Storm Ravaged (Storm Damages 2) (Storm Legacy)

by Alexander, Magda

  I’ve been allowed three phone calls—one each to Casey, CeCe and my job. My friends commiserated with the turn of events. My job seemed quite amenable to my extended leave. Of course they did. Last thing they want would be to alienate Gabriel. Well, at least I’d finished all my projects before my wedding, so I hadn’t left anything hanging.

  “I’m going out.” I announce to the one guard assigned to me today—baby-faced Jonathan. Samuel certainly wouldn’t let me walk out the door, and neither would Martha or Rick. But Jonathan’s younger and less experienced than them.

  “Ma’am?” he says.

  “You heard me. I’m going out.”’

  “Mr. Taylor left explicit instructions you were to remain inside, Ma’am.”

  I hitch up my chin. “He might be the boss of you, but he’s not the boss of me.”

  While the wheels turn in his head, I make a break for the elevator, insert the card I found among Gabriel’s things into the slot. It will allow me to not only use the lift, but open the gate down below.

  “Mrs. Storm, you can’t leave.” He chokes out.

  “Watch me.” The door starts to slide close, but I strong arm it. “If you want to accompany me, jump in.” He’ll get intro trouble if he loses sight of me.

  He jumps in. “Mr. Taylor will not be happy.”

  “Right now, I don’t give a rat’s ass about Mr. Taylor’s feelings. I need to be outside. See some sun. Walk.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He desperately pushes buttons on his phone, speaks into it, giving my break for freedom report. When we reach the ground floor, I sail through the metal gate and The Brighton’s lobby. and out the door where the doorman snaps to attention.

  “Lady Ainsley.”

  “Could you get me a taxi, please?”

  “Mrs. Storm!” Jonathan has his cell phone glued to his ear.

  I stop from getting into the taxi.

  “Mr. Taylor says you are to return back upstairs. Right now.”

  “Well, Jonathan. You have a choice. You can either put your hands on me and drag me bodily upstairs, something I would not recommend seeing how I’m six and a half months along and a tussle might harm the baby, or you can get in the cab with me.”

  He slides into the cab.

  “Wise man.”

  “I’m gonna lose me job because of ye.” His cockney accent, the one he’s tried so hard to suppress, slithers out.

  “No, you won’t. I’ll make sure of it.”

  “Where to?”

  “Waterstone’s on Oxford Street.”

  Jonathan swallows hard. “That’s a right busy place.”

  “Yes, it is. I’m going Christmas shopping.” I found money among Gabriel’s things, and I have my American Express as well.

  By the time we arrive at Waterstone’s, Samuel and Rick, are waiting for us. Samuel doesn’t even try to argue with me, but simply talks into his wrist to report his location. Good thing Jake’s in the Virgin Islands because HE would not hesitate to lay his hands on me and haul me back to The Brighton.

  For a while I’m in shopping heaven with Jonathan dogging my every step. I hand things to him, books, doo dads, Christmas gifts for Royce and Brianna. And, of course, Gabriel.

  After an hour, my energy’s flagging so I stop at the cafe to have a quick bite to eat. I wander outside to window shop. My bodyguards eyeball people so hard, the shoppers give me a wide berth as they pass by.

  I set up a faster walking pace. Well, as fast as my belly will allow. At first the kinks are hard to get out but as I move from block to block my muscles warm, loosen. I swing my arms up and down to get circulation n them. I’m on top of the world until I spot a loving couple holding hands. The man looks so much like Gabriel, blonde blue eyed. He leans over to whisper something in his girlfriend’s ear. She laughs and kisses him. When he strokes her cheek, my heart twists with longing, and my eyes mist.

  Damn it! I’m not going to break down and cry. Not in the middle of Oxford Street. I slow down, breathe in and out. But nothing diminishes the great big lump in my throat. Soon a tear spills out before I can catch it. Thankfully, my guards are scrutinizing the passersby. They’re rushing past so fast no one notices my meltdown.

