Deception (Infidelity #3)(99)

“What, princess?”

“It’s Chelsea.”

His body tensed. “Is she all right?”

I narrowed my eyes as I leaned back to scan his features. Emotions ricocheted through his pale eyes. Concern was present, but it wasn’t alone. Something was off.

“You knew,” I said.

His tone, smooth as velvet, tried to lull me to think otherwise, but it was his body’s reaction to her name that convinced me he had previous knowledge—more than he wanted to admit.

“You knew about her,” I accused. “When I told you that she was in Savannah, you already knew, didn’t you?”

“I wasn’t sure…”

I took a step back. “You lied to me?”

Nox reached for my arms, gently holding me by my shoulders. “I’ve never lied to you.”

“Have you always told me the truth?”

“Yes.”

“All of the truth?”

His neck straightened as his chin jettisoned outward. “I told you from the beginning that I’d never lie to you. I also told you that I’d share things when I was ready.”

“When you were ready?” My volume increased with each word. “This wasn’t about you. This wasn’t about your past or your secrets. I’ve remained content to take what you’ve given me, even though I’ve shared more with you. Lennox, this was about my best friend. I was worried about her and you knew that she was in Savannah being me?”

His features scrunched in obvious confusion. “Being you?”





“HAMILTON AND PORTER, Natalie speaking. How may I help you?”

My hand trembled uncontrollably as I held tightly to the phone. “Natalie, this is Mrs. Fitzgerald.” I took a deep breath. “I want to speak to Stephen.”

“Mrs. Fitzgerald, it’s nice to hear from you.”

I closed my eyes in frustration; chatting wasn’t my intention. I needed to talk to Stephen. The last time we spoke he was checking on Montague Corporation assets. It had occurred to me that after all of this time, I had no idea how much money everything was worth.

If the codicil were about to go into effect, what would it mean? What was I willing to fight for?

“Natalie, I’m not feeling well. Stephen, please?”

“Ma’am, Stephen is no longer with Hamilton and Porter. Perhaps Mr. Porter can help you?”

“What?” I asked in confusion. “We had a meeting scheduled.”

“Ma’am, he left rather suddenly. Mr. Porter would be happy to meet with you.”

I fell back against the plush sofa in my suite. I was still wearing my dressing gown and it was after noon. Ever since the horrible migraine that I’d had nearly a month ago, everything seemed off. My appetite was nonexistent and my sleep patterns were shot to hell.

Even wine had lost its appeal. The only thing keeping me going was hoping that soon I’d figure out a way to make my father’s codicil go into effect. It was the first thing I thought about when I woke and the last before I went to sleep.

Alton claimed that my behavior was so unusual that he didn’t want to leave me home alone. He told me to travel with him. I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like I was any help. Most of the time I didn’t attend his dinners with investors or clients. The new medication Dr. Beck had given me to prevent the migraines had me too out of sorts.

Today was the first time in months that he’d left town without me. He would only be gone for the day, but I’d hoped to meet briefly with Stephen.

Though I hadn’t been happy about the Chelsea thing, Alton said it had helped in weakening the prosecutor’s case against Bryce. The last conversation I’d overheard was that Montague Manor was going to settle the civil lawsuit with Melissa’s parents. According to the attorneys at Montague, it was the respectful thing to do, in light of her disappearance.

From what I’d observed, Chelsea was getting better at fitting in with Bryce’s friends. There was something almost familiar about the way she now dressed and spoke. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but she was worlds away from the young lady I’d met during Alexandria’s first year of college.

“Mrs. Fitzgerald? Are you still there?”

“Yes, Natalie,” I said, concentrating on the phone call. “I’m just… disappointed. Do you have a number where I can reach Stephen? He was such a great help to me.”

“No, ma’am,” Natalie said. “Mr. Porter is available this afternoon at two-thirty. Will that work for you?”

I sighed once again. That would mean not only getting dressed, but also showering. “Yes, tell Ralph that I believe I can make it.”

“Wonderful. Mr. Porter will see you then.”

I disconnected the call and stood, bracing myself on the arm of the sofa.

Dr. Beck had run a few tests, one he called a metals test. The results took months, not days. I didn’t care what he did, as long as he figured out what was happening. I hadn’t had another excruciating migraine since the one he’d witnessed, but I knew things weren’t right.

I dialed Jane’s number, and like the reliable person she was, she answered on the first ring.

An hour later, with her help, I was presentable and walking out the door.

“Mrs. Fitzgerald,” Jane said. “Brantley’s with Mr. Fitzgerald. Are you sure you can drive yourself?” Her big dark eyes begged me to say no.