Storm Ravaged (Storm Damages 2) (Storm Legacy) (25 page)

“Yes, Ma’am.” I beam at her.

We emerge to find Jonathan standing outside the store. “Mrs. Storm. Mr. Storm. Samuel’s waiting by the curb with your car.”

More paparazzi are perched outside. They snap a flurry of pictures as we get into the limo. Finally, we’re inside, with the divider between the front and back seats up. I’m thinking glorious reunion, but Gabriel has something else in mind.

“You shouldn’t have gone out. It’s not safe.”

“I was going stir crazy in the penthouse, not knowing if you were okay, what was happening to you.”

“I’m fine.”

“So what happened?”

“Timmons, the solicitor, worked his magic. After Jake worked his. He worked with the police and local investigators to uncover every clue, interview witnesses.The break came when a neighbor remembered seeing an unsavory character hanging outside Tilly’s bungalow. She also remembered Tilly watering the bushes after I left.”

“So this unsavory looking man killed her?”

“Yes. They tracked him down. A junkie, with a record of breaking and entering. Usually when someone wasn’t home. Unfortunately, in Tilly’s case, she had been.”

“I’m so sorry, Gabriel. I know she was dear to you.”

His hands clamp down around mine. “You must not leave the penthouse. It’s not safe for you to wander the streets of the city.”

I free my hands from his hold, stare out the window. “Jonathan accompanied me to the store, and I had a whole contingent of guards, including Samuel, following me at Brookstone’s.

“Jonathan shouldn’t have allowed you out of the building. He should have blocked your path and locked the elevator. He will be fired.”

“Oh, please don’t.” I’m almost in tears. First he yells at me and now he wants to fire Jonathan. “It’s my fault.”

“Very well. I’ll ask Samuel to issue a reprimand. Next time think about the consequences. Not only to yourself, but to our child, to the person in charge of watching over you. You wouldn’t want his job jeopardized, would you?”

“No.”

I’d been so happy a minute ago, and now my joy has turned to dust. I’ve made a hash of everything.

Chapter 33

______________

Gabriel

WE ARRIVE AT THE PENTHOUSE to find Bri and Royce there, along with Jake who flew back on the plane with me.

Elizabeth’s happy to see them, but I’ve dampened her joy through my diatribe in the cab. But I won’t apologize for my words. She must be made to understand she can’t just flit around London, endangering our child, endangering her.

She greets everyone and excuses herself saying she’s tired after the shopping trip and needs to lay down for a nap.

After I make arrangements for everyone to join us for dinner, I head for the bathroom to shower and shave.

By the time I enter our room, Elizabeth’s fast asleep, wearing a full length nightgown with a baby on board sweatshirt over the whole thing.

I crawl into bed with her and wrap my arms around her belly. I missed her so damn much. I paced that jail cell every night torturing myself with the memory of her soft skin, her lush body, the clean scent of her skin.

Sighing softly, she turns to me. The look on her face dismays me. Where has all the joy gone? The joy I saw in her eyes when she first spotted me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“For a moment there, I forgot about our arrangement. This is all make believe. It’s not real. Oh, don’t worry I haven’t changed my mind. The last thing you want is a permanent wife. I understand my role in our marriage. The baby bearer. Once I give birth to our son, my role is done. Certainly, you can never trust me again. Not after what you think I did.”

“Elizabeth, I value you as more than a baby bearer.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. Do you want me to show you how much I missed you while I was in jail. How much I ached for you.”

Her luminous gaze turns to me. “Yes, please.” The longing in her eyes nearly unmans me.

I slowly raise her gown and toss it over the side. She’s hesitant about revealing her body to me, wrapping an arm around her breasts and her belly while she gazes shyly at me. Has our time apart changed her? She was never this modest before. Regardless, she needs reassurance, something I’m more than happy to provide.

