“I need to talk to Gabrielle,” Sebastian said through clenched teeth. “You’re either going to help me, or you’re going to get the fuck out of my way. Which is it?”
Lachlan paced in front of him. “What is talking to her going to do? We both know there’s no way in hell you are stalking Gabrielle. None of us believe you’re behind these threats.”
“I know.” The unconditional belief in him from Adonis, Kane, Everett, and Bobby had made going through this hell easier, especially since they all knew about his past. About the old man.
“The cops are going to come up empty in this witch hunt, and when they do, Gabrielle will have all the proof she needs to know you’re innocent.”
“Don’t you fucking get it. I want her to believe in me without having fucking evidence. I want her to know in her fucking heart that I could never do anything to hurt her. Ever.” Sebastian glared at Lachlan.
His friend was sympathetic but unconvinced. “Think about this. Put yourself in Gabrielle’s shoes. A decade ago, the two of you hated each other. She comes back, and the two of you have grown close, but she’s also freaked out that someone else is stalking her.”
“I know how having another stalker has disrupted her life. She’s strong, brilliant, and amazing, but it’s getting to her. She’s a fighter, but it doesn’t mean she’s not scared to death about it.”
“And that fear could make her unsure who to trust and who not to. She might not be sure you’re the good guy. Do you want to force her to tell you that to your face? Shit man. Could you handle that if she did? If you saw doubt in her eyes?” Lachlan asked.
Lachlan’s harsh words ripped through Sebastian’s heart.
He stumbled back and collapsed onto a wooden bench draped with flowering hibiscus bushes. The same coral hibiscus he’d sprinkled on her bed the morning after they’d made love. He wished he could dispute Lachlan's perspective, but he couldn’t. Lachlan had a point. The problem was that point made him more anxious to see Gabrielle. To wipe away any doubts the cops might have given her.
“Let me take you back to your place,” Lachlan said, gripping his shoulder and squeezing it. “You could use a shower and a change of clothes before you see Gabrielle.”
He wanted to take Lachlan's advice.
But he couldn’t.
“I need to see her now.” Sebastian rose from the bench and pushed past Lachlan, heading toward the entrance to the hotel. This time, he wouldn’t sneak in. He’d talk directly to the hotel staff and the lead guard from the police force and ask to see her. It should be Gabrielle’s choice to let him in. If she didn’t, then he’d have his answer. His heart seized at the thought, but he would respect her wishes and give her space. The cops couldn’t find concrete evidence of a crime he didn’t commit. Once he was cleared, he would try again.
He would never give up on Gabrielle.
Never stop trying to be with her.
Pushing through the hotel doors, Lachlan on his heels, he walked to the check-in desk and asked to see the manager.
“I’m the manager. How can I help you sir?” The tall, thin man with dark skin and a beak nose peered at Sebastian over his glasses.
“The SFPD is guarding Gabrielle King on the fourth floor. I want to speak to the officer in charge of that unit,” Sebastian said.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” the manager said, looking uneasy as his eyes darted around the hotel lobby.
“I understand this is supposed to be a secret, but I know Gabrielle is here. She told me herself, and I want to get clearance for a visit.” Sebastian tried a more sensible tactic instead of gripping the man by the neck and demanding that he allow him to go to Gabrielle’s hotel suite.
“It’s not possible because Gabrielle is no longer here.”
Sebastian whipped his head toward the voice and saw Serena.
She looked like she hadn’t slept all night. Her red-rimmed eyes were shadowed with dark circles.
Sebastian walked toward her. “Where is she?”
“Somewhere you can’t get to her,” Serena said.
“You believe the cops? You think I’m stalking Gabrielle? Serena, you hired me to be her bodyguard because you trusted me. I protected your mother for years. Now all of that means nothing?”
“Sebastian.” Serena swiped at a tear that escaped her eye. “I don’t know what to believe. I’m scared to death for my sister and determined she won’t have to fight another stalker alone. Our parents abandoned her a decade ago. Left her to feel like being stalked and kidnapped was her fault. I won’t let her feel that way again. I won’t stand by and let anyone hurt her.”
“I didn’t fucking do this. I’m not stalking her. I’d never hurt Gabrielle. I could never hurt her, I …” Sebastian stopped himself before the words tumbled from his mouth.
He loved her.
