each. It’s an interesting relationship.”
“It sure sounds that way. What’s her husband like? I don’t know anything about him.”
“That’s probably for the best.”
“Why?”
“Sometimes he scares people.”
“Scares people?”
“He won’t do anything to hurt you. But if anyone else does, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. Don’t worry—you’ll be safe at Riverley, which is why Nick’s sending you there.”
Forty minutes later, Bradley drew to a halt outside the tall iron gates of Riverley Hall and honked the horn. A mop of brown hair popped out of the window of a stone cottage built into the wall that surrounded the property, then the gates swung open on silent hinges.
Bradley jerked his head at the funny little building as we passed. “Guardhouse. Two people from the security team are on duty inside.”
“Mr. Black has a security team? Is that because of me?”
“No, they’re here all the time. He likes to keep the place safe. He also has patrolling teams and a state-of-the-art security system.”
“Isn’t that expensive?”
“He’s loaded.”
“Does he have more money than Nick?” A personal question, but I couldn’t help asking, and Bradley seemed happy to talk.
“Emmy and her husband make Nick look like a kid with a piggy bank. They’re in a whole other league. And don’t make the mistake of thinking Emmy lives off him either. She earned her money herself, every cent of it.”
The house came into view, and I did a double take. Back in elementary school, Tori and I had done a project on English stately homes, and this place reminded me of one of those, from the turret on the left to the fountain in front of the steps. The ornate stonework, the big mullioned windows, and the huge columns flanking the front doors. A swath of ivy covered the right-hand corner, and when my eyes followed it upwards, I caught sight of a row of gargoyles staring down from the roofline.
“Do people really live here?”
Bradley chuckled. “Yes, they really do. The house is quite something when you first see it, huh?”
I nodded, speechless.
“Come on, let’s go inside.”
Bradley helped me out of the car and linked my arm through his as he guided me up the steps. He didn’t bother to knock, just stared into a retina scanner hidden in the eye of a stone lion, and I jumped as a muffled clunk came from the door. What kind of person had a James-Bond-style security system when a simple key would do? Well, apart from Nick and his eagle-beak lock, which was admittedly very cool.
Going inside was like stepping through a portal to the dark side. Buck’s Bar would have fitted in the hallway twice over, and polished wood panelling gave the place an ominous air made all the more foreboding by two full-sized suits of armour flanking the entrance. Blood-red velvet couches butted against the walls, and the only brightness came from a giant chandelier whose lights glinted on the black and white chequerboard tiles. The place was elegant in a gothic way. At least, that’s what I thought at first. When I looked closer, I realised the crystals hanging down from each branch were shaped like tiny skulls with gleaming teeth and empty eye sockets, and I couldn’t help shuddering. The place gave me the creeps.
Bradley ducked down a passage to the side, and I followed. If I’d hoped for a cheerier theme, I’d run out of luck. The tapestry gracing the wall showed everything from a man being speared to a woman being decapitated.
“It’s from the Battle of Gettysburg,” Bradley said. “Dates back to 1863. Ugly as hell, isn’t it?”
“It’s very morbid.”
A lady wearing an apron stepped out of the shadows. “It’s an heirloom, dear. We’ve learned to live with it.”
Bradley introduced us. “This is Mrs. Fairfax. She takes care of the house.”
Mrs. Fairfax ignored my offered hand and pulled me into a hug.
“I’m Lara,” I mumbled into her chest. “I’m Nick’s housekeeper.”
She pulled back and gave me a sympathetic smile. “I don’t envy you. That boy leaves a trail of mess wherever he goes.”
“I think he’s getting better. He puts his plates in the dishwasher now.”
“I always said if the right woman came along, he’d change his ways. It very much seems like you’re her.”
A blush spread up my cheeks. “I sure hope so. That’s if this stalker doesn’t send him running.”
“Nick won’t worry about a little thing like that. I know he’s got people out hunting for the man, and Logan’s here to keep an eye on you. He’s waiting in