“That's how he knows.” Anna shook her head. “That makes sense.”
“When my father died, I left the CIA and started Guardian International. Using shell companies and offshore accounts to establish a massive intelligence and security company, I merged my new venture with my dad's companies and rebranded the entire empire as Guardian International. As David Xavier, I appointed Gabriel Alexander as the CEO of Guardian International. I run the rest of my billion-dollar company through vetted and trusted people. Nobody has ever seen David Xavier as an adult. There are no pictures of me as a child. My mother made sure of that. All my businesses are privately owned by David Xavier with no treasury stock or shareholders. I run the day-to-day operations of Guardian International as Gabriel Alexander. If David Xavier's input is required, for example when dealing with the board of directors, my interaction as David is done over the phone and with a voice modifier that alters the way I sound enough to eradicate any concerns about someone connecting the dots. My life is nothing but smoke and mirrors, and I'm the only one who can see them.”
Anna spun in her chair so she was facing him. “You must be so damn lonely.”
Gabriel shrugged. “I was. I'm not any longer.”
“Why did you tell me?” She glanced down at her feet and tucked her boots under her chair.
“Because I trust you.” He ticked her chin up with his finger. Hell, he loved her.
“You trust Craig, too. Is he the only other person who knows?”
“Besides my mother. Yes. Craig has his issues. God knows he’s a dangerous man, but he has been faithful to me, and I’ll continue to support him as long as I can.”
“You trust him to keep your secret?”
“I trust him with my life. He has anger issues, but I’ve never for a second doubted he’d take my secrets to the grave.” Even if Craig crossed the line, and he had to relieve him of his duties, he’d take care of him, support him, and continue to ensure the man had access to mental health professionals. He and Craig had shared far too much to walk away from the man.
“I'll never tell another soul.” Anna’s words were solemn and sincere.
“I have no doubt.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. “Let's clean up and grab some sleep. I have to work tomorrow.” The last five months or so had taken a lot out of him. He needed to recharge before he hit warp speed again. Making love to his woman and catching another night’s sleep sounded like heaven.
“Work?” Anna wrapped up her half-eaten hamburger and dropped it in the white paper bag it came in.
“Yes. Deacon has graciously rented my company two floors of this building to use as a southern base. I need to access some secure communications and check on things. Do you and Jackie have plans tomorrow?”
“Yep! We're going shopping! She has the last fitting for her gown, and I have to find a dress for tomorrow night and have my Maid of Honor dress fitted for the wedding. Ha! Me in a formal! What a joke, right?”
Gabriel looked at her. “I think you'd look rather sexy in a dress, ma’am.”
Anna did a pirouette for him, spinning on the toe of her cowboy boot, and flashed him a huge smile. “Why thank you, kind sir!”
Gabriel’s cell vibrated on the counter. His smile faltered. He should have turned the damn thing off. “Alpha. Yes, I’m available.” He glanced at his watch and calculated the time difference. “I’ll need to get my people on it. Give me twenty minutes. I’ll call you on the secure communications link.” He waited for an acknowledgment before he ended the conversation. “Alpha clear.”
“Work?” Anna tossed the garbage into the bin.
“Indeed. I'll be back as soon as possible.”
“You should hire some more people so you don’t always have to be the one working all night.” She walked with him through the small apartment toward the front door.
“Until I have a solid foundation running my new domestic operations arm, I’ll be stretched thin, but I have several top-notch candidates lined up to interview now that I’m back in the States.” Gabriel was looking forward to doing the same with the humanitarian arm of his company, too. In reality, that aspect of the company took more coordination and use of his connections than the rest of his businesses combined. Getting aid to people in distress was a miasma of political wheeling and dealing, bribes, and waiting.
Anna sidled up and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Take as long as you need. I know how busy you are.”
