Secret Crush (The House of Morgan Book 1)

by Victoria Pinder

  Laughter echoed from upstairs. Victoria was close. John gazed up the flight of stairs, but then returned his focus on her. He lowered his voice. "That's dangerous."

  The tension in the car had been palatable and Alice hoped that with the right atmosphere, he'd relax and laugh again. John had to be wrong about being a target as the FBI never called. Soon she'd end this farce, but for now, she shrugged her shoulders. "You'll protect me."

  High heels clicked on the stairs above them. "Anywhere I want to go?"

  Vicki's bare legs in her floral sundress came into view. Alice placed her hand on his arm. "I want to see the world you grew up in and your favorite hang outs. So take me someplace that the House of Morgan frequented without me, Vicki's tag-along."

  John smiled up at Vicki and then frowned as Peter, in his usual power suit, followed right behind their sister down the flight of stairs. He scooted closer to Alice. "Vicki never said that."

  Alice squeezed his hand. "Your dad did."

  Peter ushered Vicki and John down the hall, but John kept Alice's hand firm in his as she shied back. "Stay with me."

  Peter walked ahead of them and into the lofted ceiling dining room. Alice whispered, "You are capable of handling your brother by yourself, but I'm here if you need me."

  John's shoulders were tense, as if he'd rather be anywhere else. Standing at the end of the table, Peter beckoned them into the room. "Please sit."

  Alice turned around to greet her friend. Vicki had been right behind them. She raised her hand to her chin and asked, "Where is Victoria?"

  Peter sat in their father's chair, and opened a file like he was about to run a business meeting. Then he arranged his seat to ensure it was more like a throne and acted like their father. "She's coming."

  John followed his brother's gestures, crossed his legs like he was the challenger in a boxing room, and took a seat beside him.

  Two lawyers in black suits and carrying brief cases walked into the room from the kitchen door and sat opposite them. Peter's reflection shone in the polished wood and even his posture mimicked their father as he stretched in his chair. John raised his eyebrows and asked, "Why is this so formal?"

  Peter refused to answer the question. Instead his gaze met Alice's as she sat beside John. Peter then asked, "Are you sure you wish Ms. Collins to be with you right now?"

  John held firm, and his gaze never wavered. He said, "Absolutely."

  Peter said no more. She wasn't sure what to do, so she stayed silent. Then Vicki walked into the room and her dress floated as if she were an angel. She passed both of her brothers who offered her small smiles as she sat next to Peter. Her smile was the only warmth in the room.

  Alice sat straighter in her seat as all the Morgans turned to stare at the lawyers.

  One of the lawyers said, "Let's get this started."

  Alice scooted her chair so her hand could stay in John's. The chair squeaked as she moved and everyone glanced at her. Her face heated, but she said nothing. John's fingers locked with hers.

  The lawyer continued and read the will as the other took notes on a yellow sheet of paper. "Being of sound mind and in the presence of witnesses, I hereby bequeath my estate as follows."

  John shook his head. "This should be so much fun."

  Peter's entire body stilled. Whatever the paper said affected him the most, at least in Alice's view. He placed both his hands on the table as he whispered, "Don't be a hypocrite. We skipped the burial."

  John's eyebrows quirked. "Because someone might shoot us."

  "Neither of us wanted to be there."

  "To my son, John…"

  John's hand tugged on hers, and she tried to be his rock.

  He held his head high as the lawyer said, "He never proved in his life that he could take care of himself or anyone else. I leave him one hundred million dollars and ten percent stock in all my companies, so he'll never have to."

  John released her hand, his body so tight if he turned he might break. "I always loved the faith he had in me."

  Alice massaged his leg until he took her hand again and then whispered to him. "John, don't worry about what he thought."

  Their knees touched. John's temple pulsed. "I have a plan, Alice."

  She pushed his water glass in front of him and urged him to drink. "Let it go," she said. "You're fine."

