Page 53 of Vicious

“About time!” Alex huffed, getting up from the couch as Sarah walked from the kitchen to greet me.

“Oh my God!” I squealed as I hugged them both. “Why didn’t you say you were coming? I would have been here to greet you.”

“We wanted to surprise you,” Sarah giggled, running over to hug me.

“Well, consider me surprised,” I said, as Vicious wrapped an arm around me and said, “Introduce me, baby.”

“Gregory, this is Alexander and Sarah Galveston. My cousins. Their mom and my mom were sisters.”

Alex took a good look at Vicious, eyeing him up and down before he held out his hand. “Mr. Van Otto. Thank you for protecting the spare and her charges.”

I felt Vicious stiffen behind me. He hated that name. Said so many times. Used to hearing it, I was a bit taken aback by Alexander’s formality. Typically laid back and approachable, Alex seemed stiff and too formal for my taste.

“Her name is Linsey.”

“Yes. Of course,” Alex said, brushing him off, “Linsey, Sarah and I are here to help you move back to Denver. I’ve already chartered the plane and we can take off whenever you are ready. How much time do you think you’ll need to pack?”

“Excuse me,” Vicious growled, moving me behind him as I saw Montana step up beside him, effectively blocking me from Alex’s view.

“Linsey isn’t going anywhere,” Montana stated.

“Who are you?”

“Montana Stone.”

I saw Sarah’s eye widen a fraction before she smiled warmly. “Linsey, I didn’t know you knew Mr. Stone,” she purred, as she glided closer to Montana. “Mr. Stone, it’s a pleasure. We met last year at the Met.”

“Don’t fucking know you and don’t want to.”

Sarah blanched, her face reddening. Looking around for the girls, I spotted Fury standing at the top of the staircase, arms crossed, blocking the entrance to the upstairs. The look on his face was pure anger. Next to him was Virginia Stone, Montana’s mother, and she didn’t look happy either.

“There’s no need to be rude,” Alex retorted, coming to his sister’s defense. “Linsey, go pack. Sarah and I will wait.”

“You deaf? My woman ain’t going anywhere, asshole.”

Alex laughed. “Your woman? What is this? The stone age. I am here to escort the spare home to Denver, Mr. Van Otto. I thank you for your assistance, but I am here now to take over. Now step aside, I don’t have time for games. Especially from some biker riffraff who knows nothing about what’s going on. The spare and heir are required back in Denver.”

“Fucker, you tell me one more time what to do and I will throw you out that fucking window. Don’t fucking know you and I sure as hell ain’t letting my ol’ lady go anywhere with you.”

Knowing this conversation was going downhill and fast, I pushed my way between Vicious and Montana. “Alex. What is going on? Why do I need to go back to Denver? Last I knew, Agatha Blackwell was making life difficult. She filed kidnapping charges against me and, if I remember correctly, she is also petitioning the court for full custody of the girls. What’s changed?”

Alex sighed. “Mrs. Blackwell is no longer an issue. The former heir’s husband is no longer a threat. It’s safe to return home. With the girls back in Denver, Sarah and I can help. You can go back to the life you wanted. I’ve taken care of everything.”

“What do you mean, you’ve taken care of everything?” Montana asked before I could.

“It’s Duchene Business Mr. Stone. I’m not at liberty to discuss that information with you,” Alex said firmly, standing his ground.

“Then talk to me about it.” Vicious grinned. “I do own fifty-one percent of the company.”

“Not for long,” Alex stated angrily, “And taking the company public isn’t going to happen. It’s a family business. It has been since its inception and will remain so. There are rules in place that prohibit outsiders from acquiring too many shares.”

“Hate to break it to you, but I do own fifty-one percent of the company and I’m not giving it back. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

Alex stiffened. “Linsey, we’re leaving. Go get the girls. I will send someone to gather your things.”

Montana laughed. “This fuck is funny.”

“My wife isn’t going anywhere with you.”

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