I fell asleep curled up in an armchair in the great room. The last thing I remembered reading was Jane’s and Mr. Rochester’s talk in the garden, when he finally tells her how he feels. That was just the beginning of his secrets.
By the scent of him and the gentleness of his strong grip, I knew who it was before opening my eyes. Alec picked me up out of the chair and started upstairs.
As soon as he pushed the door open, the scent of roses hit me. “Thank you for the flowers.”
His haggard face lightened, and he laid me in bed.
“You look so tired,” I said. “Did you sleep well last night?”
He made a sarcastic noise under his breath. “Sleep.”
I sat up on my knees and said, “Come here.”
He took a step closer, against the mattress, and when I started unbuttoning his shirt, he closed his eyes in concentration.
“I want to check your shoulder,” I said. “I won’t attack you tonight.”
“But if I tried for more, you wouldn’t stop me.”
I didn’t answer. Eyes still closed, the corner of his mouth pulled up.
His jacket draped across the foot of the bed and his shirt pulled back, I lightly touched his skin. It didn’t look swollen anymore, and the parts that had been black were now greenish-brown. I smiled a little.
He was now looking down at me. “You’ve taken good care of me.”
“Someone has to,” I teased. Though I wasn’t sure why he allowed my care. It seemed to annoy him when anyone showed concern for him. That time Vincent had asked Alec to be careful I thought Alec might punch him.
Right…no one took care of him. No one was allowed to know if he was hurt or tired, not even Vincent. Vincent might have told me the truth that Alec was safe today, but only as far as he knew.
“You should sleep,” he said. “It’s late.”
I paused. “Vincent said you were safe but—”
“You spoke to Vincent?”
“Yes.”
“About what?”
“I asked if you were safe today.”
“And what did he tell you?”
What did he think he told me? “That you were.”
He watched me closely. “That’s all?”
“Yes.”
He waited, surely for me to ask what I’d started.
“He doesn’t like me, does he?” Maybe if I could find out what was wrong with Vincent, it could clue me in on whatever Alec was hiding from me.
“Vincent has a unique perspective. Don’t let him bother you.”
I took a breath. “I don’t want to hurt your friendship.”
“I’ve known him a long time. We’ve been through much,” he assured then lifted my chin and added, “But thank you.”
He touched my face with his fingertips. He wore that expression that made him look like he was half someplace else. I wondered where that was.
My gaze fell back to his shoulder, and I touched his skin with my fingertips, making sure it wasn’t swollen, that he didn’t need ice tonight. Then I noticed a scar, another one. It hadn’t been as noticeable under the swelling and discoloration. I’d seen several scars now, all pale as if they’d healed a long time ago, and many were neat, stitched by a steady hand.
He tilted his head and touched the sleeve of my shirt. “I like this on you.”
I smiled a little and lifted his shirt back onto his shoulder then sat back on my feet. “Will you tell me about what you did today?” Why he was so late coming home.
“I wanted to look at Talbert personally. He’s not a hired thug like the others, so if he’s involved, he may have valuable information.”
“Did you find anything?”
“Not much, but I have an idea of how to get closer, at least to gain a better idea of where to look.”
“How’re you going to do that?”
“He’s going to be perfectly safe.”
I sat straight. “He who?”
“Talbert and Dean meet almost daily at a restaurant downtown. We’ll be sure everything is set up properly; no one will suspect that Ben is anything other than he appears—a fellow patron.”
“No,” I said. “No. He’s not like the others.”
He held my hand to his chest. “That’s why it has to be him.”
It was bad enough Alec was doing so much. At least he could protect himself. Could Ben?
“He’ll be wired,” he said, “and Vincent and James will be close. And remember, he’ll be in public.”
“But if Dean finds that Ben knows anything, or is trying to know, he’ll come after him.”
“No one will suspect. He’s a smart man. And he asked if he could help.”
“Why?”
“He cares about you.”
I rested my head against his chest. There had to be something I could do to help. I couldn’t sit here and be useless.
“What’re you thinking, Adriane?” He sounded like he suspected exactly where my thoughts were.
I said nothing.
“I know this is difficult for you,” he said. “You’re not the type to allow yourself to be taken care of. But if you don’t, you could make things worse.”
I lifted my head.
“If you’re seen, or even heard from,” he said, “you put us all in danger.”
I paused, and then I lay my head back down on his chest. A few more seconds passed. “Please keep them all safe.”
“I will.” He hugged me. “Thank you, Adriane.”
“Especially you.”
He held tighter.
***Alec***
After a quick shower and dress, Alec went downstairs. Adriane would likely be a few minutes—she’d just woken when he left her room. Vincent was in the dining room helping Hanna with some heavy platters. As Alec came to the bottom of the stairs, he caught Vincent’s eye. Vincent walked over and followed Alec into his office.
Vincent shut the door, and Alec turned to face him.
“I didn’t tell her anything,” Vincent said. “She asked if you were safe, and I said you were.”
“She’s uncomfortable around you. She’s worried about my being hurt because my one friend doesn’t approve of her.” Actually, he was impressed with her. He hadn’t been treating Vincent very well, especially in front of her, and yet she understood Vincent was his closest friend.
“I’m sorry, Alec. I’ve just been worried.”
“I’ve got it under control,” Alec growled. Then he turned away and glared at the shelf of ledgers, the same ones his father had used. He didn’t know why he kept them.
“I know, man. I just—”
Alec turned to Vincent. “She will have anything she wants.” He took a breath. “I’ve got it under control. I know what needs to be done.” No matter how difficult, he would do it; once all this mess was over and she was safe, he would do it. He had to.
Vincent’s expression was one of kindness. He was the only one who had any idea how hard this was for Alec—how fucking impossible.
Alec’s tone calmed, all anger gone. “Whatever happens, it will have been worth it.”