Seductive Knight (12 page)

“We don’t have the answer to those questions yet. Don’t worry, though. We’ll have one. Not once did we believe Molly left Clayton for another man, Alex. Not even Clayton. Now that we know why Molly took you away, I’ll talk to Baskerville. Time to go back to work. Do you have more questions for Alex, son?” Arthur looked at Bors.

Bors nodded. “How did Molly learn about Clayton’s death?” Bors asked while looking at his can of
Coors
.

* * * *

Gawain could tell his brother was thinking, taking everything in.

“Through the internet. Nanni found someone who has a computer and Mom borrowed it. She was afraid to email Dad because if someone else was looking at it, they’d know the email came from the Philippines. Mom felt that something bad had happened, so she searched Dad’s name. That’s when we learned that he died in a plane crash a week after we left. Since then Mom was never the same. I am hoping to see my dad’s grave.”

“You will, but not yet, Alex. Not until we find out who the man was and who was involved. We have to be careful. I understand how you feel right now. Believe me, I do. Not to scare you or anything, but I have a feeling whoever tried to frame Molly, ruin her or destroy your parents’ marriage, is still around. We don’t know who’s watching. I hope I have the power to find the answers for you overnight, but I’m afraid this’ll take a bit of time.”

Alex nodded. Her grip on Gawain’s hand tightened.

Arthur stood up. “I suggest you try and keep your mind off what happened, if you can. There is no use worrying. You’ll fry your brain and will end up like these two.”

Gawain helped Alex stand up and then placed a hand on the small of her back.

Arthur opened his arms. Alex went to him like a magnet on metal. With finality on his tone, he looked at Gawain. “You’re in charge, son.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Uncle, thank you for coming.”

“Alex, we can’t have anyone know that you’re back. Not even your aunt and grandma,” Bors said.

“How are they?”

“They’re fine. Your Aunt Frieda is married. No children. They all live in your house now.”

Alex frowned. “They moved back in. I’m not surprised.”

“Why?”

“I remember them complaining that they shouldn’t have to move to another house just because Dad married Mom. Dad told them they could stay, but Aunt and Grandma didn’t want to live in the same roof with us. I guess, they got what they wanted.”

“Alex?”

“Yes, Bors?”

“If Molly didn’t use her money, how did you two manage?”

“Mom’s jewelry. I was wearing most of them when we left. Mom didn’t even notice until we got to the airport. She sold some and saved a few. I have them with me if you want—”

“No, no. Not necessary.” Bors exchanged looks with Arthur, then pulled Alex for a hug. “You’ll stay with Gawain while you’re here. It’s for your safety. If he’s being mean, tell me and I’ll flatten his nose.”

Alex’s smile reached the depth of Gawain’s heart. He grinned at his brother, silently thanking him for making Alex smile.

Bors planted a kiss on Alex’s forehead. “I’ll be back. And come to my house for a get together.”

“We’ll be there,” Gawain said.

“Glad you’re back, Alex.”

“Glad to see you, too, Uncle.”

Gawain watched his dad and Alex walk out the door.

“You know, bro. You’ll have your hands full.” Bors grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Gawain shook his head at his brother. “Shut up.”

“You already kissed her. What’s stopping you from touching—”

“Don’t be an ass, booger.”

“I guess you’re right. It wouldn’t be right to fantasize about her. After all, we’re practically related. She’s been calling Dad uncle.”

“Don’t know why.” Gawain sighed. “I’ll walk you out.”

“Checked your piece?” Bors asked. Just like that his grin was replaced by a hard face that showed what he was, a no-nonsense agent who wouldn’t hesitate to shoot anyone when there was a call for it.

“Loaded.”

“Good.”

“What do you think?”

“I think someone hated Molly. Alex got caught in the middle. Clayton is the casualty. What a mess.”

“Could her grandma and aunt have something to do with what happened?”

“We don’t know. Clayton had already set aside money for Lucrezia and Frieda, Enough for them to live like royals. Hard to tell right now, bro.”

“She wants to go back to the Philippines as soon as this is over.”

“Do you?”

Gawain frowned. “It’s not my decision.”

“Little brother, in a matter of hours, your life changed in front of you and you didn’t even know it.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Bors gave Gawain a brotherly shove. “She’s not a twig anymore.”

