“She’s excited. We promised Julian and Sapphire we’d help them move furniture and unpack in their new home today. We’ll meet you for dinner afterward.”
“Don’t be late.” Alistair chuckled, stroking my hair again.
I patted his arm. “Tell me something. Were you the anonymous philanthropist who slipped Saph’s boss that donation for Julian’s research project back in March? Because if that was you, you’re the reason those two reunited and are about to be parents.”
Alistair pursed his lips, trying to hide a smile, as he looked up at the ceiling.
“Scotty?”
“May I plead the fifth?”
“No.”
I waited for Alistair to respond, but his smiling lips remained silent. I realized he preferred to be behind the scenes when helping others.
“Julian’s going to ask Saph to marry him after the baby is born,” I said, breaking the silence. “I promise, I’ll tell them about us when my niece or nephew arrives.”
“I look forward to being part of your family.” Alistair squeezed my hand. “So, I’m finally meeting your mother this weekend?”
I smiled. “She can’t wait to meet you. She’ll probably grill you with a lot of questions.”
Alistair let out a breath, half-laugh, half-nerves. “Should I be scared?”
“Maybe a little,” I teased, brushing his cheek. “But you’ll be fine. She’ll love you.”
CHRISTMAS GAMES
Alistair
December 25
“So, this is all you’ve got?” I paced the length of my parents’ Spanish-style garden patio.
“I’m doin’ all I can, Mister Scott,” Lou answered, stabbing his cigarette into an ashtray. “My guys have been all over it—heard Holly popped up in northern Brazil last week, but she slipped the net. Word is she tried gettin’ her sister outta prison, but nobody knows if she made it. We’re still diggin', but down there? She’s like a damn ghost.”
“Why the fuck did I hire you? Can you remind me?” I pinched the bridge of my nose.
The burly man took a step forward. “We’ve got a place.”
“What have you got?” I place my hands in my pockets to hide my fidgeting fingers.
“She stayed at a motel in Recife, a coastal city in northern Brazil.”
“For fuck’s sake. Find her. I want her alive.” I sighed, then checked my watch. Vera and her mother should be herein fifteen minutes. Family and friends started arriving at my parents’ ranch to celebrate Christmas in style… champagne and a buffet lunch.
“My boys took care of Steven,” Lou said.
Crossing my arms, I tilted my head. “Who the fuck is Steven?”
“He was with Holly the night?—”
“Did he speak?”
“He admitted helping Holly. Said a beautiful woman paid him. Someone who knows you. She’s got money and power, sir.”
“Find out who the woman is, and find Holly James,” I growled, clenching my fists in anger.
“I will.”
