by Sandi Lynn
I refused to wallow in self-pity, so I got up from the bed, took in a deep breath, and walked back downstairs to clean up dinner. When I reached the kitchen, I saw Gabriel loading the dishwasher.
“I’ll take care of that,” I spoke as I grabbed the pan from the stove.
“I’ve got it,” he snapped.
“You’ve worked all day. Go upstairs. I’ll finish cleaning up and meet you in your bedroom.”
“Fine.” He wiped his hands on a towel and began to walk out of the kitchen.
Before I knew it, he grabbed my arm, turned me around, and smashed his mouth into mine. Our heated kiss told me that we weren’t going to make it to the bedroom. My fingers fumbled with his belt as I undid it and unzipped his pants, while his hands pulled my shirt over my head. We moved around until he had me pinned up against the refrigerator, the coldness of the stainless steel sending a jolt through me. He took down my pants, grabbed my wrists, and held them together with one hand while his free hand explored my aroused area. When he made sure I was wet enough for him, he pulled his hard cock from his underwear and shoved it deep inside me, causing me to gasp at both pleasure and pain. He moved rapidly, like a dog in heat, and his tongue slid across my neck. As he thrust in and out of me with hard, deep strokes, he stared into my eyes and spoke, “I want to trust you.”
“You can,” I breathlessly spoke as an orgasm erupted.
He halted and buried himself deep inside me while he came. His head dropped to my shoulder.
“No, I can’t,” he whispered.
He removed himself from me, tucked his cock back in his underwear, pulled up his pants, and walked away. I crossed my arms over my chest and slowly slid down to the floor, trying to hold back the tears that so badly wanted to stream down my face.
The next morning, after a restless night of sleep, I waited in bed until I was sure that Gabriel had left for the office. I had a lot to do today to get ready for Hawaii, but there was one thing that took precedence: visiting my father. After showering and getting dressed, I headed to the kitchen, made a cup of coffee, and grabbed some fresh fruit from the refrigerator.
“Good morning, Kate,” Grace spoke. “I can make you some breakfast.”
“Morning, Grace. Fruit is fine. I’m not really hungry.”
“You’re up kind of late this morning. Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah. I just had a restless night, and I couldn’t really sleep. I’m going out today. Do you need me to pick you up anything?” I asked her.
“That’s sweet of you to ask, but I have to go out myself and do some grocery shopping. Is there anything I can get you?”
“No thanks.” I gave her a small smile as I sipped my coffee.
Grace left and once I finished my fruit, I grabbed my purse and headed out the front door.
“Going out again?” Edmond raised his brow.
Usually, I’d have a witty comeback for him, but today, I was serious. To be honest, I think he was disappointed. I was making headway with him and I started to believe he enjoyed my company.
“I need to go to Rikers Island to visit my father today.”
“Oh. Okay. When are visiting hours?”
“Soon,” I replied.
“Then we better head out now. There’s going to be a lot of traffic.”
We walked down the steps together and he opened the car door for me. He was definitely making progress.
“Can you do me a favor, Edmond?”
“It depends.” He looked at me through the rearview mirror.
“Please don’t tell Gabriel that I went there today. I need it to stay between the two of us,” I spoke with a sadness in my voice.
“Sure. I won’t tell him.”
When we arrived at the prison, I signed in, got searched, and then took a seat at an empty table while I waited for them to bring my father in.
“There’s my baby girl.” He smiled as I stood up and we briefly hugged.
“Hi, Daddy.”
“How are you? I haven’t seen you in a month, Kate. I was starting to get worried.”
“I’m sorry. Things have been so crazy. I have some wonderful news. I moved to New York.”
“What?” He cocked his head. “What about your job and school in Chicago?”
“I got transferred here. The restaurant I work for opened up a location in Manhattan and I asked if I could transfer to be closer to you.”
“That’s wonderful. But what about school?”
“I stopped going. It was taking me forever since I could only take a class here and there. But don’t worry, I have a great job and it pays good. Especially the tips.”
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” he asked with concern.
“I’m fine. I have this great apartment in a nice neighborhood and I’ve already made some friends. The best part is, I can come visit you every week.” I brightly smiled to mask the pain inside me.
“What about that guy you were seeing in Chicago? What was his name? Tom, I believe?”
“I ended that a while ago. Things just weren’t working out.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, sweetheart.”
“Don’t be, Daddy. It was for the best. Right now, I’m just focusing on me and my career in the restaurant business. I’m learning everything I can because, one day, I would like to open up my own restaurant.” I smiled.
“I’m so proud of you.” He grinned. “I worry about you, baby. I worry about how growing up the way you did would affect you. The last thing I wanted to do was screw you up.”
“You didn’t. I’m good and I’m happy to be closer to you.”
“New York is a dangerous city. You need to be on guard at all times.”
“Chicago wasn’t any safer.” I let out a light laugh.
