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Gabriel and I spent the next few days exploring Hawaii and enjoying each other’s company. Each day, we grew closer and, as we did, my feelings for him strengthened. I had never felt this way before in my life and, to be honest, it scared me a little because it was all too perfect. I wanted to tell him that I loved him, but I wanted to wait for him to say it first. Even though I was pretty sure he did, there was a part of me that was scared to death of rejection. This was the kind of life I had always dreamed of. Being me, Kate Harper, and no one else. I decided that when we went home to New York, I was going to tell my father the truth. He needed to know, and I needed to tell him for my own sake. My days of living as a con were over. I was going to focus on getting a real job and live my life for me.
It was our last night in Hawaii and Gabriel and I walked hand in hand on the beach along the shore. We stopped for a moment and took in the beauty of the sun that had begun to set over the ocean.
“I’ve decided that when we get back, I’m going to tell my father the truth,” I spoke.
“Really?”
“Really.” I smiled. “It’s time I take control of my life. I’ve been living in my father’s shadow my entire life. Doing everything he told me to do, and still doing it after he went to prison.”
“I don’t understand. Your father didn’t want you to do what you did. You made that choice.”
“I did it for him so he wouldn’t have to spend twenty years in prison. Being alone in a world where not one single person except him knew who I truly was, was frightening. It was easier to be all those different people, so I didn’t have to face the reality of being myself all alone in the world.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him.
“You aren’t alone, Kate. You have me.” He kissed the top of my head. “And Edmond. Let’s not forget about him.”
A smile crossed my lips as I broke our embrace and looked up at him. Hues of rich orange, yellow, and red shadowed him. To me, he was my savior.
“Thank you, Gabriel. That means so much to me.”
He swept his thumb across my lips before his mouth met mine amongst the shores of ocean and underneath the sunset.
Chapter 30
Gabriel
Hawaii was perfection and Kate and I were growing closer every day. She was desperate to change her life and I trusted her. I told her that I would help her every way I could, and if she wanted a job at my offices, she had one. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life. She was still learning how to be herself and I couldn’t be prouder. I loved her. I was in love with her, and she took up every bit of space I had in my heart.
Our thirty days were almost up, and even though the original plan was to let her go, I couldn’t. I wanted her to stay in my life, and I wanted to make her mine and mine only. The words “I love you” were on the tip of my tongue every day, but I had to hold back because I didn’t want to scare her. I had a plan. On day thirty, I would spend the day with her, buy her beautiful flowers, take her somewhere special, and profess my love for her. It had to be perfect. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This love was real for me this time. I had it all. A thriving business and career I loved, a beautiful home, family, friends, and a woman whom I adored and loved with every fiber of my soul. Sex with her was out of this world, and she even let me use the handcuffs on her. In fact, she was the one who suggested it. She pleased me in every way possible. I wanted to take care of her, but I knew in order for her to let me, she needed to figure out what she wanted first. I knew she loved me. Even though she hadn’t said it, I could feel it.
I held her in my arms, her body wrapped tightly around mine as we lay in bed. Today was the day she was going to tell her father the truth. I asked her if she wanted me to go with her and she said that she wanted to go alone. I kissed the top of her head, thankful that she was with me.
“Morning.” She smiled as she opened her eyes.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” I spoke.
“You didn’t.” Her finger ran across my chest.
“I have to get ready for work. Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you to see your father?”
“I’m sure. This is something I need to do on my own. But the next time I visit him, I would love for you to go.” She lifted her head and brushed her lips against mine.
“I would like that.”
I kissed her one last time and got up, hopped into the shower, and got ready for work. Before leaving for the office, we enjoyed a nice breakfast together, like we did every morning.
“Have a good day.” She smiled as she kissed me goodbye.
“You too, sweetheart. Good luck with your dad.”
I spent a better part of the day in back-to-back meetings, and when I returned to my office, Thaddeus walked in and, instantly, I knew something was wrong.
“You better sit down, Gabriel,” he spoke.
“What’s going on?” I asked as I narrowed my eye.
He threw an article on my desk. I picked it up, and as I read it, my heart began to pound rapidly.
