by Cali MacKay
“Though she’s recently had intercourse, it didn’t appear to be forced.” A weight lifted off Gabe’s chest as the doctor alleviated his fears. “If you’d like to stay with her, the police have okayed it.”
Gabe turned to his brother and pulled him into a hug. “I can’t thank you enough for finding her, Morgan. I owe you everything.”
“That’s what family’s for, right?”
Detective Murphy approached just then. “You’ll be glad to know that Zane Zimmerman confessed to the attacks—the fire, running the two of you off the road, drugging and kidnapping Hadley. He’s claiming he worked on his own, but we think that by the time we’re through, we’ll have enough evidence to implicate Capaldi. With luck, that should be the end of the attacks, since Zimmerman will be in prison until his arraignment, and Capaldi will be under too much scrutiny to continue harassing your family. And…I’m sorry about Hadley getting hurt.”
“I appreciate you looking into this.” Though Gabe was relieved that the attacks would be coming to an end, he was itching to get to Hadley’s side, and was done with talking. “If the two of you could excuse me.”
He didn’t wait for an answer, but rather took off down the hall to where they were keeping Hadley. She was all that mattered, and he had to see her. Had to hold her.
She was his all. He’d just been too stupid to see it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hadley slowly broke free of the darkness as sleep tried to pull her back into its inky depths and back into her nightmares. Her lids felt so heavy, it was an effort just to keep them from slipping shut. Flickers of her memory returned, and her fear was enough to force her awake. She’d been drugged…had called Gabe…and then nothing. What the hell had happened to her? What had Zane done to her while she’d been unconscious?
She focused on the dark room, thankful for the dim light that had been left on in the corner of the room. And then she saw him…Gabe, asleep at her bedside, his arm draped across her lap as if holding onto her to keep her from leaving. Though she was unsure of what they now had, her heart still ached for him, and she was so incredibly relieved to see him there.
Her arm felt heavy, but she managed to lift it and run her fingers through Gabe’s thick dark hair, wondering if this would be the last time she got to touch him like this, so intimately.
Gabe stirred awake, his gaze immediately focusing on her, his worried features easing with relief. “Babe…”
That one word was enough to have her tears flowing over with such a wealth of emotions she couldn’t quite decipher them all. But then he was sitting by her side, and pulling her into his arms, his hold on her so tight, it pushed everything else away, so she could think of nothing but the safety of his arms.
He kissed the top of her head and held her until her tears were spent. “You had me so worried, babe…and I was such a fucking ass.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her sweetly, his lips lingering against hers as he spoke. “I need you to forgive me—and I need you to take me back. I’m so sorry that I fucked up.”
“Gabe…I love you. More than anything, I love you. But…” She let out a weary sigh, and had to fight back another wave of tears. “If this is just because you’re scared that I was hurt or injured, then this isn’t going to work.”
She’d happily have him back under any circumstances, but what was the point if it was a temporary fix and he didn’t truly love her?
“Fuck, Hadley…I love you, and that has nothing to do with what just happened. I knew I’d fucked up before your phone call, and almost losing you only reinforced what I already knew—that you’re my everything, and I need you in my life, in my arms, and in my fucking bed. There could be no other, babe. Not ever.” His body was so tense with his conviction that she couldn’t help but believe him.
“I love you too, Gabe—but you can’t give up on us if I worry or have doubts. Those hours when I thought it was over between us…it felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest, and I swear, I don’t think I’d survive going through that again—not when I fall more in love with you with each passing day.”
“Never again, babe. I’m yours—and I’m never leaving your side.”
***
It had been a month since the police arrested Zane, and Hadley was relieved to give Gabe the latest news. “Zane Zimmerman has agreed to a plea deal and will turn over evidence against Capaldi, who’s also been charged with the attacks against your family. Best of all, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about any retaliation from his mob associates, since Capaldi was fairly low on the totem pole, and it doesn’t sound like they’re too thrilled about the cops looking in their direction because of his personal vendetta.”
That had been a huge concern of Hadley’s. The last thing she wanted was for the mob to come after her and the Rykers in retaliation for Capaldi’s arrest.
