“They aren’t keeping him, but the questions are going to take a while. The good detectives here at the LAPD are no faster than our friends at LVPD.” Big surprise there. I didn’t doubt that they were as efficient in other areas, too.
Someone pulled his attention away and I heard him speak to someone in the room with him. “Are we going to have any problems with Sandra?”
“I’ve made her aware that they had a good reason to bring him in and I think she knows better than to start any trouble. After she threw a hissy fit and broke a vase, I told her I’m cutting her off.” Silenced followed that declaration and Mason whistled.
“I bet that went over well. Glad I missed it.” He’d always hated Sandra, and I had a feeling the news had made him smile. “I’d expect him home late, or early, depending on your lifestyle, but I wanted to warn you that the press is already stirring again. I’m sure they’re crowded around your gate now.”
“Thanks for the head’s up. I’ll make sure Joe’s on it.” I hung up the phone and dialed Joe. It would be a long night, and as I looked out the window, I realized I hadn’t eaten.
“Call your friend down, and I’ll get Judy to serve us on the patio. We may as well salvage the rest of the day while we can. Harbor will be a while, and if I know Sandra, she’s not coming out of the room anytime soon.”
“Kim and I already started without you. Sorry, but we couldn’t wait.” I smiled and kissed her hand before I stood and pulled her to her feet.
“I don’t blame you. We’ll have some wine and you can both finish telling me about your tour.” I needed a shot of normal, and Luna and Kim were just the right dose.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Luna
I’d been asleep for hours when Gabriel’s phone woke me. I’d been jostled awake as he reached for the thing and fought to quiet it. After a minute, he’d gone downstairs, and I figured it was because of Harbor, so I turned over and tried to go back to sleep. I didn’t want to get in the middle of any other drama and hoped things would be worked out come morning.
It was bad enough Kim had heard the whole Sandra thing, but the pleasant retreat I’d hoped to provide was ruined. Thank goodness she was easygoing and we’d had a nice dinner on the patio with Gabriel.
We’d talked his ear off about college and some of the crazy pranks Kim had pulled. I had usually been too scared to join her, but the times I did help were epic. Gabriel laughed and joked and told stories of his brief job as a stuntman in Hollywood. It’s where he met Joe. After a near miss with one stunt, he decided to go into the security business and was a personal bodyguard to the stars. Those were exciting stories, and I’d hoped it would take his mind off Harbor and ease the tension of the
day.
Feeling his place grow cold beside me, I tossed and turned, hoping he wouldn’t be long. I’d gotten used to his presence and wasn’t sure if I would ever be comfortable again in my own bed alone. The thought gave me an ache deep in my chest. My own apartment was waiting, but a part of me never wanted to go back.
If you had told me two months ago that I’d be in Gabriel Grant’s home, in his bed, married to him, I’d have laughed. No way would I have bet on us, but here we were, and I found myself enjoying his company more and more despite the troubles, which were plenty.
I sat up in the bed and flicked on the lamp beside it. After letting my eyes adjust, I planted my feet on the floor and stood. I wrapped my robe around me tight as I yawned and found my way to the bathroom. I hoped once I was comfortable again, I could get back to sleep, but on my way back to the bed, I heard a loud scream. Kim.
I took off down the hall and to the stairs where I could see two shadowed figures in the dim light from the hallway. Halfway down, I realized Harbor had Kim’s arm, pulling her as she struggled.
“Let her go!” I dove on him, punching my fist against his shoulder repeatedly. He wasn’t about to hurt my friend and get away with it. She scrambled to get up, but couldn’t seem to.
Harbor spun on me. “Whoa. What the fuck is your problem?” He pushed me back and Kim found her way to her feet and got between us.
“I’m fine, Luna! He was only helping me up. My socks slipped on the damned tile.” I tried to process what she was saying, but the gist was that I’d overreacted. Considering all of the drama that had unfolded over the past day, who could blame me? Kim was my best friend and I’d take on anyone or anything to protect her.
“What the hell is going on out here?” Gabriel came from down the hall as if he’d been on the patio outside. Joe approached behind him, his gun in his hand. He returned it to wherever he’d pulled it from around his back; I don’t know why I’d never realized he was packing heat before.
“I’m sorry. I thought he was hurting Kim.” I kept my voice down but Harbor postured over me.
“What would make you think a thing like that about me? I’ve been down at that damned station all night answering questions for that bunch of assholes at the LAPD, and I come home to get attacked all over again. Real nice.” Harbor brushed off his clothes, and I felt horrible that I’d assumed anything.
I reached out and placed my hand on his arm to apologize, but he pushed me back.
Harbor lashed out. “Keep your fucking hands off of me you money-hungry psycho bitch.”
Gabriel stepped up to his face, their noses almost touching. “You watch yourself. You don’t put your hands on her and mind your mouth.” He turned to walk away, but spun back on his nephew.
“What the hell were you doing in Las Vegas? Don’t pretend that you weren’t there; I saw you on the video myself.” I wondered if Harbor would ever find out that Gabriel had turned over that evidence to the police himself.
Kim and Joe slipped off down the hall, and I wondered if the two were headed outside. I couldn’t blame them. I wished I could go, too, but I wanted to stick close to Gabriel and hear what Harbor had to say.
“I asked if I could go, and you said no.” He flashed a glare my way and then turned back to his uncle as his face reddened. “All I wanted was to spend a little down time with you, but you said you were going for business only.” He held his hand out toward me. “Is she all business?”