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“Honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t think we’d be the ones being arrested. I’m going to kill Laurel.”

“Don’t even bloody joke about it. That woman has caused enough trouble,” Morgan said, shifting herself as close to Alex as she could get. “We just have to tell the truth, and everything will be fine, right?”

“Yes, exactly. I’m sure Francine is already dealing with it.”

It wasn’t a long journey before the van stopped, almost knocking them off the bench as the brakes were applied.

“Maybe they don’t like classical music,” Morgan grumbled, just managing to stop herself from falling to the floor.

Alex couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Oh god, I hope so.”

The back door was flung open and the same two officers helped them out. More photographers snapped away. With their hands cuffed there was nothing either of them could do to hide their faces. So, Alex raised her chin and stopped, giving them the image they wanted.

“What have you done, Sasha?” one called out.

“Defended myself against a stalker,” she shouted back before being pushed away and into the police station.

“I thought you said say nothing,” Morgan muttered.

Alex stared at the officers explaining to the duty sergeant who they were and why they were here. “To them, say nothing to them. Not until Philip gets here.”

“Who is Philip?”

Alex exhaled. “My mother's lawyer. The family lawyer. The only man I’d trust in this situation.”

Chapter Fifty-Nine

The media frenzy at the hotel when they all returned was bordering on ridiculous. Mike skirted around the back, but they were still greeted with several paparazzi willing to take the risk that this would be the move they made.

Mack had men in place already holding them back while Morgan, Alex and Francine vacated the car and ran for the entrance held open by Gareth.

“Welcome back,” he said before wincing at the absurdity of it.

Alex thanked him anyway but didn’t linger. They took a staff lift up and were back inside their suite by 4 p.m.

“I’m starving,” Alex said. “Can you get something sent up for lunch? Soup, sandwiches, that kind of thing?” she asked Gareth as he was backing out of the room. “We missed breakfast.”

“Absolutely, leave it with me.” He smiled, turning and almost bumping into someone. “Oh, I am so sorry.”

“No doubt, you did not see me,” the distinctive voice floated in.

Alex stiffened.

Francine muttered an, “Oh fuck.”

And Morgan frowned at the pair of them, confused by the reaction, until she looked back at the door, and a womanappeared. Tall, dark-haired but greying, elegance oozed from her as she all but floated into the room.

“Sasha.” Her accent would have been the giveaway if it wasn’t for the fact that she looked exactly how you’d expect Alex would look in twenty years-time.

“Mama. What are you doing here?”

“My child, did you think you would be arrested, all over the news, and I wouldn’t hear about it?” The eyebrow arched as she turned towards Francine. “You just letting this ship run aground, Ms Carlson?”

“Mrs Montgomery,” Francine said, very formally. “I think we both know I wouldn’t be letting that happen, but—”

“And yet, here we are.” The tone was flat and uninterested. Her head swivelled, and now it was Morgan’s turn. “Ah, the accomplice, and the lover, I assume?”

“Mama, this is Dr Morgan Kelly.” Alex stepped forward to introduce them. Morgan smiled nervously and held out a hand, the fingers of which were touched, barely.