Chapter 40
CHAPTER 40
LEAH
G abriel looks gorgeous, as always. His shirt sleeves are rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms, his top button open. I’ve been looking forward to this dinner, but my chest constricts as we move to join the others. With all the time we’ve been spending together and the amazing sex, I’ve let things get away from me. Our relationship is, for all intents and purposes, a ruse set out to make it more acceptable for our families when our child arrives. Somewhere along the way, I’ve lost sight of that. This will not have a happily ever after where Gabriel and I ride off into the sunset.
“There you two are,” Francesca comes forward, pulling me into a hug. My stomach sinks. She’s been so welcoming. I hate the fact she thinks there’s more between Gabriel and me. The only consolation will be her grandchild when it arrives.
“Let’s go through, I’m starving. As I’m sure you two are,” Caleb says, smirking.
I feel the colour rise in my cheeks.
“Grow up,” Elijah growls at him from the corner .
I’m unsure how I missed it, but the scowl he’s shooting my way is hard to miss.
Francesca leads us through to the most opulent dining room. A large hardwood table with high-backed chairs takes centre stage in the middle of the floor. The dining room is beautifully laid out and ready for us. Gabriel takes my hand, leading me to our seats. He holds out my chair like the true gentleman he is. I smile at him as he takes his seat, only to have him lean forward and drop a kiss on my cheek. His public display of affection surprises me, but then it shouldn’t. This is all for show. My chest constricts a little more.
A server arrives with the drinks.
“Wine?” she asks
“No, thank you,” I say. “Can I have some water?”
“Of course.” Her smile is warm and friendly.
“Not drinking, Leah?” Caleb chirps up. “Don’t worry, you don’t need to stand on ceremony, not around this lot.”
“Speak for yourself,” Kat chirps in. “Leah can do and drink what she likes. She doesn’t need to be bullied by you.”
Caleb pulls a face at his older sister, making me smile. I turn to Gabriel as his hand squeezes my thigh under the table.
The first course is served. I sit and listen to the family as they catch up, my brain spinning as I realise how successful each of the siblings is. All apart from Harper, who is still finding her way. I find myself drawn to Gabriel’s youngest sister. She’s a rebel. Yes. Her hair, makeup, and clothes are outward proof, but there’s something more, and I’m struggling to put my finger on it.
“So, Leah. How long have you known my brother?” Elijah’s voice breaks through my thoughts.
“I’ve worked for him for over eight years,” I say, picking up my glass of water and taking a sip. Suddenly aware, I’ve become the centre of everyone’s attention .
“And you’re suddenly madly in love after all this time of knowing one another?”
There’s no missing the sarcasm in Elijah’s tone.
Gabriel lays a hand on my arm.
“Leah was engaged until recently. When she split with her fiancé, I saw my chance.”
I drop my gaze, wishing the words Gabriel was sprouting were true. Life would be so much easier if they were.
“It’s true, he’s spent years chasing me away from her,” Caleb says, his gaze supportive.
Elijah doesn’t look convinced, and I squirm under his scrutiny.
“You fell for my brother on the rebound?”
Elijah’s words seem to stun everyone into silence.
Our gazes lock. His eyes are cold, with something else swimming in them.
“Elijah!” Gabriel hisses at his brother.
I squeeze his fingers.
“It’s okay, Gabriel,” I say, turning and smiling at him before returning my attention to his brother. “Not that it’s any of your business, but my relationship with my fiancé was emotionally over way before it was physically over. History and naivety kept us together for longer than we should have been.” I smile, unable to help myself. “I’ve always respected your brother from the moment I came to work for him. He’s intelligent, kind, considerate.”
“You forgot to mention a billionaire,” Elijah says, taking a large sip of the whiskey he has in front of him.
“Enough Elijah!” It’s Francesca’s voice that cuts through the silence this time.
“Sorry, Mother, but don’t you think it’s convenient? She splits up with her fiancé and then she and Gabriel shack up together within five minutes. Are you so focused on Gabriel finding a woman that you can’t recognise a gold digger when you see one? Leah comes from nothing. She grew up on a council estate.”
