Page 99 of The Midnight Club
“But we’re all thinking it,” Kate said softly. “When you were in that room, when Maceo said what he said, I’m willing to bet you all thought the same thing. Alex has the motive. Is he capable? Do you think he is capable of killing his own fiancée, of trying to murder Ori, the woman who resembles her so much?”
Lisander stared at her with despairing eyes. “God help me … I think he is.”
In the barof the hotel, Alex Milland swirled the last of his scotch in the bottom of his glass then drained it. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Seth and Netta. His friend and half-sister sat on either side of him. “I don’t want to talk,” Alex said.
“Alex …” Netta’s lovely face was creased with worry, but Alex shook his head.
“Maceo thinks I did it. We all know that’s what he meant. He thinks I stabbed Ori; he thinks I killed Viola.” He looked at a silent Seth. “You think so too.”
Seth shook his head. “No.”
Alex gave a humorless laugh. “Say that like you mean it, brother.”
He saw Seth and Netta exchange a look. “Don’t worry, I’m not freaking out. Yet. Just … I know it looks bad and I admit, Viola sleeping with Maceo did upset me. But who wouldn’t be? Doesn’t mean I killed her. And Ori? Why the hell would I hurther? I …”
“Am in love with her,” Netta finished in a gentle voice, and Alex nodded, looking up at her with desolation in his eyes.
“I didn’t want to be. Idon’twant to be. When Maceo called and said she’d been stabbed, I thought I would go crazy.”
“Alex,” Seth said, his voice quiet and calm. “Just answer this. Where were you when Ori was attacked?”
Alex sighed, rubbing his eyes. “In Venice. And no, no one can corroborate that. Hell, I almost wish Iwasguilty because I feel like I’m responsible. If I had found out who killed my Viola …”
Netta, tears dripping down her face, wrapped her arms around her brother. “I’m so sorry, Alex.”
Seth put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Maceo will calm down. As soon as Ori comes out of the coma, as soon as she’s back with us, he’ll see sense.”
Alex sighed. “Seth … what if shedoesn’tmake it?”
Seth had no answer for him.
Later, when they had persuaded Alex to get some sleep, Netta and Seth sat together in Seth’s room. Netta was exhausted. She leaned into Seth, who put his arm around her.
“Seth … how is any of this going to be okay?”
Seth sighed. “I don’t know, sweetheart. I think we just have to concentrate on hoping Ori pulls through. Then we can deal with the rest of the crap.”
“Alex is spiraling down,” she said, her voice breaking and Seth hugged her tightly.
“We’ll get him through this too.” He pressed his lips to her temple. He had always been the closest to Netta out of Alex’s friends, and she smiled at him gratefully.
“You are a good guy, Seth Cantor.”
He rolled his eyes but couldn’t help grinning. “Shucks.”
Netta chuckled. “Irina is a damn fool for letting you go.”
Seth’s smile faded, and he gazed at her. “You think?”
The atmosphere in the room had changed unexpectedly. Netta smiled slowly. “I do. I really do.”
Their eyes locked and Netta leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Seth kissed her back but then pulled away, his eyes amused and wary. “Netta … is this a good idea?”
She smiled, looking up at him through her lashes. “I don’t know. I just know I want this. The question is, do you?”
In reply, Seth pulled her into his arms. Netta slid her arms around his broad torso, feeling the hard abs beneath his blue shirt, his mouth firm on hers. She got up and offered him her hand and led him to the bedroom. She pulled the straps of her dress from her shoulders and let it slither down her body to the floor. She knew she had a great body, athletic and strong, and she saw the desire ignite in Seth’s eyes and smiled.
She removed his shirt, kissing his rock-hard pecs, and slid her hand down to cup his cock. She felt it thickening and lengthening through his pants. Seth’s fingers popped the catch on her bra, removing it, then slid into her panties, caressing her. Netta moaned as he swept her onto the bed. “Don’t wait, Seth, don’t wait … … .”
