LINDEN
“Have you heard from Jas?”
I paused for a moment before I replied because I couldn’t lie to Sadie. “No.”
“He was supposed to call me yesterday. I thought maybe he was busy, but I’m getting more worried now that he hasn’t called yet.”
“Maybe he’s in the out-of-coverage area. I’ll try contacting him on a secure line, Sadie. Don’t worry. I promise I will call you as soon as I have news.”
“Cenric wants to talk to you.” She sighed deeply. I knew her, and I knew how much she loved her brother despite what she’d been through at his hands.
Jasper just redeemed himself, and he did everything to prove that he’d changed, and he did.
“Put him on.”
“Hey, bro.”
“How have you been?”
“I’m far from my wife. I don’t want her to worry about her brother. Is Jasper in trouble?”
I exhaled. “Jasper said he had to find out something. He just learned that someone asked about him from his past. I don’t know how bad it is, but he looked troubled when he told me he has to go away for a while.”
“Will you tell me if you find out something before you tell it to my wife?”
“You have my word, brother, and if there’s any development, you’ll be the first to know.”
“I have a feeling that I’ll be involved in this too. You know what I did, and if the information he gathered is true, my wife and her father will also be in danger. I have to contact someone from the FBI. Can you give a call to Beck?”
“That’s the plan, brother.”
“I heard you’re seeing someone?” he switched the topic, making my heart beat faster.
“How did you know?”
“So it’s true then.” I heard a smile in his voice.
“I haven’t told anyone about it. It’s kinda complicated, and we’re in the middle of securing a business deal.”
“Well, I won’t take much of your time. Once this is over, we’re going to have dinner. All of us.”
“You have my word, brother. Talk to you soon.” I quickly dialed Beck’s number.
It rang a few times before he answered.
“Who’s heart is broken this time? Or are you getting married? That would be great news.”
“Fortunately, no one and I’m not getting married, but I have a pressing matter that I have to pass on to you.”
“What’s up?”
“It’s Greer.”
“Jasper? Is Sadie okay?”
“She is, but Jasper just went off the grid. I think someone from the Mafia in Europe found him. I didn’t know how. His identity at the Osmium is tight. We made sure he had no picture anywhere. Sax, Kye, and I were the only ones who knew who he was.”
“And there are a lot of Greer in the country. No one could probably tie him to Hanslo.”
“Exactly, unless they knew him from the old business. I don’t know, brother. I’m worried, and he hadn’t contacted Sadie since he left when he was supposed to call her yesterday, and he never broke his words to his sister.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you want me to come over?”
“No. In fact, I’m about to tell you to be extra vigilant. Hanslo’s associates might have returned, hunting everyone involved. We’re not, but we were Cenric’s details at that time, and he’s responsible for putting Hanslo in jail.”
“Copy that. You have to be very careful even if you have men at your disposal. Are you sure the leak didn’t come from your company?”
“This is what I am about to find out. It may take time, but I will get to the bottom of it.” When I heard the commotion, I knew Estelle just arrived with the guys. “I have to go. I have pressing matters at hand. I’m kinda swamped right now, but I need to tell you first.”
“Appreciate it, brother. Give me updates.”
“Got it. Bye.”
“Hey.” I met Estelle and just got in the house. I could see she had a lot of questions, and she also looked surprised to see the place Moses gave me as a wedding gift. I shouldn’t be here since I wasn’t married yet, but he forced me when he found out about Jasper, and this was the only place that a few people knew I could trust.
“What’s going on?”
“How’s the meeting?”
“You dragged me all the way here to ask about the meeting. Why am I here, Gabriel?”
“So we’re just gonna answer the question with a question.” I pulled her into a hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”
I hadn’t been able to kiss her, and she already pushed me away. “Your men literally just stuffed me into the car after the meeting and drove off without giving much detail. Is it always gonna be like this, Gabriel?”
“I’m sorry. That’s what my order is. Don’t put your anger on them. They’re just following orders.”
“Then tell me what’s going on?”
I pressed my fingers on the furrow between her eyebrows. “Mr. Weston and little Weston might come after you after losing the share and votes of his guy.”
“You mean my father. Why would they do that? I don’t think they would go to that length for the share when they still have their companies?”
“We’re just taking precautions. Once the contract is void, then you can go back to your house.”
