by Claire Adams
“Wait. You don’t remember anything? Shit, Luna, do you know what this means? If you were that drunk and assuming you passed out, then you wouldn’t know what your boss did the rest of the night. He could have slipped out of the room and done anything.”
The idea sank in, but I couldn’t believe it. Not about Gabriel Grant. I was certain he’d been with me the entire night, but as she pointed out, there was no real proof of it. I hadn’t seen him. “That can’t be, though. Gabe wouldn’t do that.”
“What if he was making you his alibi, Lu? He brought you to bed for a reason? Why not take you home if you weren’t going to…you know.”
Kim had always had a fondness for true crime TV, and now it was getting the best of her. “Maybe we were? He was drunk, too.”
“I’m certain a man like him would handle his booze better than you. Think about this, Luna. If this goes to court, you’d perjure yourself saying you were with him the entire night. If you can’t remember, then you can’t say that without a doubt.”
She had a point. No matter what I believed, there was no account for the truth.
Chapter 6
Gabriel
As soon as Mason closed the door to leave, I slipped my hand into my pocket and brought out the marriage certificate and rings that had been weighing me down all morning.
I’d cringed throughout the interrogation, especially when it came to explaining that part of the night. I’d kept it vague, but only to protect us both. With any luck, we’d be able to squash the marriage as if it never happened. It wasn’t that big of a deal and people did that sort of thing all the time.
If the police found out, all I’d have to tell them is that I’d already decided to end the marriage. It wasn’t like I’d kept the trip to the chapel a secret, but I hadn’t gone into detail.
With a sigh, I resigned to the fact that I wasn’t going to convince myself that everything would be fine no matter how hard I tried. What the fuck did I do?
I checked outside the peephole to see if Joe had taken up post outside my door, but since I didn’t see him, I assumed he’d finally gone down to secure his own room.
I went to the other side of the room where my phone was plugged into the charging station to call Luna. I’d hated having to wait, but I didn’t want any sort of blow up with my lawyer in the room. I wanted a chance to speak with Luna again before I mentioned the annulment to him. If there was going to be any problems, I’d rather bring it to his attention all at once.
I took a deep breath as the phone rang and she said hello.
“I’ve been worried sick.” Her panicked voice cracked as she belted out her greeting.
It was good to hear her voice. “I’ve been being questioned. I thought you’d be sharing in my experience, but I assume they didn’t question you?” Surely, they’d known she was in the room and after I’d told them about our being together, they would have brought her in.
“I talked to the detective a minute after I got out of the shower and they were searching your room. They told me not to leave the area, and I haven’t left my room. There are reporters all over the place, and one is outside in the hall.” That explained her soft voice.
“I want you to come to where I’m staying. I’ll send my car for you. Bring all of your things because we’ll be here for a while.”
“Look, Gabe. I need you to understand I’m considering giving my statement to the police and hopefully they’ll let me go home. My father’s called and-”
“You can’t go home, Luna. I need you to stay here with me. Despite this misunderstanding, I have a job to do, and so do you.” She wasn’t getting away from me that easy. Taking away everything else from the day, we had to talk about the marriage and what we were going to do about it.
“Gabriel, I’m sorry, but I don’t remember anything from last night. I mean, I see bits and pieces. I remember… I mean, I know we kissed. But I’m afraid that aside from drinking entirely too much and maybe an episode of dancing on the bar and winning at the blackjack, I don’t remember anything else.”
She sounded so frail, and I wanted to take her in my arms and apologize for everything. This couldn’t be easy on her, but dammit, she couldn’t bail on me now. Not when everything in my life was falling apart.
“I’m sorry. But considering what I do remember, we need to talk.” I waited for her to respond and after a long pause, she did.
“Fine, talk, but I want to know what happened last night. Tell me what I did. Especially the part with my mouth.” Her voice broke, and I was worried that tears were spilling all over her perfect cheeks.
“After dinner, we went to the bar and celebrated with some of the other guests from the event. While I talked about investments for G2, you were getting a little wound up with one of the other male guests, including one who encouraged you to do a few shots with him. It wasn’t a tough challenge for him because you were already good and loose.”
I remembered looking over across the table to where she stood with the man, his hands all over her as she giggled and batted her long lashes at him with curiosity.
“I remember that. I’m sure I made a fool of myself.” She sounded ashamed, and I knew I should have been, too, when my cock twitched in my pants.
She’d been so much fun, and as soon as I could tell the guy was getting much too comfortable licking salt off her stomach and chest, I decided to step in. She had liked it, too, throwing her arm around me like we’d been that cozy forever and her slurring voice telling me she’d already had too much.
“Yeah, well, you liked him well enough, and I think he liked you in a different way. I wasn’t sure he’d treat you right, so I stepped in.”
“Thanks. I feel so stupid for drinking too much. I’ve never been drunk in my life.”
“Well, I had a feeling, but I will admit by the time we started gambling, I was pretty lit and feeling things myself. The mouth thing was you tying cherry stems, but if it makes you feel any better, we had a great time.” I remembered my first time drinking and the kick in the pants felt when first sobering up.
