Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 54

When Alicia was at her most innocent, Vincent never cherished her.

Now, frustration simmered beneath Vincent's calm exterior. He simply couldn't understand what Tyrone was after.

He and Alicia had only met a handful of times, barely exchanging a word in private. Why was Tyrone so intent on making him an enemy over someone like Alicia?

"Mr. Lawson… please take a look at this photo." After Tyrone left, Vincent's assistant approached, setting a photograph on the desk.

Vincent glanced down. It was an old picture, clearly from years ago. In it, a much younger Tyrone, barely out of his teens, held a little girl in his arms. Beside them stood a woman whose features bore an uncanny resemblance to Alicia.

Vincent's eyes narrowed as he looked up at his assistant. "Who's the woman?"

"We couldn't find out. The Lynch family really went to lengths to conceal any trace of her," the assistant explained quickly.

Vincent fell silent, deep in thought.

So Tyrone had a motive in getting close to Alicia.

Was he treating Alicia as a stand-in? Or was there some other connection between Alicia and the woman in the photo?

"Keep digging." Vincent's voice was low and cold.

He needed to know exactly what Tyrone wanted from Alicia.

***

Riverside Manor.

Alicia hadn't slept this well in ages.

Maybe it was the slap from Vincent—maybe that was what finally let her put the past behind her.

When she woke the next morning, she noticed the curtains were drawn. She distinctly remembered falling asleep the night before with them wide open.

Did Wilma come in at some point?

Stretching, Alicia shuffled out of bed, still blinking the sleep from her eyes. She opened the bedroom door to get a glass of water—only to walk straight into a solid, broad chest.

Her heart skipped; she stepped back, startled, and looked up at Tyrone. "Tyrone… I'm sorry."

He was wearing only a robe, his hair still tousled from sleep. "It's Monday. City Hall opens today. We're getting our marriage license."

Alicia blinked at him, surprised by the urgency. "I thought we were waiting until Friday?"

"Plans changed," he said simply.