Chapter Twenty-Four
HUDSON
I HAD ARRIVED AT Pleasures about five minutes ago and was sitting in the private dining room that adjoined my private room. All day, I had been nervous about this evening. After all, it wasn’t every day that you told the woman you had fallen in love with that you were bisexual, and the guy she thought was your best friend was also actually your lover and wanted to share the bed with both of us. Then, to add to that, he is also the head of a mafia family.
If that wasn’t bad enough, after finding out that Vincent was in New York and then had gone to the apartment to try to find Gaby, I was just about ready to call everything off. But as usual, it was Nico, the voice of reason, that pulled me out of it and said we should go ahead no matter what. I knew they were both on their way, as Nico had messaged me as they were about to leave. He had been very coy with how Gaby was feeling and what she was wearing. All he had said was wait and see.
I received notification that they had arrived and were on their way up here. That was another one of the benefits of being an owner in the club: you were never surprised when somebody turned up. Nico had his own key to get into the room, so I knew I wouldn’t have to let them in. It was only a few minutes before I heard the click of the door as it was unlocked and Gaby walked in, followed by Nico. I watched as she walked in, looking nervous.
She stood there for a moment as Nico took her coat from her shoulders, unveiling her body wrapped in scarlet red. Nico placed his hand on the small of her back in a comforting way and led her across toward me. She stood in front of me looking worried, but she looked fucking hot in that red dress. I had thought she would when I bought it for her. I had hoped she would choose that one for this evening, but now, seeing her wearing it, I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell her what I had to say. I could already feel myself getting hard just sitting here.
Managing to contain my obvious arousal, I got up from my seat, walked up to her, and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
“You look amazing,” I whispered into her ear.
I looked up and saw Nico looking forlorn at the pair of us. He tried to smile, but I could see it was one of sadness and longing.
He spoke in a soft voice to the both of us. “Okay. I will leave you two alone. Have a wonderful evening, and I will see you both in the morning.”
Before I could say a word, Gaby quickly moved and grabbed Nico by the arm before he could leave the room. “Nico, please stay.”
Nico looked over at me for approval. I just shrugged my shoulders and looked back at Gaby, who was looking from me to Nico nervously.
“Please let him stay, Hudson. I have something I need to speak to you about. Both of you.”
I stepped over to her and gave her a hug. She looked as though she needed it right now.
I pulled away slightly and spoke. “I guess Nico is staying, then. Come on and sit down.”
I helped her over to the chair next to me, and Nico sat down next to her. I could see she was nervous by the way she was rubbing her hands together. I leaned over and took her hand in mine, trying to comfort her. It didn’t escape my notice that she was also looking for reassurance from Nico.
I wondered what was worrying her so much that she needed us both here. Was she going to say that she couldn’t continue this relationship between us, and that she thought I would take the news better with my best friend sitting there? If that was the case, then she would be sorely mistaken, because both of us would be heartbroken.
I had purposely allowed the two of them to spend time alone, knowing that Nico had already fallen hard for his Rosa. The moments we had managed to spend together, he never stopped talking about her and what he wanted us all to do in the future. He had planned this out in his head more than I had.
I looked over at him as he sat there, looking as worried as Gaby, then looked back at Gaby and saw her take a deep breath. I decided to coax Gaby along. Whatever she had to say was obviously important to her, and I had a feeling we all needed to hear it.
“Gaby, I’m sure whatever you have to say isn’t going to be as bad as you think.”
She took one last glance over at Nico before she turned to me and started to speak. “First, Hudson, I want you to know that I never intended to end up like this. Over the past couple of weeks, you have given me the life that I had always wanted. The one I thought I could have with Vincent, but was sorely mistaken. You have cared for me and treated me the way every woman wants to be treated. I just want to say that I am sorry for what I am about to say.”
I was confused as she paused after her last statement. Why was she sorry? It had to be that she was going to break up with me. She was going to take Nico's and my dream away from us. I jumped out of my seat and was on my knees next to her in a flash.
“Gaby, whatever you need—”
She quickly placed her finger on my lips to stop me.
“Please let me finish, before you jump to conclusions.”
I smiled and gave her a nod, as I returned to my seat.
“As I was saying. I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t, but I have fallen in love with another man. I tried my hardest to stop the feelings that were growing inside me, but he made it so easy for me to fall. The way he has looked after me these past two weeks, protecting me this evening from Vincent, I can’t hide them anymore. I love Nico. In fact, I love both of you.”
I nearly jumped for joy when I heard her say that. I could see the worry that had been on Nico’s face had also morphed itself into joy. I didn’t want Gaby to think I was ecstatic about this, but I also didn’t want her to be worried either. I went to speak, but she stopped me.
“Before you say anything, I wanted to ask you both something. There is no way I could choose between either one of you to spend my life with. Could you see a future where we could be in a relationship together? I know there is no way we could get married, and the only way I could do that would be to choose one of you, but I can’t do that. I love you both, and if you can’t agree to that, then I guess I will have to live a life alone and unhappy.”
I could see the tears starting to form in her eyes as she thought about the chance she could lose both of us. Nico was sitting there almost springing out of his seat, itching to embrace and comfort her, like I knew he already had this evening when Vincent left.
I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. She loved us both, and wanted us both. Life couldn’t have been more perfect. But would she feel the same once I told her our side of the story?
I squeezed her hand that I was still holding, brought it up to my lips, and pressed a kiss to it. She smiled at me slightly, but it was one full of sadness and worry. I could tell she was nervous at what I had to say, but she didn’t need to be. I took both her hands in mine.
“Gaby, you really don’t need to worry. Both Nico and I are happy that you love us both. However, before you make any decision, I think you need to hear what I have to say. I was going to tell you this tonight anyway, but it seems even more poignant now that you have told us your feelings.”
I knew I had to tell her everything, but I still wasn’t sure how she would take the fact that Nico and I were already in a loving relationship together. I looked over at Nico, who gave me a slight nod to continue. We were both putting our love on the line here, and knowing that Nico agreed for me to go ahead gave me the support and motivation I needed.
“So, I need to tell you something about Nico and me. Something that might shock you.”