Page 100 of Girl Anonymous

“An Alaskan cruise,” Dante decided. “One of the National Geographic cruises. Béatrice will be out of danger, in among people who appreciate what she loves.”

Maarja relaxed a tension she didn’t realize she felt. Yes. Béatrice would be safe on a ship.

Dante took Octavia’s hand. “You look worried. Is everything okay?”

As if he lent her a feeling of safety, Octavia scooched her chair closer to him. “So many people in my house and outside my house! They’re all doing things. I didn’t hire them, and some of them are taking over the jobs like cleaning up the flower beds, the things my friends and neighbors volunteered to do to prepare for the wedding. Why are they here?”

Maarja liked that, given the chance, Octavia felt comfortable enough to task Dante with her concerns herself.

“If we’re going to be ready for the ceremony, we’ve got to bring in professionals.” He was like a boulder that stood against the everlasting crash of the waves, strong and sensible. “Are they assuming too much? Pushing your friends out of the way? I can speak to them.”

“No, it’s simply that…new appliances, Dante?” Octavia gestured toward the kitchen. “For a wedding?”

“The caterers require the best to create a reception we can all enjoy. Surely you didn’t think that when we brought our event to your doorstep, we would expect you and Alex to handle everything by yourselves?” Dante put his arm around her. “What kind of son-in-law would do such a lousy thing?”

Most of them, Maarja thought.

Octavia beamed. “Son-in-law. How lovely! Your family will be absorbed into ours. Now I don’t want you to wear yourself out.”

“I’m good at delegating, I’m used to being busy, and I know you probably don’t like this, but we must have security for the wedding.” He used his practical voice. “When dealing with the Arundels, there’s no use using temporary measures.”

Octavia screwed up her face and began to speak.

He talked over top of her. “When we’re married and head off on our honeymoon—”

“Our honeymoon?” Maarja asked.

He met her gaze while he talked to Octavia. “You’ll have permanent security in place. Octavia, I’m sad to say, becoming a relative of mine involves some risk. I can’t have Maarja worried about you or Alex.” Dante had gone into full charming mode. “If you have any other concerns, you’re to come to me immediately. Nate will usher you in.”

Nate rumbled an agreement.

Octavia said, “Thank you, Dante, that’s all very reassuring, and you are certainly full of the blarney.”

Maarja grinned. Mom could spot sweet talk when she heard it.

Octavia walked briskly away, then returned to say, “I meant to say, thank you for bringing in such a comprehensive physical therapist for Alex. I hadn’t realized how angry she is about Serene and her treachery. She seems to be handling the pain and problems in her body better than her rage. Although…” Octavia paused to think. “I should have remembered.” She wandered off, leaving Dante and Maarja watching her.

“You have a great mom,” Dante said.

“She is. You had a great mom, too. It’s something we have in common.” She put a comforting hand on his arm.

He put his hand over hers and walked toward his office.

Nate opened the doors, and as they walked in, he shut them behind them.

She felt like a queen. A queen of…what? A consort of the king of the underworld? “Did you think on what I said?” she asked.

“About whether or not we will have children? Can have children?” He led her to the massively comfortable chair behind his desk and pushed the seat under her butt. “I’ve thought of little else.”

She sat and put her hands on the padded chair arms. She examined the stacks of papers, the computer screens, the pens and keyboards and trackballs. “You get busy when you’re thinking.”

“Fall down eight times, get up nine.”

She liked his philosophy. And his determination. And his thoughtfulness.

“Did you think of whatIsaid?” he asked.

“When?”

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