Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1)

by Lara Earlman

  “Oh, yes,” the couple nodded their heads simultaneously, reminding Lexi of Bobblehead figures. “Your uncle was furious that he couldn’t get into either one of Mr. Alberton’s safe units – lordy, he kept cussing up a storm!” Lexi’s father had a vault in his office at Alberton Technologies as well as the one in his home office.

  “Any other surprises I should know about before I reacquaint myself with my rooms and the solace of my lovely bathtub?”

  “Only that Miss Fani called to say that she would be here tomorrow morning. I’ll make sure that the guest room she used to occupy when she visited is ready for her. Give me a call when you get hungry; I stocked all of your favorites.” Edith pulled her into another hug. “I am so happy to have you home safe,” she said. With tears threatening to flow, the feisty housekeeper made a show of straightening her shoulders and shooing her husband toward the kitchen, before disappearing after him.

  Lexi’s rooms had always been her sanctuary and they didn’t fail her now. Enveloped by these walls, she had hidden away, soothing childhood hurts and later her mother’s surprising personality attacks. If they could speak perhaps they would sermonize on the unfair treatment of a petite girl with a foul temper, but more so these walls would recite a young girl’s dreams – dreams to continue the success of her parents’ legacy, fill the house with the sound of children’s laughter… and to love. Daney – every atom of space in these rooms was filled with thoughts and fantasies of the boy, the teen, the future man that would share Lexi’s vision. Of course she could now see the impossibility of it all, but still the rooms gave comfort.

  It was as if she had never left. A handbag containing her cell phone, wallet and keys sat on the overstuffed chair, along with a light jacket she had casually draped over the back. Flipping off her shoes, Lexi made her way to the cabinet next to the bathroom door. Yes, she smiled as her hand wrapped around a bottle of Argentine Beef Cabernet. Setting it atop the small hutch, she expertly uncorked it and fished a glass from the shelf. With her hands thus occupied, she continued her journey to the large bathtub.

  Heaven – yes this was definitely heaven Lexi decided, as she languished in the steaming tub. Brahms played softly through speakers as she sipped wine, and her body relaxed into the light whirl pooling water, spiked generously with soothing lavender scented oils. Tomorrow will be the start of a brand new life. No longer a daughter trying to please the parents she loved so dearly and no longer the niece betrayed by a greedy uncle – although still hollow Lexi was a clean slate, ready to fill with her own desires. Time to get started on the dreams of her childhood – tomorrow she would put everything she had learned into making Alberton Technologies the first place manufacturers come to for quality, innovative answers. Tonight she was going to reside in limbo; a safe place to put the past behind her. Relax for the first time in years, take her brain and emotions off the back shelf and dust them off. Tomorrow she would deal with cleaning up Uncle Richard’s mess and sweep the past behind her.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  “So what kind of bug crawled up your tush and set its sights into bringing to surface every bloody evil you’ve ever encountered?”

  “What?” Dane pulled his mind off the stats on the computer screen to turn his attention toward his London director. Brenda Gale was glaring at him with her hands on her hips. “What the hell are you talking about?” he asked, confusion obliterating his senses.

  “First of all, I don’t appreciate being cursed at,” the angry red-head informed him. “And second of all – why are you here? Really, why do you feel it necessary to commandeer my office to work on the Fairfield account? I had it under control! Is there something about my performance as office director that has you questioning my ability?”

  “Of course not,” he placated. Dane returned his attention to the figures on the screen. Women, he thought shaking his head, who the hell can understand them? A salon manicured hand reached in front of him and turned off his monitor.

  “Not good enough!” the bearer of the pampered digits pronounced. “You’ve been meaner than… than,” she apparently couldn’t think of anything appropriate, so she went with, “…a junk yard dog!” Normally that would have had Dane laughing uproariously, but she was right. He was in a foul mood. Still, his mouth twitched up slightly on the right side.

  “Look, Bren,” he said, turning his chair to face her, “I just needed to get away from Frankfurt. I don’t have any problem with the way you’ve been running things here.”

