Page 74 of The Library on Plum Island
Alex told his father about the conversation. “I also just got another threat from whoever’s working with Ron Jackson scrawled on my desk in Sharpie.”
“Take a picture of it, son,” Arthur suggested. “Remember that documenting things like this can come in handy as you never know how people try to twist things.”
“I know!” Alex said. “Hard evidence saves innocent people from paying the price for the guilty.
“Your grandad was right about that,” Arthur assured Alex. He paused for a few seconds before asking. “How are you holding up, son?”
“I wish I weren’t here. I’d rather be home with Daniella,” Alex admitted. “Last night, I told Daniella the truth.”
Arthur went quiet for so long that Alex thought the line had gone dead. “Dad?”
“I’m here, son,” Arthur said. “What do you mean by everything?”
“I told her about the investigation I did into her,” Alex admitted.
“And did you tell her about Monica and …” Arthur cleared his throat. “Your first love?”
“No!” Alex shook his head. “Nor did I admit how I really felt about her.”
“That seems to me like you didn’t tell her everything, son,” Arthur pointed out. “I like her. Your mother and I agree that Daniella and her daughter are special. If you want to stand a chance of winning Daniella’s heart, as you already won Emily over, you need to tell Daniella the truth.” He sighed. “Lies and secrets are like living in a house of cards. It can be blown over too easily, but one built on trust and truth seals the relationship in concrete.”
“I know.” Alex closed his eyes, letting the cool sea breeze blow onto his skin. “I’m going to take her for dinner on the yacht, and I’ll tell her everything.”
“Good on you,” Arthur’s voice rang with pride. “Your mother and I are rooting for you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Alex said. He was so grateful to parents like his. “I’d better get back to Daniella before Harriet talks her to death.”
“Do you think it’s wise to leave Daniella alone with Harriet?” Arthur laughed. “We love Harry, but she doesn’t have a filter at times.”
Alex agreed. After a few more minutes of his father’s pep talk, they hung up, with Alex promising to let his father handle Todd Spiers and Monica.
Alex sat in his office chair, staring out at the ocean enjoying the fresh sea air and quiet for a few more moments. It had been such a nerve-racking day. Alex had married the woman of his dreams for all the wrong reasons, been accused of being a baby daddy, and someone had ruined his oak desk with a Sharpie warning.
It was the perfect start to the rest of his life. Alex shook his head and stood up. He walked to the glass doors and pulled them closed, hoping the pungent smell of cigars had been aired out. He checked that the glass doors were locked, left his office, said goodbye to Donna, and was walking toward Daniella’s car when his phone rang.
Alex pulled it out of his pocket, his heart jolting when he saw it was Daniella. A smile split his face as he answered, “Hello. I was just thinking about you and that I had your car.”
“Alex!” Daniella’s panicked voice stiffened him, and little shocks of alarm zapped his nerves. “You need to get home now.”
“Daniella, are you okay?” Alex yanked the car door and was about to slide in when he saw people rushing into the hotel, chattering like something big was happening.
“No!” Daniella breathed. “It’s…”
Before she could finish, Alex smelled fire. His heart froze in his chest, and his head turned to see billows of smoke rising in the distance.
“Your house!” Daniella wailed. “It’s on fire.”
“Did you call the fire brigade?” Adrenaline spurted through Alex as he slid into the car and pulled off with squealing tires. He ignored the dinging from not putting on a seatbelt. “I’m on my way. Are you and Harriet okay?”
“We’re fine…” Daniella started coughing. “We tried to save a few things.”
The line went dead, and Alex’s heart kicked into overdrive as he pulled out of the parking lot and sped toward his house. Alex couldn’t pull into the driveway, so he was stopped by the side of the road where a line of other cars had pulled over to see the flames engulfing his house.
Alex pushed past the crowd and was allowed past the yellow tape the police had cordoned off the area with by one of Alex’s security detail.
“Alex!” Daniella’s voice was like a balm on his tender nerves.
She pushed past the police and avoided a firefighter as she dashed toward him, throwing herself into his arms.
