Ellis
6 months later…
While winter crept into Porte du Coeur with its usual determination, Roatán basked in eternal summer. emerged from the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, board shorts clinging to his restored frame. Five months of recovery in PDC, followed by two months of sailing and proper meals, had rebuilt his strength, though Dr. Chen checked in via video calls twice weekly and Dr. Nguyen at least once a month.
His dive instructors chatted easily with him as they helped remove his tank, treating him like any other resort guest at the Barefoot Caye. After months of enduring PDC's endless scrutiny—the news cycles that had connected his disappearance and return to Gabriel's side with the sex trafficking bust in the Third Cat, the stares that mixed curiosity with pity or barely concealed contempt, the simple normalcy felt like a gift.
Here, they were just another pair of wealthy tourists enjoying the private resort's amenities. No whispers following him across restaurants, no sideways glances, no need to constantly remember he was a source of gossip and speculation.
Gabriel sat in his usual spot on the private stretch of beach, the resort's signature white canopy shading his lounger from the fierce afternoon sun. Even in the Caribbean heat, he looked perfectly composed—crisp white linen shirt unbuttoned just enough to be casual while still elegant, loose-fitting tan linen pants breaking perfectly over leather sandals that probably cost more than most people's entire beach wardrobes. His tablet rested easily in one hand.
thanked his instructors and padded across the sugary sand. Water traced paths down his chest and dripped from his hair, his blue board shorts hanging low on his hips as he approached.
"How was the lesson?" Gabriel's eyes traced appreciatively over as he dropped onto the lounger beside him.
"Good. Jorge says I'm ready for—" ' words cut off in a yelp as Gabriel hauled him into his lap. "Gabriel! Your clothes—" squirmed, face heating as several nearby guests grinned at their display. He'd never quite get used to Gabriel's casual possessiveness in public.
The protest died against Gabriel's lips as he claimed a thorough kiss. melted into it despite his embarrassment at being manhandled so blatantly in front of others.
"Worried about my clothes again, petit oiseau?" Gabriel's whisper held wicked promise. "When we both know you'd happily bounce on my cock right here if I asked?" His teeth grazed ' ear. "In front of all these witnesses?"
' blush deepened, but he didn't deny it. Instead, he gestured at the tablet. "What were you reading?"
"Mm." Gabriel's thumb traced idle patterns on ' hip. "Henri's official resignation. He's taking a position with Michael Taylor's startup in London."
"Really?" shifted to see the email. "That's wonderful. He's finally getting away from Marc..."
"And our father," Gabriel added quietly. His arms tightened fractionally around . "Logan's handling the transition well. La Sauvegarde will survive without a Rohan as CFO."
Logan Scott had been Gabriel's COO for the past three years, a shrewd businessman from Boston who'd earned Gabriel's trust through competence and unwavering loyalty. When Gabriel had announced his need for an extended leave, Logan had stepped up without hesitation, already familiar with running the company during Gabriel's shorter absences.
hummed in agreement, watching a sailboat catch the afternoon breeze. Their own Tanna 47 bobbed gently at the marina, gleaming white against the turquoise water. They'd left PDC in October, sailing her down from Lake Saint Louis, through the Mississippi, and into the Gulf, island-hopping their way south. She wasn't built for crossing oceans, but for exploring the Caribbean's hidden coves and secret beaches? Perfect.
"Three more months?" asked, though they'd discussed the timeline endlessly.
"Three more months," Gabriel confirmed. "Logan can handle CEO duties until April. Unless..." His lips brushed ' shoulder. "You'd rather stay longer?"
turned in Gabriel's lap to face him fully. "I love it here. But PDC is home." He touched Gabriel's face. "You're home."
Gabriel's response was another kiss, deeper this time. barely noticed the wolf-whistle from one of the passing dive instructors.
They had time. Time to heal, time to explore, time to simply be.
But for now, there was just this: and salt air, the gentle lap of waves, and Gabriel's arms holding him safe and loved beneath the endless Caribbean sky.
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