Chapter 8

Thomas Greene came charging in like a bull in a china shop, surprising both Roxie and Dexter. He rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms.

“As soon as I heard, I hired a helicopter to bring me home. Thank God you’re all right. I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you,” he said, holding her tight.

Turning his head, he looked at Dexter. “I’m paying you to protect her. How the hell did you let this happen?”

“Dad, stop. It wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t have known someone would poison me. If it wasn’t for him getting me here on time, I would have died.

“So instead of yelling at him, you should be thanking him.”

Thomas nodded his head. “You’re right, sweetheart. I was just so worried when I got the news. Are you okay now?”

“I’m fine, just so weak and tired.”

Dexter knew this was the perfect opportunity to leave and go talk to Ronald and the others.

“Sir, I would like to go down to the police and question some of the suspects. I can only do that if I know you will stay with her until I get back.”

“Yes, you go and find the bastard who did this to my little girl.”

He went over to Roxie. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Thank you for saving my life,” she said, grabbing hold of his hand. She looked into his eyes. They showed sadness. She knew he was blaming himself for what happened.

“Please don’t be gone too long.”

“I won’t,” he said, and he turned and left the room.

The first thing he did was go to the police station, but upon getting there, he was told that they had released Ronald earlier that day. He was furious.

“How could you let him go? You know Miss Greene was poisoned.”

The officer got to his feet. “When we brought him in, it was due to the fact that he accosted and threatened her. But at that time nothing happened to her, so we had no choice but to let him go.

“Now we are looking for him for questioning, but we can’t find him. I assure you we are doing everything in our power to find him. When we do, you will be notified.”

Dexter left the station in a foul mood and headed to Greene’s building. When he got there, he talked to every employee who was working or in the building at the time of the incident.

After questioning each and every one, he didn’t find any of them to be a suspect. He was stumped. This was the first time he couldn’t figure out who the culprit was.

Heading back to the hospital, he stopped and got her some flowers, thinking it would cheer her up, even though she had already gotten some from her employees.

When he got there and heard the two of them talking, he stood by the door, listening to them talk.

“Dad, I don’t want to marry Joseph. I don’t love him.”

“Sweetheart, he’s a good man, and I know he will protect you. This marriage between the two of you will benefit all of us. You know how hard I’ve tried to break into Paris.

“You would live in Paris and have your own store to run. You can design, and we can become big all around the world. I will not force you to marry him, but I ask that you think about it.”

“I’ll think about it,” she said with a heavy heart. A smile appeared on her face when she saw Dexter walk in. “You’re back.”

He walked further into the room, handing her the flowers. “I know you already have some, but when I saw these, I thought you might like them.”

He turned to look at Thomas. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you go on home and get some rest. I’m sure your wife will be glad to see you,” he said, though he really doubted it.

“You’re right. I should go. I’m not as young as I used to be,” he said, snickering. “But first I have something for you,” he said to Roxie, taking out a small red velvet box, which he handed to her.

“I saw these and thought they would look lovely on you. You can wear them to the party when you show off the dress you created.

She opened it and gasped. Inside was a pair of dangling diamond earrings.

“Daddy, they’re beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as my little girl.”

“Shouldn’t you be giving these to Claudia?”

“Claudia,” he scoffed. “She has enough jewelry to open up her own store. She doesn’t need any more. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When he was gone, Dexter went and sat on the bed next to her.

“Those are really nice. Must have cost him five grand. Your father does love to spoil you, so I can’t understand why he wants you to marry a man you don’t love.”

“It’s complicated,” she said, yawning. “And it’s not nice to listen in on others’ conversation,” she said as her eyes slowly closed.

He pulled the blanket further over her, and before he could stop himself, he leaned over to kiss her forehead.

This action shook him to the core. He had never felt the need to do this to another woman, not even his ex.

Sitting down with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands, he stared at her as she slept. He knew then that he had to get a grip on things.

He couldn’t afford to have feelings toward her. He had to keep his wits about him. Otherwise, it could cause her to lose her life.

Morning came, and she was being released. She noticed how cold he was being toward her.

He wasn’t rude or anything. He just wouldn’t make eye contact, and his answers to her questions were short and impersonal. The ride home in his car was quiet, until she spoke.

“Have I done something to upset you?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

Not liking his tone, she turned her head to look out the passenger’s window. “Nothing. Just never mind.”

He pulled into the driveway and parked the car and went over to her side, opening the door for her. Seeing how weak she still was, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her inside.

He ignored the feeling he got when her arms went around his neck and she rested her head on his shoulder. The door was opened for them when they reached it, and they walked inside.

Thomas was there to greet them.

“Take her right upstairs to her room. I’ll be up shortly.”

When he got her upstairs and set her down on the bed, she asked him to grab one of her nightgowns from the dresser. He went over and took out the first one he saw and handed it to her.

