The hallway was still dark as she made her way back to her room.
As she packed, the sun peeked above the horizon, sending light through the blinds in the guest bedroom. Finished taking what she'd come with, she zipped her bag. If she stayed, she'd never want to leave this life, or John. One day, once the funeral was a memory, he'd realize that he belonged to the House of Morgan. He could never be just hers.
Her mother would tell her that the real world required toughness. She let out a sigh. For the past few days, Alice hadn't solved any of her own problems. The Morgans had taken over her every thought. Now she needed to be there for her parents and herself.
At her new condo, she'd be able to think clearly.
She peered through the sliver of window at the front door into the dim morning light. The house at her back was pitch-black, but the sound of the waves as they splashed against the shore played outside. In the dream, she'd never leave this place, but Alice Collins never lived in a dream.
First she went and released the security code. Then she unlocked the door and departed. The grass was wet with dew as she passed through the lawn to where her SUV was parked in the driveway to the right of the house. She threw her bag in the backseat and rushed to get inside herself. A chill raced up her spine, but she ignored it as she realized her keys were in the car waiting for her.
A moment later the car engine roared to life. She glanced up and down the street and then at the house one more time. John Morgan was the man she would always crave, and her crush on him had grown into love.
She backed out of the driveway and headed toward her new condo. She refused to get mopey or weepy—she was not Cinderella. No one forced her to do anything. If she and John were to have a future, it would need to be much later, after they'd gotten their lives sorted.
Alice wasn't against dating, but she had to live for herself too. Before she met John she spent months picking her first condo, painting it in yellow and white with a blue trim. The furniture was soft golden oak to let more sunshine in and her place was the first thing that would ever truly be hers.
First and foremost, after coffee, she'd brainstorm and then reach out to new fruit buyers for the farm.
She refused to let her mind wander back to John Morgan for one second.
Alice's phone rang and she rummaged through her pocketbook. On the second ring, she fished out the phone and saw a number she didn't recognize. If it was John calling from his house phone, she would do the right thing, and turn around to talk to him in person. Her heart hammered in her chest as she answered, "Hello."
"Alice? I would love for you to join me and Jennifer this morning. Please?"
Vicki's voice bubbled with the happiness Alice remembered from the old days. Alice touched her best friend necklace. "Where are you going?"
"The Miracle Mile for coffee and then I want to show you both my new idea for my future."
Vicki's take-charge attitude might rub off. It's what Alice needed to do, too. She shifted the wheel to turn in her new direction as she agreed. "We'll meet at the book store like we used to, but I can't stay for long."
"Deal," Vicki said.
Alice danced in her seat. A friend was what she needed. Vicki ended the call and Alice threw her phone onto the passenger seat. Today she'd find out where Vicki had spent the last few years and avoid all conversations about John. No one pretended to be dead without a good reason.
Chapter Twenty Two
Near his ear, something rang on the bedside night table. For a few seconds, he ignored it, but then remembered it might be the FBI. They hadn't called him. John woke up and glanced at the number on the voicemail message. No caller ID available might mean it was the FBI or a telemarketer.
He licked his lower lip and tasted strawberries. Alice's scent was in the air. He turned to his side, but where she'd slept was cold as if she'd been gone for a while.
He rubbed his forehead. He never slept like this. Then he picked up his phone and hit play.
A garbled voice that had been processed through a changer spoke.
John, your girlfriend was smart enough to leave you. You're the reason she'll die now. Prepare to live with what you've done.
His body went still. Why had the FBI done nothing? This was something he needed to solve on his own or use more of the Morgan security. He stood and walked to the window. Money was power. The sun was in the morning sky. He clutched his phone, threw on his pants and then made the one call he'd never wanted to make.
Peter answered, "This is a surprise."
John said, "I need your help."
"How?"
The coldness between them didn't deter him. He had to get his brother's help. The FBI wasn't working fast enough. "Let me play you a message."
The repeat of the threat to Alice made his blood freeze. Peter sucked in an audible breath as the voicemail played. John's heartbeat quickened as the deadly voice sent a chill down his spine. He shrugged into a shirt. As the voice finished, John said, "I need to find Alice before anything happens to her."
Peter didn't hesitate. "What do you want me to do?"
John ran one hand through the left side of his hair. His brother would help. "You have the staff to find her fast."
"You need me to employ our handlers to get her back."
John's mind raced. Peter had their father's confidence but not the venom that implied John once again was the always-in-trouble son. He'd call the local police once he finished with Peter. "Yes. Thank you."
"Why did she leave you in the first place?"
John straightened his back. Now was not the time for this. "I've no idea, and it doesn't matter right now. Alice's safety is on the line."
"I'm on it. I'd recommend you talk to Vicki. They were friends."
John's eyebrows arched. Now that was a good idea. "Is she up?"
"She's not here. She left the house early this morning. She mentioned that dress shop again and a future fashion empire she'd build."
John changed his screen while he spoke to his brother so he could make a note. "Does she have a cell?"
"I bought it for her yesterday. I'll text you the number, but it's the same as when she left."
Even better. Peter wasn't completely their father. "Thanks."
"We are family. Dad was right about one thing."
John rolled his shoulders. He might have spoken too soon. "What was that?"
"I don't want children or a relationship, John. I'm more than happy if you live that life and then I will leave money to nieces and nephews."
His mouth opened and wouldn't close all the way. "Why?"
"I don't want to be like our dad. I wish I didn't remember Mom."
John scratched his head. They'd talk once everything was over. He might have been too hard on his brother. "Peter, once I find Alice and make sure she is safe, then let's sit down and talk."
"Deal."
They hung up. His brother would have specialized guards a phone call away.