Page 81 of Nothing to Fear

“Why not? We have plenty of room. We wouldn’t at all dream of forcing you and Darroch together, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“No, it’s not that, it’s… For one thing, I don’t drive. It’s a forty-five-minute journey by car, I have no idea what that would translate to on public transport.”

It would probably take her an hour just to walk down the driveway.

“You have transport,” Darroch said. “You’re sitting in it. Technically, we’re in your ride tonight.”

Generosity didn’t do their invitation justice.

“I can’t live off you for the rest of my life.”

“If she wants to stay in the city, she’s entitled to do just that,” Benedict said. She appreciated the support but wassurprised it came from him. Even when the man seemed busy or distracted, he was always switched on, always interested, when he didn’t have to be. “What’s the problem with the apartment you like? The end of the month is Thursday, isn’t the new place ready? Darroch, I shouldn’t have to tell you—”

“I’ll make a call. Consider it done.”

These men were problem solvers. They didn’t see challenges, only opportunities.

“Thank you, but it won’t help. The new place will be ready on Tuesday, but the guy has someone willing to move in on Saturday. He gave me ‘til noon tomorrow to decide or it goes to the other person. I have a couple more places to see tomorrow, and I’ll have to find time to pack.”

“Pack tomorrow,” Darroch said. “Move into the new place Tuesday.”

Her lips stayed closed as she sighed. “I haven’t had any luck with that.”

“Luck with what?” Alice asked.

“Finding a mover I can afford who has availability. Everyone I’ve tried has a premium for emergencies, which since we’re talking about moving in less than forty-eight hours, this counts as apparently.” She couldn’t really argue with that. “But I have work on Tuesday and I don’t want to call Celeste…” She took a breath. “Sorry, it’s been a busy day.” And she sounded like a crazy person ranting about it. “How was the Chester Foundation?”

“We can help,” Alice said, ignoring her question. “If you need time off or funds to—”

“Thank you, but I would never ask you to intervene or cover expenses, it’s just not who I am.”

“Darroch,” his mother beseeched. “Have you nothing to say?”

“Nothing,” he said. “Zip. Not a word.” That surprised both parents, one appeared disappointed while the other was more judgmental. “I’m waiting for Sav to remember I have fifteen brothers.”

TWENTY-FIVE

IN THE BACK of the car, she shifted to face him. “What has that got to do with anything?”

He shrugged off one side of his jacket to plant her hand on his shoulder. “You feel that? It’s not nothing.”

“No,” Alice said, optimistic again, almost joyous in her pride. “It is not, you’re right. The boys will do it.”

“What boys?”

Darroch leaned in. “There are sixteen of us.”

“You don’t mean… No, I couldn’t—you couldn’t…” After a glance at the Breckenridge parents, she edged closer to Darroch. Her chin dipped as her volume lowered. “You’re billionaires, you don’t… you know…”

“What?” he asked, straight-faced and without discretion. “Work for a living? Look out for the people we care about? Get our hands dirty?”

“My boys have built homes in Africa and South America, and assisted with disaster relief in many conditions.”

For charity, sure. Is that what she was? Charity?

“What if one of you got hurt?” she asked.

“Oh.” Alice waved away that concern. “We’ve donated millions of dollars to most of the hospitals in this city.”

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