I RELEASED PATRICK’S neck as tears prickled my eyes. “I’ve missed you.”

“Well, not anymore, little cousin, I’m here.” He reached for my hand and eyed the garish diamond. Wiggling his eyebrows, he said, “Let the celebration begin!”

He was too jovial, even for Patrick. My eyes narrowed.

He reassuringly squeezed the hand in his grasp. “What’s the matter? Forget how to have fun?”

“Probably.”

“Never fear, I’ll help you remember.”

“Alexandria,” Aunt Gwen said with a quick hug of my shoulders.

“Aunt Gwen, what a surprise.”

“Well, yes, Patrick likes a little fanfare.”

My cheeks rose. “Yes, he does.”

The wait staff pulled up chairs, creating places for Aunt Gwen and Patrick to sit. Once I was seated again, I asked, “Pat, I thought you weren’t coming until tonight?”

“Cy couldn’t come here until then, but I decided if you could have a family reunion, so could I.”

“And we’re so glad he did,” Aunt Gwen said, patting Pat’s knee. “Dear, how is Adelaide? It’s so difficult to get any information from my brother.”

“She’s better. They think she’s through the worst part.”

Patrick’s composure changed. “Is she… was she… is it really…?”

I nodded, not wanting to say too much. It wasn’t right.

Chelsea reached for my hand, but before she could give me a show of support, I pulled it away, tucking it daintily on my lap. By the way Suzanna’s lips pursed, our minor display hadn’t gone unnoticed. In the past few days since Chelsea had moved to Montague Manor, we’d managed to keep our renewed friendship covert, as well as to keep her and Bryce’s together moments to public only, at least to our eyes. We’d also managed to monopolize my time with pictures, dresses, caterers, and the like. He was becoming increasingly impatient, with both of us, it seemed.

As silence fell over the table, Aunt Gwen asked, “So tell me about the wedding plans? This is rather fast, isn’t it?”

I lifted my cup to my lips, hoping if I sipped my tea long enough, Suzanna would take over. It didn’t take long and she was on a roll. “It’s because Bryce and Alexandria are too excited to wait.” She widened her eyes. “No other reason. I hope people don’t assume…”

My stomach twisted, curdling the creamer in the tea I’d swallowed. That was just what I wanted—people thinking I was having a shotgun wedding because I was having Bryce’s baby.

Before I could respond, Suzanna went on, reciting the plans both set and those yet to be determined—dresses, colors, decisions, and indecisions.

“Don’t you think red would be beautiful for a Christmas Eve wedding?” Suzanna asked.

“Yes.”

“Well, Alexandria seems to be partial to black, but I think it’s morbid for a wedding.”

Gwen looked my direction as I shrugged. “Black is formal…” she replied in my defense.

I tuned them out, wishing I could talk to Pat, wishing I could find out what he and Nox had discussed, and basically wishing I were anyplace but here.

Abruptly, Pat stood and reached across the table. “Alex, let’s go. I don’t think your mind is on this conversation.”

My heart raced. What was he doing?

“Besides, I want to see Aunt Adelaide. Let’s go see your mom.”

I looked from side to side, my eyes meeting briefly with Suzanna’s. Fuck her. I didn’t need her permission. “Um, yes, I’d like that, but I don’t have a car.”

“We do,” Aunt Gwen volunteered. “Go ahead, you two. I can take a cab home.”

“Nonsense,” Suzanna chimed in. “Alexandria has too much to do—”

“To visit her own mother for an hour or two?” Aunt Gwen asked indignantly.

“No… well, her father…”

“Should be there too, but I suspect he’s at work.” Gwen turned to us. “Give her my love.”

Patrick took my hand as he spoke to the table. “Do not fear, I’ll personally deliver the princess back to the house of… the manor as soon as we’re done. No harm, no foul. We just need to stop by my hotel and then on to the hospital.” He kissed my cheek. “Thanks, cousin, it wouldn’t be a family reunion if I didn’t get to see my aunt.” He turned to his mother. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. I do mind that you’re staying in a hotel. You have a home.”

Pat’s cheeks rose and his nose scrunched. “Thanks, Mom. Baby steps for Dad.”

Still holding my hand, Patrick tugged me toward the front of the restaurant.

“Wait,” I said, stalling our exit. “What about my security?”

“Little cousin, you’ve got me. I’m as badass as they get.”

Part of me wanted to wait for Suzanna’s permission, but who the hell was that part of me? Not someone I wanted to be. I smiled up at Pat. “Damn right. I sure wouldn’t mess with you.” I reached playfully for his bicep. “Check out those guns.” I turned back to the table. “I’ll be back to the manor as soon as we’re done.”