“You’re beautiful, Elizabeth. Don’t hide yourself from me.” It’s true. She’s just as stunning as when she wasn’t pregnant with our babe. Her breasts are spectacular, and her lush lips and womanly curves call out to me. I’m finding it hard not to take her fast and hard, but she’s with child and I must be gentle with her.

I turn her so her back’s to me and sweep my hand down her side, to her legs and circle around her front to where I hope she’s wet for me.

Her scent intensifies as I sweep my fingers into her honey pot and thumb her pearl. “I dreamed about you while I was in jail. Every damn night thinking what I would do when I had you in my arms again. It was the only thing that kept me sane.”

“I was so worried for you.”

“And I for you. We won’t part again.”

“You mean until after the baby is born.”

I won’t let go of her even then. But for now, I give us what we both want. Parting her thighs, I slip into her wet warmth.

She breathes a soft sigh, exactly what I want to hear. And in the tried and true ways of time immemorial, she welcomes me home.

Chapter 34

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Elizabeth

WITH CHRISTMAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, I busy myself wrapping the gifts I bought in my one and only outing. What other gifts I need, I’ve ordered online. The Christmas wrap in gold, reds and greens, match the ornaments on the tree, including the golden angel on top I found at Waterstone’s.

Finished wrapping the presents, I find myself with time on my hands once more. Bored with reading and television shows, I decide to start a journal. But after an hour, all I have to show are two pages filled with trite events and nothing about the things bothering me, topmost of which is being held prisoner in my own home.

I rub my baby belly. It’s for his protection and mine, I remind myself. And I only have a couple of months to go. After that, I’ll be able to walk free once more. Something tells me they’re going to be the longest two months of my life.

A couple of days before Christmas, Gabriel arrives home around noon. I put down the book I’m reading and rise to give him a kiss. “What are you doing home so early?” Not that I mind.

His strong hands circle my back and he pulls me toward him. “I have an early Christmas surprise for you.” He smiles the boyish grin he doesn’t parade often.

“Where is it?” He’s not holding a package. So I go digging into his coat

“It’s not the kind you wrap.”

“Oh.”

He turns me so I face the elevator, circles me, and covers my eyes with his hands.

The elevator dings, and the door swooshes open. Someone steps off.

I can’t tell who or what it is. “Gabriel?”

He removes his hands, and I find Casey and Gina standing by the lift. “Oh, my gosh.” I waddle over to be caught in their embrace. Hugs, kisses are shared, and happy tears are shed. And not just by me. “Oh, I‘m so happy.”

“Thought you would be,” Gabriel says, walking up to us and putting his arm around my shoulders.

I turn to him, wrap my arms around his waist and squeeze. “Thank you. It’s the very best Christmas gift you could have given me.”

He drops a kiss on my nose. “I thought you’d be pleased. They’re here for ten days.”

“I managed to get Christmas week off at the hospital. Can you believe it?” Gina says as we take our seats in the living room.

“You work hard, Gina. It’s about time they gave you a Christmas vacation. But who’s managing the restaurant?”

“Jeannie,” Casey answers. “She knows the staff and all the suppliers. She’ll do a bang up job. I’m sure.”

“Where’s your luggage? You are staying here, are you not?” They’re family after all.

Gabriel lays his hand over mine. “I got them a suite at the Ritz. I thought they could use the privacy, and it will be easier for them to come and go.”

And I wouldn’t have to watch them go out while I’m cooped inside. “Oh.”

“We’ll be here here every chance we get,” Casey says. He must have noted my crestfallen expression.

“They’re invited to Christmas Eve dinner, and they’ll join us at St. Paul’s Cathedral for Christmas Day services, after which they’ll return here and spend the day with us.”

“You’ll be sick of us in no time. You’ll see,” Gina says, obviously trying to cheer me up.

“I doubt that.” Determined to make the most of their visit, I put on a happy smile and make suggestions as to where they should go. “You’ll have to take in the sights. Buckingham Castle, the Tower of London, Canary Wharf. There’s so much to see in London.”