  When another sob breaks out, I stop walking altogether and head toward a storefront. A baby boutique with the cutest baby clothes. A stroller, blankets, those thingamajigs that you put in a baby’s room to hear the baby. What are they called? Oh, right, baby monitors. More delicate baby clothes, blues and pinks. And it occurs to me I haven’t bought one single thing for our child. What kind of a mother-to-be am I that I haven’t bought one single thing?

  I’ve been busy yes, with work and school and the wedding, but online stores are only a click away. I could have made time to order something, anything. If I don’t care enough to buy something for our child, what kind of mother will I be? A lousy one, that’s what. I dip my head so no one can see the tears, not even the lady inside the store who’s now looking at me with concern. So deep into my pity party am I, I fail to hear the commotion behind me until hands grasp my shoulders and turn me around.

  “What the blazes are you doing out here?”

  Chapter 32

  ______________

  Elizabeth

  GABRIEL’S FACE IS LINED and his clothes are rumpled but he looks so, so good. I throw my arms around him and shower kisses all over his beloved face. “You’re here. You’re here.”

  A confused look rumbles over his face. “Of course I’m here. Where else would I be? Have you been crying?”

  “No. Yes. I missed you.”

  His face softens. “Have you, love?”

  He steps into me and finally, finally kisses me the way I’ve been dreaming for the last ten days. I don’t even care his week-old beard chafes my skin, all I care about is him safe once more. Here, in my arms.

  We’re so lost in our world, whispering inanities to each other, we fail to see or hear the crowd surrounding us until somebody yells “Get a room, mate.”

  We break apart to find a whole slew of strangers surrounding us. Somebody takes a picture, somebody else whistles.

  He ducks his head, drops a kiss on my nose. “What is this place?” He nods toward the storefront window.

  “Baby boutique.”

  “Let’s go inside so we can have some privacy.” Tugging my hand, he leads me through the door.

  The saleswoman who greets us is in her fifties with an upswept do that manages to project both a grandmotherly and sophisticated vibe at the same time. “How may I help you, Mr. and Mrs. Storm?”

  My jaw drops. “You know who we are?”

  “All of London knows who you are.” She smiles a very kind smile.

  The doorbell jingles as a person walks in. He points a camera ready to snap a picture of us, but the saleswoman marches up to him and pushes him out the door. “Sorry, we’re closed.” She flips the “Close” sign and locks the door before turning back to us.

  “Thank you.” Gabriel says.

  “Not a problem, Mr. Storm. Now, my name is Mrs. Robbins. How may I help you?” She has a shrewd businesswoman look to her. Obviously, she knows a golden goose when she sees one.

  “We need”—Gabriel looks around the store, scratches his head. “Everything.”

  “Boy or a girl?”

  “Boy,” both Gabriel and I say.

  “How wonderful for you.” She probably would have said the same thing if we’d said girl.

  We order rattles and bibs, the baby monitor in the window, tons of clothes. He defers purchasing the baby stroller. He wants to research them and get the best one. He’s actually enjoying this. While I listen to him chit chat, my heart spills over with love for this man.

  “Have you chosen a theme?” Mrs. Robbins asks.

  “Theme?” Gabriel and I ask. Seemingly, he’s as clueless as I.

  “For the baby’s room.”

  “Err, no.”

  “Well, we’ll have to remedy that, won’t we?”

 
Does she have our number or what?

  “I have a couple of designers on staff who do marvelous work and that’s not just me saying that. They’ve won design awards. I’m positive they would love to do your baby’s room.”

  “They?”

  “They work as a pair. Brilliant, really. Tim and Tom Worley. May I send them over to discuss what you would like?”

  Gabriel looks at me. “What do you think, darling?”

  I melt at the endearment and the look on his face, even though I know it’s all for show. Speechless, I nod.

  She retrieves an appointment book from her desk. “What day would work best for you?”

  “Actually, I’ll have to check my schedule. I just got back from an out of town trip.”

  “Yes, I know. I hope the difficulties have been resolved.”

  Difficulties. Well, that’s one way of putting it.

