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exploits. My gut twisted as I thought of her. I wondered what’d happened since we’d talked—had she kept her mouth shut and behaved? Had her captors hurt her further, despite Li Na’s orders? Or had Li Na fooled me again, pretending to call off her guards, when it was just a ploy to get me to cooperate?
The questions swirled through my mind as Timmy and my driver took me downtown. It was dark now and the buildings were lit up, beautiful in their own urban, man-made way. But my heart was too heavy to enjoy the scenery. I kept running over Li Na’s instructions in my mind. If she discovered Levi’s team and the FBI were planning on coming to the exchange, Hannah would suffer for it.
My gut instincts were to follow Li Na’s instructions to the letter. I’d dealt with her long enough to know that she didn’t care for improvisation. But Gabe would never allow that, and neither would his brothers. They believed they could save Hannah and get us both out of the exchange alive.
But what if they were wrong?
I wouldn’t even think twice about giving my life for Hannah’s. She was young, innocent, and full of life. She had everything to live for, and Wesley needed her. None of this was her fault—the blame lay squarely at my feet. Paragon was my company, the patch was my invention, and Li Na wanted what I had. Hannah was an ancillary victim of my actions. She never would’ve been kidnapped if I hadn’t defied Li Na in the first place by successfully launching the patch behind her back.
Li Na was making me pay an unbearable price for my victory.
I knew where I stood. Hannah had to be rescued; I couldn’t excuse any act of selfishness on my part. I would follow whatever plan Gabe and his brothers constructed, but if it came down to it, I would sacrifice myself for her. I would find a way.
I knew Gabe would never forgive me…and I understood. But my love for him, the ache that filled me every time I thought about leaving him—I couldn’t let myself dwell on it. Hannah was my sister, and she was in mortal danger because of me. That was the cold, hard truth I had to face.
Jarred from my reverie as the driver pulled up in front of the hotel, I laughed when I saw the opulent, spectacular façade.
Timmy turned his beefy neck around. “This is The Stanford.”
“Of course it is. Hannah loves this place.” I smiled to myself, even though it hurt to think about my sister in her carefree days. Still, she’d be thrilled I’d finally made it here—The Stanford was a “Hannah-approved” institution.
Gabe had texted he was running late. I went and checked in, making sure Timmy’s adjacent room was ready while gawking at the lobby. Everything was designed in clean, modern lines, but the hotel boasted ornate touches of floor-to-ceiling marble, crystal chandeliers, red velvet banquettes, and pillars enameled in gold. It was Silicon Valley meets mid-century Paris. I made a reservation for dinner, even though I had no appetite. Gabe should at least eat.
I laughed again, delighted, when I got up to the room. It was just as over-the-top as the lobby, with a minimalist, modern design punctuated with lush details—red tapestry curtains, oil paintings, and more crystal chandeliers. I supposed that other Silicon Valley CEOs might frequent a trendy hotel like this, but I never would’ve known it existed if it wasn’t for Hannah.
Hannah had great taste and style. She would make a much better billionaire than me.
I sank down on the bed, thinking more about my sister. Financially, she was doing extremely well. Her stake in Paragon had earned millions since we’d gone to market. I needed to get her back so she could start spending some of the money. Barneys’ shoe department and the economy at large need her, dammit! And so do I!
Wesley needed her too. Hannah had always enjoyed a throng of admirers and a steady stream of boyfriends, but she usually didn’t take her relationships too seriously. I wondered if it was different with Wesley.
I wondered if I’d ever find out.
I stayed on the bed, sitting and staring out at the city lights as the sky darkened. I couldn’t see the stars. My vision was being blocked, I mused. There was too much light pollution for me to see what was out there—the true answers, the true sky. If I could just get to the end of the week and finally see Hannah—finally reach out and touch her again—I would be able to think and see clearly. Because she was the real light of my life.
There was a knock on the door, bringing me back to earth. I got up and let Gabe in.
“Hey.” He looked exhausted but also incredibly handsome in a T-shirt, blazer, dark jeans, and a pair of black Chuck Taylors. He was the epitome of Silicon Valley style—another thing I never would’ve known about without Hannah.
He pulled me in for a tender kiss. “Hey yourself. I’m so glad this sounded good to you. I thought we could use a little vacation.”
I gave him a wan smile. “I’m not sure I deserve a vacation right now…or anything else.”
Gabe wrapped his arms around me protectively. “Come on now, Your Highness—let’s not indulge in self-flagellation tonight. Let’s just pretend that everything is okay and enjoy our time together.” He kissed me hungrily, and my body immediately responded, lighting up beneath his touch, in spite of my sorrow.
I pulled back, breathing hard. “We have dinner reservations in ten minutes.”
“They’ll live without us.” He rubbed his erection against me and grinned, flashing his dimple. “We can eat at the bar when we’re done—if we’re ever done.”
He kissed me again, and although it felt wonderful, part of me felt strangely detached. Whenever we made love, Gabe and I were completely connected. But as he ran his hands down my back and pulled me closer, I felt a distance between us, even though our bodies were intertwined.
He stripped off my clothes, and I removed his quickly, eager to feel his skin against mine. He took my face between his hands after he laid me back on the bed, a worried look in his eyes. “Babe? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lied. “I just want to feel you. All of you.” I grabbed his firm ass and pulled him against me.
He brushed the hair back from my face. “Now?”
“Now.”