“What do you mean? I can’t stay here. Who’s house is this anyway?” She wandered her eyes around, and I saw admiration.
“Mine.”
“Yours?” Her eyes were disconcerting. “What do you mean yours?”
“I own the house.” I wanted to say we owned the house, but she couldn’t know it now. “You’ll be safe here. Just don’t tell anyone, especially your father. I’m sorry, but I don’t trust him. If he could sell you, he won’t hesitate to do it again.”
“I think you’re exaggerating things. Tyrion has accepted his defeat, and so did my father. Business is business. They shouldn’t keep grudges.”
“I wish I could take your words, but I don’t trust them.”
“I have Qamar. Lynx can come with me too. I’m sorry, but I can’t stay here. I have work, and after what happened at the conference room and the stocks, I need to focus on taking back what the company has lost.”
“Your company didn’t lose anything but Weston’s. Cade is already your new shareholder. He will support whatever you have plans. You have nothing to worry about than Weston’s payback.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Gabriel.”
“Just stay for the night. It’s Sunday tomorrow. You need to rest before you go back to working your ass off.”
“I said I can’t. If you want to protect me, I won’t stop you from sending them to my house just for you to sleep soundly at night.”
“Just one night, Estelle.”
“I’m going home.” She was already walking toward the door when she was blocked and stopped by my two men, Izaak and Keane. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Get out of the way, or I will call the police.”
Her warning didn’t even budge my men. They didn’t move, but Estelle was beginning to be pissed off. When she turned to me, her face was red in anger. Sketchy eyes narrowed at me. “Are you keeping me hostage here, Gabriel?”
“No, baby,” I assured her, but she was getting even pissed. “You’re not going out tonight until I’m sure you’ll be safe.”
“You’re out of your mind if you think I will listen. I escaped from my father once. Do you think I can do it again?”
“Don’t even try, Estelle.”
“Bite me,” she challenged me.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Later when just the two of us.”
She walked away from me, stomping her heels, the pretty red fuck-me-high-heels. “I suppose I have my own bedroom. I need clothes, and I want privacy.”
“Thank you.”
“I hate you.”
“You don’t mean that. Follow me.” I went to the hallway to the elevator. Once we were inside, I wrapped my arms around her from behind. She was still pissed at me, I could feel her body vibrating, but she should know that I would give my life to keep her safe, not only from Weston but from the impending threat. “I’m so sorry, baby.”
“I have a feeling you’re not telling me the whole story.”
“I’m not gonna lie, but I will tell you in due time.”
“And when is that?” She faced me. Our noses were merely an inch apart. “You looked tired.”
“I haven’t slept since I left your house. I barely grabbed my lunch. I was busy calling and returning calls since morning.”
“What’s wrong?” Her voice softened. Her brows were drawn.
“I can’t tell you until I’m sure.”
“Are you in danger?”
“Not at this moment. Don’t worry. If I am, then I will send you far away from me because the last thing I want is to put you in grave danger.” Yet, here she was. How did I become so selfish and stupid at the same time?
“I think I’d rather we face it together. You helped me get my company back, and I didn’t even thank you for what you did. Shit.” She briefly closed her eyes. When she stared back at me, I couldn’t help but admire those big blue eyes. “What I did back there was unfair. I’m sorry.”
“You will thank me by staying with me tonight.”
Finally, I saw the smile— the kind of smile that reached her eyes as we reached the floor to the guest room.
“You did all that for me? Why?”
I walked her to the room and opened the door for her. “I would do everything for you. I told you from the beginning I will always be here for you whether you need me or not.”
The room was excellent that met her taste, with a modern interior and light neutral colors. It had an adjacent bath, and I already filled the closet with the clothes and anything she needed.
“I’m sorry if I doubted your words. I thought you didn’t even know me to do something like that. I’ve had helped, but they wanted more in return.”
“I’m not that kind of man, Estelle.”
“I know. Thank you.” When she cupped my face, I leaned down to kiss her quickly. “I know you will probably be busy, but I will keep the door unlocked.”
I smiled. “Good idea. Do you need anything else?”
“I’m hungry.” She quickly got my smile. “For food, Gabriel. A sandwich will be fine.”
“Take a rest. I’ll send your sandwich.”
Before I left, she called me again. “The background on my father, is that true?”
“Yes.”