Neighbors and More (High Rise Series) by Mona Risk

cabinet, unfolded a plastic bag he had in his
pocket and threw in it all the bottles and vials. He looked into the wooden
cabinet under the sink, read the labels on hairsprays and lotions, peered
behind the toilet bowl, and unfolded the neatly arranged towels in the bathroom
closet. Moving to the powder room, he repeated his search.
    “Off to the bedroom.” He walked straight to her dresser and pulled
the three top drawers. She stiffened as he fumbled through her perfumes,
scarves, and belts. When he opened the next series of drawers, he whistled and
glanced at her, his eyes rounding.
    “Careful with her jewelry,” Dante warned as the detective uncovered
a black velvet box and raised a diamond and emerald necklace to the light. “You
are searching, not assessing her diamonds.”
    Ladd’s eyes narrowed threateningly. He slammed the drawers shut,
swiftly explored the lower ones, and strolled to the chest sitting against the
wall.
    Alexa cringed. “My intimate things,” she whispered to Dante.
“Must he touch my underwear and bras?”
    “You’ll wash everything. Better still, you’ll buy new
things.” Dante rubbed her back. She would have relished the soothing effect of
his fingers at any other time. But not now. Averting her gaze from the detective,
she concentrated on the Intracoastal Canal, a view that had always relaxed her.
“You don’t have to fondle every thong,” Dante said, his tone menacing.
    “I knew it.” The detective flung up his hands. One dangled a
lace bra and the other clasped a small jewelry box.
    Alexa paled. “What’s that?” She didn’t recognize the gray box.
Hers were all black with her initials embroidered or painted in gold, a special
luxury touch from her high-class jeweler.
    “It was hidden here.” Ladd demonstrated how the box had
nestled inside the curve of the bra.
    Why was that gray box hidden in her lingerie drawer? Her
throat tightened so hard she suffocated and inhaled hard. God, what was
happening?
    “Ah-ha. A solitaire. Not your usual huge diamonds. Still it
makes a beautiful engagement ring. Oh, and here is a small card.” His lips
thinned in a long smile that reminded her of a snake. “How sweet. ‘Thank you
for taking me. I will love you forever’. Ah-ha. Care to explain, Alexa?”
    She stomped forward, rubbing her neck, and forced the words
out. “I don’t understand. I’ve never seen it.”
    Ladd arched ominous eyebrows. “Of course. Why did I expect
you to say anything else?”
    No. It’s not true. It’s not happening . How could she
stop the shaking? She wrapped her arms around her chest and stared at the box
displaying the diamond. A small diamond of poor quality that looked more like a
zirconium. A ring she wouldn’t be caught dead wearing after Greg had taught her
to appreciate the best. It was that lousy diamond that threatened her right
now.
    Count to five. Inhale. Exhale. She had to do
something. Get herself out of this mess before it was too late. She’d pledged to
build her future on her own—a future where she wouldn’t let any male intimidate
her, a future where she’d depend on herself in every way.
    Start now .
    She lifted her chin. “You’ve seen my jewelry. Do you really
think I need that ring?” She reached in the dresser drawer and extracted a
square black box with a gold monogram made of an A and P interlaced. Clicking
it open, she revealed a fabulous ten carat, brilliant diamond reflecting light
in all directions. “ This is my wedding ring. Greg wanted me to keep it.”
She didn’t add she considered it to be her manacle. Greg’s slave mark. Soon she
would emancipate herself by insisting he took it back. Right now she counted on
the magnificent piece of jewelry to save her.
    The detective’s eyes widened and riveted on the sparkles of the
opulent diamond. After a moment, he flipped an uncertain glance in her
direction, then ogled the other sachets and jewelry boxes in the drawer.
“Careful, lady. You have a little