Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1)

by Lara Earlman

“Too long,” Fani loudly edified, followed by a few chuckles and murmurs of agreement.

  “Yes, dear,” Ed assented, “and let us hope to rectify that from now on. I’d like to welcome two new faces into our midst,” he pointed his raised glass at his son. “You all know my son, Gareth, and Reginald Mangus.” The glass swung to Reggie. “Mr. Mangus earned himself the trust and affection of Alex, as he gave his unfailing support both to him and the company, through extremely trying times. For that, I also am grateful.” He hurried on to say, “But, before we salute our two new members, I wish to pay homage to those missing from our company today. Their absence is painfully and blaringly obvious.” He raised his glass once again, saluting first Oma, then Lee, and finally Lexi. “To Henry, Dru, Alicia, and Alex – may your presence forever be with us, when we are gathered together.”

  “Here, here!”

  When the toasts were over, Lee Carsten stood and motioned for attention. Lexi watched him survey the room and split a huge grin. He looked over to his dear friends.

  “You sure you want to do this?” he joked. “You know how these brats get when they plot together.” The other two senior members laughed.

  “I take offense to that remark,” Gretchen huffed. Fani and Lexi shared a look and snickered.

  “Shoes…?” Fani whispered. Lexi nodded agreement, remembering Gretchen’s idea to string the boy’s shoes up in the largest tree in the backyard. Of course, how was she to know that one of the most severe thunder storms of the season would fly in shortly thereafter? The shoes became tangled in the tree – that is, except for the ones that got away!

  “Stef never did find his favorite flip-flops,” Lexi chortled! Her statement set all the miscreants to laughing.

  “Served them right,” Gretchen’s voice strained to sound indignant, as the hilarity threatened to break through. “They ruined my very expensive ruby slippers – made just like the ones in the Wizard of Oz!”

  “Hey, those flip-flops were Power Rangers,” Stephan argued. “They’d probably be worth a lot of money today!”

  “Not the way you tore things up,” Gretchen snorted back. “They probably wouldn’t have lasted through the summer!”

  The room filled with laughter and explanations – everyone taking sides and throwing in their views. Even Gareth and Reggie dove into the melee, tossing in their two cents worth. It was all in good fun, though, and laughter took precedence. A loud clapping brought Lexi’s attention back to Uncle Lee, who was seeking to regain control over the room.

  “Alright then, I suppose I asked for that,” he glanced over at his cohorts.

  “Yes, you did,” Oma agreed, a little too quickly.

  “What’s this about, Pop? I’m getting hungry,” Stefan complained.

  “You’re always hungry,” muttered his older sister. Lee put his hand up to ward off another bout of nostalgic tumult.

  “You’re right, Son,” he said. “I’m sure dinner is close to being served. I’ll get right to the point and leave the ball in your court. The old ABC’s, what’s left of us, have been talking, and we agree that we would like you kids to continue in the ABC tradition of being there for one another in business, and as family. Now that you have reunited, we don’t think that will be much of a problem, but we would like you to take the pledge a step further. You are all working board members, individually of Alberton Technologies, Brighton Industries, and Carsten Enterprise, with voting privileges. We would like you to think about incorporating the new ABC’s. It is our wish to guarantee that no one is left to drift alone, ever again. You will meet regularly to hash out problems and give a hand where needed. Otherwise, each business stays the same. Lexi, Dane, you will continue ownership as always. No one has a right to interfere in the others’ dealings – as always, but be available to help each other, like the original ABC’s. There would never have been a Carsten Enterprise if not for Al and Henry.

  “Gareth, you will take on your father’s duties as acting attorney for the companies, be a part of the corporation with freedom to vote as such. Reginald, Alex has asked us to embrace you as a member of our family, as well. You have a legal say in the running of Al-Tech, whether you want to enforce it or not, although, if Lexi should be unable to make decisions, we would hope you’d step in. Alex showed great faith in you and we would like you to be a part of this choice.

  “Take time to give individual thought to the suggestion. Marta, Ed, and I will be stepping away from the responsibilities of our companies, but will always be available for advice or questions. Our only request is that you give our proposition serious thought.”

