Page 56 of Nothing to Fear

“Nonsense. If you’re uncomfortable at the house, Ben and I will stay with you in the city. We’ll take a suite at the Grand Hotel—”

“No, you—”

“This is important to me,” Alice said as Benedict joined them again. “Tell Savanna we’d be delighted if she stayed at the house.”

“Of course we would. We insist. There’s plenty of space.”

“You’ll be safe there, protected, comfortable.” Still at her husband’s side, Alice took her hand. “Breakfast with Buoy.”

The deal breaker. The woman’s smile was so hopeful, so warm. Fighting wouldn’t get her anywhere with the tenacious, persistent Breckenridges.

“How can I say no?”

EIGHTEEN

SHE SHOULD’VE SAID NO.

As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Alice shuttled her into a bedroom on the second floor.

“If there’s anything you need, anything at all, you can call down the stairs.” Like this was some kind of hotel. “Are you hungry?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. The bed was huge, the room was… Her throat narrowed, some kind of apprehension? Fear? Trepidation? Maybe. Why did she feel so…? How did she feel? “Please, you’ve already done so much. I can’t even…”

Fairy lights twinkled in the courtyard below the towering window. A courtyard. How could she be in a home big enough for a courtyard?

“Savanna, dear.” Alice came to her side, took her hand and led her to sit on the bed. “We’ll keep you safe. Tonight has been such a trauma for you.” Not exactly. Though she’d never be safe in that apartment again. Damnit, moving, just what she needed. “We have one rule in this house, it supersedes all other promises and arrangements.”

“That’s… daunting.”

“Support, not judgment. That’s the rule here. We communicate and care for each other. You can take as much time as you need, stay here indefinitely.” Wow, what an invitation. “You’re always welcome.” Alice stroked her hair. “Darroch won’t be back tonight, unless you want me to request he—”

“No, thank you, I’d appreciate your discretion.”

“Of course.” Alice touched her cheek and glided to her feet. “You never have to be afraid here. It’s a promise Ben and I make to all the young souls who cross our threshold. You’re safe now.”

Cupping the side of her head, Alice bowed to kiss her forehead and departed without another word.

Talk about being born to do something. Alice Breckenridge was meant to have children, to care for people, to welcome those in need. And damn if it didn’t make her feel like a princess and a broken doll all at once.

Accepting the way family made her feel would take more than a minute, maybe more than a year. It didn’t help that she was tired, exhausted. The comfort of the bed beneath her hadn’t escaped her notice.

That was what she needed. Slipping off her shoes, she dug her heels into the mattress and pushed back into the cloud of a duvet that held her just right. Safety. Just like Alice promised.

***

SHE’D OPENED HER eyes refreshed… and kinda wriggly.

A possible explanation for the weird buzz that carried through her dreams came in the morning.

The bathroom was bigger than the bedroom in her apartment. The cologne by the sink shifted her mind’s gear. This was—it wasn’t a guest room, the bedroom belonged to someone.

And one whiff of the scent answered the question of whose. The occupier of the bedroom.

Who is Darroch Breckenridge?

Damnit.

What if he’d come home? What if he…? He could be on his way there now. Right that second.

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