He pulled her a little closer, kissed her forehead and placed another chaste kiss on her lips before he forced himself to leave her and head up to the office. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He pulled the door closed behind him and waited to hear her throw the deadbolt on the apartment door before he headed to the elevator. Walking away from her was getting harder and harder to do.
Chapter 32
Jackie and Anna spent the entire day together. They had their hair and nails done. Anna experienced a waxing for the first time, and if she had her way about it, it would be her last time. Why anyone would voluntarily go through that torture was beyond her.
Besides the embarrassment of a Brazilian wax, ladies’ day was fun. Jackie was so much better, physically and emotionally. They didn't talk about what happened the last time Anna was in New Orleans. There was no way on this planet that she'd ruin her friend's happiness by bringing up the specter of the past.
Anna sat on a plush red velvet cushion and lifted the champagne flute to her nose. The bubbles snapped and popped. She took a tiny taste and made a face. At least it was cold. Anna sat the crystal glass back on the silver tray and glanced around the posh exterior of the bride’s dressing room. Mirrors circled the raised dais at the center of the room. There were racks and racks of lace and satin dresses with pearl and crystal enhanced fabric. She’d never been one of those girls who’d dreamed of their wedding day, but the creations of white were enticing, and she was willing to admit she would have no problem daydreaming about a special day with Gabriel.
The door to the dressing room opened and Anna gasped. Jackie looked absolutely gorgeous in her wedding gown. It was custom made for her with a Grecian feel. The dress draped classically from one shoulder. Her friend refused to wear white because of her past, but chose a beautiful creamy white-gold color that would play beautifully with the tons of yellow roses she’d selected for her arrangements. A crystal headband and a quarter length lace veil completed the outfit. The effect was stunning.
Anna stood. “Deacon will just about die when he sees you walking down the aisle! You look absolutely radiant.”
“Thank you. I feel like a princess.” Jackie looked around the dressing room to make sure they were alone. She whispered, “But I think he’s really going to pass out when I give him his wedding present.” Jackie winked and turned away, walking back to the dressing room.
“Okay, you can't do that to me. You know me! Why would you say that? Seriously, like you totally have to spill the beans, now!” She rolled her eyes toward the heavens and almost jumped up and down as she whisper-hissed, “Tell me! What did you get him?”
Jackie’s eyes fluttered down to the floor. “It is not really what I gave him. It's what he's given me.”
Realization hit her like an oak plank. “No! Are you pregnant?”
Jackie nodded, and a huge smile spread across her beautiful face. “The doctor confirmed it yesterday. I'm two months pregnant.”
Tears fell from Jackie’s eyes as they hugged. Anna pulled away and gasped, “But the doctors said you couldn’t…”
“I know! I don’t know how it happened; I just know it did.”
“Oh, Jackie! I'm so happy for you!”
“And I'm happy for you! You and Gabriel are working out, right? I mean, he’s here with you.”
“I think so, but I am not going to push him for more than he is willing to give. I am happy at the moment. The future? Who knows what that holds.”
“You're both coming to dinner with us, right?”
“I am. If Gabriel can get out of work, then I'm assuming he'll be there.”
“That man works more than Deacon.”
“That man works more than anyone I know.”
“Well, help me get out of this dress so we can find something pretty for tonight!” Jackie bent down and gathered the bottom of her dress in her arms. Anna picked up what she missed, and they tottered back to the fitting room.
Five hours later, with a new dress, shoes, and a few other odds and ends purchased, she stood in front of the mirror of her little apartment in the Longline building. Self conscious in a dress of any kind, she turned this way and that to get a look at herself in the mirror. The pale yellow dress had a halter top and a light, flowing, layered skirt that stopped about three inches above her knees in the front and draped to mid-calf in the back. The dress was backless, and the waistline dipped precariously close to the top of her ass, exposing her bare back and hinting at what remained covered. Her hair was curled, landing softly at her neck. The heels were way too high for Anna’s liking, but Jackie insisted. She wore them periodically throughout the afternoon, so she could practice walking in them. The struggle was real, but damn it, she was going to be graceful tonight if it killed her. She pointed at the mirror and scolded herself, “It won’t kill you. You’ll just break an ankle or dislocate a hip.”
