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Chapter 12
Truth Be Told
Gregor
As tension tries to coil within me, Chloe’s presence tamps it back down. Just having her in my arms makes all the difference. I haven’t released her since she allowed me to pull her into me.
I held her while she slept on the plane. I’ve had her in my embrace the entire ride to the hotel. Now, my back aches and my arm has gone stiff, but I wouldn’t move for anything.
Chloe is exhausted. She’s been knocked out for hours. Only murmuring for me to put her down when I lifted her from the car to carry her into the hotel.
Guilt burns my chest. I couldn’t just walk into my home, here in Dubai, with Chloe on my arm. We still have much to discuss, but first, I need her to place this ring on her finger. It will be best if I establish who Chloe is in this situation.
I will not hide anything from her. There’s just been too much tension for me to broach the subject. Chloe will be the first in my family to know the secrets I’ve stashed away here in Dubai.
Family.
Yes, I already consider her my family. Chloe is in the core of me. She has influenced so much in my life. Even that which I now hold dear, the reason for all my trips here.
It’s been frustrating not being able to be here for months. I’ve been tied up in deals and acquisitions in the States. Clayton has needed a hand with the growth of our companies in the US.
My overseas team is a well-oiled machine. I’ve been able to let them run things while I handle business back home.
These last three months have been the longest without me making a trip to Dubai. I thought about bringing my worlds together, but that feeling of something being hidden from me has kept me from making that happen. I need the people around me to be people I can trust for many reasons.
I groan as my phone rings on the nightstand. I should have known Addison wouldn’t allow me to rest for long. I can’t for the life of me figure out why she’s been so impatient. Yes, this has been the longest I’ve been away, but she’s never been this needy and demanding.
I get the feeling she’s ready to play that hand she’s been holding. It’s as if she knows I’m getting ready to make a major change in my life. I have wondered repeatedly if this sudden change is a coincidence or if she has plotted for such a time as this. I shake that thought off.
I’ve kept Chloe’s existence to myself. I never have pillow talk of the woman I love with my lovers—not that there were many. I haven’t even shared with my brothers what this woman at my side means to me. I doubt—even as resourceful as Addison is—that she has figured anything out about Chloe.
“Hello.” I sigh tiredly into the phone.
“Excuse me, is this Mr. Hennessy?” A woman with a shaky voice sniffles over the line.
It’s not Addison’s voice, but the caller ID says it’s her number. I knit my brows, feeling them pinch in the middle of my forehead. Sitting up, I slip my arm from beneath Chloe and swing my legs over the side of the bed.
“Yes, this is he,” I reply cautiously.
“You don’t know me. I’m a friend of Addison’s, Em… Emma. I found her… I need you to come to the hospital. I can’t make any decisions on her behalf, and I don’t know what to do… I… I have Chloe,” she rambles shakily.
“I’m on my way,” I reply, needing to hear nothing further.
The bed shifts behind me and I turn to find hazel eyes watching me with concern. I reach for her hand, squeezing it. It’s a gesture more for me than it is for her.
“I’ll text the information,” Emma whispers.
“Is my daughter okay?” I ask, needing the reassurance before I hang up the line.
There’s a gasp the moment the words are out of my mouth. I watch as all the blood drains from Chloe’s face. Tears spill over like a dam has broken. I reach to pull her to me, but she backs away as if I’m a flame moving to burn her.
“She’s fine, but you need to get here,” Emma replies.
“I’ll be there,” I say and hang up.
“Cee, I will explain everything. I need to get to the hospital,” I rush out as I put my shoes back on.
“Is… is your daughter, okay?” Chloe chokes out.
