Page 24 of Secret Crush

Chapter Eight

John flinched and he couldn't quite stop blinking. Victoria and Alice hugged like they were sisters while the entire world watched everything live on television, including whoever intended him or Alice harm. His sister would be a target too. He stood back in thought until Vicki called, "Don't I get a hug, or are you mad at me?"

Without one word, John wrapped his arms around his baby sister, and her soft skin and fresh clean smell told him she was indeed alive. He hadn't quite believed it. He closed his eyes as a sea of emotions wracked his body. Victoria's death had been the hardest part of his life, but it didn't matter now. She was here.

Peter coughed. "Let go, John, so I can hug our sister."

John stepped out of the way and brushed his hand down Alice's back. He tried to hold her steady because she was shaking like a leaf in a windstorm.

Peter and Victoria hugged. Jennifer didn't budge from the first row for a few seconds. Then she trembled as she joined them. Alice tried to slip her hand free, but John kept her close. He glanced down at her and Alice whispered, "This is a family moment, John."

Jennifer's eyes watered as she walked over to Victoria and Peter, though Alice braced as the woman glided past them.

He shook his head, holding Alice tight. Victoria would want her best friend, and he needed to keep them all safe. Together.

Everyone watched through the rolling cameras.

Victoria and Peter stepped out of their hug. She asked, "Is Dad really dead?"

"We should have checkedyourcasket." Peter smiled then stepped aside.

John tilted his head. His brother's face read like he had already known that Vicki was alive. There was no shock, not like everyone else. Had Peter known all along? His sister's funeral had been faked and he'd fallen for that. Their father must have been laughing in his grave at how gullible he'd been. John's spine turned ice cold.

"You're hurting my hand." Alice twisted her wrist and he let go.

Alice needed to be protected. He turned to her and again placed his hand on her arm. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." She smiled with a warmness that felt like concern. "We all thought Victoria was dead—you turned into an icicle. John, sweetie, are you okay?"

He gazed over her and stared into the network news camera that was aimed right at his face.

"Yes." John looked beyond her and toward a camera that recorded the entire funeral. There was no way he could let Alice leave, not now. She'd be in danger. "Come, help me get the family out of here."

Victoria hugged Jennifer as the television actress cried in front of the cameras. At Castle Morgan, the family home that wasn't truly a castle, but an estate, they'd be safe. Alice wouldn't like that arrangement. John held her elbow and guided her as he said, "Peter, let's take Vicki to the back room, away from the cameras."

Jennifer took Peter's hand and the five of them pushed past his father's casket and out the side door. Alice stayed with him until they were at the exit. He let go so she could enter, but she stepped to the side. John tried to call her back, but she slipped into the crowd.

Vicki would be safe with Peter and Jennifer, but Alice wasn't. She had no idea about the danger. He rushed into the crowded room to get her.

Walking fast, she'd already reached the front room near the main door, and he called out, "Wait."

Her face was red as she turned around and glanced at the crowd of people around them. "Why did you follow me?"

At least she stayed still as he approached. He needed to explain so she'd understand. With his palms up, he tried to sound reasonable. "Don't go."

She shook her head, her fingers on the door handle. "What are you doing? You should be with your family right now."

He reached out to stop her. "Stay with me."

She averted her gaze and looked over his shoulder at the people around them. "Victoria is in there. She'll call me later. Be with your family."

The thought of Alice outside alone sent a chill down his entire body. "I can't let you go."

Her face turned a deeper shade of red. "John, our date last night was great, but it was just a fantasy. Our worlds are different." As she spoke, a red laser appeared on her face and his mouth dropped.

Without a word, John grabbed her and positioned her between his chest and the wall as a bullet crashed through the glass doors right beside them. Alice screamed and then put her palm over her mouth to stop.

He covered her head with his arms to block any shattered glass.

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