John's fingers brushed her back. A spark of electricity woke her. "Alice, you look like a ghost. Are you okay?"
"Your brother…" Her voice trailed off. She shouldn't tell him, not here, at the funeral. She pressed her lips together. She gazed at the floor to count the marble tiles. "Never mind. We can talk about it later."
His warm hands pressed against her back. She turned toward him as he took her hand. "Forget what I said last night. Sit next to me and tell me what happened."
This wasn't smart. She swallowed. She'd be in the same row with Peter and Jennifer. No real conversation could be had there. Besides, the entire world might see her if she sat next to the President of the United States or the former one. She kept her legs from buckling by locking her knees. "I don't think I should."
John's hand kept her warm. The blush in his cheeks suggested he was happy to see her. It was something at least. He held his hand on her back as he walked her down the aisle. "Tell me what happened."
She must be having an out-of-body experience. As she followed him and her hand took his, her mind was a complete blank. Honestly, she couldn't think. This was so strange.
Her backside sat down before she realized she was exactly where she feared, in front of a President and in the row as part of the family. With those cameras, her mother would definitely see her and Alice had no explanation to offer on what happened with John Morgan. "Not here."
John's hand stayed on hers as they stood up so the former President could pass and get his seat. John's face paled as he stared at a television camera. "I didn't know Peter allowed cameras in here."
At least he thought about what this looked like too.
Jennifer shook her head at Alice in disapproval. Alice refused to cower because of her, and she held her head higher. "Your brother is dating an actress. I wouldn't be surprised if the engagement was a television reality show."
"No," John whispered in her ear, and his warm breaths tickled her neck. "That wouldn't be fitting for a Morgan. Peter would not sink that low."
Then, in the corner of her eye, Alice swore she saw Victoria again. She rubbed the back of her neck.
She squeezed John's hand enough for him to ask, "Are you okay?"
To avert her gaze, she brushed her hair behind her ears. "Yes. You're right about your brother and trust, by the way."
"What happened?"
Vicki would be here, if her father was dead, but Alice didn't believe in ghosts. There was no explanation for what she thought she saw. She touched her forehead. "Right now, this isn't about me. Your brother just dropped a bombshell that I'll have to figure out how to handle."
John's gaze turned cold as he stared over her head. Alice followed the direction and saw Peter. Peter's face appeared confused for a split second, but then he nodded at his brother. The Morgan attitude ofthey own everythingtook over.
John whispered to Alice, "Tell me what happened with him the second we escape this. Peter has no right to bully you."
Bully was a strong word and untrue. The contract wasn't with John. Peter had every right to walk away, though her heart constricted at the thought. She'd have to scramble fast to find another client.
Then lights blinded her as people gasped. Alice's arms had goosebumps. John's eyes lit up as he gazed at something behind them. The glow of his entire demeanor emanated happiness. She bit her lip. Someone shocking must be here. Then she turned her head around and followed John's stare.
His mouth gaped and he took her hand closer to his body. Even Peter's cheeks were rosy with excitement. The people around her blocked whoever everyone stared at. John's fingers laced around hers. Alice followed the direction of his gaze. The heads finally swayed out of her way and she pressed her free hand against her chest.
Alice's entire body went numb. Victoria Morgan walked into the room and made her way down the aisle. Like both her brothers, her cheeks were rosy and her blue eyes shone with life and vitality. Alice swallowed. Oh my goodness. Her best friend was alive.