“I’m not sure it makes me feel better. Besides, you’re my boss, and like I said, I know we kissed. I don’t understand why I’d do something like that or why you’d let me.”
“I know. I guess I let things get a little carried away, but that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Oh God, please tell me nothing else happened.” The desperation in her voice was overwhelming and I hated to have to be the bearer of more bad news, but before I could bring up how we’d ran off to the chapel across the street and gotten married on a whim, she continued.
“I don’t remember anything, Gabriel. I wish I did, then I could help you, but I don’t know what happened. I think it is best I tell the police what I do remember and go home.” She was panicked again, her words spilling out so fast she had to take a deep breath to recover.
“It’s okay, but I need you to come here and stay with me. I need your help.” Dammit, I needed her support. Not to mention the woman was my wife, even if she didn’t actually remember that part.
Thinking back to the night before, she’d seemed alert as we stood in front of the Blues Brothers look-alike duo and said our vows. Though her words were a tad slurred, and she needed a steady hand to help slide my ring on, I had no idea she’d forget everything. Especially me trying six times to get our rings from a broken vending machine.
“You don’t understand, Gabriel. I need to know nothing sexual happened.” Ah, this was the reason for her freak out.
“No, we just kissed a few times.” I didn’t know whether to be offended or not when she gasped.
“A few?”
“You weren’t so repulsed last night, I assure you.”
“You weren’t wanted for murder last night. And, you’re not listening to me, I can’t help you, Gabriel. I don’t remember anything, especially after I passed out in your bed.”
Now it made sense. She wasn’t a good alibi, and worse than t
hat, I wasn’t so sure she believed I was innocent. “Luna, I was with you the entire night. Regardless of what you might think, we had a wonderful night.” Almost too damned good, I wanted to say. “I was with you the entire night. I held you until we both fell asleep.”
The silence that followed my voice solidified my belief. She wasn’t sure of my innocence, and she might even be a tad afraid of me. I needed to know what she felt. Her silence was chafing my ass.
“Luna, say something.” As she continued to be silent, I was afraid my commanding tone wasn’t doing me any favors. She thought I was capable of murder and now being harsh wasn’t winning her over. “Please.”
“I don’t think you did it, Gabriel, but I don’t think my testimony is going to help. What are they saying you did?” More doubt steeped in her tone, and my brows dipped in anger.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “They were strangled. They think it’s me because I knew them and because the security cameras were down during the murder.”
“That does seem a bit suspicious.” Her blunt tone raised my back.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“No, sir, that’s not what I meant. I mean it sounds a little too suspicious. Like someone wanted things to point to you.” She was a smart cookie for sure, which is why I hired her; that and her professionalism. Funnily enough, I married her the moment she threw that to the wind.
“My lawyer seems to think that, too, and since I know I didn’t do it, I agree. But why would someone frame me?”
I hoped that with a clear head, I’d be able to concentrate on things, but that would take Luna coming to stay with me. She was so important to my work and keeping things in line for me that I needed her to keep me grounded. If anyone could help me figure it all out, it was her.
“So when are you sending a car?” My heart filled with relief at her question. I needed her. She’d helped me through so much with the recent layoffs. She’d always gone above and beyond for me.
“Give me a second.” I pulled the phone away from my ear and texted Mason. He could swing by to get her and have her back in no time. He was bound to have most of my things already given he wasn’t fucking around. Luckily, he responded quickly telling me he was on his way.
“I’m sending Mason Whatley. He’s on his way. I appreciate your help, Luna. I want you to know your job isn’t in any kind of trouble and it’s here as long as you want it, so don’t worry about that. I’ll stand by you like you’re standing by me.”
Saying those words brought back the night before and the memory of her reddened cheeks and warm smile as she said I do.
I could only hope she wouldn’t be angry when I finally told her, but over the phone seemed like the wrong way to do it.
“I’ll be waiting,” she said. And as the phone went quiet, I knew I owed her so much than even I could ever give.
Chapter 7
Luna
The knock on my door brought me to my feet, but I hesitated to answer. Peeking through the tiny hole, I recognized Mason Whatley, Gabriel’s handsome blond attorney with impeccable style, and opened the door. “I’m ready.” I walked away and gathered my things in a hurry as he stepped in and closed the door to shut out the reporter who was being persistent.
“Do you have sunglasses? I’d suggest you put them on. The crowds are onto me. I’m afraid getting you back to the new suite is going to be a challenge, and after that, they’ll surely be onto our new location.”
Mason took my suitcase as I grabbed my carry-on and purse and slung them on my shoulder before picking up the briefcase. Good thing I packed light because I couldn’t say the same for the heavy case. “Keep your head down and don’t let go of me.”
We took a deep breath, and he threw the door open. Sure enough, the man who had camped out all night had called his buddies and the crowd outside my door was growing. We headed for the elevator and if we were lucky, we’d stay one step ahead of them all.
