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The following day I meet with Alex at the Germond property so he can take another look before submitting an offer. The house is surrounded by huge oaks and a long drive; it almost feels like driving into another world, away from the scrutiny of my own. There’s something peaceful about the property—it offers the kind of serenity money can buy.
When I arrive, I am not surprised to find Alex waiting for me. He leans against his luxury SUV, arms folded against his chest, watching as I get out of the car and walk over to where he is standing. He smiles, but it’s not particularly genuine. “I didn’t come to see the house.”
I cock my head. “I hope you’re joking.”
“What’s funny?”
“I’m paying a sitter,” I lie.
“I needed to see you.”
I was aware of this already, and perhaps a little afraid of it, but he has something I want—business—and also, he is making it clear that he knows I am trading a little bit of my soul for it. “Well, here I am.”
“You don’t have to stay with him, you know.” His gaze moves toward the house. “I could take care of you.”
“I’m sure you could.” I stare at the pavement before looking up at him. “But I love Greg. And we’re happy.”
“You didn’t look too happy in that video.”
I close my eyes and contemplate what to say next. Then I inhale deeply, exhaling in a rush. “Alex, I need to be honest.”
“All right.”
The sun has peeked out from behind the clouds, warming my face. “I came here to sell you a house. And nothing more.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Okay—” I shake my head. “But I’m not going to try to convince you. It is what it is. I mean…you were always a good friend to me but—”
“Say what you want, Amy. But I saw you there in that booth at the fall festival, and I knew. Funny thing, I hadn’t known you were going to be there. I was looking for Dana. Anyway—when I saw you, I knew it was a sign from heaven. I need a house, sure. And perhaps I used that as an excuse to see you. I won’t lie. But what I need more is a family. And you can provide that. You have everything I want. You are everything I want.” He sighs. “The universe putting you in that booth was a sign. We’re meant to be in each other’s lives.”
“Alex—I only wanted to sell you a house. And—yeah—okay…I admit, maybe a bit of free legal advice, too. I’m sorry if you think I led you on. That was never my intention.”
“Fine.” He brushes me off with a thin smile. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you in person…your guy learned a valuable lesson last night.”
“Mooney?”
He shrugs. His eyes shift. They become remote. Whatever he’s actually come here to tell me, he isn’t going to hand it over easily.
“What kind of lesson?”
“Someone beat the hell out of him with a tire iron. A proper job. Real clean. Professional. You know, a hospital kind of job.”
“Is he going to be okay?”
He shrugs again. “What do you care? He got what was coming to him. Put the fear of God into him, I’m sure. Benny always comes through.”
I’m not sure whether to be relieved or worried. My stomach is in knots. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You’ve said enough.”
I tilt my head toward the porch. “So I take it you don’t want to go inside?”
“No,” he says shortly. He speaks with such finality that it’s obvious there’s something else he wants to say, but is having a hard time getting out. “I just wanted you to know I don’t think he’ll be bothering you for a while.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
“No problem.” He swallows hard and then turns away from the house. “Everyone eventually gets what’s coming to them.”
