by Lynn, Sandi
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“No, I’m not.” I ran my hand down my face.
“Did something happen? Is Mom okay?”
“She’s fine. It’s about Kate.”
“Shit. Okay. Give me about ten minutes.”
I headed downstairs, poured myself a bourbon, downed it, and took the bottle with me to my office. Opening my laptop, I waited for Caleb’s call. A few moments later, my phone rang, and I explained what happened.
“Gabriel, are you one hundred percent sure Kate was the one who leaked it?”
“It’s a gut feeling, Caleb. No one on my design team would betray me like that. There’s too much at stake for them.”
“Then what would Kate’s reasoning be?”
“All I know is they talked quite a bit in Hawaii, and it was after I told her about my plans.”
“So what if they talked? Marcel will talk to anything with long legs just to get a good fuck out of them. It doesn’t mean she told him anything.”
“And it doesn’t mean she didn’t.”
“I thought you were over your trust issues with her,” he spoke.
“I guess not. She played me. She gained my trust, only to stab me in the back.”
“Bro, be careful with your words. You don’t know that, and you don’t have proof.”
“Her past is all the proof I need. I’m sorry I ever got involved with her. God, I’m so fucking stupid.”
“Calm the fuck down, Gabriel. You’re not stupid. You just told me the other day how in love with her you were and how she makes your life so much better. Now the second something goes wrong, you automatically jump to the conclusion she did it. Unless you have proof, it’s not valid.”
“Then I’ll get proof.” I pointed at the computer screen.
“How?”
“I don’t know yet, but I will. Maybe she didn’t do it on purpose or maybe it was just a mention, but I specifically told her not to say a word to anyone.”
He let out a long sigh.
“I’m sorry this happened. I really am. But I can’t side with you on this unless you know for sure. And also, why are you letting Dad’s dream destroy your life?”
“I’m not.” I leaned back in my chair.
“You are. You’re still catering to him, even after he’s dead. The man was an emotional abuser and you know it. And even though he’s buried deep in the ground, he’s still controlling you.”
“You’re being ridiculous, Caleb.”
“No, Gabriel.” He pointed at me. “You are. As if there aren’t enough billion-dollar Quinn Hotels and Resorts in the world already. Why is this one so fucking important to you? I’ll tell you why. Because you’re still trying to make him proud. Just like you’ve done your entire life. Following him around like a lost puppy. I was the only one in the family who had enough guts to stand up to him and tell him exactly how I felt. Look at me, Gabriel. I’m happy and you’re miserable.”
“Now you’re just being a dick.”
“Listen, bro, I’m sorry that you’re going through this. You know I always have your back, but in this case, I’m not so sure. I have to go. Tomorrow is our last day of recording and then we’re heading back to New York. I’ll call you when I get in.”
“Have a safe flight,” I spoke as I hit the end button.
Chapter 32
Kate
As hard as I tried to open my swollen eyes, I couldn’t. They were sealed shut from all the crying I did last night plus the pounding of my head from the bottle of wine I drank. I lay there, still distraught and in disbelief that in a split second, my entire world crumbled before me. Tears started to creep out from the corner of my closed eyes. I didn’t think I had any tears left, but every time I thought about him, they started back up again. I felt paralyzed and I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed.
Three days later, after hibernating in my bed, only getting up to use the bathroom and get something to drink, I finally managed to take a bath. As I sunk down into the rose-scented bubbles, I recalled my last visit with my father.
“Daddy, there’s something I need to tell you,” I spoke as I looked down from the embarrassment of lying to him the past few years.
“What is it, baby girl?” he asked with concern.
I told him everything, and his eyes filled with tears.
“My god, Kate. I have no words for what you just told me. I’m so sorry.” He slowly shook his head as the tears steadily ran down his face.
We talked for as long as we could until our time was up. Before I left, he hugged me tight.
“Go live a normal life, baby. That’s all I want for you. I’m fine in here,” he whispered in my ear.
I told him all about Gabriel and how happy I was. Now I’d have to go and tell my father what happened. I should have expected it. Life was too good and after everything I had done, I didn’t deserve to be happy. This was karma paying me back for all those men I conned. I climbed out of the bathtub and slipped into my robe. I wasn’t hungry, but I knew I had to eat something since I hadn’t eaten in three days. I opened my freezer, since it was about the only thing that had some type of food in it and pulled out a frozen pizza. As I preheated the oven, the buzzer to my apartment rang. Who the hell would be visiting me? The thought that it was Gabriel made me panic.
“Can I help you?” I asked over the intercom.
“Kate, it’s me, Caleb. Can I come up?”
“Caleb? Sure. I’ll buzz you in.”
I opened the door in confusion and watched for him to get off the elevator.
“Hey.” He gave me a sympathetic smile. “How are you?”
“Not good. Come on in. I’m making a frozen pizza. Would you care to join me?”
“Umm. No thanks. When was the last time you ate?”
“I don’t know. Three days ago,” I replied.
He pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Put that away. I’m going to order us a real pizza.” He smiled.
“Caleb, I—”
“No arguments. I’m ordering it and you’re going to eat it.”
