia’s box in her suitcase?
“Well, well.” An ominous voice made her jump in her flats. “Look who it is.”
Alicia turned, picture still in hand.Fuck. Russell Moreau stood in a simple dress shirt and trousers. Coupled with his silver hair, he almost looked attractive.Almost. “Good evening, Mr. Moreau.” Wow. It sure didn’t hold the same power as when she said that name to her girlfriend.
“I’m certain we both did have good evenings, Ms. Colbert.” Russell stood in the bedroom doorway, arms crossed. Even if Alicia wanted to leave, she was trapped. “You must have quite a good time with my daughter to keep coming back even after our… talks.”
“You mean your threats?”
“Hmph.” Russell sighed. “I don’t want to be a sore in your backside, like I don’t want you to be one in mine, Ms. Colbert. I’m sure you’re taken by my daughter. She certainly seems taken in by you. I must admit, I’ve never seen her like this before.”
Alicia managed to stand her ground, even though her body trembled in… fuck, it was fear. “We do not embellish when we claim to be in love.”
“That’s unfortunate. A father does not want to see his daughter’s heart broken.”
The picture frame lowered to the bureau. “You still want me gone?”
“I wanted you gone a month ago.”
Alicia braced herself.
“If it’s money you’re intent on having, Ms. Colbert, I am prepared to make you an offer even I consider audacious. Twenty million dollars is yours if you’ll leave this city for good and have no further contact with my daughter. Did you hear that? Twenty million.”
“I’m sure that’s chump change to you.”
“Don’t play a hand you don’t have.” Easy to tell where Danica got her manner of speaking from. “That’s more than a generous offer.”
“Unfortunately, I have no interest in money.”
“I don’t think you understand, Ms. Colbert.” His voice was ice, freezing her bones. “This is your final chance to leave peacefully. I do not wish to forcefully…”
“Father.”
Both Alicia and Russell slammed their lips tight. Danica shut the double doors to her chambers behind her and advanced on her father. She spared Alicia one look of concern.
“Don’t mind me. We were having a chat.” Russell ambled toward the entrance, fangs dragging against his bottom lip. “Ms. Colbert was insistent that she’s fond of you, Danica.”
“You should be happy for us. You always say it’s about time I marry.”
The unimpressed demeanor hurled in their direction could cut the emerald on Alicia’s hand.I’m not the type he hoped his daughter would marry.
“Anyway, can I help you with something? You’re in my chambers for a reason.”
“Yes.” Russell looked away from Alicia as if she truly was nothing more than a fleck of lint. “I wanted to check in with you about the meeting with the Murphys. I didn’t know you would be bringing home a… friend.”
“My girlfriend,” Danica reminded him. “You can expect to see her around more often.”
“We’ll see.” Russell saw himself out. “Goodnight, lovebirds. Enjoy the night while it lasts.” Mr. Nigel Clayborn was waiting on the other side of the double doors for him.
Danica caught a glimpse of Alicia shivering in her trench coat. “What is it?”
“Some chills.” So many chills.
She caressed Alicia’s hairline when she spoke. “I have the biggest bathtub in New England. Might be nice to have someone with me for once.”
Alicia managed a weak smile. She could never say no to this woman. Nor could she say no to a bubble bath with Danica naked and wrapped around her.
Chapter 14
