43

GABRIEL
Audrey had fallen asleep in my bed shortly after she lay next to me. Her arm was over my chest, her leg curled around mine, and her face grazed at my side. She was sleeping soundlessly, and her beautiful face serene. But for me, it was another sleepless night.
But there’s one thing that finally had closure.
Audrey was a victim, as I was. A victim of her father’s own scheme.
However, she certainly didn’t know her father at all. Edward Hopkins wasn’t utterly broke. He was a very disturbed man. Not only did he neglect his own family, but Edward had also been dealing with illegal gambling, prostitution, and drugs for years. He sold all the Hopkins fortune, including Georgina Rossi, Audrey’s mother’s mansion, to sustain his underground businesses, including his partnership with the deceased Benjamin Scott. I was looking at his son’s background, and if Charles Scott was ever involved, I’d make sure he won’t get near Audrey again.
What’s left were the reason behind Samuel’s horrid death, my family’s death, and my plan to bring Edward Hopkins down.
I shifted my gaze to the face of an angel sleeping in my bed. For a long time, I had resented her, accused her of leaving me in the mud, and blamed her for not standing up for me, but she was just frightened as me, and all of this was because Edward Hopkins was fucked up.
Audrey purred, and her arms tightened around me.
“Gabriel…” she whispered.
I couldn’t help but smile. I rolled over to my side and pressed her against me, and I kissed her forehead. I didn’t know how long I could restrain myself from being able to fully touch her. I didn’t want to force her into something she didn’t want. I had a very active sex life. I had fucked women frequently but stopped three months ago when she appeared in my life again.
However, after eight years, I felt something familiar growing in my chest. Hope.
***
“Any news?” I inquired as soon as Duke and Coulson flashed on my laptop screen. It was past six in the morning, and Audrey was still asleep in my bed.
“It’s too early for this, Gabe.” Coulson yawned in the other line. “Do we really have to? I did what you asked me to do.”
“I heard, and I think Audrey knows. Scott told him. She’s close to accepting my proposition.”
“Curious.” He smirked. “By the way, I don’t like that Scott guy, but it’s just me. He hasn’t done anything… at least for now.”
“The feeling is mutual.” I picked up my Americano and gulped it down. “Duke, what’s yours?”
“You’re not going to believe what I’m about to tell you, man.” For someone who barely had slept for screwing people, Duke Garner sounded enthusiastic this morning.
“What is it?”
“Edward Hopkins ran for public office four years ago. He didn’t win, but the previous term is about to end, so he’s attempting again.”
I gritted my teeth. “I guess he’s on the move again, but his daughter seems to be unaware. What else?”
“I have no evidence yet, but isn’t this odd? His son just died.”
“Follow this lead, Duke. It can be connected. He can’t run for public office. We have to avoid this. If he wins this time, he will take over the town again. Hopkins is corrupt, and we both know his underground activities. He might turn half of Phoenix into his own paradise.” I rushed my fingers through my scalp and exhaled. “It’s like having his properties transferred to me isn’t enough.”
“Don’t you think it’s time for you to take over?” Duke suggested. “I mean, this is your town, Gabriel. There’s no evidence that they found your body on that lake that day.”
“Yes, because I was alive.” I shut my eyes and sighed. “My life is here, and I’m a businessman, not a fucking government official. But I’ve got an idea, though it’s crazy. It has to be someone—”
“Good morning, Gabriel.” I heard my sweet angel’s voice, and she appeared behind me. Her arms gilded around my waist.
“No, Audrey, don’t! Wait—”
It wasn’t enough that she spun around and sat on my lap. I looked up at her stunning, flushed face, wearing only my t-shirt and her lace underwear. She rested her head on my shoulder and curled her arms around my neck.
“I miss you already. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“Audrey?” I whispered in her ear softly and caressed her back. “Audrey, I don’t wish to be rude, but you shouldn’t be doing that right now.” My voice strained as she sat on my cock, and the more her softness pressed on me, the harder it grew.
“Why?”
“Audrey…”
A cough reverberated from my laptop speakers.
“What is that—” Audrey looked over her shoulder, and her eyes instantly grew wide. “Oh my God!” She swiftly jumped away, then she set her horrified face back at me.
“I’m sorry, gentleman. I’m afraid we should cut this short. I’ll see you in the office, Coulson. You too, Duke. We’re not done.”
Audrey moved away further, with her face still flustered.
Coulson laughed. “See you later, Gabe. Good morning to you, Miss Hopkins.”
She clasped her mouth.
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, shut up.” I closed the laptop down and finally swung my chair, and faced Audrey.
“So, Miss Hopkins…”
“That’s Coulson Stark.” She pointed at my computer.
“Yes, and my lawyer.”
“They saw me in this state! Why didn’t you just shut it down?”
“We were talking about something important, and I tried to stop you.”
She slapped her forehead. “Oh, God! That was embarrassing.” She chewed her bottom lips hard as if she was inviting me to it for her.
“You appeared in my face. I didn’t want them to see your half-naked state either.” I sprang up and brought her back into my arms. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat. I also have new clothes delivered by Jones this morning, and we’ll go to the office together.”
“What?” She looked back at me unbelievably. “We can’t go together.”
“Why not?”
“You’re my boss. They’ll think we’re lovers.”
I scowled. “Are we not?”
Her shoulders fell. “You know that’s not what I mean. They’ll talk about this.”
“I don’t give a damn. Let them talk.”
Her eyebrow raised. “Coming from a person who set the non-fraternization policy.”
“I didn’t set any. Did you read anything like that in the employee’s manual?”
She nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“It’s HR’s idea. I’ll have it changed, then.”
“Oh, God.” She heaved a sigh. “You’re impossible.”
I chuckled. “I don’t mind secret affairs. What I don’t like are fucking rumors.” I held her small, beautiful face between my palms. “And this isn’t a rumor.”
“And I’m fine with my face being plastered all over the tabloids? No, thank you,” she refused. “Please, not yet, Gabriel. We barely even started anything. I still need to figure things out myself.”
“You’ve been researching.” I kissed her forehead and let her go. “Fine, but that’s for now.”
“Thank you.” She kissed my cheek and grinned. “Let’s get breakfast.”