AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Etta was flying out to New York to meet up with the cruise ship.
‘Actually, there’s no need.’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘It’s no bother—it’s all part of the contract, and I want to make sure you get on board safe. Especially now Tommy has turned up. Again.’
‘No. I mean there’s no need because I’m not going. I’ve decided to stay home. Tommy made it clear that he intends to gatecrash Christmas, and I can’t risk leading him to Cathy.’
‘You can’t let Tommy dictate your actions. Even if he did make it to the cruise ship, Security would deal with him. Hell. I’ll speak to the captain.’
Etta shook her head, her chin tilted outward. ‘Thank you, Gabe, but I’m still staying put.’
‘Then Tommy wins.’
‘No, I win. Because I know Cathy is safe.’
‘So what happens after Christmas? Are you never going to see Cathy again?’ He knew he shouldn’t sound so angry but frustration clenched his jaw, caused him to pace the tiled kitchen floor.
‘Of course not. I’ll work out a way for us to meet up and then we’ll take off for a while.’
‘What about her education?’
‘It will be like an early gap year. She will be experiencing life.’
‘What about money?’
‘I’ve still got some savings left, and I’ll let my London flat out...I’ll waitress. I’ll manage. It won’t be for long—I know Tommy will end up behind bars again.’
‘You cannot let Tommy screw your life up. At least give Cathy a shot at meeting him and recognising him for the creep he is.’
Her face flushed and her hands clenched into fists. ‘You don’t understand, Gabe. You can’t.’
‘Try me.’
‘I will not let Cathy’s life be tainted or flawed by that man. He’s evil. He...’ Her voice caught, and her brown eyes were dark with a maelstrom of memories. ‘He is capable of charm—he weaves a spell that sucks you in. He will pull Cathy in.’
‘You don’t know that.’ Why was she so stubborn about this?
‘No, I don’t. But no way will I risk it.’ The laugh she gave was mirthless. ‘Think about it like an investment strategy. This is a commodity I will keep safe at any cost. I know Tommy. He entices you in but once he’s enmeshed you it all changes. He hurt me, Gabe, and worse than that he made me believe I deserved it. That I was nothing.’
The anger that swept over him shocked him with its extremity. If Tommy were here right now he would crush him. Yet he sensed there was something more at stake here than Etta’s fear that Cathy would be sucked in.
‘I understood why you ran from him when you were a teenager. I don’t understand why you would run now. Not without giving Cathy a shot at seeing what a loser Tommy is.’
‘I can’t. I won’t take the risk.’
Her voice was flat. Gabe studied her closed expression and realisation struck. Etta was terrified that she would lose Cathy—believed that Cathy would forsake her at the drop of a hat.
‘I’ve made my mind up, Gabe, and I won’t discuss it further. Please—can we drink fizz, eat macaroni cheese, and think about the fair tomorrow?’
The tiredness in her voice swayed him into acquiescence—that, alongside the knowledge that it was her decision to make. Their deal was nearly over and he had other fish to fry. A twist of his gut was a reminder of his own Christmas plans and what he needed to be focused on—the future of the Dukedom of Fairfax was at stake.
‘Fizz and macaroni cheese it is.’
Distraction therapy at its best.
* * *
The second day of the fair dawned even brighter, and Etta was determined to enjoy the day and keep all thoughts of her lonely Christmas to come at bay.
