At this hour?
His nose has a large bump and then hooks down. His eyes have no distinction between the brown and the dilated pupils. Even his ears are a little too large for his head. There’s no way he can be related to me. Nothing about him fits our family’s genetic mold. Dismissing his ridiculousness, I turn to April. “I need to speak with you.”
She smiles and sits on the couch. With her arm draped over the back, she looks quite comfortable—too comfortable. Her little show for this guy is annoying. “We can talk here,” she replies.
My patience is gone. “We’ll speak later.”
Garvey says, “Good to finally meet you. I look forward to seeing more of you.”
I don’t have him figured out, and I’m not sure I want to spend my time doing so. I’ll let him have his fun, but that fun doesn’t need to be at my expense. “Yeah . . . meet you,” I mumble, and head upstairs to talk to Sara Jane.
Taking the stairs by two I’ve just crossed the landing when I hear Garvey say, “He’s moody, like you said.”
Fucker.
When I reach my quarters, I open the door slowly. My sleeping beauty is still in bed. I smile and then sit on the bed slowly so I don’t disturb her. I’m not sneaky enough.
Her eyes open and she gently stretches. “What are you doing up already?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I got some work in.”
“Now I feel lazy.”
“No,” I say, stroking her hair. “You heal when you sleep, so you, my sweet Firefly, need to get all the rest you can.”
“I might lie in bed all day and watch movies or read.”
“Sounds like exactly what you should do. I’ll have Neely bring you some breakfast.”
I start to get up, but she grabs my wrist. “Hey, where are you going?”
Sitting back down, I reply, “I won’t be gone long. I need to run by the penthouse and run a few errands.”
“Alexander Kingwood running errands.” She pokes me in the side. “I might need to see this.”
Chuckling, I slide down to kiss her on the temple. “Ha. Ha. Don’t worry. I won’t be gone long.”
“An hour?” She waggles her eyebrows. I love seeing that smile.
“Two or three.”
“Fine, but I really wanted you to stay in bed with me today.”
“I won’t be long.” After one more kiss to her head I get up. “I promise.”
I grab my wallet and my phone from the nightstand and shove them in my pockets. When I reach the door, she says, “I love you, Alexander.”
“I love you, baby.”
Making sure to skip out before I get caught up talking to my “cuz” and April again, I’m swift in my exit. I head to the garage and hop on my bike. I text Neely to check on Sara Jane and then take off. I’m off estate property in two minutes. That might be a record I’m proud of.
I stop at a red light on the outskirts of downtown and think over the confusing morning. My mind keeps thinking back to the ring. Another mystery. Although, it does make me consider going to the jewelry store on Center Boulevard, and looking for a wedding ring for Sara Jane. I think she’d like a little surprising today.
The streets are fairly empty in this area but as soon as I make the turn, I’ll be stuck in that morning commuter traffic. A black car, late model seventies by the design, stops next to me. I look over and the driver’s window rolls down. A guy with dark sunglasses and balding temples leans on the door and says, “Alexander Kingwood, right?”
It happens too fast to escape.
A van skids up on the other side of me, the door slides open, and two guys jump out. I have a gun to my head in seconds, and I’m pushed roughly into the back of the van. Before the door is shut, I feel the hit to the side of my head and the world goes black.
28
Sara Jane
Garvey Penner stands in the middle of the formal living room. According to Neely, he was here this morning “visiting his aunt,” but why on earth is he back again now? His gaze bounces from one expensive piece of art to the furnishings—a couch that cost more than my car, three paintings that would make a museum envious, to a vast view of the land out back that ebbs and flows to the lake.
I don’t understand his role or his interest in the place, another misstep on my part. I’ll probably pay for underestimating him. What is with his slicked-back hair, plaid pants, the popped collar of a Polo shirt, and the golf glove that’s still molded around his hand as if he came right off the putting green?
He laughs too hard, makes himself at home too fast, and treats me like I’m nothing more than another decorative ornament here for pleasure. His pleasure. I stand with the coffee table between us and watch him, wishing I had never come downstairs.
Beads of sweat dot his hairline, and he shifts nervously on his feet. I hate him already because he’s related to that wretched woman. They don’t resemble each other physically, but they’re identical twins personality wise. “Will my aunt be down soon?” he asks as if I am here to serve him.
“I’m not sure. She was told you were here.”
“I’m thirsty. I’ll take a club soda with two wedges of lime and a splash of grenadine.”
I’m not even sure what grenadine is, but I have a feeling the manor would stock it. Obviously it’s something rich people drink. Walking into the kitchen, Neely says, “Sorry, I was speaking with the gardener. I’ll get his drink.” She moves about the kitchen on edge, something I’ve never seen from her before. The lime is cut, the blade hitting down on the cutting board loudly.
“Are you okay?”
Looking my way, she says, “Fine. Everything’s fine. I’ll bring the drinks out.”
“Thank you.” I’m not sure I want to go back in there, and I’m concerned Neely’s upset, so I ask, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
A small smile brightens her expression. “Yes, thank you.”
The tips of my fingers drag along the cold stone counter as I begin to leave, but I stop. “Neely, I appreciate you and all you do for Alexander, myself, and everyone else here. I know it’s your job, but it’s done with love and we know that. Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure, Sara Jane. I’m so glad you’re back.” I watch her pour a rich red liquid into his drink. She giggles, and adds, “It’s just a red sweet syrup. Odd drink order for sure.”
“I think it says a lot about him. Odd.”
She laughs louder, my reaction trailing hers.
I’m feeling much more myself today. Last night with Alexander was amazing. Everything feels good again, so right. We’ve let so much come between us in the last couple months. So much pain and damage born from decisions we’ve made and some that were always going to happen, but it’s time to put that behind us and start living our lives, together.
Although, as I walk back to the other room, I’m left wondering what errands he was running off to after he disappeared earlier this morning. After last night, I had dreams of waking up together, maybe even lounging in bed all day. I hope he gets back soon. This cousin of his is totally creepy.