After tossing and turning for hours last night, I finally fell asleep before Victor came to bed. So, I let him sleep while I got ready for my day.He awoke as I was gathering my things before going out the door.He jumped from the bed and rubbed his eyes. “What time is it?”“You’ve got over an hour to get to work,” I replied. “I’m leaving early this morning. I promised I’d stop by Archer Manor to see the finished renovations on my way to school.”He yawned. “I forgot the shelter’s opening is tonight.”“You can skip it if you’re too tired.” I kissed his cheek. “Amy will understand.”“The mayor expects me to be there,” Victor said through another yawn. “The shelter is important to the city. I’ll come home early this afternoon and take a nap.”“That’s a good idea,” I told him. “I just started a fresh pot of coffee to get you through the morning. See you this afternoon, darling.”I kissed him again before going down to the garage and getting into my car.Crossing my fingers, I looked upwa
I struggled to maintain a cool head and thought of an appropriate joke to tell the class.Amy was the one to tell jokes. She told me hundreds all through grade school. Why couldn’t I think of one now?It didn’t matter if it was funny or not. Professor Barns would say it wasn’t as amusing as his, no matter what joke I told.“Well, we’re waiting, Miss Wilson,” Professor Barns said.I stood and faced him.“Respectfully, Professor Barns, I’m not doing it,” I said. “I’m here to learn, not to tell jokes. I’m sure there are others in this room who feel the same way.”There was a brief burst of applause that was quelled by Professor Barns shouting at me, “Sit down!”I did, and he gave me a last glare before returning to his podium.It was hard to concentrate for a while after the lecture began. Not all of the students were on my side. Many of them gave me cold stares and whispered behind their hands.I was very uncomfortable throughout the lesson, and I doubted I’d ever be able to enjoy the c
“Dad, get the women and Mayor Pratt away from the windows,” Victor told Harry before turning to Heather. “Please take the family to the rec room to finish their meal.”Heather nodded and led the family out of the room.“Benson, can we put something against the windows in case they throw anything else?” Victor asked.The way he stayed calm and protected the most vulnerable among us was a sign of a true leader and another reason why I loved him.“I’ll check, sir,” Benson said and hurried from the room.Amy was determined to go outside and face the mob. She pulled her arm from my grasp and headed for the front door.“Amy, no,” I said as I tried to stop her from going outside. Something had set the crowd off, and they were getting far too dangerous.“I have to do something, Daisy,” Amy insisted. “Did you see the terror on those kid’s faces? They deserve safety and comfort.”“I agree,” I said. “But let the police deal with the protesters. They stepped over the line by breaking your windows
Why would John Cameron’s son suddenly try to cause problems for my best friend?John deserved to be in prison for what he did. Yet, it was likely Josh Cameron felt like he was avenging his father in some twisted way.“How cowardly to go after your friend’s homeless shelter,” Victor said.“Being a pathetic bully must run in their family,” I said.Victor took my hand. “It’s a good thing John is still in prison.”“But he isn’t in prison, Mr. Klein,” the cop said. John Cameron disappeared from prison two weeks ago. We discovered he bought off his guards, and they let him stroll out the door.”“Why wasn’t I told about this?” Victor demanded. “John Cameron had a grudge against my fiancée and myself. We should have been notified immediately when he escaped.”“I hope the guards have been punished,” Mayor Pratt said. “Some people will do anything for money.”“I’m afraid they disappeared with him,” the detective said. “We know they left the country by private jet bound for Virople.”My stomach
Alex called at noon the next day. I was relieved to know he and Cassidy were home safely.“I want you and Victor to come to dinner tonight,” he said. “Be here around five, and we’ll have that talk you’ve been wanting to have with him first.”“I’m nervous,” I admitted. “Will you help me make him understand why I didn’t tell him before this?”“Don’t worry, sweetheart. When I tell him everything, he will understand and be glad you kept the secret,” Alex assured me.“Was your trip successful?” I asked.“Yes and no?” Alex replied. “I’ll tell you and Victor all about it later this afternoon,”“Okay,” I agreed, wondering what that meant. “We will see you then.”I hung up and went to the kitchen counter with my laptop and sat on a stool. I would work on my report until it was time to go to the mansion.I had gotten a few of my questionnaires back overnight. Every one of them told the same story.They were discouraged from applying to colleges by their high schools and then rejected when they
We arrived at the mansion and went inside. Alex and Cassidy were waiting for us in the foyer. Their voices were welcoming, but their expressions were strained.When Alex and I embraced, he whispered, “Stay calm. Victor will understand.”I nodded and moved to greet Cassidy. “It’s good to see you home,” I told her.“It’s good to be home,” she responded.“Let’s go into the living room,” Alex said. “Benson, have all of the staff left yet?”“Only myself and the cook are on your property,” Benson replied. “She won’t leave the kitchen while making dinner, and I’ll stand guard outside the living room door.”“Excellent,” Alex said. “Come, Victor and Daisy, we have much to discuss with you.”Victor took my hand as we walked back the long hallway. “What is going on?” he whispered.“Wait for Alex to explain,” I said. “I don’t know nearly as much as he does.”“You can’t even give me a hint?” he said.I shook my head and put a finger to my lips. Victor would know soon enough.We filed into the livi
My heart was breaking. He still hadn’t come back. What if Victor couldn’t forgive me for not telling him about the passages? I couldn’t imagine my life without him.“Daisy, you didn’t lose Victor,” Diana said. “He and Adam went for a run to clear his head. Can’t you feel it? He’s on his way back, feeling much calmer.”“Thank you,” Diana,” I said. “You’re always there for me when I need you.”“And I always will be,” she assured me. “Ooh, I can feel Adam coming closer. They are almost here. Just be honest with Victor and help him through this trying time. Everything will be fine between the two of you.”I heard footsteps outside the door and knew Diana was right.Victor walked into the living room and straight to me. He pulled me to my feet and held me in his arms for a moment while kissing my forehead.“I understand why you didn’t tell me, sweetheart,” he said. “And keeping it from me was the right thing to do at the time. Stopping the faction is our first priority.”After a brief kiss
I knew who Victor meant before he said their name.“Will Findlay be able to stay safe while on this mission?” I asked. “He is married. Perhaps his husband won’t like it. I wouldn’t want you to be in danger like that.”Ever since getting to know him better, I found I like Findlay. I liked him well enough to be worried about his safety on such a dangerous mission.“Daisy, everybody is in danger until the faction is stopped,” Victor said. “I don’t want Findlay mingling with these murderers, but he is the most loyal employee I have. We’ve been together for years, and I trust him implicitly.”“Call him and ask him to come here,” Alex said. “Tell him it’s important, and you need to speak to him right away.”Victor sent Mickey Findlay a text message, and his loyal assistant was led by Benson into the living room fifteen minutes later.“Findlay, we need your help,” Victor said after his assistant sat beside me. “The Association is in danger of a hostile takeover.”“I’ve suspected this for wee