“I know the feeling,” he whispered, hugging her in his arms. “It’ll get better in a few days.”

A shuddered breath left her lips, “Yeah, I know. Dr. Kent was here earlier and we talked.”

“Hello, my dear. We were worried.” Ashley kissed her cheek and smiled, “I’m booking you for my defense class.” She sloshed in the armchair across Edward with a wry smile “Maybe you can teach us a few moves.”

That drew a smile from Sophia.

“What can I offer you?” Alistair asked as Edward took off his jacket and loosened his tie.

“Just water,” said Ashley, “we haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Then you’ll eat with us.” Sophia picked up the phone and informed Aisha that they would be four at dinner.

Edward’s eyes searched Alistair’s before he flung himself in the armchair and stared at Sophia. “Sophia. Listen closely. I- We think it’s best if you disappear for some days until everything is back to normal.”

Disappear? “I beg your pardon?” she whispered. What do you mean?

A happy female voice coming from the TV called Alistair’s attention and he stiffened when he saw the images. The camera had filmed Sophia and Emma leaving the gallery in ambulances.

Fuck. He reached for the remote control to switch off the TV when Sophia ordered, “Don’t.”

His gaze riveted to her face. Her face was pale and she had thinned her lips.

“-Gabriel Leibowitz’s widow, owner of Leibowitz Oil International. She’s been living here in London for two years hiding under her maiden name. She has since become engaged to Lord Alistair MacCraig, the Marquis of Ells and CEO of The City of London Bank. Yesterday, she was stabbed during the VIP opening of his art gallery, The Blue Dot, in Chelsea. The crime is still unexplained and, it is believed, was perpetrated by Lord Ells’s late wife’s sister, Emma Miller. Until this edition, no charges have been pressed and the police chief said he could make no comments. We’ve tried to reach her family in Rio de Janeiro, but no one was available to answer our questions. All the Leibowitz Oil employees are refusing to comment on the episode. From São Paulo, Brazil, our correspondent, Silvia Marques, has more news.”

Alberto Leibowitz appeared on the screen, with his arm around Rose. The reporter introduced them and asked what Alberto could tell her about his daughter-in-law.

“Sophia Espírito Santo, the woman our son married, has been declared psychiatrically unstable more than once by doctors and has even lost custody of her daughter.” He shook papers to emphasize his statement. “She kidnapped our baby granddaughter after our son died and has disappeared with her. We’re taking legal measures to correct this. Our lawyers have been directed to petition the English courts, proving her incapacity and requiring that custody of our granddaughter be given to us. Justice will prevail.” Alberto’s voice had the kind of mad tone one would be scared off.

No! Never! A strangled sound left Sophia’s mouth and she bit down on her bottom lip to avoid the tears that seemed unending.

“Fucking press,” Alistair switched off the TV after the subject changed. He didn’t need a degree in psychology to guess how it would rankle such a proud woman as Sophia to hear her life being dissected publicly. He knew she used her pride as a mask to avoid people getting near her. Anxiety flowed from her body, and when she reached up to dry her eyes, Alistair gently lifted her onto his lap. His fingers slid into her raven locks, pushing her head in the hollow of his shoulder. His large hand rubbed her back, to take away some of the stress he had caused. He would do anything to ease her pain.

Can this get any worse? She leaned her head on him and closed her eyes, softly sighing.

“What do you want to do?” Edward’s question was meant for her, but he was looking at Alistair.

Sophia looked up at Alistair, then at Edward’s face. “If I follow your advice? Simply hide again?”

“It’s not going to work anymore. They’ll chase you. Until you tire... Or break,” Ashley informed without preambles.

“So, we grab the bull by the horns,” Alistair met Edward’s gaze head on.

“Well, that’s Ash’s suggestion. However... knowing Sophia as I do, I’d rather she disappeared.”

Sophia met Alistair’s gaze with resolute eyes. “I don’t want my personal life strewn across the front page of these English tabloids.”

“Sophia, sweetheart,” Alistair murmured, “I don’t think you have a choice in the matter anymore.”

“Neither do I. Either we give them something, or they’re going to do their worst and dig up whatever they can,” Ashley opened her laptop and started typing.

Edward considered her face with caution before he said, “With Alberto on your trail...who knows what can come out. He can make something up that’s much worse. I fully understand your desire for privacy, but the press, it’s the lesser of two evils.”