We talked for a while and then our time was up. The goodbye was always the hardest part.
“I’ll see you next week.” I smiled as we briefly hugged.
“Looking forward to it, sweetheart.”
I walked out of the visiting room with an emptiness inside me. I hated seeing him locked up here. I thought with each visit it would get easier, but it never did.
“I’m ready to leave, Edmond,” I softly spoke.
“Are you okay, Kate?”
“Not really.”
We walked to the car and I climbed inside, pulling my seat belt over my shoulder and buckling it.
“How about a macchiato and a blueberry muffin?” Edmond smiled.
“A blueberry muffin?”
“Didn’t you know that blueberry muffins always chase the blues away?” He winked.
A smile crossed my lips and we headed to Starbucks.
Chapter 25
Kate
After I arrived back at the townhouse, I went up to my room to soak in a bubble-filled warm tub before starting to pack for our trip tomorrow morning. I wasn’t sure what kind of mood Gabriel would be in when he got home since his anger and trust issues were getting worse and I didn’t feel like dealing with him. I laid my head back on the bath pillow and closed my eyes, taking in the sweet aroma of lavender. I was drifting into another world when I heard a loud knock on the bathroom door.
“Kate, are you in there?” Gabriel asked.
I opened my eyes and sighed. What was he doing home already?
“Yes.”
I heard the turning of the knob and the door opened. Gabriel stood there in his dark gray Armani suit, looking sexy as fuck.
“Do you mind?” I asked as I raised my brow.
“I don’t.” He smirked.
“Why are you home already? Shouldn’t you be stressing out over something at the office?”
“I need to pack for Hawaii. I brought home dinner for us. I hope you’re hungry.”
“Depends on what you brought,” I spoke with a slight attitude.
“Korean BBQ.”
“I’ve never had it.”
“There’s a first time for everything. How much longer are you going to be? I don’t
want the food to get cold.”
“I basically just got in before you knocked on the door.”
“You can take one later. Get out and get dressed. Dinner is waiting,” he spoke as he turned and walked away.
I took in a sharp breath to try and stop the vulgar words from escaping my lips. Who the hell does he think he is, telling me what to do? Unfortunately, instead of telling him to fuck off, I did as he asked. Not for him, but for me.
I went downstairs and found Gabriel sitting at the island already eating. Walking over to the fridge, I opened it and grabbed a bottle of water. Looking at the white containers of food that sat on the counter, I was unsure, even though it did smell amazing.
“So, what do we have here?” I asked.
“This container is pork belly. This one is duck, and this one is spicy beef short ribs.”
Grabbing a plate from the counter, I opted for the spicy beef short ribs. I wasn’t a fan of duck and there was no way I was eating pork belly. The thought nauseated me.
“Taking the safe route, eh?” Gabriel smirked.
“Of course I am.”
He seemed to be in a better mood than yesterday, which was good. The tension didn’t seem as thick.
“What did you do today?” he asked.
Shit. Why did he have to ask?
“Not much,” I lied. “Had a macchiato and a blueberry muffin with Edmond.”
“You and he seem to be getting along.”
“I think he likes me now.” I smiled.
“What else did you do? Did you get any packing done?”
“Not yet. I was going to start after my bath.”
Damn. These spicy beef short ribs were amazing.
“This is why I can’t trust you,” he blurted out.
“Excuse me?”
“You lie every chance you get,” he spoke in an irritated tone as he stuffed his face with pork belly.
“What are you talking about?”
“You went to visit your father at Rikers Island today. Didn’t you?”
Dead silence filled the air. I was going to kill Edmond.
“Yes, I did.” I gulped.
“Why didn’t you say so?”
“How did you know? Did Edmond tell you? Because I specifically asked him not to.”
He got up from his stool and took his plate over to the sink.
“First of all, you are never to tell my employees to lie to me. EVER! Do you understand me? I have a tracker on the car. I monitor your activities all day long. I know exactly where you go.”
I dropped my fork on my plate.
“Wow. Stalker much?”
“I wouldn’t have to do it if you just told the truth all the time. Why didn’t you want me to know you went to see him?”
“I don’t know.” I lowered my head.
“Damn it, Kate!” His fists slammed down on the counter. “Tell me why you wanted to hide it from me?”
“Whoa,” Caleb spoke as he walked into the kitchen. “What’s going on here?”
“Caleb, what are you doing here?” Gabriel asked in a calm tone.
“I just came to see you before you left for Hawaii tomorrow and to tell you that Sony Records offered us a solid contract!” He spoke with excitement.
“That’s great. Congratulations.” He smiled as he walked over and gave his brother a hug.
“Thanks.”
“Congrats, Caleb. You guys deserve it.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Thanks, Kate. If this is a bad time—”
“No. Are you hungry?” Gabriel asked him.
“Nah. I just ate.”
“Then come into the living room and we’ll have a celebratory drink. Kate, you may join us when you’re finished eating.”