  “Yes, they have. Permanently,” he says gazing at me.

  For the first time in the last ten days, I take a full breath.

  “Here’s my card. That’s not only the store number but my own personal cell. Give me a call anytime and we’ll set up a time for Tim and Tom.”

  “Brothers? Imagine that.”

  “Oh, no dear. They’re married. Tim took Tom’s last name. They couldn’t quite pass up that opportunity.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Robbins.”

  “You’re most welcome, dear.” She pats my hand. Now, don’t you worry. I’ll have everything delivered by tomorrow at the latest.”

  “Oh?”

  “Or do you wish to take some things with you.”

  I nod. “Yes, please.” I choose about twenty outfits and the baby monitor. Don’t know why I’m fascinated by the darn thing, but I am.

  She places everything in beautiful bags, ties the bags with gorgeous bows. And hands the whole thing to Gabriel who accepts it with a surprised look on his face. “You’re doing most of the hard work, dear. Let him do his share.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” I beam at her.

  We emerge to find Jonathan standing outside the store. “Mrs. Storm. Mr. Storm. Samuel’s waiting by the curb with your car.”

  More paparazzi are perched outside. They snap a flurry of pictures as we get into the limo. Finally, we’re inside, with the divider between the front and back seats up. I’m thinking glorious reunion, but Gabriel has something else in mind.

  “You shouldn’t have gone out. It’s not safe.”

  “I was going stir crazy in the penthouse, not knowing if you were okay, what was happening to you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “So what happened?”

  “Timmons, the solicitor, worked his magic. After Jake worked his. He worked with the police and local investigators to uncover every clue, interview witnesses.The break came when a neighbor remembered seeing an unsavory character hanging outside Tilly’s bungalow. She also remembered Tilly watering the bushes after I left.”

  “So this unsavory looking man killed her?”

  “Yes. They tracked him down. A junkie, with a record of breaking and entering. Usually when someone wasn’t home. Unfortunately, in Tilly’s case, she had been.”

  “I’m so sorry, Gabriel. I know she was dear to you.”

  His hands clamp down around mine. “You must not leave the penthouse. It’s not safe for you to wander the streets of the city.”

  I free my hands from his hold, stare out the window. “Jonathan accompanied me to the store, and I had a whole contingent of guards, including Samuel, following me at Brookstone’s.

  “Jonathan shouldn’t have allowed you out of the building. He should have blocked your path and locked the elevator. He will be fired.”

  “Oh, please don’t.” I’m almost in tears. First he yells at me and now he wants to fire Jonathan. “It’s my fault.”

  “Very well. I’ll ask Samuel to issue a reprimand. Next time think about the consequences. Not only to yourself, but to our child, to the person in charge of watching over you. You wouldn’t want his job jeopardized, would you?”

  “No.”

  I’d been so happy a minute ago, and now my joy has turned to dust. I’ve made a hash of everything.

  Chapter 33

  ______________

  Gabriel

  WE ARRIVE AT THE PENTHOUSE to find Bri and Royce there, along with Jake who flew back on the plane with me.

  Elizabeth’s happy to see them, but I’ve dampened her joy through my diatribe in the cab. But I won’t apologize for my words. She must be made to understand she can’t just flit around London, endangering our child, endangering her.

  She greets everyone and excuses herself saying she’s tired after the shopping trip and needs to lay down for a nap.

  After I make arrangements for everyone to join us for dinner, I head for the bathroom to shower and shave.

  By the time I enter our room, Elizabeth’s fast asleep, wearing a full length nightgown with a baby on board sweatshirt over the whole thing.

  I crawl into bed with her and wrap my arms around her belly. I missed her so damn much. I paced that jail cell every night torturing myself with the memory of her soft skin, her lush body, the clean scent of her skin.

  Sighing softly, she turns to me. The look on her face dismays me. Where has all the joy gone? The joy I saw in her eyes when she first spotted me.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “For a moment there, I forgot about our arrangement. This is all make believe. It’s not real. Oh, don’t worry I haven’t changed my mind. The last thing you want is a permanent wife. I understand my role in our marriage. The baby bearer. Once I give birth to our son, my role is done. Certainly, you can never trust me again. Not after what you think I did.”

