Page 54 of Nothing to Fear

That statement gave Alice the opening to ask, “Do you want children of your own, Savanna?”

“Alice would talk of children all night.”

“A mother should be proud of her offspring. And, from what I’ve seen, she has a lot to be proud of.”

“We’re both proud,” Benedict said. “Communication is our family’s greatest achievement. It’s not about impossible standards or perfection, we get where we get together.”

“Very wise,” Alice said, resting her head against him.

On a laugh, he kissed her head again. “She says that because I learned it from her. Every piece of wisdom comes from her. She schools us all.”

“I’m honored you listen. And we built this family together. Everything we do is together.”

He picked up his wife’s hand to kiss her palm. “Always.”

That bedroom terrace was in the couples’ adoring eyes, which was her cue.

A reflex smile spoke to her wonder. “I’m sorry I’ve taken up so much of your time.” She pushed back her chair to stand; Benedict immediately followed. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Alice picked up her shawl and rose in one slow move like a delicate ballerina. Her actions were so deliberate, so precise, so graceful.

“We’ll take you home.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary. I can—”

“We would never allow a woman to make her own way home,” Benedict said. “It’s late and we have a car waiting.” Sure they did. “It’s no trouble. We insist.”

Yeah, because that was what decent people did. They concerned themselves with the safety of others.

When they stopped at her building and she got out, she paused, expecting the car to leave. Instead, Alice gestured for her to go inside.

Going up the stairs, amazement overcame her. Believing the developments in her life were near impossible. Dining in a billionaire’s mansion? Having dinner in exclusive restaurants? Meeting for drinks with wealthy moguls and honest-to-God celebrities? Who was she? What happened to set her on this path? Fate was out there, but what did it all mean? She’d never have anticipated these turns and didn’t quite know what to make of them.

With good usually came bad, the balance of the universe depended on it. That didn’t bode well for what might happen next. Her inner cynic never missed an opportunity to speak up. Could she maybe try to ignore it this time? To think the best might come from recent experiences?

That thought stuck as she unlocked her door but—the moment she flicked on the light, everything came to a crashing halt, including her.

The place was trashed, drawers emptied, furniture upside down. Her kitchen cabinets were open, food was scattered all over, liquid on the floor mixed with dry pasta and laundry detergent. What a mess! Why would someone, anyone…?

“Oh my…”

A spasm of pain clenched her gut. Sinking onto the carpet, she couldn’t think. Darkness from beyond the hall parallel to her kitchen, the route to her bedroom, could be sanctuary or her ending. How much bad luck could plague one family? What was fate trying to tell her this time?

***

SOMEHOW, she’d called the cops. The who, what, and where were foggy. Again.

The mess continued into the bedroom. Her closet was tossed, the nightstands. Nothing was missing, nothing valuable, she didn’t own anything of monetary value. What had the asshole been looking for?

“It is unusual,” Detective Chapman said. “To see this level of mess. None of your jewelry is gone? You sure there are no devices missing?”

“No.” She shook her head. “My phone was in my purse. I had it with me.”

“You don’t have a computer or—”

“I… I left it in my locker at work… I think.”

“You think?”

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