Page 84 of Cross Me

I reminded myself that I had no other choice. If I was right, then Norris most likely knew about Windsmoor House. Brexton was totally loyal to my husband. I needed someone with a certain moral flexibility. Georgia had always struck me as that type. Of course, I’d met her after she’d been hired to kill my ex-boyfriend. That might have colored my perception of her.

“I need to visit a family residence,” I told her. “I’d like you to drive me.”

“Why?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Does it matter?”

She studied me for a minute before she shook her head with a laugh. “If you’ve come to me, then Alexander has no idea what you’re up to.”

I didn’t say anything. I’d only incriminate myself.

“So why do you want to go there? Or should I call Norris and ask him to take you?” she asked, calling my bluff.

“Because Alexander doesn’t want me to go there.” It was a hunch, but I was sure I was right.

“He loves you,” Georgia said, her words coated with a surprising layer of concern. “When he decided to marry you, I thought he was sending a ‘fuck you’ to his father. I didn’t consider it was because he loved you. I didn’t think that was possible.”

“Why?” For two years I’d carried the burden of her thoughtless words. Now she was taking them back?

“Because I’ve been on the other end of his whip and I have the scars to prove it,” she said blackly. “If you had been, you would only see his darkness, too.”

I had seen his darkness lurking when he fucked me. I’d given him my body in every way and watched him chase ghosts. But I’d also made love to him when no shadows clouded his blue eyes. Alexander clung to the shackles that imprisoned him. It was up to me to set him free.

“Clara, are you sure?” she asked after a moment. “You might not like what you find.”

“Yes.” I’d given him everything and he’d promised me all of him. It was time to collect.

It was a short drive to Windsor so early on a Sunday morning. Georgia left me to my thoughts, and I was grateful for the silence. There was no way to prepare for what I might find. As the city gave way to countryside, the roads narrowed until we turned down an unpaved road that wound past Windsor Castle and into the untouched lands of the estate’s park. Trees clustered along the path, blocking curious eyes from view. It was oddly serene, with no sign of cameras or guards. They were focused on Windsor, I assumed. But before we reached the house, a guard station came into view.

My heart sank. It was the first proof Alexander had lied. Until that point, I’d begun to wonder if Windsmoor really was abandoned.

A guard ran into our path, panting, like it had taken real effort. Georgia slowed the car and sighed.

“We can still turn back,” she muttered. But we both knew that wasn’t true. The guard rapped on the window and she rolled it down, putting on a sweet smile that didn’t suit her.

“This is private property, miss. I’m s-s-sorry,” he stuttered, no doubt taken aback by finding a gorgeous woman behind the tinted window.

“It’s her property,” Georgia said in a voice so sugary I nearly gagged. She pointed to me and I resisted the urge to sink into my seat.

“Hi,” I said in a small voice.

The man’s eyes bulged out of his head when he saw me. Meanwhile, Georgia pulled out a badge that identified her position with royal security. He glanced at it, his eyes continuing to dart to me.

“I’m sorry,” he said, beginning to wave us on. “We don’t get many visitors out here.”

I started to ask him why that was, but Georgia pulled past him. Trees lined the way, shading the path as we continued toward the house. When they ended, the drive opened into a large, circular drive and Windsmoor came into view. It towered ahead, sprawling in every direction. The brick estate was half fortress, half country manor.

There was nothing remotely run-down about its appearance. The house was well-kept, the grounds tended, and, more significantly, it was huge. I gulped, considering the number of closets I might have to search.

Georgia pulled up to the front door and shut off the engine.

“Not very inconspicuous,” I said.

She raised an eyebrow. “First, you own this place. Second, they might as well know they have company. Or did you want to skulk around and hope we don’t get caught?”

She was right. There was no point sneaking around, since the guard had seen us. If Alexander hadn’t noticed my absence by now, he would probably be alerted to my arrival at Windsmoor very soon.

I climbed out of the car with a hand on my stomach. The baby began to flutter around, and I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I needed to stay calm, no matter what I discovered. I rubbed my belly, silently promising him that everything was going to be okay.