38. Gemma
“What are you doing?” I glance around. “If Oliver sees us, he’ll suspect something.”
Elijah gives me that infuriating smirk of his, the one that never fails to make my knees weak. Holding my hand, he slips off the gaudy diamond ring Oliver forced me to wear.
“Don’t.”
The protest dies on my lips as Elijah slides on the breathtaking alexandrite ring he just won. The band is delicate yet strong, perfectly complementing the mesmerizing stone that seems to shift the color before my eyes.
Elijah’s smoldering gaze locks with mine. “Alexandrite, a chameleon among gemstones. By day, it mirrors your captivating emerald eyes. By twilight, it morphs into a ruby, echoing the strong passion I always see in you.”
My breath catches at his poetic words.
“Until I can put a real engagement ring on your finger, my little gem.” He brushes his lips tenderly over my knuckles.
“I’m fine with this one.”
“Play along.” With a wicked smile, Elijah steps back.
“What do you—”
“Leave my wife alone,” Oliver’s voice sounds from behind me.
“Your wife? Not for much longer,” Elijah says.
Oliver grips my arm, fingers digging deep into my skin until I wince in pain.
“Careful.” Elijah takes a menacing step closer, his hands balled up into fists. “You don’t want to leave bruises where everyone can see.”
I hold up my hand. “Let me.”
“Yes, stay out of it,” Oliver says. “This is none of your business. Not anymore.”
Anger flares within me. “Don’t touch me like that. You don’t own me.”
“Need I remind you that I do own you? Unless you want certain information getting out?” Oliver doesn’t let loose.
I press my lips together, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear.
“That’s what I thought. Now take that stupid ring off, and let’s get out of here.”
My fingers graze the Alexandrite band.
“Take it off, Gemma. Now,” Oliver says.
My heart pounds in my ears. The ring is beautiful. It’s perfect. Just like the man who gave it to me. I’ve only known him for a short time, but he somehow understands me better than anyone. He sees my true self, the person I used to be before Oliver crushed my spirit.
Elijah looks at me like I’m the most captivating woman in the world. He speaks to me with tenderness and respect. And when we’re together, he makes me feel safe and cherished.
With him, I remember what it’s like to be happy and laugh freely, to be myself without fear of judgment. He embraces every part of me.
And now, seeing the concern and care in his eyes, I know he would do anything to protect me. He’s been fighting for me all this time, never giving up hope that we could be together, but instead of trusting in him, in us, I gave up.
“Take it off or else.” Oliver’s fingers dig deeper into my arm.
No more running. Enough is enough.
“I won’t take it off.”
“What did you say?” Oliver’s eyes flash with rage.
“I said no.” My voice comes out shaky but firm. Behind me, I can sense Elijah tensing, ready to intervene. But this is my battle.
In one swift motion, I wrench my arm free from Oliver’s grasp. He stumbles back slightly, surprise flickering across his face.
Rubbing my sore arm, I square my shoulders and lift my chin. “I won’t be your little toy to manipulate anymore. We’re done.”
“You’ll regret this. Without me, you’re screwed. Your brother and your family, too. All because of you.”
I flinch at his cruel words but refuse to back down. “Do it.”
Oliver’s lip curls in a sneer. “We’ll see how long that lasts. You’ll come crawling back. I give you one day to change your mind.”
“I don’t need a day. It’s over.”
Oliver comes closer, looming over me. “It’s not over until I say it is.”
I lose my balance and trip, my high heels getting caught on my dress, but before I fall to the ground, strong arms wrap around me, keeping me steady.
Elijah.
His solid warmth at my back gives me strength, and I straighten up, looking Oliver right in the eyes. “Yes, it is over.”
He moves to grab my wrist, but Elijah is faster, catching Oliver’s arm in a vice-like grip.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Elijah says, a dangerous edge underlying his tone.
Oliver wrenches his arm away, glancing between us. “She’s still my wife. You have no claim over her.”
“Not for long,” I say. “The divorce papers will be signed, one way or another.”
“You’ll regret this.” Oliver scowls, then turns on his heel and stalks away without another word.
I press a hand to my chest, feeling my heart thudding against my palm. The initial panic that sent my pulse racing begins to subside, though my limbs still tremble with excess energy. I close my eyes and focus on each inhale and exhale, willing my body to calm. As the adrenaline drains from my veins, my shoulders relax, and my breathing evens out.