The apartment phone let out a shrill ring. She damn near jumped out of her skin. Had she ever heard it ring before? No, and whoever turned that ringer up should be shot. Anna picked it up, not sure whether she should be answering the line. Who’d be calling her anyway? Gabriel’s voice came through the line. “Anna?”
“Oh, hi! Are you coming down soon? We’re supposed to go to dinner with Deacon and Jackie tonight.” Shit, she didn't mean to pressure him into going out tonight. She hadn't seen him except for a few minutes this morning as she was leaving. He'd come back down to shower and change for the day.
“I'll be another twenty minutes. I have a call coming in that I need to take. How about you bring up my jacket and a tie that will match whatever you are wearing tonight. We can go up to their apartment from here.”
“Umm… okay, I'll be up in twenty minutes. Which floor and do I need some kind of access code? Oh, where is your jacket?”
He gave her the floor number and added, “Reception will bring you back to me. My jacket is on the wardrobe butler by the closet. Did you have fun today?”
“Oh, my goodness, yes. I had a great time with Jackie.” She wanted to share Jackie’s good news so bad she vibrated with the need, but she couldn't do that to her friend.
“I can't wait to hear all about it. I need to go. See you soon.”
“I'll be up shortly.” Anna listened for a moment to make sure Gabriel hung up before she spun and headed into the closet. All of his suits and ties from when they'd worked in New Orleans before were still in the closet. The perks of being a billionaire, she guessed.
Anna stopped and blinked at that thought. Gabriel was a billionaire. The concept really hadn’t firmed up in her head yet. She grabbed his jacket off the wooden rack-thingy and headed to his ties. She picked out a pale yellow and black striped tie that matched her dress.
Anna laid the jacket and tie on the bed and finished putting on her make-up. She rarely wore any but knew how to apply it. She put a small dab of extremely expensive perfume she had purchased on her wrists, and because she had seen it in a movie, between her breasts. Giving herself one more careful examination in the mirror, she picked up Gabriel’s jacket and tie and headed to the elevator.
The lack of security at the elevators was a little disconcerting. She kept looking for Gabriel's men to appear. Strange how a person could get used to having someone looking over their shoulder.
She entered the elevator and smiled to herself. She loved Deacon’s building. A few of the memories she’d rather forget, but the time she spent with Gabriel in that little apartment and the days she and Jackie had been together were priceless.
The elevator opened to a lobby of granite and chrome. A huge gold Guardian International logo was suspended from the ceiling. She walked to the reception desk where a young man in a black suit nearly dropped his file when he looked up and saw her. She blinked back her surprise at his reaction and stammered, “Ummm… Gabriel is expecting me?”
Gabriel stood and stared out the window and watched as the lights of the city started to twinkle in the twilight. He nodded attentively as the foreign minister pled his case. Gabriel shook his head as he spoke, even though the man couldn’t see him. “I understand, sir, I do, but I have priorities here, and I will not be available for that assignment.”
He let the man go on for a couple more minutes. “I assure you that my teams will guard the aid from the border to the hospitals. Your people need to get the supplies to the border. Yes, that’s correct. Good. I will arrange a team to fly in next week.”
Gabriel turned and stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes fell on Anna, whose transformation was beyond astonishing. “Holy shit. What? No, sorry, I wasn’t talking to you… forgive me, Minister Hitari, I have to go.” He abruptly disconnected the call.
Anna raised an eyebrow at him. “You’re talking to a minister?”
Gabriel blinked, once again behind in her curveball-laced conversations. “Minister of Defense not a minister of the cloth. Excuse me, ma’am, but who are you and what have you done with my Anna?”
She smiled shyly and turned, allowing him to see the back of her dress. He almost swallowed his tongue at what he saw, or rather, didn’t see.