  John pressed his hand on her leg that she entwined with his and said nothing else.

  The lawyer continued. "In memory of my daughter Victoria, who was a disappointment in the end, I leave one hundred million dollars with no stock shares, to various charities for unwed mothers and adoption agencies. May newborns benefit from her tragedy as she always told us to care about children first."

  Victoria scoffed and gazed around Peter toward John. "He's a total jerk. Is it too late to dance on his grave?"

  John turned his chair to stare at his sister. "What does this mean to you, Vicki?"

  Victoria shook her head and refused to reveal what happened to her years ago. Instead she said, "That Dad doesn't deserve one more second of my time."

  Peter must have done the math in his head of the billions left over. He said, "I'll match the one hundred million, Vicki. Don't stress about money."

  Victoria beamed her happiness. "I'm going to open a dress shop, be creative, and design wedding dresses. In life, he'd never have allowed me to go into retail."

  Peter scowled. Alice swallowed. The idea of a Morgan working must have soured his mood.

  John saw the same reaction. He tilted his head and said, "I'll fund your business idea, Vicki."

  Vicki shrugged and didn't seem to notice any issues between her brothers. She simply said, "Thanks."

  Alice pressed her knees closer to John. Neither John nor Victoria might have the power to change Peter's mind about her own contract. She had to search for a buyer and probably shouldn't be here. What kept her glued to her seat was that John might need her.

  "Six hundred million dollars was left to various people that I won't read, unless requested." No one said anything. The lawyer then continued, "And finally my son, Peter. He has proven a sound mind in business and will do well with my business ventures. I do hope he forgets his promise to remain a bachelor and finds himself a wife. He receives the remainder of my estate, my house, my various holdings, and everything else I own."

  Peter took in a breath as if he'd held it the entire time the lawyer read. He smiled at last. "I figured. I'll have the money drawn up for you, Vicki. And John, there is always a place for you in Morgan Enterprises, if you want it."

  Vicki shrugged her shoulders as she stood up to go. "Doesn't matter, Peter. Right now I want to open my dress shop, but thank you."

  John pushed his chair back to get up as well. Alice followed him, happy this was over.

  "It's not done," the lawyer then said. They all readjusted their seats. The other lawyer held his pen like his life depended on it. "If Peter ends up childless, the remainder upon his death should go to John's heirs. If neither of my sons has children, then the remainder should convert to the designee I left in my lawyer's files that is only to be opened on these conditions."

  John sat straighter and asked the lawyer, "Who would Dad leave everything to if we all wind up childless?"

  Peter leaned in his chair like he too wanted to ask, but then he straightened. "Doesn't matter."

  John turned to him and argued, "Yes it does."

  Peter glanced at Vicki and the closed his eyes. "No, it doesn't. This doesn't matter at all."

  John shook his head, clearly upset with his brother. He whispered to Alice, "I'm going to find out."

  Her mind raced. "How?"

  John pushed his chair back again, ready to leave. "Dahle, I don't want to be here anymore."

  Alice followed. "Agreed."

  Peter's fingers tapped on the table as he clearly considered this a threat of some sort. "If the money and company are mine, then it's mine to do with as I see fit at my own death."

  "Lega
lly, that's true." The lawyer sat up straighter. "Your father just wanted you to know he had a plan."

  Peter leaned back in his chair as if satisfied he'd won the argument as he said, "I don't care what my father intended. I'll still leave the company to a pet monkey if I want to and he doesn't get a say from the grave."

  "You don't have a monkey." Vicki placed her hand on his.

  "I might when I get older. I told him I'd never have an heir."

  John stood and the tension in his body snapped. He pressed his hands on the table and shook his head. "That's what you focus on? As long as you get the money and the company then who cares about everyone else? Aren't you curious who Dad would leave his fortune to?"