I closed my eyes on the way down and tried to steady my breathing. The crowd was only going to be worse below, and I hoped Mason had parked close. He took out his phone and had his driver ready. Minutes later, we were ducking through the crowds as cameras flashed, and I was grateful to finally get into the limo.
Before I could get myself righted in my seat, my phone rang. I figured it was Gabriel, but when I glanced at the screen, I saw it was an unfamiliar number. I answered it and held my breath.
“Ms. Spencer. This is Detective Hatcher. My partner, Detective Schaffer, spoke with you earlier, and I’d like to have a chance to speak with you. I can send a car if you need, but I’d like you here within the hour.”
My heart dropped to my stomach like a rock, and I nodded as I responded as if the man could see me. “Yes, Detective, I understand. I’m actually in the car now, so I won’t need a ride.” Mason’s head swung around and he narrowed his eyes. “Yes, thank you.” I hung up and held the device in my lap.
“He wants me to come in for questioning.” I raked my hand through my hair and wondered if we had time to go get Gabriel first.
“Dammit. Do you even have representation?” Mason fidgeted with his cuff before brushing off his pants.
“No. I’ve never needed any.” I looked through my phone to see if there was anyone I could call, but came up short aside from my father and Kim.
“I’ll help you out for now, if you like. But if it becomes a conflict with Gabe, I’ll have to drop you. Don’t worry; if that happens, I’ll find you a respectable replacement.”
I wanted to ask him to define respectable before refusing his offer, but I had no one else to help me. Besides, he’d been good to come to get me and was taking care of me so far. I wouldn’t let the man’s reputation hinder the situation.
Besides, despite his womanizing ways, Mason was the best lawyer I knew, and he’d helped Gabriel win a recent court battle. More importantly, he helped keep it quiet, too. “Thanks.”
“No need. I’m sure things are going to be fine.” He called up to the driver and told him our newest destination, and I sank back in the soft leather and tried to relax my nerves.
Lucky enough, there wasn’t much of a crowd at the police station, and we made it in the building without issue.
Detective Schaffer approached and led me down to a private room. It was small and closet-like with a table and three chairs. The security camera overhead was black and bore the gold G2 logo. I turned off my phone while the woman ducked out and then a minute later, a tall, older man with graying hair came into the room and took a seat.
“Hello, Ms. Spencer, we spoke on the phone. I’m Detective Hatcher. I’d like to ask you a little about what happened last night, particularly your whereabouts after midnight.” He glanced at a stack of papers he’d carried in and placed them on the table between us. I glanced down, but couldn’t make anything out and didn’t want to stare too long.
I swallowed a hard lump in my throat and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I am afraid I don’t remember very much. I had a little bit too much to drink.”
“I think you’d do best to try and jog your memory. My partner claims she found you in the suite? She thinks you were there while we took Mr. Grant in earlier.”
“I was ill. I was in the bathroom and then I took a shower, but yes, I spent the night.” I hated the expression he gave and wondered what exactly he was thinking.
“Well, that’s understandable with you traveling together and all.” His eyes lingered on my hands that were placed on the table. I placed them in my lap and shifted in my seat. “During the course of the night, where all did you and Mr. Grant go?”
As nervous as I was, I choked out a laugh. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember anything much after the first couple of hours.” His brow cocked, and he glanced at me sideways as if gauging my sincerity.
“Well, that’s very interesting indeed because Mr. Grant has stated that the two of you hung out in the bar for a fair amount of the night, gambled at the casino, an
d then went across the street to the Vegas, Baby Wedding Chapel before going to the gentlemen’s club in the back of the casino bar.”
He thumbed through the stack of papers and folded them back. On the page in full color were scanned photographs of what appeared to be Gabriel and me at the gentlemen’s club. Two of them showed me on a stripper’s pole, one straddling his lap, and in all of them, I had taken my shirt off to reveal my black lace bra. There was another gentleman there, as well as another woman.
Suddenly, like a rush of hot lava burning away a heavy curtain, the memories came flooding back. “Oh, God.” My hand rested over my mouth, and I felt the tears well up in my eyes. How could he keep that from me? He knew we’d been there.
“I’m still waiting on more security footage from some of the other locations, but it seems from this photograph, you and Mr. Grant had a good time, including this image from the casino bar.” He pushed a still from the footage in front of me, and it was Gabriel talking to a woman. I was in the background and one of the men had me bent over with his mouth at my cleavage. “You seem pretty awake to me.”
“I don’t remember that.” I raked my hands through my hair before covering my eyes. I wasn’t at all comfortable around my boss. Who was I kidding?
“Do you remember the woman he’s talking to?” The man pointed to the image of the woman. The image was fuzzy, but she didn’t seem familiar from what I could see.
I shook my head. “No. I don’t remember her.”
“That’s Cindy Clarke, Ms. Spencer. She’s one of the victims and your boss’s ex-girlfriend. Are you telling me you’ve never seen her before?”
I met his eyes directly and leaned forward. His harsh tone was hardly called for. “I’m telling you that I don’t recognize the woman in this photograph. As for knowing Ms. Clarke, I don’t. Mr. Grant doesn’t make a habit of mixing his business and pleasure.”