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“I’ve regretted that every moment since.” His voice broke. “If I could go back…”
It was terrible how much she wanted to believe in his contrition, but her father was a consummate actor. She’d learned never to trust his words.
“You still haven’t said the word ‘jail,’” she pointed out. Maybe that meant he was genuinely sorry, but it could as easily have meant that he didn’t want to take responsibility for doing something so shameful to his own child.
A wave of futility broke over her, sucking away her breath. Her father was never going to change.
She hit the button to disconnect the call.
Her phone vibrated again with her father’s caller ID. She declined the call and put her phone back in her pocket.
Then she swiped the key chain off her desk and hurled it across the room. It smacked against the wall and fell to the floor with a rattle of plastic on wood.
She left it there.
Chapter 23
Gabriel was still reeling from the implications of Quinn’s meeting with Dupont when the king sent a request for an informal private concert on the Terrazzo de la Luz. Gabriel carried his scuffed brown guitar case up to the rooftop terrace where his uncle sat, cradling a glass of red wine. The rays of the sinking sun slanted across the paving stones and urns of cascading flowers and painted the king’s silver hair and open-necked white shirt a soft gold. Gabriel hoped his uncle’s mood was as mellow as the light since he had delicate subjects to discuss with his tío.
“Sobrino.” His uncle lifted his glass in greeting. “Thank you for indulging my desire for music.”
“It is always a privilege to play for you.” Gabriel set the case down beside a cast-iron chair decorated with twining lilies.
Luis waved a dismissive hand. “Cut the privilege crap. Pour yourself a glass of wine.”
Gabriel walked to the table beside his uncle that held an open bottle of wine, more glasses, and a tray of tapas. Filling a glass, he returned his uncle’s salute. “Long live el rey.”
Luis shook his head. “You and Raul. No respect.”
“I thought it was too much respect.” Gabriel quirked a smile and sat in the metal chair, shifting on the seat. Now was as good a time as any. “Before I play, I want to inform you of a matter of protocol.”
“Oh? You aren’t given to following protocol.” The king’s tone was both sardonic and amused, a good sign.
This was one of those times when Gabriel disliked being a royal duke. His love life should be his own business, but it was a matter of security and of the palace being prepared in case the media found out. “I have begun a serious relationship with Quinn Pierson.”
Gabriel was sure that his uncle was aware of Quinn’s background, whatever it was. Mikel would not have hired her without the king’s approval. He braced himself for the barrage of objections.
Instead, Luis took a sip of wine, swallowed, and waited.
“Since she is involved in the investigation of the kidnapping, we are keeping it private,” Gabriel said. “I do not wish her to be compromised in any way.” Except now she was in danger from Dupont.
The king nodded but asked, “You do not foresee any problems with the combination of your relationship and her job?”
“There are already problems.” Such as, he was frantic with worry about her safety. “However, we can handle them.” He fixed his gaze on Luis. “I know she has something unfortunate in her past as well.”
“You don’t know what it is?” Luis looked surprised. “I can tell you.”
“Thank you, but I prefer to hear it from her. I must earn her trust.”
“Admirable,” the king said. “As it happens, I have invited her to family dinner on Sunday. She seems like a young woman I should know better.”
Relief poured through Gabriel. He only wished he had seen Quinn’s face when she’d received his uncle’s invitation. “Gracias, Tío. She is a woman of incredible intelligence and courage. You will like her.”
“She has certainly made impressive progress on the investigation. Mikel speaks highly of her.”
Gabriel was still furious at Mikel for putting Quinn in Dupont’s crosshairs.
Luis leaned forward to set his glass on the marble-topped table. “Have you told your parents about your personal involvement with her?”