Dammit. Sophia turned her teary gaze on Edward. “I hate the press.”

He smiled at her wryly, “I’m sure they feel the opposite about you. You’re it right now. You’re only going to help sales if you disappear.”

“Rumors will brew and spread,” Ash snorted, “I’ve seen it became uncontrollable.”

“I don’t want Gabriela involved. I’ll do everything I can to protect her,” she stated.

Alistair’s hand squeezed hers. “Relax. Nobody will hurt her. Nor you, for that matter. They just want to sell their dirty papers.”

“I suggest a press conference, tomorrow at lunch time. That way I’ll have time to call those I think are most malleable and block the worst scum,” Ashley lifted her eyes waiting for Sophia’s agreement.

Sophia searched Alistair’s strength.

He tightened his arms around her. “I’m here to support your decision even though I think a press conference should be held.”

Oh, damn. Here it comes again. “Tomorrow, midday then. Ash, limit the number to ten journalists-” Ashley shook her head. “Twenty then. One question each. After that I’ll spend a month in an abbey in confinement.”

“Airgead,” suggested Alistair. “I can work from the Inverness office if needed.”

Home. She nodded, “Airgead, it is then.”

“So, let’s prepare ourselves for tomorrow,” said Ashley in her business like way.

“Wait!” Alistair interjected. “I have an idea. If it works, the press conference will be much easier to handle.”

London, Chelsea, Fulham Road.


Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.


Thursday, June 3rd, 2010.


4.58 p.m.

The flashes and the excited voices swarmed Emma as she exited the hospital.

A microphone was thrown in her face by a thin man. “Ms. Miller, Ms. Miller! Why did you stab Mrs. Leibowitz?”

“Ms. Miller, were you jealous of your brother-in-law? What kind of relationship do you have?” That came from a woman in black.

Emma smiled softly and raised her hands. “Ladies, Gentlemen. As Mrs. Leibowitz and Lord Ells have already explained it was all a big misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” Another journalist snorted. “That was your blade in Mrs. Leibowitz’s stomach. Did you try to kill her?”

Emma made a horrified face. “How could you think that? Dear Sophia tripped and fell on some broken glass. She cut herself. I was just trying to help take away the shards. But I slipped on some water on the floor and I fell. Unfortunately, it all happened so quick that the blade flew from my hand. I tried to balance myself, but hit my head on the vase. Seems we were both unlucky.”

“Do you honestly expect us to believe that, Ms. Miller?” asked the thin man.

Emma shrugged. “You can believe what you want. My brother-in-law was here this morning again. He visited me for a whole hour. You can check the register, if you want. Do you think if I had tried to kill his fiancée, he would have visited me? And poor Sophia, she is a well known lawyer. Do you think she wouldn’t have pressed charges if I had tried to kill her?”

“So Ms. Miller, what you’re saying is that you and Lord Ells are still good friends?”

The ironic tone of the question wasn’t missed by Emma. “Good friends? No. Alistair, Lord Ells, I mean, he was married to my sister for many years and, during that time, we were friends. Now, we’re acquaintances who wish each other well. That’s it. Ladies, gentlemen, I must go. I’m still recovering from my fall and that dramatic evening.” She raised her hand stopping any more questions. “I thank you, but I really must go.”

She crossed the street and entered the black car that was waiting for her near the curb. She closed the door and turned to the young man inside, “How was that, honey?”

“I didn’t know you were such an accomplished actress, my dear,” he gave her a peck on the lips.

“Money works miracles, my dear. It works miracles.” Emma smiled at him. “And now I have Alistair at my beck and call, I will keep it coming.”

Airgead Caisteal.


Saturday, June 5th, 2010.


4.05 p.m.

They followed the kids to the center of the biggest maze Sophia had ever seen.

“You sit here and rest,” Alistair pointed to the bench in the center.

If she could, she would have bowed. Instead, she waved her hand in the air with a flourish and mocked, “Yes, sire. Any other orders?”

Alistair didn’t smile, though. “I’m not kidding, Sophia. How can I go play with the kids if I have to keep an eye on you?”

“Relax,” Tavish put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of her.”

Tavish sat next to Sophia as Alistair and Alice took Gabriela, Ariadne and Michael to play hide and seek. His mind filled with images of Alistair and him playing warriors there as children. Two happy and innocent boys, that couldn’t have imagined what life had in store for them.