Page 54 of Bared Betrayal

I watch as he walks to the kitchen, slipping off his suit jacket and tossing it on the counter. His white shirt hugs his broad shoulders, his black pants hanging low around his waist. There is nothing simple or mundane about Gabriel King. His mere presence carries a weight of authority whenever he’s in a room. Without saying a single word, he dominates the space around him, and everyone takes note.

My head is throbbing, so I press my finger against my temple. My guess is I look like death warmed over and should probably attempt to clean up, but I can’t make myself move.

Gabriel is back with a bottle of water. “Drink this. All of it,” he says, opening the bottle before handing it to me. I do as he says—not because he’s Gabriel who just barked out an order, but rather because I’m parched, and my throat feels like sandpaper.

Once the bottle is empty, he hands me another bottle. “You can sip on that one.”

“Thanks,” I say as he takes a seat on the coffee table in front of me, resting his elbows on his knees while staring at me as if he can find the answers he’s looking for in the depths of my eyes.

“Mind telling me what happened?”

I shift on the couch, diverting my gaze away from him. “I just…I thought I heard someone in the house. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” He raises a brow.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”

“Worry me? My God, Kallie. You sounded so scared. I almost had a fucking heart attack on my way here.”

“I’m really sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just tell me what the hell happened.”

“Nothing.” I divert my gaze. “I just thought I heard voices when I woke up.”

“You’re lying to me.” He shows me the note I found on my refrigerator earlier, and my heart sinks to the soles of my feet. “What is this?”

The article. Shit. He can’t see that article. No one can know. The media will eat me alive while they chew and spit out Sebastian’s career before it even has a chance to take full flight.

I square my shoulders and get to my feet, grabbing the note out of his hand. “It’s nothing.”

“You’re lying…again.”

I stomp to the kitchen, quickly scanning the floor, but don’t find the article. Gabriel is suddenly behind me, and I turn to face him. “I’m not lying.”

“You’re not telling the truth either. Whatever happened here today had you scared enough to hide in your goddamn closet, Kallie. And when I found you, you were screaming like I was trying to murder you.”

I swallow as my heart continues to pound heavily against my ribs.

Gabriel takes a step closer, and I’m overwhelmed with the need to feel his arms around me as he takes my chin between his fingers, forcing me to look at him.

“You don’t have to tell me. But I’m not letting you stay here alone.” He lets go of me and steps back. “Pack your stuff. You’re coming with me.”

“No. I’m not.”

“It’s not up for discussion.”

“Gabriel, listen,” I say as I follow him to the living room where he grabs his suit jacket, “I’m sorry I called you. I’m sorry you had to come here for nothing.”

“For nothing?” He pivots to face me. “You being scared to death isn’t nothing.” He slips on his jacket. “You’ll stay with me until Sebastian comes back.”

“Oh, my God, are you even listening to me?”

“Are you listening to me?” He snaps, his jaw clenched and brows furrowed. “I’m not leaving you here like this alone. Especially since you’re not telling me what the fuck happened that had you scared enough to hide in the motherfucking closet. So, pack your bags, or I swear to God I will haul your ass out of here with nothing but the clothes on your back.”

“Gabriel—”

“Test me, Kallie. I fucking dare you.”