“No.”

“She’s beyond beautiful.”

“I know that.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m never letting her out of my sight. Ever.”

“Thought so.”

Chapter Eight

Gawain watched Bors’s truck disappear around the corner before going back inside the house. He found Alex in the kitchen, leaning against the kitchen isle. She didn’t hear him, so Gawain took the chance to admire her from behind.

She had a nice body any man would give anything to touch. Small waistline, perfectly shaped ass, long legs, and damn, she had breasts that begged to be cupped. Bors’s double entendre that he’d have his hands full had him laughing. No matter how perfect she looked on the outside, though, he knew she’d been scarred inside. She’d been through a lot. He couldn’t imagine the pain she’d had to endure. An overwhelming urge to protect her assaulted him. She was a long lost friend. He’d do everything to help her. “You thinking about food?”

Alex looked back at him. “Kind of.”

“I made spaghetti, fried rice, broccoli beef, grilled cheese, and hotdogs. I didn’t know what you wanted so I decided to make them all.”

“You cooked all of them?”

“Yeah.”

“Gawain,” she said his name followed by a sigh. “We have food on the island. It’s not like I’ve been starving, you know.”

“You could have fooled me. You look emaciated.”

“That’s why I’m bursting out of this top.”

“Really? Didn’t notice.” Gawain thought if she indeed burst out in front of him, he wouldn’t mind at all. Her breasts were to die for. He glanced at those sweet mounds. His mouth watered and his cock pulsed. Fuck me!

“So you can cook.”

“Yeah.”

“You mean, you really know how to use all of these appliances?”

Gawain laughed. He stood beside her and then nudged her with his shoulder. “I wouldn’t have these things installed if I didn’t need them. So, what is it then?”

“I’ll have grilled cheese, please.”

“I expected you to say rice.”

“We eat rice morning, noon and night. You have no idea how many times I dreamed of having pancakes dripping with melted butter and syrup, cheeseburger loaded with green stuff, and salty French fries. Since you took the trouble of making grilled cheese, I’m sure it’s better.”

“Or we could go out and have a burger.”

“Tempting, but I’d rather we eat here.”

“Trying not to hurt my feelings?”

“No! Really. I just want to stay home.”

“All right.
Diet Coke
?”

Alex smiled. “If it is caffeine free.”

“
Sprite
then,” he nudged her, making her laugh. “I keep
Sprite
in the fridge for Lucan. He’s too young to drink soda pop, but I’m not his parents. If he comes over, I’ll give him anything as long as it’s caffeine free. Now, what’s your reason for avoiding caffeine?”

“Meniere’s disease.”

“That horrible dizzy spells?”

“Yeah. You know about it?”

“Learned about it through bad experience. One of my students didn’t tell anyone about Meniere’s until she started training on how to fly the seaplane. She got real dizzy. Luckily, they were still floating on water. The plane’s movement triggered her dizziness. She was taken to the hospital. So, I’ve heard Meniere’s disease is the bad ass kind of Vertigo.”

“Yes. Twice I was taken to the clinic because the dizziness wouldn’t stop.”

“I’ve been dizzy, too. After drinking.”

“I’m sure we’re talking about different kinds of dizziness.”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t poke fun.”

“Meniere’s is an inner ear problem that could be associated with allergies. Someone told me that I’ve damaged my ears, too. Don’t know how if I did.”

“When it happens, you feel like the whole world is spinning, right?”

“Really fast, to the point that I can’t even open my eyes. Ifeel the spinning sensation for hours. Can’t move and eat. If I move, I throw up. Throwing up makes me more dizzy because I’m moving. It’s horrible. I don’t want it to happen to anyone. I’ve lost so much weight because of it.”

“Poor baby. How often do you experience it?”

“My last episode was seven months ago. I haven’t had one since I avoided salt and caffeine. The doctor said Meniere’s goes in remission. So I am a dormant volcano right now. I could blow up anytime.”

“Any meds for it?”

“I got Meclezine once. Expensive. Didn’t get a refill. The doctors couldn’t really tell me what triggers my dizziness. Ema did a research. He found that caffeine and salt could be the culprit. So I avoided both. Like I said, I’ve been dizzy-free for seven months. Although, fast movements, turns, something like that makes me kind of feel weird. I’m afraid I can’t enjoy rides anymore.”

