Chapter Twenty-Six
Gabriel
I had to hand it to Luna. She’d been a sport through breakfast, considering Harbor had joined us, and she’d even bitten her tongue when Sandra had piped up about what a wonderful boy he is. The woman had been in a fog for so long she hasn’t realized the young man was no longer a boy.
Harbor didn’t have much to say once he’d started shoveling Judy’s pancakes in his pie hole, and considering my aggravation with him, that was probably for the best.
I went over and peeked out the blinds of my office window to where Luna and her friend Kim had retreated for the past hour. Kim had shown up after breakfast with a suitcase full of Luna’s clothes, and when Luna’s face lit up, I’d felt a pang of guilt for neglecting her needs.
I’d promised her we’d go to her apartment, but so far I hadn’t made arrangements and she’d not mentioned it, either. It was further proof that she deserved much better than me and a reminder that soon enough, she’d have it. The annulment would be in motion at some point and she’d be free to do as she pleased with anyone she pleased.
Out the window, her smile radiated and she and her friend exchanged laughter. It was good to see Luna had managed to relax, considering everything going on around us.
She looked amazing, too, and seemed more relaxed with her body. Her posture was loose and confident. I couldn’t look at her and not smile. The memory of being inside her made my blood flow and it had been too long since we’d made love.
Love? No, it wasn’t that. Couldn’t be… But, man, did I want her. I wanted her beneath me writhing in pleasure and above me milking me until I’d come. I’d have to remedy the longing and soon.
“I had no idea you were a Peeping Tom,” Harbor’s voice came from behind me.
“I enjoy watching her laugh. Luna’s a good soul.” I wanted to knuckle his head for mentioning her to me, but I’d play cool so he wouldn’t be suspicious.
“I can imagine she’s good, but I’m not here to talk about your bride. I need to borrow the jet. I’d like to go on a trip with some of my college buddies.”
“You dropped out of college.” I walked from the window to my bar and poured a drink before returning to my desk.
He leaned against the chair in front of me, if only to posture over me while I sat. “It doesn’t mean I didn’t make friends while I was there.”
“Where do you want to go?” I wasn’t letting him go anywhere, but if I refused him too quickly, he’d storm out, and that would be that.
“I thought I’d let the guys decide if I was able to get your permission.”
I sipped my drink and eased back in my chair. “Fuel is not cheap, Harbor.”
“Think of all that money I’m saving on tuition, though.” He flashed a million-dollar smile that any twenty-dollar whore could pull off with better luck.
“I’m not sure it’s a good time to leave the country. I’m under investigation and if the police find out one of my jets has taken off, they’ll be swarming this place. I’ve finally gotten things settled down, and I intend on keeping them that way.”
He rolled his eyes and stood firmly on his feet. “I didn’t kill anyone; why should I be punished?”
I thought it was the perfect opening and knew I’d better take the opportunity while I could. “What have you been up to lately? Your mother claims she hadn’t talked to you for weeks.”
He raked his fingers through his hair and grinned. “I’ve been busy with the ladies; you know me – can’t keep them off of me.” He shrugged before brushing his shoulder.
The words gave me chills, but I kept my reaction to a minimum. “I hope you’re staying out of trouble. The media is watching us like a hawk.”
He laughed and went to the bar where he poured himself a shot. “You afraid I’ll take all the attention off of you? I’d say if anyone needed a lecture on the subject of staying out of trouble, it would be you, Uncle Gabe.”
He met my eyes and downed his shot. After wincing at the burn, he placed the glass down on the tray and leaned back against the cabinet. “The media headline said you were a lady killer.”
“You remember Cindy and Stacey. Do you think I’d be able to do such a thing?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know, what’s your recent death toll?” I didn’t flinch. Any time Harbor wanted something, he’d try and make me feel guilty for his father’s death. But I wasn’t having any of it this time.
“You can’t use the jet.”
I waited for his temper to explode. Instead, he strolled to the window and lifted the blinds to take a peek out toward Luna and Kim. “That friend of hers is not bad.”
“She’s here to see Luna, so I suggest you steer clear of her and let them have a nice visit.” With any luck, he’d be picked up within the afternoon.
“Right. I’ll make sure I do that.” He breathed out a quiet chuckle and left me alone with my drink.
After a moment, I got up and crossed the room to make sure he hadn’t gone out to bother the two. Luckily, he wasn’t in sight as Luna showed her friend the view of the vineyard from the house. I wasn’t sure when they’d go for their tour, but I’d send Joe along just in case.
