She went back to her room to grab clothes that he supplied and change. As she walked, she breathed easier. He was right. If she'd gone to her condo or her family farm, she'd probably be dead right now.
As she exited her room, freshly showered John called her from the living room. Every footstep felt heavy. His fingers brushed his five o'clock shadow as he told her, "I have to go see my brother to ramp up security."
Her mouth opened and for a moment no question formed. She'd never understand his family dynamic. "Will he?"
"Yeah."
At least he didn't spout off some hatred of his brother. She ran her hands through her hair. If he hadn't cut off her contract, she'd have supported Peter the whole time. She shook her head. "Then why can't you just call him?"
He handed her his phone with his call log on screen. "He's not answering."
The mansion of the Morgans had the aura of an ancient unbreakable fortress. She cleared her throat. "Will it be safe if we go there?"
"Yeah."
The fast yes strengthened her resolve. She adjusted her blouse and skirt. "Then let's go. I can catch up with your sister there too."
A knock reverberated in the air and both of them turned toward the front door. Alice grabbed his arm. He massaged her back and then walked away to open the door. A moment later he called out, "It's Vicki and Jennifer."
Alice traced the bottom of her skirt. She looked presentable. "Let them in."
A moment later, heels clacked on the marble floor and his sister's voice said, "John, we need to speak to Alice without you."
"What's going on?" Alice asked.
The heels came closer to the living room as Vicki answered, "Girl stuff."
John stepped in front of his sister, but she saw both women behind him. He reached for Alice. "Give me one minute." As he stood in front of her, he held her hands to his heart. "It's important we go now."
Vicki's face had a determined look. It might be nice to solve someone else's problem instead of worry over her own. She glanced at Jennifer, who rolled her eyes. Vicki needed her. Alice squeezed John's hands. "The house is safe, if I stay here and you go?"
His eyebrows lifted. "Yeah."
With one more look at her friends, Alice smiled to reassure him that she was strong. "John, go. I'll stay here, as long as your sister keeps me company. I will follow every security procedure."
His gaze narrowed as he turned to his sister. "Vicki, will you stay with Alice until I get back?"
With a salute, Vicki giggled. "My bro is protective now."
John stood taller and all the laughter stopped. "Will you? There was another threat against Alice."
Vicki strolled past him. "Of course."
John came back to her, and took her hand. "Thanks. Alice, I'll be gone for less than hour."
Without thinking, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him goodbye. The brush of his lips on hers sent energy through her. As she lowered herself back to the ground, John nodded. "See you soon."
As soon as the front door locked, Vicki twirled, "That looked serious. What's going on?"
Her mother's lesson that it's better to not kiss and tell played in her head. This seemed more logical than her earlier fears. She'd almost lost everything by heeding that advice. Instead she turned toward Jennifer who was dressed like she was ready for the runway. "Why are you both here? It's early."
Vicki practically exploded as she paced with her hands in the air. "Jennifer is planning a huge scene at our house in a few hours. I need help talking her out of it."
Jennifer's loud sigh echoed in the air.
The woman had taken a video of the man who almost grabbed her the other day, and then sent the clip into the police. Not totally evil. Alice chewed her lip. "Why?"
Vicki turned to Jennifer and shook her head. "She thinks Peter is sleeping with someone else."
