Page 30 of Claimed By the Boss

It was so surreal to her.Where she had an amazing time with her parents and they were loving,supportive, and just there for her when she needed them most, Gabriel’s parentswere the complete opposite.

“This is huge,” Nora said.

Gabriel laughed and heldhis hand out for her to take.

She had talked to Trudyabout the fact he wanted to take her to his grandfather’s place. Trudy hadwarned her that she needed to be prepared. Nothing could have prepared her forthis.

“It’s home,” he said. “Mygrandma wanted to fill every room with a child, but that was not to be.” Hesighed. “Then of course she’d hoped her only son would provide billions ofgrandchildren, and he only gave one.”

“Wow,” Nora said.

“Yeah, come on.” He ledher up the six steps that got them closer to the front door. She expected himto get out an ancient-looking key, but instead the door opened to reveal a manwho kind of reminded her of a butler.

“Lawson,” Gabriel said.

The two men hugged.

Lawson appeared to be inhis late sixties.

“It is good to haveyouback, Gabriel. I was starting to wonder if I should sendin Esther to come and get you, to bring you back,” Lawson said.

Gabriel laughed. “Life hasbeen hectic, Old Man.”

“Don’t you call me Old Man.I could wipe the floor with you, and you know it.”

Nora couldn’t help butsmile at the friendly display of affection she witnessed between Gabriel andLawson. She was used to Gabriel’s frown and no-nonsense attitude, at least toeveryone else he came in contact with.

Gabriel turned toward her.“There is actually someone I’d like you to meet,” Gabriel said.

“You brought someonehome?” Lawson turned toward the door and suddenly yelled for Esther.

She looked a littlepanicked toward Gabriel, not exactly sure what was happening.

“Esther, come here.Gabriel has brought a woman home.”

His voice seemed to echobehind him, and Lawson looked toward her.

She smiled. “Hi,” shesaid.

Gabriel chuckled. “Lawson,I’d like you to meet Nora Pierce, and Nora, I’d like you to meet LawsonWilliams.”

“Williams?” Nora askedwith a frown.

“I’m his grandfather’sbest friend, and when I was a boy, they adopted me, and I took on their name.”

She frowned.

“Like Trudy, Lawson andEsther were the only people my grandfather trusted.”

Lawson tutted. “It is abad day when you cannot trust your own family.” He shook his head, and then anolder woman she assumed was Esther came in. Lawson went to her, wrapping an armaround the woman’s waist.

“Gabriel brought home awoman.”

Esther was already lookingat her. “You’re not like the women he usually dates.”

“Esther!” Gabriel said.

“I’m not a model or anactress,” Nora said. “I work for him.”

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