Page 57 of Secret Crush

Chapter Twenty Two

Near his ear, something rang on the bedside night table. For a few seconds, he ignored it, but then remembered it might be the FBI. They hadn't called him. John woke up and glanced at the number on the voicemail message. No caller ID available might mean it was the FBI or a telemarketer.

He licked his lower lip and tasted strawberries. Alice's scent was in the air. He turned to his side, but where she'd slept was cold as if she'd been gone for a while.

He rubbed his forehead. He never slept like this. Then he picked up his phone and hit play.

A garbled voice that had been processed through a changer spoke.

John, your girlfriend was smart enough to leave you. You're the reason she'll die now. Prepare to live with what you've done.

His body went still. Why had the FBI done nothing? This was something he needed to solve on his own or use more of the Morgan security. He stood and walked to the window. Money was power. The sun was in the morning sky. He clutched his phone, threw on his pants and then made the one call he'd never wanted to make.

Peter answered, "This is a surprise."

John said, "I need your help."

"How?"

The coldness between them didn't deter him. He had to get his brother's help. The FBI wasn't working fast enough. "Let me play you a message."

The repeat of the threat to Alice made his blood freeze. Peter sucked in an audible breath as the voicemail played. John's heartbeat quickened as the deadly voice sent a chill down his spine. He shrugged into a shirt. As the voice finished, John said, "I need to find Alice before anything happens to her."

Peter didn't hesitate. "What do you want me to do?"

John ran one hand through the left side of his hair. His brother would help. "You have the staff to find her fast."

"You need me to employ our handlers to get her back."

John's mind raced. Peter had their father's confidence but not the venom that implied John once again was the always-in-trouble son. He'd call the local police once he finished with Peter. "Yes. Thank you."

"Why did she leave you in the first place?"

John straightened his back. Now was not the time for this. "I've no idea, and it doesn't matter right now. Alice's safety is on the line."

"I'm on it. I'd recommend you talk to Vicki. They were friends."

John's eyebrows arched. Now that was a good idea. "Is she up?"

"She's not here. She left the house early this morning. She mentioned that dress shop again and a future fashion empire she'd build."

John changed his screen while he spoke to his brother so he could make a note. "Does she have a cell?"

"I bought it for her yesterday. I'll text you the number, but it's the same as when she left."

Even better. Peter wasn't completely their father. "Thanks."

"We are family. Dad was right about one thing."

John rolled his shoulders. He might have spoken too soon. "What was that?"

"I don't want children or a relationship, John. I'm more than happy if you live that life and then I will leave money to nieces and nephews."

His mouth opened and wouldn't close all the way. "Why?"

"I don't want to be like our dad. I wish I didn't remember Mom."

John scratched his head. They'd talk once everything was over. He might have been too hard on his brother. "Peter, once I find Alice and make sure she is safe, then let's sit down and talk."

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