“Alexandria,” Suzanna said, “I’m not sure your father or Bryce—”

“Have fun,” Gwen interrupted. “Be sure to tell Adelaide I said hello and let her know we’re praying for her.” Aunt Gwen waved us off as she turned back to Suzanna. “Have you decided on a caterer? You know I just adore…”

A long black limousine pulled up to the curb the moment we stepped onto the sidewalk. Hurriedly, Patrick opened the door and rushed us inside.

Taking in the spacious interior, I leaned my head back against the seat and sighed. It was the most free I’d felt in over a week. “Thanks, Pat. Are you trying to lose my detail? This kind of feels like it did when we were kids.”

“Not quite. We aren’t going for ice cream or a movie.”

“No, but for a few hours I’m not being watched.”

With the car now moving, he looked out the back window. “I think we may have ditched them.”

I shook my head. “Not for long. They’re bloodhounds.”

“Do you have a new phone?”

“Yes, I just got it yesterday. I don’t think you’re on my approved list of calls.”

He shook his head. “Girl, why are you letting them do this? Is Aunt Adelaide that bad?”

Tears moistened my vision. “She is. She was.”

“She wouldn’t want you selling your soul.”

“I’m not. I have a plan.”

After a few turns right and left, the car came to a stop.

Pat winked. “I have a plan, too. Let’s go up to my suite and then we’ll visit Aunt Adelaide.”

“You’re right,” I conceded. “It’s not the same as ice cream, but I’ll take it.”

“Before we do, can I see your new phone?”

Furrowing my brow, I opened my purse. “You’re reminding me of Alton.”

“Oh! Girl, never say that again.” He took the phone from my hand and laid it on the seat. “GPS. This is how they’re able to find you.”

“And you don’t want them knowing I’m going to your room, because…”

He handed me a key card. “Suite 2003. I figure twenty minutes to Magnolia Woods and twenty back. I’ll visit for an hour.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Consider this an early wedding present.”

I could hardly comprehend his words. “What are you saying?”

Was he saying what I thought he was saying?

“Go. He’s waiting. And take that chandelier off your finger.”

“I-I can’t. They’ll know… somehow, they’ll know.”

Pat shook his head. “You’re wasting time. And darling, you don’t want to make that gorgeous man wait.”

As I dropped the diamond ring into my purse, I looked at the phone. “If they call… they will, Pat. I know it. Either Bryce or Alton will call.”

He waved me out of the car and away. “I haven’t met a man I couldn’t handle.”

Just before opening the door, I leaned over and hugged him. “I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah. I hear that from all the beautiful women. Sorry, sweetie, I’m happily taken.” He winked. “And so are you… go.”

As I stepped from the car, I looked up and down the street. We weren’t at the front door of the Riverfront Hotel. The limousine had stopped at a side door. Touching the card to the sensor, the door opened. My heart rate increased as I went down a few stairs. Anticipation and fear mingled through my bloodstream as I stood before a bank of elevators.

The whole experience was very covert. No front lobby or bellmen, by the time the elevator doors shut, I hadn’t even passed another guest.

With each floor the elevator ascended, my destination became more real. Like a schoolgirl, my palms moistened and heartbeat quickened. I glanced toward the shiny doors wondering if I looked all right. When I’d dressed this morning, I never imagined it would be for a reunion. By the time the elevator stopped, my knees wobbled like jelly, stumbling my steps.

The signs indicating room numbers were there—these rooms to the right and those to the left.

I had the sensation of floating, not walking. It happened so suddenly I hadn’t had time to process. Nothing about the historic hotel registered, only room numbers as I searched for 2003. As I turned the final corner to the executive suite, the sound of voices—men’s voices—murmuring behind me came into range.

One sound and my elation turned to dread.

Oh God. The sign for 2003 was right before me, but if I stopped and they saw me, I could be leading them directly to Nox. I couldn’t do that.

Taking a deep breath and accepting my fate, I passed my destination and continued to walk, slowing my steps, each one dragging until the men were directly behind me.

“Miss?”

“Yes?” I asked, turning their direction. They were both wearing matching navy jackets with golden emblems on the lapel.

“Can we help you?”

“No.” The word came out breathy as I expelled the air I’d been holding. “Thank you. I’m on my way to my room.”

“If you need anything, just call.” And with that, they were gone, beyond me, moving quickly down the long hallway.

As soon as they passed the bend, I turned around and hurried back to 2003.

As the card neared the sensor, the green light appeared.

Having the knowledge that I would again be face to face with Nox hadn’t prepared me for the reality. Seconds, hours, days, a week… it seemed like ages since we’d been together. One conversation was all we’d been able to manage, and now…

My breathing hitched as the door opened.