The door to the hotel room slammed with a loud bang. Gabrielle jumped as she looked up from her laptop to see Brad Shannon’s dark menacing gaze.
“Did you think about consulting me before you posted this?” Brad stormed across the living room of her hotel suite and tossed his cell phone on the table where she’d been taking notes for a new empowerment series on learning from past mistakes. The screen showed the live video she’d posted an hour ago, which had generated over a thousand comments and ten times as many likes and shares. “I can’t believe you would be so careless.”
She resisted the urge to inform the detective that he had no right to barge into her hotel room unannounced without knocking. But she wasn’t surprised to see him. From the moment she finished the live feed, she’d suspected Brad would reach out to her.
“I’m not being careless. Posting videos and interacting with women who’ve gone through the same things I did with Damian is how I got my life back. It’s how I make sense of this craziness and keep sane. I needed to do it.”
Brad glared at her. “You may have needed to do it, but your actions have bigger ramifications than you realize. You just fucked up my case.”
“I didn’t mention a damn thing about your case in that video. I didn’t tell them we know Tony Brooks is my stalker. I gave no details on what he has done to me or insight into the evidence you’ve found. I simply talked about the experience and my feelings. How does that fuck up your case?”
“That little video was like waving a red cape before an angry bull. Brooks is obsessed with you, and you just challenged him to a fight in public.”
“I never said anything directly to him. I just put the world on notice that I won’t let anyone control my life ever again. Stalkers get off on intimidating, terrorizing, and manipulating their victims.” Gabrielle slammed her fist on the table, causing the coffee in her mug to splash onto the surface. “He needs to know that I’m fighting back this time. I won’t run away. I won’t leave the home I love. And I sure as hell won’t let him scare me into not living my life.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re so pleased with yourself.” Brad shook his head and sighed. He dragged a hand down his weary and worn face. “But you’re probably why Brooks isn’t in custody right now.”
“What?”
“When the St. Killian police went to his hideout, he was gone. He left behind a few burner phones, and guess what he’d been watching.”
“My video.” Gabrielle swallowed hard. The truth of Brad’s concerns sunk in. Guilt gripped her. If her actions led to Brooks escalating his threats, she’d never forgive herself. Gabrielle moved toward the window. Outside, the waterfront was busier than usual, with hordes of locals and tourists meandering into and out of the shops and restaurants below. Her gaze lingered on several men’s faces, looking for Tony Brooks. Was he out there, watching her? Waiting for a chance to deliver another sick message or to do something worse.
Brad joined her at the window and placed his arm around her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Sorry if I came down hard on you. I know what you’ve been through. The thought that Brooks could kidnap you like Hester did worries the hell out of me. I only want to keep you safe. That’s all.”
Gabrielle blinked away the tears. “I won’t post any more videos until he’s caught.”
Nodding, Brad said, “I think that’s for the best. I know your career is built on this kind of stuff and it’s important to you. But nothing is more important than your life. I will do everything to protect you and bring Brooks to justice. Trust me to do that for you.”
“Like you did last time.”
Brad hugged her close, then stepped back. “I need to get back to the station.”
She nodded.
“Nice flowers,” Brad called back to her as he headed for the door. “Please tell me they’re not from Luttrell.”
Gabrielle turned from the window and stared at the crystal vase overflowing with vibrant heliconia, calla lilies, and hibiscus. Hibiscus, like the petals Sebastian had sprinkled over her bed before leaving her this morning. She’d gotten so consumed with posting the video with Hannah that she’d forgotten about them. Tucked deep inside was a small ivory rectangular envelope, partially obscured by the tropical greenery. Her heart fluttered at what Sebastian might have written on the card. She kicked herself for only noticing it now.
“Yes, they are from Sebastian. Why don’t you like him?” During the mixup when her plane landed in St. Killian, it was clear Sebastian didn’t know Brad or at least didn’t remember him. She wasn’t so sure about Brad. Had Brad cross paths with Sebastian while Sebastian was a PISCO or working as the private bodyguard for her mother? Was there a reason for the tension between Brad and Sebastian?
Brad raised his hands in mock surrender. “Who said I didn’t like the guy? All I know is what I observe. I’m a keen observer, being a detective and all.”
“And what are you observing about him?”
“From what I can see, he took a job knowing that he couldn’t separate professional from personal. That’s a problem in any line of work, but especially when you’re supposed to be protecting someone’s life,” Brad said, giving her a stern look that reminded her so much of her father. “He can’t hide the fact that he has feelings for you, which impacts his actions. I know from experience that will put your life at more risk. That’s the only reason I pushed you so hard to let my guys take over. They are objective and professional.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s wrong for Sebastian and me to get closer.”
“It does if he’s manipulating this situation to his advantage. Some guys want to be the hero because that’s how they think they can get the girl. You’ve been through a lot since you’ve come home. It’s easy to think you have deeper feelings for this guy because he was by your side through it all. You can’t always trust those feelings.”
“Sebastian was there for me in ways I didn’t realize I needed. He’s supportive and caring, and he listens to me. He’s honest and upfront about everything, even his flaws and doubts,” Gabrielle said. “So if you’re implying that the only reason Sebastian agreed to protect me was to have sex with me, you’re completely wrong.”
“Sex hadn’t crossed my mind. I think he has an entirely different agenda.”
“What kind of agenda?”
“The kind that would get him access to your fifty-million-dollar trust fund in three years. Must look real good to a boy who grew up homeless in Los Angeles.”
