Free Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1) by Lara Earlman Page B

time
to formally introduce Dane to some of the other manufacturers they had dealings
with. Of course there were plenty of beautiful Asian women willing to spend the
evenings with him, but uncharacteristically he had no inclinations to take them
to his bed. Aly was like a fine Bordeaux, once tasted, all appetite for other
wines is ruined.
     
    “What
do you mean, she’s gone!?”
    Dane
didn’t realize he’d shouted the statement until he saw Bruna cringe. His
grandmother, however, was not affected by the outburst. She remained
irritatingly calm, with that all-knowing look that always grated on his nerves.
If he wasn’t so relieved to see her looking so fit, he would… Well, he wouldn’t
do anything more than look at her incredulously, as he was doing right now.
    “Sitz, jungen,” Oma said. “We are all
concerned about her disappearance, but you must hear the facts before running
off half-cocked.”
    Dane sat as she
requested, wondering disrespectfully if the old woman had any idea what her
last statement sounded like in today’s society – the visualization itself, half-cocked .
The right side of his mouth turned up in a taunting grin. Actually, that might
be accurate. Oma centered her laser, behave-yourself , gaze on him before
beginning.
    “The
last I saw Aly was at the hospital. She brought a box of chocolate in to be
tested for cyanide, and she was right to suspect it.”
    “Chocolates,
where did they come from – why did she think you were purposely poisoned? Wait
a minute, you were poisoned intentionally! ? Are you sure? Why would
anyone want you dead?” Dane was back on his feet, pacing the room. Oma remained
silent until he turned his focus back to her.
    “May
I finish?” she asked, firmly. Dane plopped back on the chair, remaining seated
at the edge, his agitation noticeable.
    “Danke,
as I was saying, Aly was very upset. I suspect she’s one that cannot let a
mystery go unsolved. She spotted a box of Abare Chocolates and asked
where it had come from. Of course we thought she’d arranged to have them sent
to me during my earlier hospital stay.”
    “Are
you sure she didn’t? That could explain her disappearance.” Dane butted in. He
was trying desperately to erase the feeling of panic assailing him at the
thought of losing Aly.
    “Nein,
Daney,” Oma glared at him, “and I will not be convinced that she would wish me
harm! I am worried for her, jungen. E in bisschen is in trouble – has been for a while, I suspect. Now would be the time to tell
me the truth about your relationship with her, Daney. I know who she is.”
    Bruna stepped into
the room followed by two gentlemen. Dane stood up, extending his hand to greet
them.
    “Lee, Edward, it’s
been years. What brings you to Deutschland ?” he asked, as they shook hands and slapped each
other on the back. Lee Carsten and Ed Bravanger were old friends of his
grandparents.
    “Your lovely
grandmother, of course,” Ed, the eldest of the two, said as he greeted Oma with
a kiss to her hand. Dane turned a quizzical eye to his grandmother.
    “Did you bring
it?” she asked Lee, ignoring her grandson’s silent query. Carsten laughed at
her impatience as he dug into his briefcase. Pulling a clipping out, he handed
it over to her.
    “This is the last
public photograph of her,” he explained. “Fani verified identification and is
wracked with guilt for not keeping in touch with her. She and the rest of the kids
are ready to take the first plane here, as soon as they hear the word.”
    “It’s about time
the younger generation of the ABC’s started working together,” Ed Bravanger
concurred. “My son is a fine lawyer in his own right,” the elderly attorney
bragged. “He will be handling things from the states.”
    “What the hell is
going on, Oma?” Dane was at a loss and did not enjoy being kept out of the
link.
    “A little respect,
son,” Lee gently chastised. After a nod from Oma, he took the clipping from her
and handed it to