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If he doesn’t return… God, the mere thought is an inexplicable stab to my chest, one that I swore would keep me awake. But the feel of his warm body pressed intimately against mine after we had sex, lulled me to the point of no return.
I recall what Lou said about ugly memories and pretty things. She wasn’t talking about me, yet every word felt personal. The things I’ve seen… Ugly can’t begin to describe them.
Then I think, Gavin is something pretty. He could never erase what’s been done to me. But has he somehow blurred the edges of that memory?
Yes. He has. He’s made me feel again. Made me want again. Put the most vulnerable part of me in control so that I feel safe again.
And now, I stand to lose him forever.
I sit up, holding the sheet over my breasts, my throat tight. “How’s your ankle?”
He shifts his attention from the combat boot he’s just finished tying. “It’s fine. Rowan gave me something to help with the lingering pain.”
“I’m scared, Gavin.” The confession comes out before I can stop it. “Aren’t you scared?”
“Of what?”
“That something will happen to you.” I can barely get the words out.
His mouth opens as if he’s going to say something comforting. Something that reassures me that their plan will go flawlessly. After all, he built that casino. He knows every secret entrance and tunnel. And he has Gideon and Rowan to back him up.
But he doesn’t soothe my fears. Instead, he clamps his mouth shut as his eyes take me in. Then something strange comes over him, something too complicated for me to comprehend.
He swallows hard as his gaze locks on mine. His hand lifts to my hair, and he lets it run through his fingers. “Did you ever see the photograph outside my bedroom door?”
I frown as I think about that. Yes, I did. The day I searched for something that gave me a clue as to who he is. “The Red House.”
“It’s the house I grew up in. The neighborhood kids called it The Red House because the brick was so brightly painted, it stood out like a sore thumb. My brother inherited it, but didn’t want it because our childhood was so shitty. Said it was bad luck. So, he gave it to me. I mortgaged it and used the money to move to Las Vegas and become what I did. I turned it’s luck around, Andie.”
“So I was right.” I attempt a smile. “You named your casino after it.”
He nods and takes my hand, squeezing it urgently. Almost painfully. “The Duran’s attorney has drawn up a last will and testament for me. It was filed today, and will take a few days to be processed, but it’s uncontestable. If something happens to me, I want you and Lola to go there. The house will be yours. I want you to start fresh. I want it to turn your life around.”
“What?” I rear back in shock. “I can’t take your?—”
“You can and you will. The neighborhood was crap back then, but it’s been cleaned up since. I updated the house a few years ago. All the modern conveniences have been put in. It’s paid off so you never have to worry about the rent. And there’s a safe with five million dollars in case of an emergency.”
“No!” I shake my head vehemently. “I don’t want your money.”
“But you need it. Lola needs it.”
Lola. He says the one thing that makes it impossible for me to refuse such a grand gesture. But why? Why give us so much if we’re nothing to him? Unless…
I swallow down the knot in my throat. “Lou said something to me, Gavin. She said I couldn’t have kept you in my apartment if you didn’t want to stay. Did you? Did you want to stay with me?”
His breathing pattern changes, as if it’s strained, his chest too tight. “I want to stay.”
“Then stay. Come with me to The Red House.”
He smiles and cups my cheek. I lean into his palm and close my eyes for a moment, savoring his touch.
“I never wanted…” he trails off and swallows. “If it was just about me, I would risk having my enemies constantly at my heels. But I’m not alone anymore.” He bends forward and captures my lips in a soft kiss.
Tears begin to stream down my face. “Come back to us.”
“Sleep,” he murmurs. “When you wake up, it will all be over.”
24
