I glared at him. “That clip. Jessie sexually assaulted my brother. He couldn’t be conscious.”
“This has Saira all over it,” Alistair muttered, rubbing his forehead before shutting his eyes. “She’s using Jessie to do her dirty work. Payback for Julian rejecting her.”
“The man,” I pondered. “Is he the same guy who was with Holly when she drugged and kidnapped me?”
“No,” Alistair replied.
“How do you know?”
“The man who abducted you is dead.”
“Scotty?” I asked, raising one eyebrow. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“I’m responsible for his death. I’m also close to finding Holly,” he answered. His eyes burned with a fire that looked forged in hell itself.
“Are you pulling strings with Angelo, your mafia connection?” I asked, confusion knotting in my chest.
“I’ll explain later. Right now, we need to focus on your brother. I’ll call a friend in the police department to help Sapphire find Julian.”
The next few minutes blurred into a scramble of phone calls… first with the police, then with Saph.
“Hey, Saph. Head straight to Jessie’s apartment. Alistair’s arranged for a cop to meet you and Raphael outside Jessie’s apartment. Her name is Constance Fraser. She’s on the way there now.”
“How does she know where the apartment is?”
“It’s dead simple. Jessie Caruso’s address was listed in the online phone catalog.”
“Thanks so much, Vee.”
“Go now. I pray you’ll find Julian in one piece,” I said before hanging up.
I wept in Alistair’s arms that day. The only other time I’d broken down like that was when Saph and Julian dragged me out of Ace’s grip, saving me from his violence. Now I was here, clinging to a man who was far from perfect, carrying his own catalog of sins. Yet, he’d do whatever it took to protect my family. Alistair would help my brother.
“Vera, we’ll get through this. Do you hear me?” His voice wrapped around me as I sobbed, clinging to him.
“I need you.”
“You have me,” he said, kissing my forehead. “I’ve booked a flight out of Dubai first thing in the morning. We’re going back to Lester Harbor to fix this mess. I’m here.”
I nodded, blowing my nose into a tissue he’d given me. My eyes were blood-red, and I shook like a leaf hanging onto its stem in a storm. That stem was my inner strength, supported by Alistair’s love. We would get through this mess.
Alistair sat close beside me on the velvet sofa in the first-class airport lounge, his arm a wall of strength around my shoulders as I pressed my face into his shirt, letting the tears come. He smelled like expensive cologne and home. He didn’t say a word—just kept his grip steady, anchoring me, his thumb tracing gentle circles over my arm.
We’d already heard from Constable Fraser. She’d called earlier to confirm she was with Sapphire and Raphael, and thatthey had found Julian. It should have been a relief, but my nerves were shredded.
“I hope my brother is being cared for. I worry so much about him.” My voice broke as I clung to Alistair, trying to breathe through the ache.
He squeezed my hand, his comforting eyes steady on mine. “Julian was drugged, but he’s safe now. The doctors at Saint John’s looked after him, and the medical report’s already with the police.”
“Thank God.” I wiped the tears from my eyes. “What happened to Jessie and the man?”
Alistair pulled me closer, kissing my forehead. “The man left the apartment before Sapphire and the officers arrived. They’re tracking him now. Jessie was arrested and charged with sexual assault. She’s too scared to admit Saira’s behind it.”
Anger spiked in my chest. “I know it’s the she-devil. She sent Raphael to toy with my best friend while my brother was sedated and sexually assaulted.”
Alistair’s jaw tightened, his grip fierce as he anchored me. “Anyone who hurts you or your family answers to me. I’ll see to it.”
Alistair