  Lexi’s heart wrenched inside her chest – it was because of her. This whole reunion, the lecture – it was because she had screwed up. She’d foolishly trusted her bad-seed uncle.

  The seniors felt obligated to her parents to make sure she didn’t lose Alberton Technologies, entirely. That their hard work and passion didn’t get flushed down the toilet. The pep talk pronouncing their faith in her was just to soften the blow. In truth they believed, like the rest of the industry, that she didn’t have what it took to save the company on her own. They had called in the calvary. Proposed a plan disguised as an insurance policy for all three businesses, but in truth it was Al-Tech they were hoping to save.

  Lexi almost wished that she’d been left in that hellish dry pit in the middle of the desert; at least then she wouldn’t feel like such a disappointing burden.

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  She was blaming herself, Dane was sure of it. And it was killing him. He wondered what the seniors had said to her to make her feel so bad. Although, thinking back on it, she seemed to be okay until Lee put forward the idea that they incorporate. Dane personally thought it a sound plan. The ABC’s Inc. had a nice ring to it, and it would honor his grandfather’s brotherhood. But, then why was Lexi acting like she’d been reprimanded?

  Raised with impeccable manners, Dane watched Lexi perform the part of hostess to perfection. At dinner, he noticed she just pushed the food around her plate without eating, although topped off her wine glass several times. She joined the conversation and laughed at the right places, though Dane heard the hollow tone in it. And, she avoided making eye contact with him. He knew she was hurting. The one time she showed genuine emotion was when Gretchen made an observation about the locket she wore around her neck.

  “This looks familiar,” the eldest Carsten girl remarked, catching the heart in her hand for a closer inspection. “Didn’t your mother make this for you? But, it looks somehow different.” Her brows creased in reflection. Dane lost interest and turned back to hear what Greig was saying.

  After dinner they had all adjourned to the front room parlor. As soon as propriety allowed, Reg Mangus bid his farewells. It was clear to Dane that the chap had been overwhelmed by his inclusion. The others had left soon after and Oma retired to her rooms, leaving the childhood friends their privacy.

  “We hit a dead end, trying to trace the human trafficker’s web auction,” Greig said. “I did get a lead on a smaller ring running out of Peking, though. Dice and his team caught the bastards, too! The more information I dig up, the more atrocities I find. Did you know that over fifty percent of human trafficking victims are children? I’ve unofficially joined Dice’s team.”

  A commotion pulled their attention to the girls who were giggling as they scrambled to be the first to grab up something from the floor. They were on their hands and knees, in gowns, no less – and it was a sight to see. Dane’s eyes glued onto Lexi’s delectable derriere prominently sticking above the rest of her, as she shuffled her hands along the carpet. Another part of his anatomy took notice, as well.

  “I’ve got it!” she proudly declared. She sat back on her beautifully rounded haunches and waved her hand above her head in victory.

  “Are they drunk or something?” Stefan asked, wearily.

  “Probably, slightly inebriated,” Dane agreed. He remembered Lexi chugging down the cabern
et at dinner. He watched as she fiddled with her necklace, finally maneuvering it over her face to whip it off.

  “Ouch!” she ran her fingers through her hair for a second, before turning her attention back to the piece of jewelry in her hand. “It’s easier to do it this way,” she shared with the others. The other two sat on the floor watching in rapt attention as she placed whatever it was that she’d found onto the trinket. Dane stepped in closer to see what was holding their interest.

  Her delicate fingers performed some kind of magic, transforming the filigreed heart into… a bug? Actually, it was pretty cool. Did he hear Gretchen correctly, earlier? Pips mom made it? He exchanged glances with his comrades who were crouched down beside him, also trying to get a closer look. Suddenly a hand grabbed the bauble out of Lexi’s grasp.

  “Here, let me try it,” Fani commanded. The girls were paying no attention to the guys’ intrusion, as they watched Fani play with the intricately laced trinket and, with a little direction from Lexi, turned it back into a heart.

  “Wow, that’s genius,” Dane said. “Your mom made it?”