  "You didn't ask about the six hundred million dollars, which are probably half-siblings." Peter stood and leaned on the table as if they were opponents. "And so we're clear, I'm already investigating a few people who are probably our family as well. Dad used to take me to a woman's house. She had children our age. Whoever Dad designated doesn't matter. The money is ours. The House of Morgan continues through whatever children we have."

  The lawyer shrunk in his chair. "This part is unenforceable."

  There was no way to enforce Dad's wishes, but John's shoulders hunched and Alice could tell he wanted to know who was next on their father's list. "You are unbelievable."

  Peter leaned closer, ready for a fight. "It's my life, John. I worked too hard for this."

  Alice glanced at Victoria for one second who nodded at her, indicating they could talk later. She grabbed John's arm and tugged him toward the door. "Let's go."

  He stared at Vicki and Peter, then took her hand. His hands shook with his emotion, but he said nothing. They walked out in silence.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hours later, evening began to set, and they were done with the paperwork that the lawyer had chased him down to sign.

  John tried to think of the right words to say to Alice as they got into his car, but nothing came to mind. He'd promised her a night out. The image of the red laser pointed to her head replayed in his mind and he didn't want to go anywhere but home.

  The heaviness in the air wasn't the humidity. He turned toward the Rickenbacker Causeway to take her to Harry's, which was at least exclusive. If they sat in the back near the wall, they'd be safe enough.

  His own mood might get better with fresh air. The restaurant's staff ensured that only certain people came inside. He'd been there many times as a child, so it fulfilled Alice's request.

  The one thing that kept his shoulders from bowing beneath the weight of oppressive heat and the emotional day was the chance to enjoy the sunset with this beautiful woman next to him.

  Alice had been quiet during the ride.

  John asked, "Do you think Peter knows who the alternate beneficiary might be?"

  "I don't know," she said.

  "I don't know if I can trust him."

  "If you accepted the position within the corporation, you'd get insight into his day-to-day. You'd see for yourself if he can be trusted."

  "I'm tired of secrets."

  "So you don't care if Peter's theory is correct about more Morgans?"

  "I haven't thought about it."

  A smile grew on her face as he entered the parking lot. The waterfront restaurant had a valet that guarded the lot. An assassin would have to be on a ship or stop the car on the highway. He assessed the entire place.

  The cars in the lot were Maseratis and Aston Martins with a few BMWs and Mercedes Benz. The Miami well-to-do were here. Near the water if they sat by the wall, they'd see through the screen all the people on their yachts as they passed. The ten-foot walk from the lot to the restaurant was the hard part.

  His stomach clenched, but he tried to ignore it. His brother's words that there were more Morgans out there replayed in his mind as he stepped out of the car and the implication that he didn't care about his family rang in his ears.

  Nothing stirred in the air. If they could walk fast the few feet to the door with the pressing humidity, his heart might calm down. As the valet opened her door, Alice stepped out of the car. Sweat had formed on his forehead. She said, "Relax."

  He swallowed and gazed one more time at the valet as he came to the driver's side. Then he stepped out and visions of a crime scene he had once seen at a restaurant flashed in his head. "I'll try, but we probably should have gone home."

  Without a word she walked toward the restaurant door, and he shadowed behind her. As the doors opened, she turned around and waited for him. "I can't live my life worried about who is out to get me. Besides, you are overreacting. It was probably someone after the President."

  He crossed his arms. She needed to take this seriously, even if his boss hadn't updated him. Tonight he'd send an email, but he let the thoughts go. "Alice, I'm not."

  She turned and walked toward the maître de. He stayed right on her heels.

  "I think you are the target. We're here because you wanted to unwind after today, and I promised."

  She winked at him and said, "Get the frown off your face, then, and remember we're following my plans for some fun tonight. You need to relax."

  He shook his head, in no mood for levity. "We always follow your plans."

  She raised her eyebrows at him. "This is a special place for you? Did your family take you here?"