“There are others rides, baby. Better, even.”

“What kind?”

The delicious kind, he thought.
Shut up, Gawain.

“It’s a Small World at Disneyland. Tristan and Julie are planning on taking Lucan there when he’s a bit older.”

“Aww. I love that ride.” Alex smiled, but her face registered sadness.

He didn’t like seeing her sad so he quickly changed the subject. “Well, no caffeine for you, sweets. Sucks that you got it.”

“Big time.”

Gawain had the grilled cheese in front of Alex in no time. She smelled it first with her eyes closed, then started cutting it in little squares. She ate slowly, but he could tell she wanted to devour the food. “Alex, I don’t want you to think about anything. Like Bors said, let him and Dad figure things out. Just catch up on things that you’ve missed. Be comfortable here.”

“I’m comfortable.”

“Comfortable is being you. I want you to be
you
.” He put a stress on the last words.

Alex’s cheeks turned a lovely pink. “I am being me.”

“How? You’re acting as if the Queen of England took over your body right now. Want me to show you how to eat that sandwich the American way?”

Laughing, Alex picked up her sandwich and took a hearty bite.

“Good.” Later, he’d find out why she kept on acting so prim when it was obvious she didn’t like it. “Did you get a good nap?”

“Yes, thank you. I got lost in your huge bed. It’s the best place to hide.”

“You can hide there as long as you want.”

“No. It’s not right. I’ll move in to your guestroom.”

“Nah. You slept on my bed already. I don’t want your cooties.”

Alex shrugged. “Sorry about that. By the way, I got curious, so I checked everything in your room. Used your comb to scratch my legs and brushed my fingernails with your toothbrush. Touched your airplane models and then I started trying on your clothes. I’m wearing your boxers right now.”

“Nooo.” He pretended to look worried. “Not the boxers.”

Gawain grinned when Alex laughed so hard, she started choking. She sounded like an angel. At least something stayed the same—her sense of humor. He bet she’d look good in his shirts and boxers. “So what do you want to do on your first day back?”

“I wanted to see my house first. I guess that shouldn’t happen yet.”

“Not until we have the go signal from Bors. Sorry.

“Does he think Aunt and—”

“Trust Bors. He’s the best.”

Alex nodded, her eyes downcast.

Just like that, the mirth in her eyes was gone. She looked so depleted. “What would wondering and worrying do right now? Nothing. You said you’d go back to the Philippines as soon as you cleared everything. Might as well enjoy your time here while Dad and Bors are figuring things out.” He touched the light crease between her brows. “Stop frowning and biting your lips. Hey, cheer up.”

“Can’t help it. I’ve been waiting for this moment to arrive. To find answers. To prove that Mom was innocent.”

“And it’ll happen. See, we already know that there is no dead man, really. And we learned that on your first day here. Bors and Dad are good. He’ll find more information.” He could tell Alex was getting flustered again. Her accent was emerging. “Okay.” He held his hands up. “How about this, while my brother is doing the digging, I’ll be the one who will entertain you.”

“Entertain me?”

“Yes. We’ll have fun.” He picked up a slice of Alex’s grilled cheese. “Open.”

“Wha—”

He popped the slice in her mouth. “Chew.”

Alex laughed while chewing her food. “What, pray tell, are you going to do? Feed me until I turn into a blimp?”

“We’ll do things that you’ve missed or things that you didn’t get to do. Something like that. But, there is a rule.”

“Lord, I hate rules. I’ve been following so many for years.”

“Such as?”

“Uhm, don’t talk to strangers, especially a man, no matter how good looking he is.” Alex laughed. “Never mind. So what’s your rule?”

“In exchange for my precious time entertaining you, while you are here, you are not allowed to ask questions or talk about what happened in the past. Except when Bors, Dad or Baskerville are asking you questions.”

Alex raised a brow. “And if I ask you questions about my past?”

Gawain could have thought of many things, but what came out of his mouth surprised them both. “You’ll have to kiss me.”

“Kiss you?” Alex grinned. “What about if I just wash the dishes or clean this house?”

“No. That would be too easy. You’d probably ask questions while you’re on your hands and knees scrubbing the floor.”