The moment James finished his report, I turned toward the study door.
“Alice,” I called evenly.
She looked up immediately, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.
“Follow us.”
Her brows drew together faintly.
“You don't want Fernando making another attempt to whisk you away now, do you?”
I smirked slightly afterward for good measure. I had discovered rather quickly that Alice found my amusement deeply irritating. Predictably, her expression flattened immediately.
Without a word, she followed behind James and me through the hallway.
The estate remained tense despite the attack being over. Guards moved faster now. Alert. Armed. Focused. The atmosphere after violence always lingered like smoke no matter how efficiently it was contained.
I led them toward one of the smaller reception lounges
