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She places a hand against my cheek. “The same goes for me. There were so many reasons I shouldn’t fall in love with you.”
“We’re not having a long engagement. I want to call you mine as soon as possible.”
Leah laughs at my words. “Patience,” she says dropping a kiss on my lips. “We need to wait for my parents to come back from their trip. I’m not sure they’ll forgive us, especially my dad, if he doesn’t get to give his only daughter away,” she says, her mouth closing over mine.
I wonder how quickly I can charter a plane to Australia.
CHAPTER 51
GABRIEL
Four Months Later
Ihaul myself out of the pool and grab my towel, drying myself off before pulling on a t-shirt and some joggers. Leah headed back upstairs a little while ago, her growing pregnancy meaning she can’t do the number of lengths she did before. After I proposed, we went to St Clair’s and purchased the ring Leah wanted. It was a lot less flashy than most of the women I knew would have wanted, but it suited Leah down to the ground. A simple, square-cut, flawless diamond in a platinum setting. Her mum and dad were over the moon. They are due back in a couple of months. The idea of becoming grandparents shortly after nearly had them cut their trip short. It took a lot of convincing to have them see out their trip, and the promise that if Leah was to go into labour early, I would get them home.
Our life is crazy, although Leah has replaced the stock market as my favourite pastime and is helping me get some perspective in preparation for the baby’s arrival. Not everything has stopped. We still game, make love. We annoyed Pen, having finally figured out that each of the latter levels required players to pair up to complete them. Teamwork was the key. One Leah worked out. Ironic, as neither one of us got to proclaim ourselves as King or Queen of the Games room on this occasion, but somehow, I don’t think the battle will be disregarded. My communication officer and completely sex-mad partner has quite a competitive streak.
“Mr Frazer.”
I look up as one of the concierge team approaches.
“Billy,” I say, making him smile when I use his name. Another thing that has rubbed off on me from Leah. She got him moved across from her old building when she knew a position had opened up. She knows every staff member’s name, and it’s paid dividends. The staff will do anything for her.
“Ms Walker called down. She would like you to return as soon as possible, please.”
My heart pounds as I make my way to the pool entrance.
“Did she sound distressed?” I ask, not that Billy is likely to know.
“No, but it might have something to do with the young girl who just turned up. She asked to be let up. She looked distressed, and when I called Ms Walker, she told me to send her straight up.”
“Thank you, Billy. You did the right thing.”
The elevator arrives, and I jump in, tapping my foot impatiently as the door seems to take forever to close.
There’s only one young girl we know, and that’s Lottie. Why would she be here?
I enter the apartment to the sound of heart-wrenching sobs. Leah is sitting on the sofa, with my niece encased in her arms.
“Lottie?” I say, sinking down in front of her. “Hey pumpkin, what’s happened?” I try to keep my voice neutral, but my stomach’s churning. I scan her for any signs of injury but come up blank.
I look at Leah, who’s as equally distressed as I am. I send her a questioning look, wondering if Lottie has given any more information on her state.
“Lottie,” I say again, her wracking sobs breaking my heart. “Talk to us, sweetheart. We can’t help you unless we know what’s wrong.”
She pulls up, her expression one of pure agony, her eyes red and puffy, her face scrunched. I cup her face in my hands, wiping away some of the tears that continue to stream down her cheeks. Leah’s arm is wrapped around her shoulders.
“Talk to us. Let us help you.”
She sucks in a shuddering breath as she tries to get her emotions under control.
“You...you can’t help. No one can,” she says, the devastation in her voice and on her face, telling me she truly believes no one can help her.
“Why can’t we help?” Leah asks tenderly, taking one of Lottie’s hands in hers.
Lottie looks at her. “He’s not my biological father. She’s going to take me away from him.”
A look of confusion crosses Leah’s face, her gaze shooting to mine. I shrug until Lottie’s words sink in.