  “Then why don’t you spend some time at the New York office; sounds like they need a heavy hand over there. They made a mess of their last two orders.”

  “I can’t, it’s too close to…” he caught her knowing look and glared. “Because you’re not in New York, that’s why,” he answered. Ah-oh, she looked at him like he was a mouse caught in a trap. And the smile in her eyes… shit! “Don’t you have work to do?” he growled.

  She wriggled her buttocks into a comfortable position on the edge of the desk. “Let’s see… what’s her name again? Aly, or is it Lexi?”

  “Oma,” Dane contradicted.

  “No, I don’t think so,” the director said, smugly. Dane turned his monitor back on and tried to ignore her.

  “O’Brian!” he shouted to the open door. “Have you got that information I asked for yet?” The short trim figure of a thirty-something year-old man came in view.

  “I’m sorry sir; the place seems to be closed down. I keep getting a voice recording and none of our e-mail contacts have answered. I’ll keep trying,” he said in reply to the dark look in Dane’s eyes. When the boss turned his attention away, O’Brian took the opportunity to duck back to his cubby.

  “Whew,” Brenda breathed, waving her hand in front of her face. “I think my hair’s frizzing up from the steam coming off of you!”

  “Is it too damn hard to get a little information around here?” Dane bellowed, and again asked, “Do you have some work to do, or would you like to take the rest of the day off?”

  “Tell you what, why don’t we both take the rest of the day off?” she offered. “The kids would love to see you, and a home cooked meal would do you some good.”

  Dane was about to decline, when his phone announced a text message. Whipping it from his pocket, he discovered it was from Fani.

  Package delivered safely <3

  She’s home. Dane felt a mixture of relief and emptiness – she’s home safe, but it was as if a part of him was missing. He shook off the melancholy and stood up.

  “Sounds good,” he told Brenda. “Have you got any bourbon in the house? I could use a drink.”

  “With two teenagers at home?” she scoffed, “I think not. We’ll stop and pick some up along the way.”

  Bren had made the right call. Her kids competed for his attention with a teenage ruthlessness that kept him on his game in an effort to avoid favoritism. The concentration involved left little room for his own inner turmoil. With his mind off his troubles, Dane relaxed under the amusing anecdotes of the teens, the lethargic effects of the bourbon, and a satisfied belly full of cottage pie. Therefore he was caught off guard when he realized that the whole operation had all been the conniving of his self-appointed big sister to get him to spill his guts. And damned if it didn’t work!

  After cleaning up the dishes, the kids made a beeline for their rooms, allegedly to tackle their homework. Dane suspected they were more likely tackling the social networks. His hostess handed him a steaming cup of coffee, grabbed her own glass of Riesling, and led him into the sitting room. He followed, after adding a generous dollop of bourbon to his mug.

  “Isn’t it a bit redundant,” she called over her shoulder. “The effects of the caffeine will be nullified by the booze.” She commandeered a large cushioned chair; sinking back into it, she gracefully turned her legs to the side to dangle them comfortably over the arm – all without spilling a single drop of wine. Dane sprawled out on the sofa, an arm spread across the back and an ankle crossed ove
r his knee.

  “Evens things out,” he shrugged. He took a careful sip to punctuate his point.

  “Well, you can always crash on the sofa if it catches up to you,” Bren offered. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “Oh, God, did you have to bring that up?” Dane grumbled dramatically. “I’d successfully erased the memories of that debacle from my mind.”

  “What’s your problem? This was the perfect place to hide away from the media.” She couldn’t withhold a teasing grin. “Of course it was your own fault for escorting a popular rock star. You should have known that the paparazzi would be tailing the two of you like bloodhounds.”

  “How was I to know that she’d be wacked out on drugs?” he put forth.

  “Or that she wasn’t wearing any knickers?” Brenda laughed. “Or that she would unveil Ali Baba’s cave when attempting to alight from the car?” Tears of laughter were streaming down her face. “Open sesame,” she choked out.

