Page 40 of Hollywood Undercover
Chapter 17
ALEXANDRA stood backfrom the front door as Felicia wasleaving.
“See you later, Alex.” Felicia waved with a wiggle of her fingers, and stepped through the opendoor.
Alexandra couldn’t shut it behind her fast enough. It was time for damage control. She had a new problem. She still believed her ‘Alex Roberts’ cover was a brilliant way to hide out in plain sight. That wasn’t the issue. The problem was she hadn’t stopped to think about what a shock it would be to her father, once he became aware of her gender-bending antics. Half-hour earlier, he had asked Felicia where his daughter was. Felicia apologetically explained that Lexxi was in France. Thankfully, Alexandra overheard the interaction. She stepped in just in time to distract Felicia before she noticed Dad’sconfusion.
It was bad enough she fell asleep last night when Bash was over. Yes, she was really comfortable around him, but falling asleep like that? She had no idea what came over her. Now that Felicia was gone, Alexandra hurried back to the dining room. Dad was sitting up in bed. He pulled his oxygen mask off his nose and mouth. The scowl on his face was impossible to missnow.
“Before you think I’ve lost my mind, let me explain,Daddy.”
“I’m not judging you, Alexandra,” he said, huffing out a labored breath. “I just want to know what the hell is going on with you. And who is AlexRoberts?”
She asked him to put the oxygen mask back in place. He obliged, still scowling. Alexandra sat on the chair next to hisbed.
“It’sreallynot what you think, Dad. I had to get out of Beverly Hills without the media or paparazzi following me. If I didn’t try to keep them away somehow, coming home would have been a nightmare. They would have been all over us, and I didn’t want that while you were in hospital. It was like a costume at the beginning. It worked so well, I kept itup.”
His eyes lit up. He lifted the oxygen mask again and laughed, shaking his head and cocking it to one side. “That was a smart move, Alexandra. Risky as hell, but veryimaginative.”
She smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. He was in on it now, and she was suddenly aware that she needed to bring him completely up to speed before he blew her cover. “When I got the call from Rosa telling me you were in the hospital, I cut my hair and made arrangements to get here. You should’ve seen me, Dad. It took everything in me to let Lilly cut it off. I just couldn’t see an alternative. The media would be camped outside the house, and paparazzi would try to sneak into your hospital room. I don’t regret doing it either, Daddy. It’s been forever since I could walk the mall or pass through an airport without being recognized. My hair will grow back. Plus, I like the look, actually. But you need to help me keep it up. The story is that I’m your nephew, Alex Roberts. I’m here to take care of you while you’resick.”
“And people are actually buying this?” he askedskeptically.
“So far, so good. I mean, Felicia keeps hitting on me, so, yeah.” She held on to her father’s hands and smiled. “I’m sure it’s hard for you to see me like this, but it’s still all me. And I’m free again, Dad. Who would have known it was this easy to fool theworld?”
“It definitely takes some audacity to pull thatoff.”
She took it as a compliment. Maxwell Storme had always beengutsy.
He grinned at her through the oxygen mask, then lifted it again. “I’ve been a lot more clear-headed the last day or so, Alexandra. Or should I call youAlex?”
“Let’s stick to Alex so you don’t slip up with one of thenurses.”
“Fine. What I was trying to tell you is I’ve watched you. I’m worried about you,Alex.”
“You’re worried aboutme?Why?”
“I think you spend too much time hovering over me. I’m glad you’re home, honey, but you need some time to unwind. Go on. Reconnect with some of your old friends. Get outside for fresh air. At least enjoy some of your time backhere.”
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea, Daddy. I don’t want anyone tipping off themedia.”
“I’m better now, kiddo. You should get out abit.”
She looked away, thinking about it. A crooked smile turned up slightly on her lips. Her mind wandered to Bash, who said something similar when he invited her to that speed datingthing.
She shrugged. “I don’t really know anyone else outhere.”
“Probably because you haven’t stopped to get out and seethem.”
“I lost touch with a lot of my friends from high school. Besides, I don’t mind being here at home with you. I haven’t spent nearly enough time with you in the past few years. It’s something I realized when…when we were all worried you wouldn’t makeit.”
“Hey! I’ll have you know it takes more than a common cold to knock medown.”
“Dad, you had way more than a commoncold.”
The pneumonia took a drastic toll on him. She wasn’t about to downplay it now that he was out of the woods. Her eyes scanned him carefully. His complexion was back to its normal medium tone. His salt-and-pepper hair spilled across his high forehead. There was a faint blueness to his eyelids. He needed to keep wearing his oxygen mask. Other than that, he looked so much better than he had when he first camehome.
“You know what I mean,” he waved dismissively. “It won’t be long now. Soon I’ll be out of this uncomfortable bed and back on my feet. Just remember this, Alexandra. I’m not looking forward to having you on my heels, treating me like I’m fragile when I’mbetter.”