“I’m not very hungry. I think I’ll just go up to my room and start packing.” I got up from my stool and headed up the stairs without saying another word.
Gabriel
“Mind telling me what all that was about?” Caleb spoke as we went into the living room.
Stepping behind the bar, I grabbed two glasses and the bottle of bourbon.
“She lied to me. She went to see her father today and tried to deny it.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” I replied as I handed him his drink.
“You normally aren’t like this, bro. What’s really going on?”
“Nothing. I just want to know where she is and what she’s doing at all times when she leaves this house.”
“I never figured you to have stalker tendencies.” He smirked.
“Now you sound like her.” I rolled my eyes.
“You’re in way too deep with her. Come on, Gabriel, this is me you’re talking to.”
“She just makes me so angry. More so now than before. I don’t know.” I shook my head.
“I’ll tell you why.” He took a sip of drink. “It’s because you’ve fallen for her and you want her to be flawless. But that’s not possible, bro. Everyone is flawed in one way or another. Yeah, she’s a con artist, but that’s a front, a façade. You need to look past that and deep into her heart and soul to truly find the person she’s hiding.”
I sat across from him with a puzzled look on my face.
“What?”
“She’s still playing all her roles; every person she ever invented. I believe she’s scared shitless to show her true self.”
“Why would she be afraid?” I asked.
“Stop and think about it for a minute. From the time she was a little girl, no one ever knew her by her real name. At least that’s what I’m assuming if her father was out conning people. When she met others, she had to become someone else, not Kate Harper. She never had the chance to be herself, bro, and I’m not sure she knows how. Or if she does, she’s so afraid she won’t be accepted.”
I sighed as I brought my ankle to my knee and took a sip of my drink.
“Maybe you’re right. I don’t know.”
“There was something about her that captivated you when you first saw her. And even though she was disguised as someone else that night of the gala, you knew it was her. And why?” he asked.
“Her smile.”
“Exactly, bro. That smile belongs to Kate Harper and always has, no matter how many different people she became. You already saw a real piece of her and that’s what drew you to her in the first place. Give her a break and let the rest of the real Kate Harper emerge. She will, trust me.” He grinned.
“Are you sure your passion is with music?” I cocked my head.
“Yeah. I’m sure.” He smirked. “You know I’ve always had this little gift of seeing through people. Anyway, thanks for the drink. I better get going. Me and the band are heading to L.A. in a few days to record. I’m so stoked.”
We both stood up and I gave my brother a tight hug.
“I’m really happy for you, Caleb. Just don’t forget about me when you’re this huge off-the-charts rock star.”
“Nah, bro. You’re my fam and the most important person in my life. I love you.”
“I love you too. Now get out of here.” I patted his back.
Chapter 26
Kate
As I was packing, there was a light knock on my door.
“Come in,” I softly spoke.
“I see you’re packing,” Gabriel said as he walked into the room.
“Yep.”
I turned to the closet and grabbed a couple of sundresses I purchased for the trip.
“By the way, how long are we going to be in Hawaii?” I asked.
“A few days. Why?”
“Just wondering how much I should pack.”
“Listen, Kate. I want to apologize for earlier.”
“Apology accepted,” I spoke as I neatly folded the sundresses and put them in my suitcase. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to finish packing before I come down to your room.”
“About that. I think it would be best to take tonight off. I’ve had a long day and so have you an
d we both need our rest before our four a.m. flight.”
“Four a.m.?” I cocked my head. “What time are we leaving the house?”
“Carl will be waiting outside for us at three.”
“That doesn’t give us enough time to get to the airport, check our bags, and go through security,” I spoke.
“We aren’t flying commercial. I’ve rented a private jet. Once we arrive in Hawaii around three o’clock, we have a couple of hours until we need to be down at the restaurant for a special grand opening dinner, so pack something formal.”
“Why are you just telling me this now?” I glared at him. “I don’t have anything formal here. All my dresses are back at my apartment.”
He sighed. “I’ll make a few calls and have some dresses waiting in the hotel suite when we arrive. What size are you?”
“Four.”
“And shoe size?”
“Eight.”
He got up from the bed.
“Get some rest and I’ll see you in a few hours,” he spoke as he walked out the door, pulling it shut behind him.
My alarm woke me from a sound sleep at two thirty a.m. This was not normal, getting up this early for a flight. I dragged my tired body out of bed, threw my hair up in a messy bun, pulled on a pair of black leggings, a white cami, and a long black cardigan. After slipping my feet into my black flats, I grabbed my suitcase and took it to the elevator. When I reached the foyer, Gabriel was already there, waiting.
“Good morning,” he spoke.
“It’s the middle of the night and there’s nothing good about waking up at this time,” I snarled.
“You’ll be fine.” He handed me a silver travel mug. “I made you some coffee.”
“Thanks.”
The door opened and both Carl and Edmond stepped inside.
“Edmond? You’re going with us?”