Stroke of Luck - Opal Carew Page 0,10
April said as she opened the second suitcase.
She glanced at the paper as she riffled through the items, then finally just pulled out some bras and panties. Even those, the women examined, and they took most of them.
“What about your jewelry, April?” Quinn said.
The leather case was sitting atop the items in her bag.
“I don’t care that he takes it back.”
Quinn placed his hand on her shoulder.
“I know, sweetheart, but you need to have them inventory the items while they’re here so the bastard can’t come after you later for anything.”
She nodded, then opened the jewelry case and set it in front of them.
While Renee went through it and ticked off the various items, Leslie opened the carry-on. Quinn watched the jewelry being sorted while April finished with the small bag.
Finally, everything was closed up, with only a few items left for April to keep.
It was a surreal experience. Austin had never seen anything like it. Someone being stripped of their belongings, and in such a methodical way. Her ex really was a bastard.
Austin had never taken his wealthy upbringing for granted. He knew how lucky he was. He’d never experienced anything like April just had, and she’d gone through it with such grace.
Renee walked to the door and rolled in a luggage cart they had waiting outside. Once all three suitcases were on it, Renee leaned in to Leslie and pointed at some unchecked items on the list. Leslie turned to April.
“There’s something from the list of jewelry missing.”
April’s shoulders pulled back, and her eyes flared.
“If it’s the tennis bracelet, he never gave that to me.”
“No, ma’am. It seems to be the necklace you’re wearing now. He listed it as a gold chain with a black pearl.”
April’s eyes widened, and her hand moved to the small pearl, covering it protectively.
“No.” Her voice was shaking, but she was adamant.
Austin wanted to rush to her side. To be her support. But Quinn was close by, and Austin could see the protective gleam in his eyes.
April sucked in a deep breath. “This is my necklace. He had nothing to do with it.”
Leslie was clearly unhappy about the position she was in.
“Of course, ma’am. I’ll just mark down that there’s a dispute.” She made a notation on the list. Then she glanced up reluctantly. “I’m sorry, but one last thing. What you’re wearing now…”
Anger flared in Austin, and he was on his feet.
“No,” Quinn snapped. He drew April to his side and angled in front of her as if shielding her. “You’re not taking the clothes off her back. Tell Mr. Dubois he can send me the bill.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And tell him I happen to know that Ms. Smith had this necklace long before she ever met him, so if he harasses Ms. Smith about this or the clothes, he’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
“Of course, sir.”
The two women turned and pushed the cart to the entrance, then disappeared out the door as quickly as they could.
Quinn slid his arm around April and drew her close to him. He guided her to the other couch and sat down beside her. Austin poured a drink and brought it to her.
She sipped it. He noticed she still clung to the necklace.
It was simple and understated, and on her gracefully curved neck it looked classy. But it wasn’t an expensive piece of jewelry. Why would her ex-fiancé want to take it?
Clearly, he just wanted to hurt her.
“That necklace is obvisously important to you,” Austin said as he sat on her other side. “He had no right to try to take it. I’m sorry this man is putting you through such a terrible ordeal.”
She nodded, tears now swelling from her eyes. “It’s all I have of my mother.” Her voice shook.
“Did she … pass away?” Austin asked.
She raised her gaze to Austin. “I don’t know.”
The words hung in the air between them. How could she not know?
She lowered her gaze. When she lifted it again, she seemed surprised he was still looking at her expectantly. He got the impression she wasn’t used to people taking an interest in what she had to say.
“I hope you’re not going to leave it there,” he said, hoping to encourage her to open up.
She sucked in a breath. “I was abandoned at the hospital right after I was born. My mother left me there. It turns out she used false insurance papers, so they had no way to track her down. She’d been wearing this necklace when she arrived at the hospital,