Elijah’s arms tighten around me comfortingly. “You alright, little fighter?”
“Yes. Thanks for your help.”
“You did it all yourself.” Elijah presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m just here to catch you every time.”
Leaning back into him, I feel assured that whatever comes next, I’ll be okay. With Elijah by my side, I can do anything.
“But… Now…”
“No.” Elijah glances at his watch. “It’s done.”
Suddenly, the ballroom erupts into chaos as four black-clad people in tactical gear stride through the crowd. Before anyone can react, two of them grab Oliver’s arms and force them behind his back.
“What the hell?” Oliver’s face purples with rage as he tries to jerk out of their hold. “Let me go! Do you know who I am?”
One of the SWAT members leans in close to Oliver’s ear. Whatever he’s saying makes Oliver go pale, his mouth snapping shut mid-protest. His eyes dart around the room wildly before landing on me and Elijah. The pure hatred in his glare makes me flinch.
“Oliver Dorrance, you are under arrest for fraud, extortion, and domestic abuse,” the squad leader says. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney.”
I turn to Elijah with wide eyes. “What’s happening? I thought the plan was to get evidence against Oliver tonight, not arrest him.”
“Let’s say I decided to accelerate the timeline a bit and make it a bit more… dramatic.”
The other two SWAT members lead Oliver out of the hall. He doesn’t struggle or say a word, his face pale.
Just like that. The man who had tormented me for so long was finally facing justice. I should feel relieved, triumphant even.
But as I watch Oliver being dragged away in handcuffs, all I feel is an odd numbness.
“It’s really over?”
Elijah smoothes a strand of hair back from my face. “It’s really over. I promise.”
The truth hits me fully, then. I cling to Elijah, burying my face in his chest. His arms wrap around me, steady and secure.
“How?”
“The bank statements you mentioned. He was hoarding money illegally under your name. He didn’t know what to do after you filed for divorce and wouldn’t sign everything he put in front of you.”
My eyes dart around. “That’s why he delayed the divorce?”
“Yes, he was searching for a way to get it under his name without needing you.”
He knew the entire time that I could destroy him by finalizing the divorce, and that’s why he kept stalling, trying to control me.
“He needed me.”
“Yes, seeing you with me. Happy. He probably realized it won’t be soon until I move the divorce forward.”
He cups my cheek. “And I would’ve. But now, his options are limited. I’ve already set things in motion to expose the accounts and transfer the money back to you, where it belongs. You’ll never see him again.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “You did that? But how did you even find out about it?”
“Remember the night you were at Oliver’s and came to me right after?”
“Yeah.”
“The two guys who got in the elevator with you.”
“Wait… you hired them?”
“I told you, Gemma. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
This man has fought so hard for me.
“Thank you. For everything. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
Elijah strokes his thumb over my cheek. “Seeing you safe and happy is all I need. Although…” A playful grin tugs at his lips. “I can think of a few ways you could show your appreciation.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling back. “Oh really? Like what?”
Elijah leans in close, his breath warm on my ear. “For starters, wearing nothing but that ring I gave you…”
“I think that could be arranged. If you play your cards right.”
Elijah’s eyes darken.
“Gem?” Bash rushes over, followed by Lil, Mary, and Connor.
“Bad timing,” Elijah murmurs behind me.
I hug my brother tightly.
“Are you okay?” Bash scans me up and down with concern.
“I’m fine. Honestly, it was a relief to see him taken away like that.”
“Did everything go as planned?” Bash asks.
“All done.”
Lil and Mary push past Bash and pull me into a group hug.
“The important thing is, Gemma is safe now,” Lil says.
“Why don’t we get out of here? I think we could all use a drink after the night we’ve had,” Mary says.
“Yes, please. I’m dying to get out of this dress, too,” I say.
We start heading for the exit, but I hang back a little with Elijah, letting the others walk ahead.
“So.” I bump my shoulder against Elijah’s. “Should we continue this celebration back at your place?”
His eyes rake over me. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“Maybe I’ll model that ring for you later… among other things.”
“You want to go now?”
I halt and drag him down by the collar, capturing his lips with mine.
“I want you. Forever.”