He placed the pizza order and then followed me to the couch.
“How did you know where I live?” I asked.
“I had Carl drive me over.”
“And Gabriel was okay with that?”
“My brother doesn’t know, and he doesn’t need to.”
“He wouldn’t be very happy knowing you’re here.”
“I don’t care. It’s none of his business whom I choose to visit.”
I gave him a small smile as I played with the tie to my robe.
“Kate, I want you to look me straight in the eye and tell me the truth,” he spoke with seriousness.
“I swear to you that I didn’t tell Marcel or anyone about Gabriel’s plans.”
He reached over and placed his hand on mine.
“I believe you.”
“Why? Why would you?”
“Because I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt Gabriel. You love him and that right there says enough.”
The buzzer rang and interrupted our conversation.
“That must be the pizza guy. I’ll be right back,” Caleb spoke as he got up from the couch and left the apartment.
I took a couple of plates out of the cabinet and set them on the table. Caleb saying he believed me meant a lot. I’d just wished Gabriel would’ve. After a few moments, Caleb walked back into my apartment with the pizza. Taking it over to the table, he set it down and opened the lid.
“Smells delicious,” I spoke.
“It sure does. I’m starving.” He smiled.
“Can I ask you something?” I spoke as I grabbed a slice of pizza and put it on my plate.
“You can ask me anything,” he replied.
I asked the question I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to.
“How is Gabriel?”
“Upset. A mess. Pissed off at the world.”
“I’m sorry.” I looked down.
>
“Don’t be, Kate. It’s not your fault. Even though my brother thinks it is, it’s not. He had no right to accuse you without proof. If you say you didn’t do it, that should have been good enough for him.”
“He never has and never will trust me.”
“Then that’s his problem, isn’t it? He always followed what our father said and did. If he told Gabriel to jump off a building, he probably would have. He was always so worried about disappointing him. Me, on the other hand,” he smiled, “I didn’t care. This is my life and I was going to do what made me the happiest.”
“You don’t think Gabriel’s happy running the company?” I asked as I took a bite of my pizza.
“He is in his own way. He was born to run a business. He’s extremely smart and very skillful. The digital hotel isn’t that big of a deal. He only wants to do it to please our father, even though he’s buried six feet into the ground. You want to know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think it was someone in his company who spilled the beans to Marcel.”
“But why would anyone do that?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Gabriel has known those people for years and he trusts them. The thought that anyone would betray him is ludicrous to him. Unfortunately, you got caught in the crossfire. Have you ever met Thaddeus?”
“Not formally. He said hello to me once at Gabriel’s office. But I’ve heard him mention his name a few times.”
“I never trusted that guy. Something was always off about him. But Gabriel considers him a friend and a valuable asset to the company. He’s his right-hand man even though I know if the opportunity arose, he’d stab my brother in the back.”
Thoughts were flying through my head like a swarm of birds flying south for the winter.
“Tell me more about Thaddeus.”
“Why?” he asked with a narrowed eye.
A moment of silence filled the air.
“Kate, no.”
“What?” I took another slice of pizza from the box.
“I know what you’re thinking, and it won’t work.”
“It will. Maybe he was the one who told Marcel.”
“Just leave it alone. Gabriel fucked up with you in a big way. He made his bed, now let him lie in it.”
“The only thing that’s important to me is proving that I didn’t do anything.”
“And how are you going to do that?”
“I don’t know yet. But the one thing I do know is that someone in that office betrayed Gabriel and if they did it once, they’ll do it again.”
“Why do you care so much?” Caleb asked.
“Because I’m not being blamed for something I didn’t do. I’ve done a lot of shit in my life and I’m the first one to admit it. But this. Having my whole life ripped apart for something I didn’t do is unacceptable.”
“Okay. So let’s say you prove it was someone Gabriel works with? Then what? Are you hoping to get him back?”
“No. What Gabriel and I had is over with for good. He’s proven that he could never trust me. The things he said were horrible and I don’t think I could ever forgive him for that. I need a fresh start. A place where nobody knows Kate Harper. A place where I can start a new life.”
“As a con?” His brow arched.
A small smile crossed my lips.
“No. Those days are over.”
“Any idea what you want to do with your life?” he asked.
“Not really. But I do know that I need to get a job wherever it is I’m moving to.”
“Kate, don’t leave New York because of Gabriel. There are so many opportunities here for you.”
“Like what?”
“Since you like to paint, get a job at an art gallery.”
“I can paint, but I don’t know that much about art.” I smiled. “Plus, it’ll be too hard to be in the same city as him. It’s just best that I move somewhere else and make a fresh start for myself.”
“What about your dad?”
“He’ll want me to do what’s best for me, and I’ll still visit him.”
Caleb reached over and took hold of my hand.
“Do what makes you happy, but don’t be a stranger to me. Okay?”
“Okay.” I smiled.
“I better get going.” He got up from his seat.
“Thank you for the pizza, Caleb, and thanks for checking on me.”
“No problem, Kate. You have a lot of talents. Choose one and follow your heart.” He kissed my cheek as I walked him to the door.
