Gabe looked up and stopped in his tracks. Sloane felt herself blush with the look he gave her. “You’re stunning. I’ve never seen someone so beautiful before.”
Sloane rolled her eyes and laughed. “Thank you. I feel rather beautiful myself.” She gave him a little twirl. When she stopped, she noticed he was holding something out to her.
“A graduation present.”
“You’ve given me enough. You didn’t need to get me a present.” Especially jewelry. Every woman knew what was in that box. It was either a necklace or a bracelet.
Sloane opened the black velvet box and gasped. Her hands began to shake as she touched the large emerald. She shook her head, but she couldn’t speak. It was too much, yet perfect at the same time.
“I have thought of this around your neck since we met,” Gabe said softly as he pulled the necklace from the box and motioned for her to turn around.
“Gabe, I can’t.”
“Yes, sweetheart, you can. You were meant for me, and this was meant for you.”
Sloane turned and felt the weight of the emerald rest against her chest as Gabe fastened the necklace. His fingers trailed down her shoulders as his lips pressed a soft kiss at the base of her neck. “I love you, Sloane.”
“I love you, too,” she whispered back, afraid any loud noise would ruin the perfect moment.
“Let’s get your diploma. You earned it and I can’t wait to see you walk across that stage.”
“Afterward, I want to talk to Gemma. I want to bury the whole organization. Only then can we move forward as we want to do.” Sloane gulped as she began to shake out of fear. She moved to hold the emerald in her hand and felt herself relax. It was a tangible symbol of Gabe’s love. Something she could hold on to.
“I agree. In fact, I asked Nash to dig into your family and the organizations you’ve told me about. I hope you don’t mind, but I had a feeling where you were going. And if you hadn’t, then I was going to go there. I don’t want anything to stop our future together.”
Sloane turned in his arms. She let her fingers trace his jaw before cupping his cheek. “That’s the best gift you could give me. The gift of freedom.”
Gabe leaned down and kissed her. It was a slow, lingering kiss that promised the future. “Today we celebrate. Tomorrow we fight.”
* * *
Sloane had to admit it felt good to walk into the theater, holding Gabe’s hand. Classmates who had made fun of her before now stared in surprise as recognition began to set in. She saw them whispering as they came to a stop in the lobby packed full of family members.
“I’m sorry,” Gabe said quietly as he bent his head toward her.
“For what?”
“I’ve been recognized.” Sloane looked to where Gabe gestured. A group of women were taking pictures with their phone. “Today is supposed to be about you.”
“I’m pretty sure you and your friends and family have already seen to that. I’ve never felt so doted on before. Just having you here means the world to me.” Sloane smiled at him and squeezed his arm.
Gabe took her into his arms and captured her lips in a savoring kiss. “I better get to my seat.”
“I’ll go with you,” came the accented voice behind them. “But first I must offer my congratulations.”
Sloane looked over Gabe’s shoulder. “Draven?”
“Draven?” Gabe muttered with disbelief as he turned around. “What are you doing here?”
Sloane saw Draven smile as his guards surrounded him. “You taught me to support your friends. As you two are my only friends, I am here to celebrate this great accomplishment.”
Sloane took in the tailored black slacks, the French blue dress shirt, the red power tie, and not a single shoulder pad or military medal to be seen. “I love the new look.”
Draven beamed as Gabe shook his hand. “This is real nice of you, Draven.”
Draven stepped over and kissed Sloane’s cheek. She felt the presence of cameras capturing every moment, but the fear she thought she’d feel wasn’t there. “I am so happy you are here, but I don’t have a ticket for you.”
Draven chuckled. “I am a king. I think I can manage to get inside.” He nodded toward the theater doors where the president of the university was eagerly waiting to escort him in.
“Draven,” Sloane said, lowering her voice and leaning closer to him so she couldn’t be overheard. “I’m going to tell the truth about who I am tomorrow. I don’t want you to be caught up in any bad press. If you want to leave, I’ll understand.”