  “Now that’s just cruel and inhumane,” Dane chastised in a stern voice, but his mouth stretched into a huge grin. Before he knew it he was laughing along with his wacked-out, wine induced London director. God, it felt good!

  “Bren,” he said, when their laughter eased, “I think I’m in love.”

  “I love you too, but not in that way,” she teased.

  “I didn’t mean…”

  “I know.”

  “I don’t know how to do this,” Dane admitted. “She thinks I’m a horrible person, maybe she’s right.” He shrugged. “Maybe she’s better off without me, but I can’t get over being selfish. I want her more than I could have ever thought possible.” He turned pleading eyes to his friend. “How do I forget her and go on with my life?”

  He watched Bren as she thought through his plea. He respected the fact that she weighed her thoughts carefully, knowing that she was thinking about her husband who had been cruelly taken from her by a terrorist bombing.

  “If it truly is love,” she said, “you never forget.” Her eyes gazed into the distance. “As far as getting on with your life… well, life goes on and you have no choice.”

  Bren threw back the last bit of wine from her glass and rose to refill it. Dane sat quietly on the sofa, his eyes focused on a patterned spot of the rug. The pain in his chest had not given way to the inebriation of the beverage, and that revelation had him reaching out to empty his mug. As he settled it back onto the table a bottle hovered over it, spilling its contents into the empty vessel. He watched Bren set the container beside his cup, leaving the decision for future refills up to him. She sat down on the same chair she’d vacated, but this time she leaned forward to stare him squarely in the face.

  “Dane, I don’t think you should give up so easily,” she said, her voice emphatic. “Take my word when I say that you are not a bad person – in fact you’re the opposite, and I know you better than most. I have never seen you dragged down by anything! No, the Dane Wellesley I know has never given in to defeat!” Dane was shaking his head.

  “This is different,” he insisted. “I don’t know how to fight this. It’s not an enemy; it’s a beautiful, innocent, passionate woman. I’m out of my league with this situation.”

  “Pooh!” his friend rebutted. “You can woo any woman out there – I’ve seen it. Look, what is your heart telling you? Listen to your heart, you idiot! Do what comes natural, show her the truth!”

  Dane locked eyes with her, feeding on her convictions. He could do this!

  “How badly do you want her?” Bren challenged.

  “Very,” he answered.

  “Then start scheming,” she advised.

  Dane’s lips curved up in a smile. She was right, and oh how he loved a good challenge. He could sense the end reward as his memories recalled how Lexi felt tucked in his arms. She belonged to him, even Oma believed that to be true.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Seated in the company jet, Dane studied the information on his tablet. Before he left he’d spoken with his old friend Keith Ingram. His suspicions had turned out to be true – the New York City office director was a chum of his ex-corporate attorney. The deeper he dug into the director’s files, the more inconsistencies he found. His first order of business, when he landed in NY, would be to fire his ass! Looks like his decision to move to the states was long overdue; he definitely had his work cut out for him.

  An alert popped up on the screen informing him that he had a message from Greig Carsten. Curious, Dane tapped the display to bring it up.

  “Lexi has filed charges against Richard, kidnapping as well as theft and embezzlement. Seems he took everything of value that wasn’t locked down. Fani says she’s furious and appears to be out for blood. Worried Richard may retaliate with threats.”

  “He’s too smart – he’d have to come out of hiding for that,” Dane messaged back.

  “Not necessarily, he could pay someone to harm her. It’s not like he gives a damn about her welfare.”

  “Advise her to change locks and alarm codes. Don’t take risks.”

  “She’s already done the former. Smart girl. Although, refusing to cower in the corner – her words.”

  Shit… sounds like Lexi, Dane thought. And it’s not likely she’ll accept any help.

  “I know a guy – very discreet, I’ll have him keep an eye on her. Headed to NY to clean up mess. Will forward address. Intend to be there for an indefinite period. May be permanent.”

  “Great news! Will keep in touch.”