  Lexi turned to him, as if noticing him for the first time, and nodded. He remembered that she’d been wearing it most every day. Now, he understood her attachment to it. Her mother had lovingly created the piece of jewelry expressly for her daughter.

  Laughter rang out from the rest of their group. Lexi quickly leaned over to her friend and tried to grab the locket from her hands, but it was too late. The opened heart was being passed around, along with wry comments and chuckles. Why did he get the impression that the joke was on him?

  “When was this taken, man? Look at his hair!”

  “He looks like Justin Bieber!”

  “Dude, maybe it is Justin Bieber!”

  “Nah, see he’s got that dimple.”

  Dane reached over to grab the object of their ridicule, and looked. Yep, it was him, alright – must have been about sixteen when the picture was taken. He snapped it shut and handed it over to Lexi, who looked mortified.

  “You don’t look anything like Bieber,” she attempted to assure him. “Besides, he was probably still a baby when this was taken.”

  It didn’t really matter to him. He didn’t even know who this Bieber chap was. Dane just hated that they had embarrassed Pips. And there she was trying to sooth him. He straightened up and reached down to assist her to her feet.

  “Some things never change,” Gretchen chimed in arrogantly, “Daney and the pipsqueak, closing in ranks.”

  Dane started a retort, but noticed that Lexi was busy examining her locket, seemingly unaffected by the remark. She turned as if in a daze and headed toward the foyer, still casting glances at the piece of jewelry.

  “Lex…?” Fani questioned. Out of habit, she picked up Louis who was tapping at her legs.

  “Sorry, excuse me just a moment,” Lexi murmured, stepping into the dining room. She continued on to the kitchen, but before Dane could follow, came back out carrying a set of keys. Still acting like she was in a trance, she walked past her gaping audience, who joined Dane to follow her down the hallway. She stopped at the door to her mother’s lab and began trying keys in the lock.

  “What’s going on, Pips?” Dane asked.

  “I just… I’m not sure…” The correct key unlocked the door and she stepped through. “And, don’t call me that,” she added absently, her mind still centered elsewhere.

  Dane smiled, she’s okay. He followed her into the room and observed as she strode straight to the angel motif on the wall. The Carstens crowded in behind, shoving him further into the room, to watch. Holding the locket up to the artwork, she appeared to be comparing the two, turning the ornament this way and that, and then running her finger over the metal motif. She detached something from the heart locket and slid it into the cup of the tulip in the angel’s hand. He heard a soft click and the flower sprung open! As one, he and the Carstens moved in closer. Lexi held out her hand toward them.

  “Tweezers,” she commanded, her eyes still centered on the open flower.

  They all scattered, opening drawers and small cupboards, quickly searching.

  “Here!” Stefan called out triumphantly. He slapped the tool into her hand as if in an operating scenario. The rest of the group squeezed in close.

  “What is it?” Fani wanted to know.

  “Just wait ‘till she gets it out,” Gretchen chastised, as if her sister’s curiosity would interfere with Lexi’s progress.

  Lexi turned around, holding a small computer chip between the prongs of the tweezers.

  “Move!” Greig abruptly shouted to his siblings. “Over here, Lex.” Settling at the workbench, he started the booting up process on the lab computer. “Lay it gently down on the counter. It’s a micro chip,” he told them, and further explained at Fani’s confused expression. “It holds data.”

  “I know that,” Fani huffed. “I’ve just never seen one so small, before!”

  Greig examined the chip and started opening drawers. “They’re not made for public use. Ah, here we go.” He pulled out a plastic casing the shape and size of a regular smart card. Very carefully, he picked up the tweezers and slid the mini chip into a small slot in the casing. “Now, let’s see what we’ve got.” He slipped it into the computer and looked to Lexi for her approval. At her nod, he clicked to bring up its contents.

  VOICE ACTIVATED ― PLEASE STATE NAME

  Greig pulled the microphone toward Lexi. “Lex?” he said.

  INCORRECT

  VOICE ACTIVATED ― PLEASE STATE NAME

  A few nervous chuckles from the group, and Lexi leaned in to the mike.

