Page 12

Gabby

M y heart is in my throat as I call Cass.

It’s a conversation I don’t want to have, but the wedding is tonight, and I at least owe it to the people in attendance.

The only people there for me were my parents—and Todd of course—but the last thing I want is for all Cass and his father’s friends is to have them waiting for me to walk down the aisle. That’s just not fair.

He answers on the first ring, and the anger in his voice hits like a windstorm.

“Jesus Christ, Gabrielle. Where the fuck have you been all night? We’ve been searching the hotel.”

“Where I’ve been is none of your business. Not anymore, anyway.”

He exhales, like I’m some disobedient child getting on his last nerve.

“Where are you? I’m coming to get you.”

“No, you’re not. We’re done, Cass. I’m only phoning you out of courtesy for the guests. The wedding is off.”

A moment of silence and then. “Gabrielle, come on. What you saw. That was nothing. Todd doesn’t mean anything to me. You do. I love you.”

I snort out a laugh, and when I take a step backward, my legs weak, Roman is on his feet, right there in front of me to catch me if I fall. I give him a grateful smile, but suspect it’s about as shaky as my hands. I grip the phone tighter, and take a fueling breath.

“It’s over, Cass. I’m leaving.”

“Gabrielle, sweetheart,” he begins, changing tactics like that will somehow get me to change my mind. No way will any kind of sweet talk work with me. Not anymore. “Think of our future. You designing clothes, me modeling them for you. We’re a team.”

“We’re not anything.” I hear a bang in the background, then a curse. “Ohmigod, Todd is still with you?”

“We’ve spent the night looking for you.” Anger once again laces his voice. “We didn’t sleep.”

Good God, he’s acting like this is all my fault.

“Maybe if I didn’t find the two of you in bed together, neither one of you would have had to stay up all night.”

“Don’t you dare do this to me,” he fires back, his voice venomous. “If you do, I’ll ruin you.”

My heart lurches, and my gaze locks with Roman’s and somehow just his presence gives me courage. “I’ll be just fine.”

“No, you won’t. Your career is over if you do this.”

He’s right. It is. “I’ll land on my feet,” I say, even though I don’t believe it. Roman gives my elbow a reassuring squeeze. “I’m not coming back.”

“What about all your belongings? Your designs? You gave up your apartment. Are you moving back to your parents’ place? I’m not sending any of your things to California. You belong with me. You know it as well as I do.”

“Keep my things. I don’t need them.” My knees wobble as I do a mental check on what I have in my checking account.

“Let’s not do this. Take some time. Think this over. I know you’ll come to your senses. Think about the family we were going to have.”

“It’s over,” I state clearly, really hoping he’ll get it through his brain this time.

“No, it’s not. It’s not over. I’m going to find you. I’m going to make this right and bring you back home where you belong.”

I have no idea why he’s fighting so hard. I’m sure lots of women want to be with him.

Ah, but would they be as understanding as you’ve been, Gabby?

All the late nights.

The sudden overseas trips.

His unexplained absences.

Yeah, I get it. I was his beard, and not too many women would put up with the long, lonely nights and lame explanations. Honestly, he didn’t even really try that hard.

Was there some part of me that knew and overlooked what was going on behind my back, completely caught up in the glamour of the fashion world, the thrill of being a part of it, and the idea that someday I’d have my own designer line? Maybe I’m as much to blame for all this as he is.

As those thoughts go through my brain, Roman cocks his head. I force another smile that I don’t feel.

“Don’t come looking for me.”

“Gabrielle, here’s what we’ll do. I’ll tell everyone there was an emergency in your family and you had no choice but to leave immediately. I’ll reschedule the wedding.”

A headache begins in the back of my head. “Cass?—”

“I’m going to find you.” In the background, a door opens and slams shut, and that’s when I hear Luc’s booming voice. “My father has expectations,” Cass seethes, his tone much lower this time.

Ah yes, his father wants an heir sooner rather than later.

How did I not see all this before? Why did it take chaos for me to have clarity?

I’m not sure, I’m only glad that my eyes have been open (unfortunately, I can’t ever unsee what I’d walked into last night) and to be honest, it’s quite embarrassing.

I lift my lashes and find Roman still watching me. We’ve been open with each other, but this? God, I’d never want him to know how easy it was for them to take advantage of me, how fast Cass and Luc changed me into what they wanted, what suited their purposes.

I swallow the pain in my throat and stiffen my back, exuding confidence when my insides feel like they were just worked over with a cheese grater.