“Not to worry, Sloane. All will be well.” Draven leaned back and turned his head to Gabe. “Are you ready?”
Gabe nodded and bent his lips to hers for one last kiss. “I’ll meet you right here afterward.”
The second Gabe and Draven stepped away from Sloane, she was swamped by her classmates.
“Who was that?”
“Were they royalty?”
“How do you know them?”
“Are you dating a prince?”
“Oh my gosh, is that a Sydney dress from her runway show?”
So this is what it felt like not to be invisible.
“Give the woman some space. Jeez.”
Sloane turned to see a woman around her own age standing there in a cap and gown that matched the rest of her classmates. However, this woman had shoulder-length dark brown hair under the cap and the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. It was like she was staring into the brightest waters of the Caribbean Sea. In seconds, the woman had cleared a space around Sloane as her classmates left with their curiosity unsatisfied.
“Who are you?” Sloane asked as they started moving backstage to line up.
“I’m a gift from Bridget.” Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement.
“I’m sorry, what?” Sloane asked as the last names beginning with A’s began to line up.
The woman held out her hand. “Abigail Mueez. Ahmed and Bridget are my parents.” Sloane’s lack of understanding must have registered for Abigail sent her a wicked grin that instantly reminded her of her mother. “I’m in security. Mom and Dad wanted someone to stay with you who could blend in, just in case your mother is looking for payback.”
“Have they heard something?” Sloane let out a deep breath. “Sorry. First, it’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Layne and Piper.”
“I’ve heard about you, too,” Abigail teased. Sloane didn’t know what she’d heard, but Abby seemed to be amused. “I heard Gabe is head over heels. I can’t wait to tease him about it. He’s like a big brother to me, and I can’t tell you the number of times he interfered in my love life growing up.”
“Gabe?”
Abigail nodded as the B’s got in line next. “He’s very protective of those he loves. I feel bad for Ari with Gabe and Zain looking after her. And to answer your question, no. There are no direct threats against you. It appears your identity is still safe. However, the DEA and Mexican police just raided the cartel that works with your family. From what my sources are saying, you won’t have to testify. There’s that much evidence.”
Sloane’s body had begun to shake with nerves. The thought of testifying and the potential of having to go into witness protection would either ruin her life or end her life. “Are you sure? How do you know?”
“I’m connected. And I’m sure. Even when your identity is made public, the story that the FBI is projecting, through Ryan, is that he was visiting his mother’s shop where Lisa’s unnamed daughter was shopping for a hat. He had no reason to suspect the young woman’s identity and was coming to talk to her when he overheard Lisa confessing to her crimes. No mention of the White Lace recipe ever made it into the reports or notes. If your mother rants about it, she’ll seem delusional if and when your identity is ever revealed. No one would expect you to keep something worth that much money while struggling through school as a waitress.”
Relief washed through her, so profound that Sloane actually became dizzy. “It’s over,” she sa
id, just to hear the words out loud. She could finally stop hiding.
“It appears so. But I’m here in case we’ve missed something.”
“H,” the director called out.
Sloane reached out with her hand and grasped Abigail’s. “Thank you so much.”
Sloane made her way to the front of the H’s and found Abigail right behind her. “Today I’m Abigail Hollis,” she said with a wink.
Before Sloane could ask how a new student could get a degree, her line began to move. They walked through the dark wing of the theater stage and came to a halt as they met the end of the G’s. Sloane took a deep satisfying breath. She could see the lights of the stage, the head of the department, the president of the university, and somewhere up there was her new degree.
The person in front of her turned as she took a step closer to the stage. “Congratulations, sister.”
Sloane didn’t have time to scream as the needle was jabbed into her shoulder. The syringe plunged down, and in seconds, the rush of White Lace was leaving her gasping.