  “Elizabeth, I value you as more than a baby bearer.”

  “Do you?”

  “Yes. Do you want me to show you how much I missed you while I was in jail. How much I ached for you.”

  Her luminous gaze turns to me. “Yes, please.” The longing in her eyes nearly unmans me.

  I slowly raise her gown and toss it over the side. She’s hesitant about revealing her body to me, wrapping an arm around her breasts and her belly while she gazes shyly at me. Has our time apart changed her? She was never this modest before. Regardless, she needs reassurance, something I’m more than happy to provide.

  “You’re beautiful, Elizabeth. Don’t hide yourself from me.” It’s true. She’s just as stunning as when she wasn’t pregnant with our babe. Her breasts are spectacular, and her lush lips and womanly curves call out to me. I’m finding it hard not to take her fast and hard, but she’s with child and I must be gentle with her.

  I turn her so her back’s to me and sweep my hand down her side, to her legs and circle around her front to where I hope she’s wet for me.

  Her scent intensifies as I sweep my fingers into her honey pot and thumb her pearl. “I dreamed about you while I was in jail. Every damn night thinking what I would do when I had you in my arms again. It was the only thing that kept me sane.”

  “I was so worried for you.”

  “And I for you. We won’t part again.”

  “You mean until after the baby is born.”

  I won’t let go of her even then. But for now, I give us what we both want. Parting her thighs, I slip into her wet warmth.

  She breathes a soft sigh, exactly what I want to hear. And in the tried and true ways of time immemorial, she welcomes me home.

  Chapter 34

  ______________

  Elizabeth

  WITH CHRISTMAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, I busy myself wrapping the gifts I bought in my one and only outing. What other gifts I need, I’ve ordered online. The Christmas wrap in gold, reds and greens, match the ornaments on the tree, including the golden angel on top I found at Waterstone’s.

  Finished wrapping the presents, I find myself with time on my hands once more. Bored with reading and television shows, I decide to start a journal. But after an hour, all I have to s
how are two pages filled with trite events and nothing about the things bothering me, topmost of which is being held prisoner in my own home.

  I rub my baby belly. It’s for his protection and mine, I remind myself. And I only have a couple of months to go. After that, I’ll be able to walk free once more. Something tells me they’re going to be the longest two months of my life.

  A couple of days before Christmas, Gabriel arrives home around noon. I put down the book I’m reading and rise to give him a kiss. “What are you doing home so early?” Not that I mind.

  His strong hands circle my back and he pulls me toward him. “I have an early Christmas surprise for you.” He smiles the boyish grin he doesn’t parade often.

  “Where is it?” He’s not holding a package. So I go digging into his coat

  “It’s not the kind you wrap.”

  “Oh.”

  He turns me so I face the elevator, circles me, and covers my eyes with his hands.

  The elevator dings, and the door swooshes open. Someone steps off.

  I can’t tell who or what it is. “Gabriel?”

  He removes his hands, and I find Casey and Gina standing by the lift. “Oh, my gosh.” I waddle over to be caught in their embrace. Hugs, kisses are shared, and happy tears are shed. And not just by me. “Oh, I‘m so happy.”

  “Thought you would be,” Gabriel says, walking up to us and putting his arm around my shoulders.

  I turn to him, wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. “Thank you. It’s the very best Christmas gift you could have given me.”

  He drops a kiss on my nose. “I thought you’d be pleased. They’re here for ten days.”

  “I managed to get Christmas week off at the hospital. Can you believe it?” Gina says as we take our seats in the living room.

  “You work hard, Gina. It’s about time they gave you a Christmas vacation. But who’s managing the restaurant?”

  “Jeannie,” Casey answers. “She knows the staff and all the suppliers. She’ll do a bang up job. I’m sure.”

  “Where’s your luggage? You are staying here, are you not?” They’re family after all.