“You are absolutely stunning.” The innocent blush that painted her cheeks notched her smoking hot sensuality up ten or twenty points. Walking over to her, he leaned forward and kissed her gently. “I could not imagine you any more beautiful than naked in my bed, but I think this look is equally amazing.”
“I am glad you like it. I aim to please; besides, I think Deacon would have a heart attack if I showed up in jeans and a pair of boots. He’s wound kinda tight.” Anna laughed as she handed Gabriel his coat and tie. “Shall we go?”
Gabriel ordered two glasses of Remy Martin Louis XIII for him and Deacon, and hot tea for the ladies. He leaned back in his chair, watching as Anna and Jackie engaged in a vivacious conversation about absolutely nothing in particular. They jumped from topic to topic the way a record player with a bad needle would skip from one song to the next. One second they were talking about one thing, the next a totally different topic. He looked across the table at Deacon, who lifted his eyebrows and shook his head.
“We’ll be right back. We need to powder our noses.”
Gabriel and Deacon stood as the ladies left, still talking a mile a minute. Okay, so it was Anna talking. Jackie laughed and managed a word or two, but Anna needed no help carrying a conversation.
Deacon gave an exaggerated sigh, laughter in his green eyes. “I am losing faith in you. I figured if anyone could get her to slow down and take a breath between sentences, it would be you.”
The waiter arrived with their drinks, and Gabriel took his and Anna’s drinks from the tray, waiting for the waiter to deliver Deacon and Jackie’s before he spoke.
He lifted his drink and saluted Deacon. A smile spread across his face. “She is a force of nature, isn’t she?”
Deacon raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “Shit.”
“What?”
“You’re in love with her.”
Gabriel smiled and took a long drink of the very expensive cognac. “I am, but it's going to be difficult for a while. The agency is growing, and I’m stretched thin. I don’t think it will be easy.” If anyone understood what it was like to run an enterprise, it was Deacon.
Deacon took a drink of the cognac. “Easy or not, I’m glad to see this for both of you. Jackie regaled me at great length about how much Anna adores you.”
“Wait, Jackie talks?”
Deacon laughed, “Yeah, when your lady isn’t monopolizing the conversation.”
Admit
ting he was in love was getting easier to do. The difficult part was figuring out the next steps. He’d always been a planner. Flying by the seat of his pants wasn’t in his wheelhouse. He prided himself on knowing everything about a situation before he made a move. Unfortunately, there was no intel, briefings, or background work he could do to help him navigate the next step. He was shooting into the dark and hoping to hit a target.
Deacon stood about thirty minutes later. “Our limousine should be here. Ladies, if you please?”
Gabriel waited with Anna, allowing Deacon and Jackie to enter the limousine, first. She shivered and pushed next to him. He slipped off his jacket and settled it around her shoulders before they entered the vehicle. The automatic lodged at the small of his back would be visible, but this late at night, he doubted anyone would notice. The ride back to the Longline building was quiet and quick.
Gabriel waited as Anna and Jackie said goodnight. He shook Deacon’s hand and kissed Jackie’s cheek. The lack of sleep was catching up with him. Again. They took separate elevators. The Penthouse elevator still had a security guard assigned to it, as per Gabriel’s recommendation.
He pulled Anna into him and lingered over a kiss as they ascended. “Woman, you amaze me. You are unassuming, beautiful, and at times it feels as if I need you more than I need the air I breathe.”
Anna snorted. Her hand shot to her face covering her mouth as her eyes popped open wide. She let out a happy, embarrassed laugh.
“Damn, I think I need to work on my lines. That wasn’t meant to be funny.”
“It wasn’t! I mean it was, but it totally wasn’t.”
“You’d be a lot more convincing if you weren’t laughing.” He booped her on her nose with his finger.
“I think I may have had one too many glasses of wine tonight.”
Gabriel (Guardian Defenders Book 1) Page 34
