Fealty (Alex and Cassidy) by Healy Nancy Ann & Armstrong JA

Author:Healy , Nancy Ann & Armstrong , JA
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bumbling Bard Creations
Published: 2024-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

PARIS, FRANCE

Why did anyone think a vault could protect their secrets? Didn’t people know the biggest threat to exposure always existed on the inside? There was no such thing as an impenetrable fortress—not in Claire’s experience. She scanned the numbered boxes until she found the number 3543. She entered Cassidy’s birthdate on the keypad and waited for the signature click.

“I hope it isn’t a trap or a pile of dog shit. Who am I kidding? It will definitely be a pile of shit.”

She opened the door and retrieved an envelope and a small box. Claire looked around and shook her head. Not here. Her phone buzzed.

“Hi, El.”

“Are you still at the company?” Eleana asked.

“Just leaving. Did you land?”

“Just now,” Eleana said. “Claire?”

“Yeah?”

“What do you want me to tell Cass and Rose?”

“Tell them?”

Eleana giggled. “I think they’ll notice the ring, babe.”

“Oh. Tell them whatever you want to tell them, El.”

“I thought you might want to tell your sister and mother.”

Claire slipped the box and envelope into the pocket of her jacket. “You can tell them.”

“Where are you? You sound far away.”

“In the vault,” Claire replied. She heard Eleana sigh. “I haven’t looked at what Krause left. I’d rather do that back to your father’s estate.”

“Call me if⁠—”

“El, let me handle this, okay? You go and spend time with the kids.”

“Please be careful, Claire. Whatever he left, please don’t⁠—”

“I’m not running into danger. Okay? Call me when you’re settled at Cassidy’s.”

“Are you sure you want me to tell Cassidy and Rose about our engagement?”

“You’re there. It makes sense.”

“Are you afraid to tell them?”

“What? No.”

“Call your sister, Claire. Tell her.”

Claire groaned.

“Call her.”

“Shit. I think I’d better call Alex first.”

Eleana smiled as she listened to Claire. “Whatever you think is best.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

“I love you,” Eleana said.

“I love you, too.”

Claire looked at the phone in her hand when Eleana hung up the call. “Well, you’re in a vault. It’s safe in here.”

Alex lifted her phone. “Claire?”

“That would be me.”

“Everything okay there?” Alex asked.

“Sure. I don’t have anything yet, Alex. At least, nothing I can make sense of. I just picked up something Krause left in the vault here.”

“Claire, it’s eleven at night. You’re still at Technologie Applique?”

“What else would I be doing in France—alone?”

Alex chuckled.

“Listen, I called because I need to tell you something before El gets there.”

“Is El okay?”

“She’s good. Listen, Alex.” Claire groaned.

“Claire, what?”

“Shit. I sort of gave El a ring while we were in Spain.”

“You proposed to El?”

“Not exactly.”

“I don’t follow.”

“I didn’t want to push, you know? I thought I’d give her a ring as a promise—no pressure. She proposed.”

Alex’s laughter took Claire by surprise.

“You’re laughing?”

“I’m sorry, Claire. What did you say?”

“What do you mean, what did I say? She asked if I wanted to get married. I told her I didn’t want to push. And then she said she would love to be married to me.”

“That’s great, Claire.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Mad?” Alex sighed. “No. I’m not mad, Claire. I’m glad she has you—the kids, too.”

“Really? I know Krause⁠—”

“Pip is gone. And you’re my best friend.

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