Finally, Alfred added his sentiments, voicing Alex’s feelings. “They’ve been with me so long; they’re a part of the family. I’m rather embarrassed to admit I didn’t know how old they were, and it’s past time for them to relax a bit.” His shrewd gaze focused on Alex. “How progresses ‘Introduction to Business 101’?”
“I had no clue how much work there was to being you,” Alex admitted. “I think I’m finally getting the hang of things, though. Um, I think you should know I intend to replace your accountant. Until I locate a suitable replacement, I’m going to be especially hands-on in that area.”
“You do what you think is best,” Alfred replied. His lack of reaction to the news spoke volumes. No doubt he knew everything and had merely given Maxwell enough rope to hang himself. Alex would’ve done the same. His uncle added, “If you need any help, I’m sure Paul could be of assistance.”
“Paul?” Alex asked, suspicions and an eyebrow rising.
Alfred patted his mouth with a napkin. “He majored in business management with a minor in accounting.”
Two smiles greeted Alex when he glanced up, Paul’s bashful and Alfred’s boastful.
“You don’t say,” he muttered.
“Oh, yes. Finished top of his class too!” the old man crowed, beaming like a proud parent.
Those smiles turned to each other, and Alex fought the temptation to make gagging noises. Was it his imagination, or had Paul walked with a slight limp this morning when he’d arrived at the breakfast table? Was Uncle Alfred more chipper than usual?
Thankfully, Bernard interrupted his thoughts. “Sir, Helena is on the phone from Boston. She claims it’s urgent.”
“It’s always urgent with her,” Alfred growled, rising from his chair. “Probably misplaced her pearl earrings again and wants me to come flog the maids until they confess. Excuse me, boys. I need to go see what the old dragon wants.”
“Helena? Great-aunt Helena?” Alex asked.
“None other,” Paul replied. Though outwardly calm, with no one around to ensure Alex played nice, he was probably ready to bolt and run. However, other than the nervous, sidelong glances at the closed door, Paul hid his discomfort well.
Searching for a way to keep the conversation going, Alex offered, “She’s still a harpy, I suppose. Always after me to ‘get married and carry on the family name’. How quickly she’s forgotten that my name is Martin, not Anderson.” He cocked his head thoughtfully. “Although she did try to get me to change it a few years back.”
Nearly choking on a mouthful of coffee, Paul spluttered indignantly, “Doesn’t she know you like men?”
Alex snorted. “Makes no difference to her. Her second husband was gay as blazes, and they had two children, something she likes to keep reminding me of. Even the very thought makes me shudder. Poor man. Her last name is no longer Anderson, either.”
Quiet footsteps passed outside the door, and Paul, apparently reminded they were alone, set his cup down and pushed his chair back from the table with an apologetic frown. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
Alex rounded the table in an instant, effectively blocking Paul’s retreat. “What’s your hurry, Paul? You told me the schedule. There’s still plenty of time before you need to be anywhere.” As if on cue, the grandfather clock bonged the hour. Alex added suggestively, “Hmm… looks like I have time to spare too. I have a few suggestions of how we can fill the void.”
“Alex.” Paul huffed out an aggrieved sigh. “I’d hoped to get through one meal without having to deal with this. I’ve told you a million times: I amnottaking advantage of Alfred.”
“Prove it.”
“Prove it? How?”
Alex’s smile held no humor. “Sleep with me.”
Anger flashed in Paul’s eyes and he hissed between gritted teeth, “I don’t have to prove anything to you, asshole.”
“Because you can’t,” Alex murmured into his ear. “Iknowyou fucked him. I found the condom wrapper on Uncle Alfred’s bed this morning. You need to learn to be more discreet or you’ll scandalize the servants.” He turned and stalked away, leaving Paul openmouthed and staring.
ACONDOMwrapper? Alex found a condom wrapper? On Alfred’s bed? Well, as far as Paul knew, the only person living in the house who’d had sex in the recent past was Alex himself. Well, Alex and possibly Isaac—and hopefully not together. But him sleeping with Alfred? Ridiculous! The man was like a father, for Pete’s sake, and his own dear uncle’s partner!
Paul fervently wished Alex would get over his irrational paranoia. They’d formed an uneasy alliance, yet whenever no one was around, the accusations began. As much as Paul hated them, he almost understood. He’d be the same way if someone attempted to take advantage of Alfred.
What a pity Alex didn’t know how to trust, because, personality conflicts aside, they made a great team: Alex running the financial side of things and Paul handling domestic issues, including making sure Alfred made his appointments.
Then there were times when Alex forgot to hate him and spoke to him as an equal, though those were few and far between. Whenever Paul gained a measure of trust, some new, ludicrous, imagined evidence reignited Alex’s suspicions anew. Why couldn’t the man simply accept that not everyone was out for all they could get, no matter who they hurt in the process?
Yes, dealing with Alex amounted to “one step forward and two steps back.” How Paul hated the innuendo! Not for a minute did he believe the sexual offers to be real; it was as if Alex was testing him somehow. Try as he might, he couldn’t think of the right answers, either. They seemed to change from minute to minute.
The longer he knew the man, the more Paul questioned his earlier opinions. Alex was nearly obsessive about hiding his true self from the world; however, little hints hid here and there if one knew where to hunt. Like certain books missing from the library shelves and Internet searches that hadn’t been erased for websites dealing with heart disease and treatments. The attending physician and hospital where Alfred’s procedure was scheduled had also been researched. Most telling was a bookmark for the closest paramedics.