“Is that her?” Luc asks. “Let me talk to her.”

“There is nothing you can say or do,” I blurt out before Luc can take the phone.

“It’s over, and I mean it. You and Todd have a nice life.

I don’t want to see or hear from either of you again.

” When he starts to curse, and Luc’s voice grows louder, I end the call, toss my phone onto the coffee table like it’s infected, and try to keep my legs from collapsing.

Dark eyes move over my face, a careful assessment when I square my shoulders. “When are we leaving?” I ask.

He pulls me to him. “You did good, Gabs. I know that wasn’t easy.”

I choke back a sob. “He said he’s going to look for me.”

He pulls back, his hands on my shoulders. “Did he threaten to hurt you?” Murder backlights his eyes, but this is my fight, not his. “Tell me where he is.”

I put my hand on his chest and his strong heart beats hard against my palm. “No, Roman. I don’t want you doing anything that could jeopardize your career.”

“I don’t care?—”

“No,” I repeat and it’s not true. He might be easygoing and fun, but his career is important to him. You don’t get to his level without hard work and sacrifice, and I won’t allow him to take risks because of my problems. “He wanted to know where I was.”

“You’re safe here.”

I nod, feeling safe locked away in Roman’s suite. “I don’t want to see him, but he seems determined to fix things.” I shake my head and stare at my dress. “The only thing that needs fixing is the dress.” I chuckle, but it’s lifeless. “Maybe it will be therapeutic.”

“Yeah, maybe,” he whispers, a pained look moving over his eyes.

“I wish I could take you out of here right now, Gabs. But I have Easton’s wedding tonight.

” My heart jumps, and the regret I have for keeping him here with me must be all over my face—I really am an easy read—because he says, “I’m not involved in too many activities.

I have the guys’ lunch today. It’s for the wedding party.

I’m not in it, but Rip and I planned to hit the Strip later, so he snagged me an invite.

For the actual wedding tonight, I just basically have to show up and be my charming self. ”

I grin, realizing that’s not too hard for him. But… “Did you have a date for it?”

“No.” He clears his throat and when he bites his bottom lip, looking somewhat sheepish and completely adorable, understanding hits.

“Oh, the bridesmaids. I can make myself scarce tonight.” The pool had some nice change rooms and I could always sneak in after hours again. It worked for me last night. For a little while, anyway. Honestly, how lucky was I that Roman was doing the same—for different reasons of course, but still.

He cups my face. “The only one I want in that bed tonight is you,” he says, and I search his face and find nothing but honesty and…heat.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.” He steps into me, his body big and overwhelming and I slide my hands around his back. “I’d love to finish what we started.”

This time a laugh—a real genuine laugh—bubbles up inside of me. “Ah, you did finish.” I cock my head playfully. “Wait, you think that’s not true?” I rake my nails over his back. “Oh, it’s definitely true and last night you saw that ‘truth’…all over my face.”

His jaw drops open as he shakes his head in disbelief, but there’s laughter in his eyes. “I don’t remember you being such a smart ass.”

“I’m not usually. I think I just feel lighter somehow.”

He frowns as we both turn to the jeweled gown on the table. “Yeah, that dress was heavy.”

I nod, completely understanding the hidden meaning there.

“Very.” I stifle a yawn, as a wave of exhaustion catches me.

“Then why don’t you fix it and then take a nap.” He brushes his thumbs over my cheeks. “I’ll go to lunch with the guys, and do a fast walk of the Strip with Rip, and I’ll be back here as soon as I can.”

“Go.” I give him a little nudge. “Do your wedding stuff. I’m fine here.” I pick up the scissors.

“What about tonight, though? It’s New Year’s and I don’t want you in this room by yourself.”

“I’m not leaving this room. The last thing I want is a confrontation with Cass, or his dad.

Luc St. Pierre isn’t a man to take no lightly.

” When it comes right down to it, he kind of scares me.

A shiver goes through me. “He didn’t get to where he is in the business world without being ruthless. His son is learning from the best.”

“Are you worried he’ll talk you into going back.

” I arch a brow. “Not that I don’t think you’re strong.

I know you are. I just mean, he could offer you things, and…

” He pauses for a second, the lines in his forehead deepening as he thinks about his next words.

“I just mean, people do things for a reason. When something is important enough.”

“You mean my career.”

“I know people who stay in loveless marriages, Gabby. A means to an end, you know.”