Gabe pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I am so fucking relieved that nightmare’s finally over. And that means you’re officially off the case. I know you love what you do, babe, but I swear the thought of you putting yourself in harm’s way again is enough to make me fucking insane. Are you sure you don’t want to think of a change in career? You could become a potter or something? Maybe a gardener? You know…something safe that won’t have me worrying myself gray.”
A laugh escaped her as she shook her head and looked up at his handsome face and keen blue eyes. “You just bought McFee, Gabe. And I’m not exactly the pottery and gardening type.”
“No? Are you sure?” He perked his eyebrows in question as if he’d somehow convince her if he kept asking. “I know…maybe this will change your mind.”
Gabe shrugged into his winter coat, and then helped her into her down parka. It was now December, and winter in New England could be downright brutal, especially right on the coast. But she’d been living with Gabe for a month now, and couldn’t be happier, cold weather and all.
“Where are we going?” Hadley looked at him over her shoulder, as he scooped her hair and freed it from under her coat, the gesture so sweet and caring, it warmed her from the inside out.
“Patience, sweetheart.”
Gabe drove them through Portmore to the outskirts of town, and towards a little inlet. Flurries danced on the wind as they approached a gorgeous post and beam home that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean.
“Come on, babe.” He grabbed her hand and led her up the steps and onto the porch.
“Who lives here?” She hadn’t been expecting to visit anyone—and then Gabe slipped the key into the door, and pushed it open, grabbing her hand and pulling her in.
Twining his fingers with hers, he led her towards the great room, where there was a massive stone fireplace with huge wooden beam arches soaring above, and the most breathtaking view of the stormy ocean. The place was gorgeous—and rather empty.
“So…if you don’t like pottery or gardening, what about interior design?” He slipped his arms around her waist while standing behind her, and pressed his lips to her neck before releasing her. “Or maybe…you’d rather be my wife?”
She spun to face him, the shock of his words catching her off guard and sending her heart racing. And there he was, on bended knee with a sparkling diamond ring in his hand. “Gabe…”
“Babe…I love you.” Fuck, her man was gorgeous, and sweet, and she was so head over heels in love with him, her heart could barely stand it. “Will you marry me? Move in with me here? Maybe start a family?”
“Yes. Yes to everything. I love you so much, Gabe. I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gabe stepped aside to let Morgan in, his brother’s visit unexpected. “Hey…what’s going on?”
“Fuck, Gabe…I think I need your help—and maybe Hadley’s. I don’t know.” Morgan wandered to the great room, where Gabe had a roaring fire going in the massive fireplace. Gabe and Hadley had moved into their new place only a week earlier, but it already felt like home.
“What’s going on?” They sat down, but Gabe was seriously worried since Morgan never asked anyone for help. “Sorry to say, Hadley’s not here. She’s out shopping for wedding dresses with Emma.” There had been two engagements in the Ryker family, since Emma had also accepted Quinn’s proposal.
“It’s about that email you guys found…” Morgan let out a weary sigh. “Do you remember my friend, Zoe?”
“Yeah, of course. You guys were best friends through high school.” Gabe remembered her all right. The girl had been different, but gorgeous in a way he hadn’t quite understood at the time. There had just been something compelling about her, something a bit wild—and that something had been strictly off-limits since it’d been clear from the start that Morgan had been in love with her. The one Ryker not to put off falling in love—only to have his love rejected.
“Through most of college, too.” Morgan sat back and ran his hand down his face. “Fuck, Gabe. She was in a bit of a situation and was looking to get out of it, but…I guess I didn’t realize how bad it was. I asked her to stay so she could help me with something—something I needed more information on…information on Dad’s death. And now…fuck, man…she’s in deep—because of me. And there’s more. You’re not going to fucking believe this, but…Dad…he’s not dead.”
THE END
I hope you enjoyed this book featuring the Ryker family. Morgan’s story, the third book in The Billionaire’s Temptation series, will be released in August of 2014. For updates on new releases, please sign up for Cali MacKay’s newsletter.
