“I’m concerned because of how Damian got three dozen cell phones smuggled into Tiverton. That’s not an easy feat. Only two ways for that to happen without getting caught.”
Lachlan stepped forward and said, “PC-5 or Quattro. Which gang recruited Damian?”
“Based on the men Damian had incidents with while in prison, he’s likely a member of Quattro, although he doesn’t have the tattoo to prove it,” Brad confirmed.
Reluctantly, Gabrielle eased out of Sebastian’s embrace. “So, he is a gang member and got some cell phones. Why does that matter?” She looked from Brad’s concerned face to Lachlan’s agitated face to Sebastian’s, which damn near stopped her heart.
“What do the three of you know that I’m missing here?” Gabrielle asked, but she only looked at Sebastian. He couldn’t hide how worried he was about this new information. “Am I still in danger? Do you think Quattro could come after me?”
“Quattro gang members are ruthless, reckless, and more importantly, they don’t act predictably. The decisions they make can just as easily be for sport as for strategic advantages or money,” Sebastian said, then gave a surreptitious glance in Lachlan’s direction. The pilot had grown pale.
“Damian did a few stints in solitary for killing inmates who’d become a liability to the gang. He was Quattro’s inside hatchet man and they owed him. If Damian Hester used his gang connections to get those cell phones, it’s also possible that he asked them to help him do something to you,” Brad said with a grave tone. “Like kidnapping you again. Damian being in the hospital may not stop whatever he put in motion.”
“I’m basically trading one psycho for a gang of psychos? This is just fucking great. Why did I think I could ever come home?” Tears sprung to her eyes, and she turned her back on the men. Dabbing her eyes furiously, Gabrielle fought back a wave of exhaustion and disappointment.
The warmth of Sebastian’s body enveloped her, but she didn’t turn around. She couldn’t. She didn’t want him to see her at her weakest moment, about to succumb to a spiral of discouragement and self-pity. The exact opposite of the platform she’d built that had inspired millions of women worldwide.
Sebastian spoke low where only she could hear. “You can come home because you have family and friends who love you and will support you through every obstacle, every challenge, and every threat. You won’t ever need to leave the Palmchat Islands again. This is your home, and I’ll take down anyone who makes you feel like you can’t be here. That’s a promise.”
She looked over her shoulder at this man who’d been the bane of her existence for years and was instantly consoled by the surety and confidence in his coffee-brown eyes. Nodding her head, she turned around, ready to face whatever came next.
“Okay, so what does all of this mean?” Gabrielle asked. “What are my options to protect myself from Quattro?”
“I want to provide round-the-clock police protection for you,” Brad said. “I’m in charge of a small contingent of officers who take down street-level gang members. This threat is credible enough to get clearance from my superiors. We’ll monitor chatter on the dark web from the gangs. We can be your eyes, ears, and protectors for the next couple of weeks or months until we’re sure there is no threat to your life.”
Gabrielle wasn’t surprised that Brad had a plan to help her. He’d proven what a good man he was a decade ago when he’d rescued her. She was glad he’d thought of a way to keep her safe from the gang. “That sounds like a good plan—”
“No fucking way,” Sebastian said, shaking his head. “The King Family has ten times the resources of the local island police. We don’t need help protecting Gabrielle from Quattro or anyone else.”
Brad recoiled, then stood from his seat and pointed his finger in Sebastian’s face. “You need to leave this to the professionals. Going rogue with some kind of vigilante security crew could put a bigger target on Gabrielle’s back.”
Sebastian tensed. His arms gripped her tighter, pulling her closer to him. The contours of his rock-hard muscles firmly pressed against her body. “By all means, reach out to Serena King. You’ll be disappointed when her answer is the same as mine.”
Lachlan clamped a hand on Brad’s shoulder. “You can leave now, detective.”
“Fine,” Brad said, jerking from Lachlan’s grip. “Gabrielle, if you change your mind and want more details of what I can do for you, you know how to reach me.”
Gabrielle leaned back against Sebastian’s chest. For some reason, this man who’d spent most of his life loathing her made her feel safe.
Safe enough to focus on Damian at the Rakestraw Blake Center.
She wanted to look him in the eye and tell him he was out of his fucking mind if he thought she wanted anything to do with him.
She was done letting him terrorize her life.
Chapter10
Taking a deep breath, Gabrielle allowed the fresh ocean air to soothe her frazzled nerves. It had only taken thirty minutes to fly from St. Killian to St. Felipe—an illegal trip since the long-haul private jet was too large to land at the municipal inter-island airport. Sebastian had insisted it was safer to fly instead of taking the limousine to the yacht. Lachlan hadn't balked at the change in plans. Air traffic control and airport security hadn't been nearly as amenable, holding them on the plane for almost two hours as they negotiated penalty fees for failing to file a flight plan and executing an unauthorized landing.
She turned toward the three-story, seventy-room Caribbean colonial mansion that seemed to stretch for miles. The stucco walls were painted the signature coral pink of the Palmchat Islands, creating a majestic contrast to the palm tree-covered rolling hills that led down to the family's private beaches. In the distance, the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea stretched for as far as the eyes could see. From the hill, schools of fish and manta rays could be seen darting through the waters in search of food.
King Estate housed the corporate offices for the family's coffee empire, Hullabaloo Enterprises, and the private living quarters for any member of the King Family who wanted to live on the grounds. The place was a bustle of activity, with employees, hospitality staff, and family members going and coming. Today was no different.
Sebastian had exited the car first, jogging up the steep driveway to talk to the head of security for Hullabaloo Enterprises. Within minutes a contingent of corporate security guards had joined them, huddled near the stone fountains. Water bubbled and cascaded in delicate arches, obscuring her view of the men. But she could clearly hear Sebastian's rapid-fire instructions to the security team. He gave orders about the additional security measures he wanted for her protection. The concern in his voice perplexed her.
Sebastian was worried about her safety, even though he hated her for how she treated him years ago.
"Ms. Gabrielle …"
