“But why? If there is no money, why is she holding on so tightly? Morgan is the kind of woman who craves wealth. If that is no longer an option, why isn’t she already searching for the next money tree?”
Her questions give me something to consider because she’s right. There is a piece of the puzzle that doesn’t fit, and then Alice sighs.
“You know, not long before our father died, he called us into his office. That wasn’t strange, but his behavior was.”
“In what way?” I can’t stop staring into her eyes, wishing this conversation was over already because I have a sexy wife now and I want to take advantage of that.
“He was edgy, anxious and, for the first time I can remember, almost apologetic.”
She sighs as the memory resurfaces, reopening old wounds and transporting her back to an unhappy place.
“What did he want?”
I’m mildly curious.
“He gave us three matching keys on a gold chain. On each one was our name and date of birth. At first, I thought it was a gift, but then he said with some urgency that we were to guard them with our lives.”
“That’s interesting.”
My mind is racing as I sense a twist in the tale, and she nods, tugging at that infernal bottom lip as she contemplates the meaning of the keys.
“He said that if anything ever happened we were to tell nobody of them until we heard from him.”
“Then he died.”
“Yes. We still have them but gave them to Sister Agatha when we arrived at the convent with all our valuables. Do you think they unlock something that could help us? Perhaps information about our moms and possibly our inheritance.”
Fuck. The idea of trawling back to the fucking convent is not a pleasurable one. I can’t wait to leave this place and get back to normality in New York. However, Alice’s admission raises several red flags, and suddenly the retrieval of the keys is everything.
CHAPTER 26
ALICE
When I woke from my nightmare to find Simeon there, it was oddly comforting. For the first time, I saw the benefits of not being alone anymore, and I loved how he reassured me. I haven’t forgotten how much I apparently desire him either. What happened in the car was shocking. I never considered myself to be the kind of woman who just took what she wanted and pushed humiliation aside. It’s obvious I’m not cut out for convent life, and I suppose I never really was. It just seemed like the perfect place to escape, and it pains me to realize we played into Morgan’s hands in doing so.
I’m not even sure why I unburdened myself to Simeon. I mean, he is the enemy no matter how he disguises it. His aim was the same as every criminal out there, and yet I forgive him. I wonder why.
Once again, I surprise myself by reaching up and touching his face, which appears anxious after my admission, and I whisper, “Thank you.”
“What for, angel?”
“For being kind, I guess, and for, well, not lying to me.”
“Why would I lie?”
His soft smile catches on my heart, and I shift a little closer to him.
“I like that quality in you, Simeon. The one where you make no apologies for who or what you are. You told me straight and I respect that, which is why I doubt you’ll mind if I do the same.”
“Of course I won’t mind. It’s important to be honest with one another.”
“Why is it?” I shrug. “I mean, you make crime your daily job. What’s a lie or two between business associates?”
I’m half joking, but from the serious gleam in his eye, I’ve hit a nerve, and I’m shocked when he says in his usual husky drawl, “I don’t really see you as a business associate, angel.”
“What do you see me as?”
I hold my breath as he smiles softly, his eyes deepening to dark pools of desire.