“Here. I’ll wait until you’re settled in before I leave.”

As he stood there, she couldn’t help but smile. “Are you going to watch me change, or will you do the honorable thing and turn around? Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Though she still felt like hell, she couldn’t resist teasing him.

He turned his back to her. He swallowed hard when he heard her changing. It would have been so easy for him to turn around and get a look at her naked.

He cursed himself for having such thoughts. Of all the missions he had been on, this was quickly becoming the hardest he’d ever had to go through.

“I’m done. You can turn around now,” she said, getting under the covers.

He turned and saw she was already under the covers. “I’ll leave you to get some rest. I’ll be back to check on you later.”

“Wait. Can you get me some water?” she asked and sat up to watch him as he went over to the pitcher and poured some into a glass. “Thank you,” she said, taking it from his hand.

It was very upsetting how he was behaving so coldly toward her.

“Tell me why you’re suddenly so cold towards me.”

“Roxie, I’m here to do a job, and I feel as if we are getting too close. It’s best that we keep things strictly professional between us. I’m not here to be your friend, or anything else.

“I’ll see you a bit later. Get some sleep.”

He left the room feeling bad after seeing the hurt look in her eyes. He went downstairs and into the family room and poured himself a double scotch to calm his nerves.

“Looks like someone has the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

He turned around just as Claudia was walking toward him wearing a low-cut top and a short skirt.

“I’m just trying to get to the bottom of who’s doing this to Roxie.” He really didn’t like this woman. He knew her type. She was nothing but trouble.

She picked up a glass and poured herself a shot, looking at him the whole time. “Has it ever crossed your mind that she did it to herself?”

“What?”

“The girl has always been trouble, looking for attention. I see from your expression that you don’t believe me. Just think about it for a minute. Who else had access to her drink?

“She knew you’d be there to get her to the hospital in time.”

He looked at her with disgust. “That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.”

“You say that because you have feelings for her and refuse to see her for what she really is. Don’t deny it. I’ve seen the way you look at her.

“You want to fuck her. You want to feel her young, soft body underneath yours. She’s nothing but a child. You need a mature woman who can satisfy you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I suppose you are talking about yourself?”

“What if I am?”

“I’m not interested, which I’ve already told you.”

“Be careful, Mr. Sinclair. Don’t piss me off, or you could find yourself out of a job, if I were to tell my husband you tried to seduce me.”

He laughed. “It is you who have tried to seduce me. I doubt he would believe you if I were to tell him the real reason why you came home so soon.

“Yes, I know you were with one of your many lovers, and he had an emergency that caused him to cut your trip short.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she answered, her face turning a light shade of pink.

“I have a friend with the FBI, and I asked him to track you and find out whatever he could about you. So I suggest you don’t threaten me with your shit, or I’ll be forced to show him proof.

“I understand you signed a prenup, and if he were to divorce you, you’d end up on the street, broke.”

“You bastard,” she said, raising her hand to slap him. But she was stopped when he grabbed her wrist.

Letting go of her, he stepped back. “Tell me, Mrs. Greene, where were you between the hours of twelve and two?”

“Are you accusing me of poisoning her?”

“Just answer the question. I’m not in the mood to play games.”

“I was at the salon, getting my hair and nails done.” She saw the way he was looking at her. It was like he didn’t believe her. “You can check it if you want.”

“Oh, believe me, I will.”

“Mr. Sinclair, if I wanted to poison her, I wouldn’t go to all the trouble of going to her place of work to do it. I would do it here, and I’ve had years to do it.

“I can’t stand the girl—Daddy’s little angel—but I wouldn’t kill her. I would have too much to lose, since as you pointed out, I signed a prenup. I’m no fool.

“Would I like to see her disappear? Hell yes, I would. But kill her? No way. The little bitch isn’t worth spending my life rotting in a jail cell.”

“I’m not sure I believe you. I just want you to know I’m watching you, so stay away from her, or else this life you’re enjoying will end when I tell your husband what you’ve been up to.”

“Go fuck yourself,” she hissed and turned around and stormed out of the room.

He took a long swallow of his drink. He wasn’t a fool. He knew if she were to poison Roxie right here in their home, she would be the main suspect.

So of course she would have to go outside of the home to do it.

He finished his drink and went upstairs to check on Roxie. It was like he was being pulled toward her the more he tried to stay away.

Knocking on the door and not getting an answer, he figured she was sleeping, so he went in to make sure she was all right. She wasn’t in bed. He looked over to the bathroom when the door opened.

He felt the blood in his veins pumping, his heart racing when he saw her enter from the bathroom wearing nothing but a short towel.

“Dexter,” she said in a soft whisper.

Their eyes locked, both breathing heavily as they slowly walked toward each other.