29
Gabe shouldn’t have been surprised to see that his mother, father, sister, and several friends from Keeneston took up the entire row. As Draven said, it was good to be royalty. Layne waved happily as Piper sent him a wink. Annie, Bridget, Kenna, Paige, and his mother leaned inward, chatting as Zain sat with his arm around Mila. Sophie had her hand on Nash’s thigh as she talked to Aniyah and DeAndre.
When Layne waved, they all turned to look and smiled at Gabe. Their smiles widened at the surprised look on his face as Layne and Piper shared a high five.
“What are you all doing here?” Gabe asked as he took the open seat in the middle of the row.
“We came to cheer for Sloane. We know how hard she worked and we wanted to bring down the house as her name was called,” Layne told him from her seat next to his.
“Thank you all. Sloane will be so surprised,” Gabe told each side of the row.
The lights dimmed and the first name was called. Gabe kept track of each person, knowing that each name brought Sloane closer to the stage. He couldn’t wait to see her surprised reaction when a whole row of people jumped up to cheer for her.
“Ian Gyles,” the announcer called. It wouldn’t be long now. Sloane should be next.
Gabe looked up expecting to see Ian Gyles walk across the stage, instead he saw a woman graduate shove a male graduate down as she raced across the stage. Another woman was hot on her heels.
“Abby!” Gabe gasped with recognition as the woman he’d grown up with hurled herself through the air and tackled the other woman. “Sloane,” he called out hoarsely as he was already shoving people out of the way and climbing over the rows separating him from the stage.
Gabe was moving fast as people were screaming. He didn’t even realize his entire row of friends and family were yelling for people to get out of the way. Nash hurtled past him to the right, knocking someone’s father to the ground. When Gabe looked into the shadows of the stage, the scene caused him to freeze with fear.
Sloane stood, weaving to the right and left. Her face was a deathly gray. Her eyes, usually a vibrant green, were zoned out so completely he was sure she couldn’t see in front of her. And then she collapsed. The world stopped in that instant. “Sloane!” he cried as he shoved people from his path.
* * *
Abby had failed. The women in front of them had never turned around and she’d been fooled by a wig. When Abby saw the needle being plunged into Sloane, she’d reacted as quickly as she could. She’d leapt for the woman, pulling her cap and wig off.
“Valentina,” she’d yelled as she grappled for the woman.
Valentina Malone had danced out of Abby’s grasp and sprinted for the stage. Abby knew there was nothing she could do for Sloane except catch her sister. She was going to free Sloane from the cage of her past, if Sloane was even alive.
Abby ran past a staggering Sloane and across the stage. She heard the gasps, but they didn’t matter. Valentina was in her grasp. With a grunt, Abby pushed off the ground and launched herself into the air. She and Valentina crashed to the hardwood floor of the stage. Abby had a hold of her legs as Valentina grabbed something from under her gown.
“You bitch,” Valentina spat as she used her teeth to pull a syringe cap from a needle.
White Lace. Abby moved to grab the deadly syringe as Valentina rolled over. Abby almost fell onto the needle as she struggled for control.
“Drop it and you’ll live,” Abby grunted as she struggled to prevent Valentina from stabbing her.
“No one stops a Malone.”
“Except for another Malone. Sloane has already taken you down.”
“She can’t do anything from the grave.”
“But I can.” Abby stopped trying to apprehend and went into survival mode as Valentina tried to jab the needle into her shoulder. Abby had both hands on Valentina’s wrist and Valentina had her other hand on top of Abby’s. Abby dropped one hand and dug her elbow into the crook of Valentina’s elbow, holding the needle. Valentina’s arm bent and Abby shoved the needle downward with all her might into Valentina’s chest.
* * *
Nash got to Sloane first as Abby fought for control over something in Valentina’s hand. Suddenly, Abby sat back while breathing vigorously as Valentina lay limp underneath her. Abby’s parents rushed the stage, and a second later, they dragged Valentina from the stage.
“She’s not breathing,” Nash called out.