  She only knew the high school football player and the FBI part of him. Perhaps he should take a job at Morgan Enterprises and be a Morgan. The thought left him speechless and he let out his breath. "I heard a few political and business speeches here."

  The air around her smelled like strawberries. The hair on his arms rose. At first she said nothing. He held his silence. Then she tilted her head. "So this place holds no romantic history for you."

  He laughed in surprise. "No."

  She stayed close. "I remember you dated Cindy in high school."

  The pressure he'd felt being outside dissipated as Alice's blue eyes captured his attention. "Not for long. She wanted my name and the money of my world. I think she married a real estate developer."

  "So, what about in college?"

  The hostess motioned that their table was ready. They followed her and he sat opposite Alice. They sat outside near the wall he requested, but had a great view of the ocean from their seat as screens kept their faces cloaked.

  She sighed as he ordered a bottle of red wine. When the server retreated he told Alice, "I never met anyone I was serious about. What about you?"

  She sat back in her chair. The waitress returned quickly, pouring them both wine in crystal glasses. John sipped as the server waited, then nodded his approval. Alice stayed quiet until the server left with their orders. Then she said, "I always assumed I'd marry someone who knows about farms."

  Automatically he scanned the area. The table closest to them had grandparents with their grandchildren, all dressed up. The table after that had another couple and the table near the end had a group of women clinking glasses and laughing. No one seemed suspicious.

  He left his hand on the table and then gave Alice his full attention. He picked up his glass. "Why? Does that turn you on?"

  She sipped hers and lowered her gaze. "Not really, but it's the life I know."

  He waited for her to place her glass back on the table before capturing her clear blue eyes. "What about the life you don't know? Perhaps the guy is right in front of you."

  Giggles burst out of her throat. "John Morgan, you are being silly."

  He didn't move at all. "Why?"

  Her hand shook as she pushed a piece of hair out of eyes. "Because it can't be you."

  His eyebrows arched. Last night she'd been tempting as she kissed him back. It took all of his self-control to keep his hands to himself. "Why?"

  She played with a strand of her hair. "It can't be."

  His heart constricted in his chest. Either she wasn't into him or she didn't take him seriously. "You said you had a crush on me and that I was your first kis
s. How are these not signs for you?"

  She shrugged. "Silly daydreams and heart-racing kisses don't equal true love with a happy-ever-after, and that is what I want."

  He folded his hands on the table. The sweet taste of her lips tingled as the memory of her lips on his burned through him. He'd find a way to prove his feelings to her. "Why not?"

  She reached for the bottle, but he said, "Let me."

  He poured her more of the fruity red and as she accepted her glass, their fingers intertwined. Her lightest touch sent a jolt through him. "I always assumed I'd have what my parents have," she said.

  He had to ensure nothing his father did haunted Alice or him from his grave. Perhaps he should have listened to her mother and kicked over the casket to see if Mitch was truly dead, but either way, he had to keep things slow with Alice until he knew she was safe.

  He settled in his seat and decided he'd delay the rest of the conversation until later. "What is that?"

  "My dad is a stable guy who never gets upset about anything. Colt is the same way." So in this logic, he wasn't stable. She continued like she hadn't said anything offensive. "I always assumed I'd find a no-drama type of guy to settle down with."

  He reached for the badge that he no longer carried. Memories flooded him of people who acted like they were fine only to be arrested moments later. The air around him cracked and he shouldn't be here, but at no point in his life did anyone think him rash. He lifted his chin and asked, "I'm dramatic?"

  She gulped her second glass of wine. He sat straighter, but didn't want to push her. She then said, "Your entire family is constantly in the headlines and supposedly someone wants you and anyone you love dead. So yeah, you qualify as dramatic."

  It wasn't him, but the lifestyle he was born in. He couldn't change his past, but he had a say in his future. "You can't look beyond that?"

  She sighed. "I'm with you right now because you think someone pointed a gun to my head."