Page 29 of Ashes of Us
“Really?” She knew the revenue from the casino wasn't great, but that was because Alexander hadn't cared about Craig stealing from the vault. With Craig gone, it could easily become the most profitable hotel in the chain.
“I was against opening it anyway.” He shrugged, putting his hands behind his head and stretching.
“We're a hotel chain, and I have no interest in dividing my energy between the hotels and the casino.
We'll be turning the casino area into a luxury spa and salon.” He leaned forward, clicking on his computer.
“As for Craig, still no sign of him, although one of his friends did spill that he crossed the border into Mexico illegally shortly after he disappeared, so now the Federales are looking for him too.”
They spent another forty-five minutes going over everything else, then Danica got up and went back to her office to get started on her day.
She was surprised to see it was exactly as she left it and smirked when she realized Alex hadn't let Marcy use her office while she was filling in for her.
She sat down and got started on her email, quickly settling into her usual routine.
She was reviewing the plans Alex sent her for the luxury spa and salon when there was a knock, and Alex opened her door, frowning at her.
“You are aware it's after eight, right?” He asked when she looked up and raised her eyebrow questioningly at him.
Startled, Danica glanced at the time on the computer and saw it was actually closer to eight-thirty.
“Oh, no, I wasn't.” She chuckled and began shutting things down.
Doing her familiar work routine had been practically relaxing, and the distraction it provided had made her feel emotionally grounded and stable for the first time in two weeks.
As she collected her things, she found herself wishing she didn't have to go home.
She was so used to Jasper's near-constant presence that the house had been feeling very empty and lonely, something she hadn't been able to acknowledge because of all the other emotions she kept cycling through.
“Have you eaten?” Alex stepped inside and when Danica turned after she had finished putting everything she needed in her bag, she saw he was watching her, resting bitch face firmly in place.
“Are you asking me to have dinner with you?” She raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised and, if she was being honest with herself, a little hopeful. She wasn't sure she could handle another meal of ramen or boxed macaroni and cheese in front of the TV alone.
“Do you want to have dinner with me?” A brief look of surprise crossed his face, and then he cleared his throat when she shrugged, feeling a little ashamed of her assumption and sudden need for company.
“Because I'm starving.” He turned and left her office, motioning for her to follow him.
Danica let out a quiet sigh of relief as she shut off the lights and followed him to the elevator, immensely relieved that she didn't have to go home yet or choose between the spicy or regular chicken ramen again.
When they were settled into a quiet corner booth in the Rose Gold restaurant and had their drinks and appetizers delivered, which Danica dug into with almost embarrassing gusto, Alex broke the slightly awkward silence between them by telling her he had to come clean to her about something.
Danica looked up from her bruschetta, watching as he shifted uncomfortably.
“I owe you an apology.” He continued, looking incredibly uncomfortable.
Danica sat back in the booth, remembering what Maverick told her about Alex hiring him to look into her and another woman.
“As you already know, I never let go of my suspicions that you and Dad were having an affair.” He took a deep breath.
He looked remorseful, Danica noted, but he was clearly struggling with apologizing.
“I have my reasons for that, none of which are fair to you.
I was wrong, and I'm very sorry for any hurt or resentment I caused.”
Danica wiped her mouth. She had a feeling his reasons were much the same as Jasper's.
She was a penniless orphan who had latched onto his parents in a desperate bid for a family.
The fact that his parent's had sort of unofficially adopted her, doing more for her then they had ever done for any of the other “strays” they took in, including paying for her university and letting her live rent free on their property while working at the hotel, plus making her Alexander's executive assistant when she had no experience in that role, she could, objectively, see why he would think she was sleeping with his father.
“What made you change your mind?” She was curious if he would tell her about hiring Maverick or if he would give her “just enough” information to satisfy her.
“There were a couple of things that made me doubt my assumptions, to be honest.” He fell silent as the waitress brought them their main course and took away the dirty dishes.
“But I needed proof, so I went looking for it.
I told you I knew Maverick through high school track and field, and that's sort of true. We each knew who the other was, but he joined the year I graduated, and we never competed against each other. The truth is, I hired him to look into you and a woman named Veronica Whistler.” Danica had a moment of anger when he confirmed what Maverick said about hiring him to look into her, but it was gone the minute he said Veronica Whistler.
“Why does that name sound familiar?” She furrowed her brow as she tried to remember where she had seen or heard that name before. She was sure she had, but she couldn't put her finger on where.
“Because you met her several times after Mom died.” He picked up his Coke and took a long drink, watching her over the rim of the glass. “Her and Dad met at the grief support group meeting you convinced him to attend, she was the facilitator.
Danica sat back as she made the connection.
“Right,” she breathed. She had found the support group for seniors who had lost their spouses online and convinced Alexander to go.
She had even sat in on the group the first couple of weeks, working quietly in the back corner of the room until Alexander told her she didn't have to come anymore.
“Anyway,” Alex continued as he started eating his steak.
“You and Veronica were the only two people besides Craig and me who were named in the will. You for your friendship and years of loyal and dedicated service, and Veronica for the “last four years of companionship,” which she received two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for. I told Maverick to look into both of you. He started with Veronica, and when he brought me the report on her, I told him not to bother looking into you.”
“Why?” Danica pressed, her curiosity about Alexander's relationship with Veronica burning through her veins.
“Because Veronica admitted to being in a secret relationship with Dad.” He snorted and shook his head.
“She claims they were in love, and maybe they were, I have no idea.
They kept it a secret because of her children, who apparently think she should have become a nun after their father died, and because Dad didn't think you would approve of his relationship with her.”
“Me?” Danica's jaw dropped. “Why on Earth would Alexander care if I approved of his relationship or not? He was a grown man; it was none of my concern.”
“He felt you idolized his relationship with Mom, and because you were so close to her, he didn't think you would accept Veronica.” He paused, studying Danica closely.
“Or at least, that's what she claims. Personally, I think he felt guilty and ashamed for finding happiness with another woman and projected it onto you.
You're a lot less angry about this than I thought you'd be.”
It was Danica's turn to clear her throat uncomfortably, not wanting to give away that Maverick had already told her about Alexander's relationship with Veronica.
“I'm not exactly happy that you hired a PI to look into me, but looking back, and considering Jasper's response when I told him about my inheritance from your father, I can see why you would think I was sleeping with him.” She groaned and rubbed her eyes, feeling a little stomach sick at the thought.
“That doesn't mean I'm letting you off the hook; he was almost forty years older than me. That's just gross.”
To her surprise, Alex started to laugh, big, deep belly laughs that suddenly made him seem warm and open, a stark contrast to the usual cold and closed-off personality he projected. “You know what?” He said when he finally calmed down to chuckles. “That's fair.”