28. Gabriel #3
“No need to apologize, it was simply a quick search. We will keep looking into everyone’s past and any connections they may have to Mr. Cordova.” He closes the laptop and stands, nodding to Marcos, Ricky, and Jason. “We will leave you all for the night, and I will be in touch if anything comes up.”
Jessie and Agent Callahan re-enter the penthouse at that moment.
Jessie passes us each a new card as well as one to Marcos and Ricky.
I’m not sure how he got new ones without our authorization at the security desk, but I’m guessing it’s part of the gray zone he was referring to earlier, and I won’t question it.
Although Julian assured us that there was no way of Victor getting another keycard and that even if he managed to get one from the front desk again, it wouldn’t work. Apparently, Jessie blocked the front desk’s access to creating any more active cards for the penthouse elevator.
He also added that Ricky or Marcos would be escorting any deliveries or anyone on the approval list up from now on, since they’re the only others to have a keycard aside from us three. Which also means that if we lose ours, we’ll need to contact the Storms directly for a new card.
Agent Callahan collects the note Victor had left, and they all climb back into the elevator. Just as Julian is about to step in as well, he turns to us. “Adler,” he calls out to Noah. “My condolences on your loss.”
Noah swallows and nods. “Thank you.”
He nods in return and leaves.
We all just stand in the foyer, unsure what to do now.
“Well, this was one hell of a day…” I mutter.
Ronnie comes into my side, hugging my waist. “I know it’s late, but I don’t think I can sleep right now… Can we still watch that movie you offered earlier?”
I kiss the top of her head. “Of course, baby. Anything you want.” I look over at Noah, who seems to have retreated back into his head. “You joining us?”
He works his jaw then shakes his head. I sigh and look down at Veronica, who seems sad once more that he’s pushing us away. He comes in and kisses her cheek, wishing her goodnight, and heads back to his room. She watches him go but doesn’t say anything.
Hating the look of rejection on her face, I grab her chin and turn her gaze back to mine. “Want me to make you something to eat? I can whip us up that blueberry salad that you loved.”
She smiles now. There’s my beautiful Vixen. “Please?”
I let her go, bopping her nose. “Anything for you. Now go pick out a movie while I get my queen what she wants.” I wink and turn away as she giggles and rushes over to the couch.
When I’m done making our late-night snack, I settle in beside her on the couch and she immediately cuddles in against me with her bowl in hand.
I press play on the remote and realize she’s put on the last Harry Potter movie.
I chuckle and kiss her head. Not that we literally watched it two days ago, but whatever.
“What? They’re amazing, okay!?”
I laugh again. “I didn’t say anything. You’re right, they are. But here’s a question for you, how many times have you watched all eight movies this year?”
“Four…” she grumbles.
“Oh, you’re adorable.” I kiss her head again. “So does that make you a little wizard nerd?”
“Shut up!” She smacks my chest then laughs along with me. When our laugh subsides, she looks up into my eyes with such tenderness it squeezes my heart. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
“What for?” I ask softly, passing my fingers through her hair.
“For being your goofy self when I need it the most. For making me smile and laugh when all I want to do is cry.” She takes my bowl and hers, setting them down on the coffee table, then takes my face between her palms. “For showing me that you aren’t the man I thought you were.
For being an amazing friend and lover. For being patient with me, for protecting me. For always knowing how to comfort me.”
She presses her lips softly to mine then pulls away, her eyes once more on mine.
“For watching the same movie over and over, simply to please me. For making me food all the time. For trusting me with your problems. For not giving up no matter how mean I was to you in the past. Just thank you for being what I didn’t know was missing from my life. ”
She sniffles and smiles. “I don’t know how I’d get through all of this if it weren’t for you and Noah. So, thank you for showing me that I could learn to trust again, to love again. That not everyone in this world is evil… Just thank you.”
I fist the back of her head and pull her into me, smashing her lips to mine in a fierce, passionate, soul-shattering way. Those three words so close to slipping out as I make love to her mouth.
Because I feel them everywhere. I’ve felt them for so long. But right now, at this very moment, that feeling is like a tsunami hitting me at full force. And I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to hold on. I’m not sure I want to hold them in anymore.
I’ve thought about saying them many times already, but I always doubted that Ronnie felt the same way. But after what she just said, I don’t doubt it anymore.
She loves me.