Page 51 of Forbidden Desires

"Let's call you head of security for now, but you will be my right-hand man, my eyes and ears on the ground," I explain, grateful for his willingness to stand by me. Elliot and Parker are doing what they can, but they’re overrun with work, and I need someone who is purely focused on this issue. And I can see by the look in his eyes, this is something big for him as well.

“I’m your man,” he declares, extending his hand, and I shake it, feeling a sense of camaraderie and understanding between us. I didn't realize how much our silence over the years had affected me. I’ve known him my entire life, and his absence had left a void no other could fill. I'm relieved he reached out to me today.

“Well, this looks cozy,” calls Elliot, breaking the intensity of the moment as he thumps me on the back and takes a seat beside me. “Ordered for you guys. Hailey has a new recipe she wants us to try.” Hailey is the daughter of Old Man Delaney, the guy who owns this bakery, Elliot is getting all cozy with him since he’s offering the hotel special deals for the massive amount of baked goods we’re ordering daily.

Parker joins him, apologizing for their tardiness. “What did we miss?” he asks, looking between the two of us.

“Alexander just offered me a job as head of security, so it looks like you lot are going to be seeing my ugly face around the hotel every day,” Noah jokes, injecting a bit of lightness into the atmosphere.

“Good for you, Harrington. See? Just like I told you, knew he would help you out.” Elliot’s attention shiftsto me, and he cuts right to the chase. “What happened with you and Gisele after we left Saturday night?”

“I took her home so she could sleep off her bad choices,” I mutter, not wanting to delve into the details with them. I might trust these guys with my life, but the fewer people who know the better right now.

“Mason was fucking pissed that you stepped in. The guy’s got it bad for her.”

The mention of his name gets my hackles up, and I glare at Elliot for mentioning him.

“Whose home? Paisley said she didn’t come home until late Sunday afternoon,” Parker chimes in, aligning himself with Elliot, and I realize they’ve been discussing this without me.

Noah rubs his hands together. “It’s good to be home. Shit’s getting juicy already. Who’s Gisele?”

“She’s a Broadway star from New York who’s now working at The Alexander as the new wedding coordinator. She also lives with Paisley and Mae,” Parker catches him up to speed, eyeing me with suspicion.

“She’s also the girl who has the big guy all torn up.” Elliott laughs. “Never seen him so crazy over a girl as I did on Saturday night. I thought you were going to knock Mason’s teeth out.”

“He’s exaggerating,” I grumble, but then think back to my overreaction yesterday, and I know he’s right. “She had the hangover from hell, and I let her sleep it off. That’s it, nothing more to say on the topic,” I snip. Why does every fucker in this town need to be all up in my business?

“Uh-huh, and Mason came back to the work site looking like a little boy who lost his puppy yesterdaymorning because you didn’t throw a jealous hissy fit and drag Gisele inside the chapel all caveman style,” Parker huffs, unimpressed.

I shift my attention back to him, eyes wide. For fuck's sake, he saw us.

“You can see a hell of a lot from the fourth floor, Brody. You need to be more careful. If Victor was the one to see you instead of me, you stand to lose it all,” Parker warns, his words sinking in because I know he’s right. I knew it then, I just didn’t care until it was already too late.

“Fuck,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair, realizing what I already knew—I messed up royally. The repercussions of my actions are becoming clearer, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve jeopardized more than just my personal life.

Hailey delivers our food and coffees with a warm friendly smile. “You home from college?” Parker asks her.

“Helping Daddy till I work out what I want to do with my life. College wasn’t for me.” She shrugs with a sweet smile. “I’ll get the rest of your coffees. Be back in a sec.” She hurries off, and I don’t miss the way Elliot’s eyes follow her.

“I can see why you have made such close business ties with the Delaneys now.”

“She’s closer to my daughters’ ages than mine,” he says, trying to sound mortified by the idea.

Noah shoves him. “Doesn’t mean you’re not sweet on her. You should ask her out, she’s cute.”

“Even if she wasn’t a baby, I wouldn’t. Between having the girls full-time and the restaurant at TheAlexander, I don’t have time to scratch myself,” he says under his breath as she returns with our drinks.

“There you go, boys, enjoy.” She smiles sweetly, her eyes locking with Elliot’s. “Oh, and don’t forget to tell Daddy how you like my pie.” She wanders off.

“Oh, she’s just asking for it, man, with comments like that.” Noah chuckles at his own joke.

Parker and I chime in, sharing a laugh at Elliot’s expense. It sure does feel good to have us all back home together. Shooting the breeze about girls, just like the good old times. Feels just right. Even if this time it’s me who has a mess to clean up, not Elliot.

Chapter 25

Gisele

Blood is red. Shadows are blue. I wish you would see me like I see you.

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