  Dane’s chest puffed out in pride – his girl’s got her spunk back! For a moment he was fifteen again, his palm placed squarely on the forehead of a little ten year-old, red-headed whirling dervish as she strained against the distance of his arm with the intention of pummeling him with her fists – just for calling her pipsqueak. He meant it affectionately, but of course he hadn’t realized how sensitive she was about her height. Her parents had intervened to calm her down. She’d glared at him for days, after that, refusing to speak to him or to be teased out of her rancor. He had missed her tagging along with him and remembered feeling like a heel for hurting her. Eventually, she forgave him and they were back to being inseparable. Smiling at the memory, Dane’s heart swelled in his chest – guess Oma was right, he probably had loved Lexi way back then.

  Another thought wiped his smile away – what if that temper puts her in danger?

  Dane reached for his cell phone and scrolled through the contacts, pinpointing his quarry, he put the call through.

  “Ferguson, this is Dane Wellesley, you still in the states?”

  “Yeah, my little Brit is real cozy here,” the voice on the other end of the line shared. “We’ve got us a little girl, now, and another on the way.”

  “Sounds like you snagged yourself a treasure in that beauty,” Dane said, “Can’t say much for her taste in husbands, though.” A chuckle echoed through the receiver.

  “You’re right about that; I’m definitely a lucky guy. When are you finally going to settle on one of those lovelies you’re always parading around with?”

  “I’m working on it, buddy,” Dane laughed. “Look,” he turned serious, “the reason I called is to ask you a favor. I’ve got a friend down in the DC area who’s stirring up murky waters. She’s got a vendetta and is hell bent on proving a point. I’m worried that some piranha may surface in those dirty little puddles she’s disturbing. I just need someone to keep an eye on her – discreetly.”

  “That shouldn’t be too difficult,” Ferguson replied. “I live in Virginia and I’ve got a couple of guys I can trust to help out. Is she someone the media is interested in; I mean, is she involved with politics?”

  “Her name is Lexi Alberton of Al…”

  “Alberton Technologies; yeah I heard she got back from her world travels,” his voice held a hint of distain. “Guess she’s finding out that you can’t leave a big corporation like Alberton Technologies to run itself while you go gallivanting around with the rich and famous. I’m told there
’s a mess to clean up.”

  “It wasn’t like that at all,” Dane explained. “Her uncle handed her over to a human trafficking ring and took over the business. We don’t want the media to get hold of this – it’s between you and me, you hear? She just got back to discover that the bastard had robbed her blind and disappeared. You don’t need to know what she went through to get home in one piece, but I can tell you this: she’s spitting mad and stubborn as all hell.”

  “I see,” Ferguson said knowingly. Dane could hear the smile in his voice. “I’ll take good care of her for ya. Where can I reach you?”

  “I’m heading in to New York City. You can get in touch with my office and I’ll give you the particulars. I’m not exactly in her good graces right now, so I’ll ask you once again to keep things inconspicuous.”

  “Count on it,” the PI said before disconnecting.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Returning to work was invigorating, giving Lexi something to focus on, although it started out discouraging. Since her numerous calls to the offices were sent directly to voicemail, Lexi drove to the industrial complex owned by Alberton Technologies, located in Rockville. After scanning her pass key to open the gate she discovered the place to be deserted! A tour of the parking lot confirmed it – not one vehicle. Richard closed the place down? What about the other executives, the workers, the techs? They all had their lives wrapped up in the company! Heartache took hold of her as she let herself into the main building.

  Lexi shivered from the haunted feel of the quiet, empty lobby, and scenes from Chernobyl flashed through her head. Desolate and spooky, she half expected zombies to emerge from the shadows. Upon pressing the button to call the elevator, she realized that the electricity had been shut off – another reason for the goose bumps on her arms – no heat. She had never seen the place so deserted; there were always workers in the building no matter the hour. In order to get to her father’s office she would have to climb the stairs to the upper levels. Although, the lobby was flooded with light from the floor to ceiling windows, Lexi didn’t relish stumbling her way up a pitch-black staircase. She opened the door to be sure, but as she’d suspected, the batteries were drained on the emergency lights.