Gabe leapt onto the stage and dove onto his knees next to her. Sloane didn’t look like herself. He and Nash worked quickly to roll her onto her back. Nash started chest compressions. Gabe pressed his lips to hers and blew. He’d breathe for her forever if it would save her.
Her lips were still warm, but as his breaths went into her, he saw them draining of their color. Fear, agony, panic, and devastation unlike anything he could describe fought him as he tried to stay calm enough to save her.
“Out of my way!” He heard Piper yelling over the screams of the audience. “Get the hell out of my way!”
Gabe breathed into Sloane’s unmoving body and glanced behind him as Nash counted out the continuous chest compressions. Piper had something in her hand—a needle—and was shoving people out of her way as she fought her way forward. The audience was in a complete flight response. Women cried and men stood frozen until a piercing whistle broke through the chaos.
“She said to get out of her way!” Aniyah yelled as she stood on the seat of her chair.
DeAndre shook his head but held up his badge and yelled into the now quiet theater. “State Police, clear the way for the doctor!”
In that split second, Gabe saw his whole family push their way through the crowd and try to make a path for Piper. Hope bloomed. She’d been working on a life-saving injection, but she hadn’t said if she’d found one yet.
Gabe turned his head from them as he breathed into Sloane’s open mouth. She wasn’t responding. “Save her!” he cried, his emotions finally bursting free as Piper fell to her knees beside him.
“What was she injected with?” Piper asked as she unzipped Sloane’s graduation gown and felt for her heart.
“This,” Nash said, handing her the needle he’d pulled from her shoulder before resuming compressions.
Piper held it up to the light and Gabe lost it. “Hurry up!” he screamed at her. He felt tears streaming down his face as his father placed a hand on his shoulder, pulling him away from Sloane.
Sophie bent her head over Sloane and began breathing for her. She and Nash worked in tandem as Piper examined the empty syringe. “I have to make sure it’s White Lace. If it’s not, I could kill her.”
“Gabe,” Zain said softly, pulling his brother into his embrace as Sophie and Nash continued to work. His father, mother, and brother held on to him as he stood frozen. His eyes never left Sloane’s. Every second seemed to take an hour as he willed her to just breathe. The sound of Sophie’s breath filling Sloane’s l
ungs filled him with more fear. The thumping of Nash’s hands against Sloan’s chest repeatedly echoed in Gabe’s ears.
“Gabe,” Piper called out. In a heartbeat, he was beside the woman he’d grown up with—the woman who was the last hope of saving the love of his life. “It’s White Lace. I can tell by the residue in the syringe. I’ve been playing around with nanodetoxification but only on a chemical level. I haven’t tried this on any living thing.”
“She’s dead without it, right?” Gabe asked, trying to shove the fear down so that he could think.
“Yes.”
Gabe tried to swallow, but his throat was closed too tight. So he took a deep breath instead. “Do it.”
“You might not want to watch,” Piper warned as she tore the bottom of Sloane’s dress and pushed it apart to expose the ashen skin of her upper thigh.
Gabe just shook his head. He stood on wobbly legs and hurried around so he sat opposite Piper. He reached for Sloane’s hand and wrapped it in his. He looked up at the large needle Piper was uncapping and plunging into a vial. She drew the liquid into the needle while Sophie and Nash continued CPR.
The shouts, the cries from the audience, the way Sloane’s classmates and faculty were standing around them praying . . . everything was now blocked as Gabe focused on the needle Piper held directly over Sloane’s thigh. She took a deep breath and then jabbed downward, puncturing the skin, and embedding the needle in the muscle. Slowly and steadily, she injected the nanoparticles into Sloane.
Piper pulled the needle from Sloane’s leg and sat back on her heels. “Theoretically, the nanoparticles I designed will specifically target and capture the toxins found in White Lace, thus neutralizing them.”
Gabe nodded as he brought Sloane’s hand to his cheek. “I’m here, Sloane. Come back to me, sweetheart.”
Forever Concealed Page 22