I raise my eyebrows at his words. Maybe I should have expected the security and cyber expert to have run a background check on me, but I’m not ashamed of my upbringing or how hard I worked to get where I am. I will not let some wealthy prick make me feel inferior because I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
“Her fiancé left her. His new girlfriend is pregnant. It wasn’t Leah’s choice to leave. She found herself homeless without her cash cow of a fiancé. Did you know he’s a trader, earning a seven-figure bonus? Leah upgraded when she stuck her claws into Gabriel.”
I sit back, unaccustomed to this level of venom being spewed in my direction. The background check certainly explains the instant hostility.
Gabriel is on his feet next to me facing off against his brother.
“Who the hell do you think you are?”
“What?” Elijah pushes Gabriel back, and I’m amazed Gabriel holds his ground due to the size of his sibling.
“Eli, you’re out of line,” Caleb says.
“Apologise, now,” Gabriel says.
I can sense the anger radiating off him.
“What, for speaking the truth? For being concerned that you brother dearest, are being taken for a ride?”
“You don’t know the truth,” Gabriel hisses in his brother’s face. His face a mask of anger. “Not every woman is Darra.”
“Maybe not, but it’s the truth, or are you too blind to see it? Too taken with a hot, wet —”
I’m drawn to the young girl sitting next to her father, her eyes wide as she stares at the two men.
“Enough,” I say, shooting a look towards Lottie, whose eyes have now dropped to the table in front of her .
The two men remain chest to chest until Gabriel finally steps back, returning to my side.
Elijah’s eyes drop to his daughter, and he places a hand on her head, his eyes softening.
She pushes her chair back and stands.
“Lottie?” Elijah asks.
“I’m...er...just going to the bathroom.”
We all watch as the young girl makes a hasty exit.
“Now the peacocking is over. Maybe we can have the main course,” Kat says, throwing Elijah a look of pure disgust. “I apologise for my brother’s lack of manners, Leah,” Kat adds.
Elijah gets up, shoving his chair back. “Don’t apologise for me,” He spits out at his sister.
“Then don’t be an ass,” she says coldly.
My stomach hardens, and the back of my throat burns.
“Stop, please,” I say.
I turn to Gabriel, my hand resting against his cheek. A silent message passes between us.
“Leah, don’t,” he says, his voice almost pleading.
“No, Gabriel, this is not what either of us signed up for, and I’m not letting our relationship affect yours with your family.”
“Ignore them. It’s none of their business,” he says, but I shake my head before turning to the table.
“Gabriel and I are having a baby,” I say.
Elijah sinks back into his chair and sighs. “There I was, thinking you are the intelligent twin.”
A bang follows his words as Gabriel’s palm hits the table, making me jump.
“It’s not what you think,” I say, squaring up to Elijah.
“Gabriel and I have a professional agreement to have a child together. To co-parent.” My eyes turn to Francesca, who is staring at us wide-eyed. “I’m sorry we’ve misled you. We thought it would be easier for everyone if you thought we were in a real relationship before the baby was born. I promise I’m not after Gabriel’s money. That’s the last thing I want.”
“This is bullshit,” Caleb shouts, his gaze flipping between Gabriel and myself. “I’ve seen you together.”
“Wow, there I was thinking I was the only one who ever created drama around here,” Harper says. “Way to go bro, you’ve outdone even me.”
“Shut up, Harper,” Gabriel hisses.
I look down at Gabriel, his face a mask, although his eyes hold a sadness I don’t recognise.
“I apologise for ruining your birthday dinner,” I say to Francesca. “If you’ll excuse me. I think I’ll go for a walk.”
With that, I push back my chair and head for the exit.
“Leah.” Gabriel appears at my side, but I shake my head.
“Elijah is only trying to protect you. I get it.”
“No. Elijah is complicated. His life has warped his judgement. This has nothing to do with you.”
His tone is desperate.
“I need some space.” I give him what I know is a sad smile before I turn and head for the door.