“We will, but I’ll also be checking possible restaurant locations,” Casey says.

“What?” I ask.

“Darling.” Some more hand tapping from Gabriel. “I’ve talked Casey into opening up a Ragin’ Cajun here in London. While he’s here, we’re going to look at sites.”

I hate it that I know nothing about these plans. Why hadn’t either of them clued me in? It’s like I’m stuck in a bubble watching everyone else lead happy lives.

The next night, Casey and Jorge treat us to a dueling cook off to see who can create the most delectable dish. With Jorge’s expertise of international cuisine and Casey with his knowledge of New Orleans and American food, nothing is beyond their range.

While they’re cooking, Gina suggests I show her the place. “I would love to explore the penthouse. I’ve heard so much about it.”

“Of course, follow me.” I rise and lead her around the living room, point out the art on the wall. The baby’s room is the highlight of the tour. The designers decorated it with a jungle theme. Monkeys, lions, and tigers rumble around the walls ready to pounce among a foliage of faux trees.

“How darling!” Gina exclaims. “Why even the bedding matches the motif.”

“I know. Right?”

“What’s that?” She points to the high tech device I got at the baby boutique.

“It’s a baby monitor. See the camera. I point to a corner of the room. We’ll be able to see and hear our son all the way from the bedroom. You’ll see.” I turn it on and waddle into the bedroom. “Say something.”

Gina fakes a baby’s cry, loud enough to be noticed without the monitor.

“That was so fake. Do it softer.”

She snuffles and I hear it perfectly through the monitor. I leave my receiver in the bedroom. I like to play with it to make sure the image and sounds come through loud and clear. When I arrive back at the baby’s room, Gabriel’s there. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

“Yum.” Can’t wait to see what they’ve cooked.

Christmas Eve we’re expecting not only Gina and Casey, but Royce and Brianna as well. Before they arrive, Gabriel gives me another present—a parure set which consists of a pendant, bracelet and matching pair of earrings. The set is made up of diamonds and emeralds to match my eyes.

“It’s not part of the family collection. I commissioned the set just for you.” He secures the clasp of the pendant, maneuvers it so it rests in the valley between my breasts. “Perfect.”

“The pendant or my breasts?” I tease.

“Both.” He takes my mouth in a breathless kiss. “Do you like it, darling?”

I study the stunning pendant, a huge oval diamond surrounded by emeralds in a yellow gold setting. “It’s beautiful, Gabriel.”

“I want you to wear it tonight.” His eyes flash with blue fire.

“Of course. It’s such a perfect match to the green gown.”

He laughs a husky laugh. “Yes, it is. But that’s not what I meant.”

I look up at him, confused.

“I want you to wear it and nothing else when you come to bed tonight.”

“Oh, Gabriel.” How he can want me this much when I’m big as a house is a puzzle to me. I curl my hand around his neck and draw him in for another heated kiss. Seven months pregnant and I still burn for this man. I think I will, even when I’m six feet under. A shiver runs through me at the unwelcome thought of death.

“Cold?” he asks.

“No.”

He smiles. Knowing what he does to me, he probably takes my trembling as a sign of my weakness for him. He tweaks my nose. “Better go change. Our guests should be here any minute.”

“Right.” Just as I reach our bedroom, I hear the ding of the elevator. I’ve laid out my dress, a green velvet empire waistline gown with long sleeves, but I don’t want to put on such a beautiful gown without bathing. So I slip into the bathroom for a quick shower. I’m am brushing my hair in front of the vanity when squawks erupt from the baby monitor. Gosh, I forgot to turn it off.

Chapter 35

______________

Gabriel

“NOW, WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT you have to drag me away from my guests.” I ask Jake.

He’d texted an hour ago, saying he needed to talk. When he arrived with Bri, I’d been serving cocktails to Casey, Gina and Royce. After offering Bri a cocktail as well, I’d suggested Jake accompany me to the baby’s room to discuss security measures.