Chapter 256

I panicked at first and tried to pull away. Then I remembered what Victor had taught me, and my confidence returned.

“Where were you last night around ten thirty?” I demanded before flipping my arm in a circle against Amanda’s thumb.

To her surprise, my arm came free of her grip.

“Why do you care where I was last night?” she spat.

“Because you broke into my home around ten thirty, didn’t you?” I replied.

My words infuriated Amanda even more. “That’s it! I won’t stand by and let you ruin my family’s reputation. I’m warning you for the last time: mind your own business.”

Victor appeared on the Archer’s porch steps. “Must I talk to Peter about you threatening my fiancée,”

“Victor … I mean Mr. Klein …I didn’t mean to ….” Amanda stammered.

Victor put his arm around my shoulders. “Yes, you did mean to threaten Daisy. And that was a big mistake. If anything happens to her, I will ruin your entire family and see that you are all penniless.”

“I’m sorry. I would never physically harm someone. Please don’t say anything to Peter,” Amanda said in a much more civil tone. “I was upset about Daisy dragging out an old family scandal. I’m sure you understand.”

“No, I don’t understand,” Victor countered. “Why would you stand in the way of justice if there was a murder committed?”

Amanda's face went blank.“It won’t happen again. But you must believe I did not break into your home last night. I can prove it.”

“How?” I asked.

“After leaving Moonglow around ten o’clock, I went to Gilded for drinks with friends until after midnight. Ask the restaurant staff what time I paid my bill,” she replied. “And you can ask my friends, Tandy Carter and Romie Carlisle.”

“I know them both,” Victor said. “Be assured that they won’t lie to me.”

“That’s fine,” Amanda said. “Ask them, and you’ll see I was at Gilded until after midnight.”

Victor made some calls and discovered Amanda had been telling the truth about being at Gilded until almost twelve-thirty. It couldn’t have been her who had broken into my room and sabotaged my whiteboard.

“You weren’t lying about not being the one who broke into Daisy’s home,” Victor told Amanda. “But don’t harass her again.”

“I won’t,” she said and hurried back into the house.

I stretched upward and kissed Victor’s lips. “What a nice surprise to have you arrive here at that moment.”

“I was waiting on you for a few minutes,” Victor said. “When I saw what was happening with Amanda, I told Jayden I would handle it.”

I thanked him with another kiss. We left the porch and began walking across the street.

“Maybe you didn’t need me. You were handling yourself well,” Victor said. “You escaped from her grip on your wrist easily.”

“Thanks to your self-defense moves,” I said.

“You’re a good student of everything I teach you,” Victor grinned at the double meaning.

“What’s next on my teacher’s lesson plan?” I teased.

“Let Jayden take your car back to Alex’s and come with me to my apartment,” Victor proposed. “We’ll have dinner delivered, and then I’ll show you some new moves.”

“Okay,” I giggled. “But I want to learn more self-defense moves, too.”

“Jayden, will you return Daisy’s car to her home?” Victor asked. “She’ll be going with me.”

“Sure, that’s where I left my car,” Jayden replied. “Call when you need me.”

I watched Jayden drive away in my car as Victor and I walked to the Lamborghini. He drove us to his apartment, where we decided on spare ribs for dinner from a little restaurant down the block.

After we called in our order, I told Victor I passed my driver’s test.

He picked me up and spun around. “That’s fantastic, sweetheart. How should we celebrate?”

“I’ll think of something,” I said as I nibbled on his neck. “I brought over a suitcase full of my things this afternoon, along with my whiteboard. I should put my clothes away before they are totally wrinkled.”

“I’ll watch for the delivery guy,” Victor said. “Unless you need help.”

Since there was something in my suitcase that I didn’t want him to see yet, I assured him I could put everything away myself.

I hung two dresses in the closet next to his suits and put my jeans, underwear, bras, and tops in his dresser drawers. Then I hid the special nightgown I bought at Gisele’s in the bathroom linen closet.

I left my toothbrush and other personal items on the bathroom vanity and joined Victor in the living room. He was examining my whiteboard.

“I should add a few things from today,” I said and picked up a marker.

After recording the highlights of today's conversations, the doorbell rang. Our food had arrived. We ate in the kitchen and discussed our day.

Victor reminded me he was within weeks of taking over as leader of the association, and I decided to ask Benson’s advice on planning the ceremony and celebration.

But then Victor began to yawn.

“Sorry, my love,” Victor said. “I’m exhausted from the long days I’ve been putting in recently.”

“I understand.” I stroked his cheek. “Why don’t you go to the bedroom and nap while I clean up? I want to take a shower, and then I’ll join you in bed.”

“Promise you’ll wake me up?” he said with a grin. “I owe you a few new moves.”

Victor yawned again.

“Off to bed with you, mister,” I insisted. “Don’t worry, I’ll wake you up when I come to bed.”

I intended to surprise Victor with my new nightgown. It was the first sexy lingerie I had ever bought.

After I loaded the plates and silverware in the dishwasher, I turned it on before wiping down the table and the countertops.

The anticipation of Victor’s reaction to my surprise started giving me shivers up and down my spine. I couldn’t wait to see his face when he saw me in black lace.

I grabbed some cosmetics from my handbag before going to the bathroom and found a rumpled envelope.

It was the envelope Amelia handed me at the Archer Mansion. The return address was Deirdre’s family’s address in Middleburg.

Amy and I passed through the small town on our way to Frampton University. It was home to several factories and was populated by primarily blue-collar Betas and Omegas.

I decided to read the letter. Amelia didn’t say it was private. Maybe it would give me more insight into Deirdre.

After flipping on the balcony lights, I stepped outside and sat in a comfortable chair to read it.

Dear Amelia,

I can’t begin to tell you how much your friendship has meant to me. I’m grateful for your support, and I’ll never forget how good you have been to me throughout my ordeal.

I’m staying for a few days at my parent’s place in Middleburg. So much has happened, and I needed to think.

I love Andy very much, but I’ll never be good enough for your family. But no matter how much they hate me, I am Andy’s fated mate.

The only way Andy and I will make it as a couple is for us to leave the city and start our life over somewhere else.

That’s why I asked Andy to elope with me after the baby is born so we can start over in a peaceful place, somewhere we can be together without fear, and the baby can grow up without hate in its life.

He agreed to leave with me and the baby soon after it’s born.

I don’t care about your family’s money, but Andy says he intends to fight for his fair share after we are established in the new place.

I’m returning to the city tomorrow to stay with a friend. I’ll let you know when the baby is ready to be born. I want you to be a part of the baby’s life.

I’ll never forget your kindness when the rest of your family did everything to keep Andy and me apart. I plan on staying in touch with you wherever we go.

The baby will love Aunt Amelia!

Deirdre

Wow, it was strange to read the words of this long-dead woman. She sounded as sweet, intelligent, and resilient as Amy.

I had to let her read it.

The letter showed that she loved Andy and didn't want his money. She wanted a peaceful life with her fated mate and child in a place that would accept them.

Movement and a rustling sound below me got my attention. I stood at the railing and saw eyes glowing in the darkness below me.

The headlights of a passing car revealed the red wolf standing below the balcony.

It had followed me to Victor’s apartment!