  “Alexiah Alberton,” she dictated.

  WELCOME ALEXIAH

  A collective breath was released, as the screen gave up the data chip’s secrets. Dane could not make any sense of it – it appeared to be formulas, or blueprints of some kind. Everyone else looked just as clueless, except for Greig. The bloke couldn’t seem to absorb it fast enough, clicking and scrolling through screens which, to Dane, all looked the same.

  “Droid, what is it?” he finally asked.

  “Well, you know I’m not an expert…”

  “Just give us your opinion, for crying out loud!” Gretchen’s patience had obviously run out.

  “It looks like Aunt Alicia formulated a robotic human eye which can actually send direct signals to the occipital lobe of the brain.” He turned to face the others. “Do you understand how significant this is? This could bring sight to the blind! Shit, it could even be used on machines to send direct signals into the brain of the operator – much faster than a camera signal!”

  The hairs rose on the back of Dane’s neck, “So, now we know what they’ve been after.”

  »ɞ»ɞ«ɞ«

  “They… what?” Lexi’s gut clenched. Here she’d been so happy and proud of her mother, excited that they had found the answer that could finally bring Al-Tech back to its full glory – was Dane saying that the discovery brought with it a threat to everything and everyone she cared about?

  “Why my mother showed up out of the blue, and Billy Chen…”

  “Wait, how do you know about Billy Chen?” Lexi asked. Then she remembered Stefan talked to English that night in the car. She turned a glare in his direction. “You? What gave you the right to…?”

  “We’re all your friends,” Stefan said, stretching his hands out as if to shield himself from her wrath. “We were just looking out for you – making sure you were alright. It wasn’t like we were following you around or anything.” He looked accusingly at Dane. Lexi noticed everyone was looking at Dane, so she also switched her attention his way.

  “Is there something you’d like to say to me, English?” She placed her hands on her hips, waiting. His face remained steel, the unrelenting businessman, as he calculated his options. Lexi raised an eyebrow.

  “I heard that Fani was worried for your safety, so I hired a PI friend of mine to keep an eye on you,” he admitted unapologetic
ally. Lexi slapped her hands on his chest, pushing him backwards.

  “You sent that guy? Do you know how much he scared the living crap out of me, the first day I visited the warehouse?” She was up in his face and pushed him again. “The place was deserted – and creepy enough without electricity! Damn it, Daney!” He grabbed her arms before she could give him another angry shove.

  “What are you talking about? When was this?” he asked, showing real concern.

  “The first morning I got back,” she said. “I went to check Daddy’s office safe. I had to open the floor to ceiling blinds in able to see. The place had been ransacked, but the safe was intact. I kept hearing eerie noises – it totally freaked me out. I took what I needed from the safe and practically ran out of the building. The parking lot was deserted, so I figured it had probably been my imagination. That is until I looked out the rear of my car and saw a man watching me leave.” Lexi looked in Dane’s eyes. “I forgot to close the blinds in Daddy’s office. The man was standing there, staring out through them.” Tears surfaced in her eyes just remembering the fright. “I drove straight to the police and filed a report on Richard. Of course, me being a spoiled rich princess and all, they didn’t seem too concerned.” She felt Dane tense, and then slowly let out a deep breath.

  “I think we should go back into the other room where we can be more comfortable,” he suggested, steering her toward the door.

  Lexi moved from his side to walk ahead of him. It was one thing to have Dane feel protective, but the least he could do was inform her that he’d hired someone to follow her around! They were both adults and should make decisions like that together. Here she was walking around paranoid, thinking that someone was out to grab her again… Crap! She walked straight to the mini bar and pulled out the cabernet.

  “Talk about slapped sober – I need a drink,” she grumbled.

  “As long as you don’t sing for us,” Stefan allotted, pouring himself another.

  Fani and Dane chuckled in agreement, motivating Lexi to punch the comedian’s arm before making her way to the sofa. Shoes already off, she tucked a leg up under her as she made herself comfortable. Everyone was getting settled, when Greig swung in and handed Lexi the micro chip, still in its protective casing.