THE RICH ALPHA

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The nurse led Maggie back to the waiting room where a doctor with a grim face met them. "Are you Miss O'Hara?" he asked her.

Maggie's heart dropped into her stomach, but she nodded. "That's me."

The doctor smiled. "I have some good news for you. Your father's going to be all right."

Maggie's legs shook so hard the nurse helped prop her up. "You've had a long day," the nurse commented as she led Maggie to one of the chairs. She set her in the seat and smiled down at her. "Maybe that's what made you see what you thought you saw."

Maggie pursed her lips and shook her head. "I know what I saw."

The doctor arched an eyebrow. "What did you see?"

Maggie opened her mouth, but a flickering glance between nurse and doctor warned her she wouldn't be believed. She snapped her mouth shut and pursed her lips. "I saw someone break a door. That's all."

"Clear off the hinges," the nurse added.

The doctor frowned. "I see. You'll have to give a description of this vandal, but right now would you like to see your father?"

Maggie nodded. "Very much."

The nurse led her through the maze of white halls and up a flight of stairs to her father's real room. An IV ran from a hung bag to his arm. Even against the white of the sheets and hospital gown he was ghastly pale, but he managed a small smile when she came into his room.

The nurse gently touched her arm. "Please be brief. He needs his rest."

Maggie nodded and the nurse stepped out, closing the door behind her. Her father one han

d as she took a seat in a chair beside his bed. She clasped it in both of hers and smiled down at him, but she couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes.

"Thought your dad was a goner, huh?" he teased.

She shook her head. "Not at all. I just wasn't sure what I was going to have for breakfast tomorrow."

He studied her face and chuckled. "You were always a terrible liar."

She lowered her gaze to his hand. It looked so old and thin in hers. "The doctor said you were going to be fine."

Her father turned his eyes to the ceiling and pursed his lips. "I won't have any piece of mind until that young man is found and my name cleared." Maggie's heart fell and the color faded from her face as she thought of the car she'd seen those many nights before. Her father tilted his head in her direction and furrowed his brow. "Is something wrong, Maggie? You look almost as pale as me."

She shook herself and straightened. "I. . .I was just thinking of that man's car. It's so unique surely someone will find it."

He nodded. "Yes, I believe the same. The car will be found, and hopefully the young man will be alive and well."

Maggie pursed her lips and glanced to her left. A window looked out on the parking lot that sat two floors below them. Her eyes widened when she beheld the familiar form of Adrian's manservant, the man he called Albert. The servant strode away from the hospital and stopped at a black sedan. He turned so his back nearly leaned against the vehicle and clasped his hands in front of him like he waited for someone. She expected to see Adrian follow his servant or emerge from the car, but neither happened.

Her father's voice brought her out of her gazing. "Are you still with me?" he teased.

Maggie started and whipped her head to him. "What? Oh, um, yeah, sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew, but I guess I was wrong."

He shook his head. "Your lying is still as bad as ever."

Maggie patted his hand and stood. "I-I really should let you rest, or the nurse will drag me out of here."

Her father sighed and leaned his head back against his plush pillow. "You're quite right, but when you're ready to talk about what's wrong I'll be here to listen, okay?"

She smiled and nodded. "I promise."

Maggie shut the door gently behind her and hurried down the hall. She emerged from the front of the hospital and spotted the black car. The dour servant still stood as stiff as a statue beside it. She hesitated for a moment and her eyes flickered around. The parking lot was not crowded, but a few people milled in and out of cars and the hospital. She swallowed her fear and marched up to the vehicle.

Albert opened the door and in the shadowed interior she could make out the silhouette of Adrian. He leaned into the sunlight and smiled at her. "Good morning."

Maggie stopped five feet short of the car and glared at him. "You're a monster."

He shrugged. "I try, but would you like to come in? The seats are a very soft leather."

She shook her head. "No. I want answers. Now."

"It might be a wise idea to get inside. Your being seen with me once has already caused problems," he pointed out.

She looked to Albert and held out her hand. "I want the car keys."

Albert's eyes flickered to Adrian. He nodded, so the servant dug the keys from his pocket and tossed them to Maggie. She deftly caught them and stuffed them into her jeans pocket. Adrian scooted over and she slid in beside him. Albert shut the door and they were shrouded in faint shadow.

Maggie glanced around the interior for a moment. Her eyes caught on a small brown package at Adrian's feet. The handle of the mirror stuck out one end.

She turned her attention to Adrian and took a deep breath. "Did you kill that man?"

Adrian leaned back and chuckled. "I don't know of many people who can survive a bite like that."

"Did you kill him?"

Adrian sighed and gave a nod. "I did."

Maggie turned away and shut her eyes. A cold shudder ran through her body. "I didn't want you to kill him."

He scoffed. "I did nothing more than what he promised to do to you." His eyes narrowed and took on a yellowish tinge. "And I never let anyone harm what is mine."

Maggie whipped her head to him and glared at the man who wasn't a man. "You can't just own me like. . .like this car! I'm a human! A person with feelings, and sensibilities, and-"

"Morals?" he guessed.

Maggie relaxed and nodded. "Yes, with morals. That man needed to be taken to the police, not murdered."

Adrian chuckled. "Do you think someone of that magical aptitude would have allowed the police to interfere, or given us a chance to even summon them?"

Maggie scrunched her eyes shut and shook her head. She felt warm tears slide down her cheeks. "I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't want any-" She started back and her eyes flew open as she felt a finger brush against her cheek.

Adrian leaned back and admired the single drop of tear on his finger. "The tears of an innocent maiden."

She frowned. "What does that-" Adrian leaned down and pulled out the mirror. Now she was able to see the crack in the center. "What happened?"

"You dropped it," he reminded her as he lay the mirror in his lap.

Adrian held the tear above the crack. The liquid slowly slid off his finger and splashed onto the broken surface. The entire surface of the glass lit with a blue hue. The crack made a crinkling noise as it slowly closed.

Then it paused and the entire glass shattered and flew over the interior of the car.

Maggie yelped and jumped back. Adrian leaned back and threw his arm in front of his face. The glow vanished, and Adrian lowered his arm to find the glass was completely broken. Only a few jagged pieces remained along the rim. He ground his teeth together and growled.

"W-what was that?" Maggie asked him.

"A failure, and one that can be remedied now," he replied.

Maggie frowned. "Not with me."

Maggie spun around in her seat and grabbed the door handle. The glow of the mirror returned. A bolt of blue light flew from the bits of glass and stabbed her in the back.

"Maggie!" Adrian yelled.

Maggie's eyes widened and her mouth opened in a soundless scream. She fell backward. Adrian dropped the mirror and caught her to pull her into his arms. Her eyes closed and her head lolled to one side. He could see her erratic breathing as her face scrunched up.

The door flew open and Albert stuck his head inside. Adrian whipped his head up. "Take us to Ficus!"

Albert nodded and shut the door. He procured a duplicate key from his pocket and hurried into his seat. In a few moments they were speeding down the road.

In the rear seat Adrian pulled Maggie into his lap and against his chest. Her spasms ceased, but her breathing was still fast and shallow.

"Maggie," Adrian whispered. She shuddered and shook her head. He gave her a shake. "Maggie, wake up. You have to wake up."

"No," she moaned as she rolled her head from side-to-side. "No, not the blood. Oh god, no. No! Don't kill him!"

Maggie's eyes flew open. They were devoid of sight. The scream built up inside of her poured forth. It was a long, hollow wail that made Adrian flinch. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her so they faced each other.

"Wake up!"