Page 39 of The Library on Plum Island
“That you and Daniella are seen to be more than friends,” Harley told him. “Here’s your phone. The number that messaged was from a burner that went dead after the message was sent to you.”
“It must be Doctor Jackson, though,” Sam said, walking into the living room. “It’s the same tactic that he used to message and terrorize Daniella in Los Angeles.”
Even with a cane, Sam moved as silently as a mouse. What was with this family? They were like stealth machines.
“Alex, I’m so sorry to have pulled you into this.” Daniella’s voice was distraught. “You don’t have to get any more involved than you already are.”
“I want to help,” Alex assured her and meant every single word of it.
He knew what that man had put her through, and Alex hated people who used fear and intimidation to control others. He glanced at Daniella, and his heart swelled. Alex knew he’d lay his life down to protect her and Emily and ensure their safety.
“Are you sure you want to get involved, son?” Sam asked him. “We don’t always play by … the rules, let’s say.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life,” Alex told them.
“I think my nephew is onto a good idea,” Sam said, glancing at Daniella. “While we were trying to find the number that sent the message to Alex, we gave the FBI the information Harley received.”
“A few minutes after that, Uncle Sam’s man who was watching Doctor Jackson said he just disappeared,” Harley told them.
“How do you just disappear?” Alex asked.
“I did.” Daniella shrugged, her face paling. “That means he could be on his way here, and we don’t know.”
“Harley and one of the Blackwell’s security details are going to pay Stanley Wells a visit in a few minutes,” Sam informed them. “We’ll get what we need to know from him.”
“In the meantime, instead of sitting waiting for Doctor Creepo to make a move, I say we incite him to make one,” Harley suggested. “It’s going to be risky and dangerous. That’s why I’m going to suggest that Ethan, Jennifer, Reef, Carly, and Shay go to Boston with Emily, and I’ll stay here to run security.”
“That’s a great idea,” Daniella nodded. “Emily will love having friends with her.” She looked at Alex. “It’s her sixteenth birthday next week.”
“Oh, wow.” Alex’s brows shot up. “We need to give her a party.”
“We were planning to. She wants to have it at the Beach Hut like Tucker’s birthday last year,” Daniella told him, and as he frowned, she explained. “Tucker? He’s Finn Shaw’s son. Finn is the owner of the Beach Hut and Caroline Danes’s older brother’s son.”
“Yeah, I know Finn and Tucker.” Alex nodded in realization, then looked at Harley. “With my brother taking them, they’ll have Blackwell security and the added security detail that are currently following Harriet and Dawn.”
“So we’ll all be safe in Boston while the three of you are here alone?” Jennifer’s voice came from the door of the living room.
“We’ll be fine as long as Harley is with us,” Daniella assured Jennifer. “If you don’t mind him staying with us.”
“I insist he does if you’re going to pretend to be having a relationship with Alex,” Jennifer said. “Doctor Creepo is not going to like thinking he has to compete for your affections.”
“No, he is not,” Daniella said, shaking her head. Her eyes met Alex’s. “Are you sure you want to do this? It could be dangerous.”
“I’ve dealt with jealous exes,” Alex assured her with a warm smile. “I’ve even dealt with crazed ex-husbands.” He held up his broken hand.
“That’s what’s worrying me,” Daniella admitted. “You can’t go punching anyone else.”
“I won’t,” Alex said, trying not to make it sound like a promise, as he didn’t know if he could keep that one.
“If you really want to draw him out fast,” Jennifer suggested. “We could drop the story to Trinity and let her send it through the news grapevine to ensure it’s splashed everywhere so he sees it.”
“Or if you really wanted to make headlines, enrage Doctor Creepo into making a move,” Alex looked at Daniella as the idea took root, “we could get married!”
Daniella’s eyes widened, and she gaped at Alex. Not the reaction he’d thought he would get the second time around asking someone to marry him.
CHAPTER 9
ThemorningairinSam’s living room was thick with tension and disbelief as Alex’s words hung suspended, almost tangible in their weight. Daniella’s mind raced her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind as she tried to grasp the reality of the situation.