When Mason called not ten minutes later, I got up and crossed the room to close my door. “Have you talked to the detective?”
“I’m fine, Gabe, thanks,” he said. I could imagine his pouty ass rolling his eyes and wondered if Luna’s impression had been correct. “And, yes, I’ve talked to the investigator. They are reviewing the footage I sent now. Hatcher was surprised you’d throw your own nephew under the bus, but I have to say, even I’m impressed.”
“I’m not happy about it, but what could I do?” I paced the room as I continued. “He’s been acting shady toward Luna and saying shit to her that’s got her shaken. I was going to write it off at first, but I believe her. Then he came in here not a half hour ago and asked to use the jet.”
Mason chuffed out a laugh. “It must be nice to have good old Uncle Gabe at your disposal, but I hope you told him no for once.”
“I told him no way.”
“Good man.”
“And, what do you mean, for once? I tell that little shit no all the time.” Mason knew Harbor was spoiled, but for him to pass that blame to me was ridiculous. “I can’t believe he asked for the jet, of all things. I’ve never let him take it.”
“Sounds like a desperate kid. I wouldn’t let him leave the house, which is why I called. They’ll be down to get him within the next few hours. It would be a lot easier if they didn’t have to hunt him down.”
I had to agree. I didn’t need anything getting ugly, especially with Kim here. With any luck, they’d come and take him away during her vineyard tour.
“If I’m lucky, his mother will be passed out before they show. She’s liable to attack them and get arrested.”
Mason’s laughter sounded like static through the phone. “Yeah, might give you a bit of peace and quiet.”
“I’m not even sure what that feels like anymore.” I glanced back out the window to find the ladies gone from the patio.
“That’s the word of a married man,” he said. His tone was dulled but the humor was still in his voice. “Let me know when you want that annulment. I’ve got the papers drawn up already. All you two have to do is sign them.”
“Jesus, Mason.” I hadn’t expected that from him until I gave the okay, but I should have known he’d be on the matter.
“I know how you feel about the money issue, but to save time, I went ahead and drew up an agreement which offers a settlement of your choosing. You can fill it in at the time of signing, and we’ll be good to go.” I didn’t want to get into that argument with the guy again, and I was sure that Luna didn’t want to go there, either, but I wasn’t about to dispute it with him.
I kept my response short and sweet. “Thanks.”
“Anytime, my friend.” I didn’t know how to tell him that I didn’t want the damned thing, and worse, I didn’t know how to tell Luna. “I’m on my way now; I want to be handy when they show up.”
“I’ll see you soon.” I left the office to go find Luna and warn her about the police.
I went to the patio and was surprised that Luna and her friend had Carl cornered along the fence behind the pool. He was peeking into the bushes and carried his garden hoe.
Luna turned to see me coming and waved me over. “We’ve found a snake.”
I pulled her to the side. “Why don’t you and Kim take your tour of the vineyard? The police will be here for Harbor soon, and I’d rather not expose you and her to more of the drama. I have a feeling his mother is going to be upset.”
Her eyes widened but she nodded as I spoke. “I would imagine so, and certainly. I was hoping to wait until it wasn’t so hot, but I think you’re right that we shouldn’t be around.”
“Take the cart down. It’s on the port around the side of the house. But take your time.” The other thing I had to say was more to feel her out and I debated saying it. “Oh, and Mason has those papers drawn up when we’re ready for them. But I still think we should let the rest of this blow over first.”
She took in a deep breath and her face, which had already been laced with concern, grew even darker. When I thought she’d tell me what I wanted to hear, she instead nodded. “That’s good to know, thanks.”
“Found him!” shouted Kim. I looked up to see that Carl held a small garden snake by the tail, but it wasn’t dead.
“Are you going to kill it?” Kim ducked back from the thing as if it would eat her, but Carl shook his head.
“No, ma’am. This is a good snake for my garden. This kind keeps the pests away.”
Luna’s eyes widened as she placed her hand over her heart. “Could you release it somewhere else, Carl?” I asked. “I don’t think these ladies want to make friends.”
Luna stared at the little snake before regarding the old man with a smile. “Thanks, Carl.” Then she turned to me. “I’ll have my phone if you need me, but Kim and I are going to take that vineyard tour now.”
As the ladies walked away, I watched Carl take the pest to the front to turn him loose. With any luck, he wouldn’t be the only little snake to be captured and released today.