As soon as he left, I put my plan into motion. Grabbing my laptop, I did some googling and found out who Thaddeus Wilson was. If he wasn’t the one who told Marcel about the hotel, then I would have to go after Marcel myself.
Chapter 33
Gabriel
I thought about her day and night. I didn’t want to, but it seemed everything I saw reminded me of her. I tried so hard to get her out of my head and it drove me crazy. A part of me missed her. The fun we had, the laughs we shared, and the side of her she finally let out. But she would always have that other side. The side that manipulated people to get what she wanted. The side that lied over and over again.
“Gabriel,” Marcel spoke as he took a seat across from me at Daniel, where I invited him for dinner.”
“Marcel.”
“I was pleasantly surprised to have received a phone call from you, let alone have you invite me to dinner.”
“I never did thank you for coming to the grand opening of my hotel.”
“You’re welcome.” He grinned. “It was my pleasure. I was already in Hawaii, so I thought I’d stop by and show some support.”
“Really?” I arched my brow. “Our families have hated each other for years.”
He shrugged. “Times have changed. We now run our families’ companies. Maybe it’s time to put an end to what our grandfathers started. This war,” he waved his hand, “is ridiculous. We both run very successful companies. There’s no need for any more hostility, Gabriel. I would like to think that the two of us can start new traditions for our future families.”
I wanted to reach across the table and grab him by his throat. There was no way in hell that would ever happen.
“Maybe you’re right,” I lied.
“Now tell me the real reason you wanted to meet for dinner,” he spoke.
I sighed as I took a drink of my bourbon.
“I’m curious about this new hotel you’re building in Vegas.”
“Ah, the digital hotel. What about it? My father and I are very excited to break ground.”
“It’s a great idea. Where did you get it from?”
He stared at me while he picked up his drink and swirled the ice cubes in his glass.
“What is this really about, Gabriel?”
“You know what it’s about!” I spoke through gritted teeth as I leaned across the table. “Building a hotel like that had been my father’s dream for the past ten years.”
“And?” he asked. “Do you think you’re the only hotel chain that has thought of this? Let me ask you, Gabriel, why do you think your company is so special? Do you honestly think that you’re the only one who wants to build hotels of the future? Many more companies will be jumping on this. Marriott, Hilton, Mandarin, Royals, Westin; they all will.” He got up from his seat. “Competition is fierce, my friend, and we all do what we have to in order to get to the top. I’m afraid I must go now.” He started to walk away, but before he did, he turned and looked at me. “By the way, how is your friend Kate doing? I thoroughly enjoyed our conversations in Hawaii. I was hoping to take her out some time. Have her give me a call.” He winked with a smile as he walked away.
I sat there, my blood pressure at an all-time high. I began to sweat with anger, and it took everything I had not to go after him and beat the shit out of him. When I got home, I pulled the article out and began reading it over again. Marcel had explained what his hotel would consist of, word for word what I told Kate.
* * *
Kate
I decided to forget about Thaddeus and go straight to the source: Marcel. He was a slime ball, and just by talking to him the brief time I did in Hawaii, I already had a feel on how to handle him. I did as much research as I could. I found an interesting article that was published about six months ago in a magazine where he was interviewed as one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.
Interviewer: “You’re handsome and wealthy. I’m surprised you’re still single. Do you like the bachelor life or is it you just haven’t found the right woman yet to settle down with?”
Marcel: “The bachelor life is good and I’m enjoying it very much. Men like me need to be careful about the women we date. A lot of them are only interested in the money we have to offer. But I’m not giving up hope. I come from a background where family is very important, and I know the right woman is out there for me. I just haven’t met her yet.”
Interviewer: “Describe the perfect woman in your eyes.”
Marcel: “She must be intelligent and family oriented. Well-educated and knows what she wants. She must have a good heart and a beautiful soul.”
Interviewer: “How about on the outside? Is there a certain type of woman that catches your eye? Describe your dream girl.”
Marcel: “If you’re talking about looks, yes, there is. Since I am six foot three, I am attracted to taller women and I love long hair, preferably brunettes with deep green eyes. Eyes that resemble an emerald. I like a woman who takes great pride in the way she looks and dresses.”
Interviewer: “Well, I guess I can count myself out since I’m a redhead.”
Marcel: “You’re still a beautiful woman and judging by that gorgeous diamond ring you’re wearing on your left hand, you’re also married.”
Okay. He liked tall brunettes with dark green eyes. Perfect. The article also talked about his hobbies and how he liked to take his coffee. Two creams and one teaspoon of sugar. Check. He loved children and wanted at least four. I shuddered at the thought. Maybe one or two, but for me, four was too many. He loved long walks, chess, and listening to classical music. Chess was good. I knew how to play, and I was good at it. My father loved to play and taught me. He always said chess was the perfect game to keep your mind sharp and always thinking. Strategy was the key, not only in the game, but in life. Tomorrow, I would start the process. Follow him, watch him, get him to notice me and then start my deception. I needed to do this one last time. Not only for Gabriel, but for me. Once I found what I was looking for, it would be time to move on and start my life over.