Chapter 66
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
ORION
Seeing Elena wearing the dress I’d bought her made the evening even more special. I’d paid the chef handsomely to fly out here to make us dinner tonight. His salmon specialty earned him the Best World Chef title for a reason.
Elena finished her meal and looked at me. “Thank you for this dinner.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I was jealous of Kate,” she said.
I wanted to say something, but she held up her hand.
“I was in a vulnerable state on that day. Jasper had just assaulted me, and then I saw your extreme reaction when he insulted Kate. It did something to me.” Elena looked embarrassed, and regretful.
I swallowed, watching the emotion displayed on her face. I wanted to gather her up, but I knew she needed to let it all out, and I needed to hear it.
“In my mind, I should have been the one to receive that extreme reaction from you. No one should have mattered more than me. But during that weak moment, I felt like I stood second place.” She drew in her bottom lip between her teeth. “I felt like my assault was pushed aside for something more important.”
Her eyes gleamed with tears, and a sharp pain stabbed at my chest. I wanted to say something, but I didn’t want to interrupt her thoughts.
“The entire ordeal made me feel small. On the one hand I knew it was wrong of me to envy her. On the other hand, I questioned my boyfriend’s true feelings for me. I was just a mess.” She released a sigh. “I know it sounds stupid.”
“Being honest with yourself isn’t stupid, Elena. It’s courageous. I would rather know the truth than assume something that isn’t true. If more people were honest with their feelings, more relationships would last. Keeping your feelings hidden wouldn’t help me or you. Thank you for telling me, and I’m sorry for not seeing how my actions affected you. It wasn’t my intention.” I got up from the table, pulled my chair beside her, sat down, and wiped her tears with my handkerchief.
“It’s okay. You didn’t know.”
“You are everything to me, Elena. Always remember that, okay?” I touched her chin and waited for her to respond. When she nodded, I continued, “I reacted that way because I realized Kate didn’t commit suicide like I had thought all these years. My cousins—not by blood—killed her. The shock and guilt of it blinded me.”
Elena sucked in a breath, and regret swam in her eyes. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
I told Elena that Kate got her justice. Jonah was now dead. The Trogyn had gotten to Jonah on his way to court. His biological father, who was an elite member of the crime organization, was discovered in his swimming pool. The news stations reported that he’d drowned, but the boys and I knew the truth. This was The Trogyn’s MO—eliminate all threats.
As for Chantel, she was found dead in her car from a self-inflicted wound. The Trogyn had also gotten to her, making it seem like a suicide. Sabrina was still awaiting trial because she wasn’t part of The Trogyn. I knew she feared for her life.
Though Elena already knew who was behind the fake videos of me, I had to show her the power of AI. I turned on my phone and gave it to her. “Watch this.”
The video showed me and her taking a stroll downtown Boston yesterday during a charity event that truly occurred. But we weren’t there physically. We were also on the fake evening news with an AI reporter that looked just like the current anchor for Channel 7 News.
“Wow. That’s all AI?”
I nodded. “A picture says a thousand words. With the rise in AI, those words can become dangerous. If the technology is used improperly, you’ll believe things that aren’t real.”
“You can frame people for crimes or create fake alibis.” Her brows furrowed.
“The world is becoming more dangerous, which is why my company is a few steps ahead to counter this artificial intelligence. Computers do what we tell them to.”
“You’re the most brilliant man I know, and I know you’ll do your best to stop them.” She smiled. “The world is a better place because of you.”
At one point in time, I didn’t believe it. But now Elena had made it easy for me to believe in that and more.
With the help of Attikus, Forrest, Remi, Grayson, Royce, and Arrow, The Trogyn had taken a big hit. Two Hollywood producers involved in a sex trafficking ring had been arrested; a pharmaceutical company selling dangerous diet pills had been exposed; and a hotel hosting illegal gambling as well as several elite clubs around the world just closed down. All the bank scam accounts had led to a bank in Switzerland, which was where all the lawsuits were going to. I had no doubt that the bank belonged to The Trogyn.
“I know that fake video of me and Chantel shattered your heart. The company that created that video no longer exists.”
“Excellent.”
“Are we good now?” I asked her.
I could almost see the stress on her face dissolve, making her smile softer and brighter.
“Yes.” She cupped my face. “I’m sorry you had to deal with so much stress.”
“You did too. But anxiety doesn’t cripple me like it used to. All I have to do is think of you and the stress is reduced exponentially. You’re a miracle.”
“We’re essential parts of each other.” She smiled. “Like a complex lock that requires a unique key. I used to fear that our relationship wouldn’t work out.”
“Why?” I pouted.
“Because we come from different worlds. You’re organized, and I’m not. You grew up with wealth, I didn’t. You’re used to that posh lifestyle, and I’m more comfortable in jeans and old T-shirts.”
“You’re wealthy now too. Pablo left you millions.”
“But I’m giving half of that to my mom so she can enjoy her life. She can go on vacation whenever and wherever she wants. I know she’ll donate to charities too. I’ll need your help to invest the rest. But I won’t splurge because I’m still me. I know what it’s like to have nothing, so I’m careful with finances.”
“It works for us because we’re different. Opposites aren’t a bad thing. We complement each other like an inhale and an exhale. Night and day. Sun and Moon.” I grinned. “Right foot and left foot. I can’t walk with two left feet.”
“Why are you so adorable?” She pinched my cheek.
“Because loving you has transformed me.” I grasped her hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“To prove that you are the center of my universe. That you’re the brightest constellation in my galaxy.” I winked with a smile. My woman didn’t know what I’d orchestrated for her tonight.
“You know that sounds cheesy and nerdy, right?”
“Yes, but you love it.” I kissed her hand.
I laughed as he led me up to an elevator. “How much did it cost you to reserve the entire restaurant and hire the extraordinary chef?”
“The price isn’t important. I recently purchased this building along with the Mudstacle Course. You can enjoy all the mud races you want.”
I beamed at him. “It’s only fun with you.”
“Then I’ll be there.” I smiled. “We’re creating unforgettable memories tonight.”
When we arrived on the top floor, Elena gasped. “Oh my gosh.” She placed a hand over her heart. “The view is spectacular. I’ve never seen the city skyline through glass walls. It’s mesmerizing at night. I can see parts of the Providence River over here.” She walked up to a glass wall and placed her hand on it, while the other hand still gripped mine.
She’d made tremendous progress compared to the first time I’d seen her tremble on the balcony of my office.
“You okay?” I squeezed her hand.
Nodding, she smiled. “Being with you has helped me heal that phobia. My legs don’t wobble like they used to. All I feel are gentle nerves swirling in my stomach. I can deal with that.” She rose and kissed me on the lips. “No matter what goes wrong in the world, you make me feel safe—my perfect lock. My irresistible thief.” She embraced me. “I love you, Orion.”
My stomach tightened at her confession. She’d said those words before. But right now, those words seemed more colorful, more powerful because they had survived a turbulence that almost destroyed us.
I tightened my arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “I love you too, Elena.”
She broke free from the embrace, walked around the room, and browsed the lounge area. Her fingers grazed the couches, side tables, lamps and plants, and then she ambled around to the other side of the wall and exclaimed, “Orion! There’s a telescope here!”
Her excitement was like a beam of sunlight into my heart. I watched as she walked around the compact telescope, which was around six feet tall.
“Watch this.” I pointed at the skyline. “Three, two, one.”
All the lights in the city went out.