Page 30 of Bound in Paradise
But where did that leave her?
16
The wait had been excruciating. Both in giving Dani the space she’d demanded, which kept Zack away from her office as a mark of respect, and the stomach churning tenterhooks he experienced as he stayed with Saul, trying vainly to concentrate on the auction search, while he waited to find out if the woman who might hold the key to his past would grant him an audience.
Finally, things seemed to click into place, and he’d been offered a time and a place to meet up. Zack left Saul, his nerves skittering as he forced himself to walk down to Iniquity, instead of riding the ATV, in an effort to calm himself.
He knew Marcus Mountbatten, Duke of Buckingham, well enough. With wealth and influence such as theirs, they often frequented the same circles. As he approached their table, it was also obvious how possessive and protective the man was about his new wife. However, one look at Gabriella Mountbatten nee Preston and Zack saw a blonde beauty with a deceptive air of fragility coating a core of pure steel.
“Well, Zack, this is a surprise. I didn’t think you and Gabi knew each other.”
There was a proprietary edge to Marcus’ voice which made Zack want to smile. The guy was smitten.
“Actually, we don’t,” Zack agreed. “But I’m hoping your wife can help me with something.”
Marcus’ eyes narrowed, but Gabi gave him a serene smile which lit up the room and pressed a sweet kiss against her husband’s cheek before turning back to Zack. “I’m intrigued, Mr. Kincaid. What is it you think I can help you with?”
“Please, call me Zack,” he began, gesturing to the bartender and asking for a bottle of his favorite Luminous Hills Pinot Noir.
For ease and a modicum of privacy, they sat in a quiet, semi-private corner of the bar area. Zack soaked up the atmosphere. They’d done a great job with this place, but it was a stark reminder of everything he was missing.
Pushing aside the melancholy that had taunted him since Dani sent him away, Zack focused on the task at hand. He poured the wine, offering glasses to Marcus and Gabi since none of them were scening tonight and didn’t need to worry about alcohol consumption.
He took a sip, and the rich, velvety liquid coated his tongue, steadying his nerves.
"I'm looking for someone," he began, his eyes fixed on Gabi. "A woman named Emylyah Baskov. I have reason to believe you might know of her."
Gabi's serene expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she regained her composure. Marcus tensed beside her, his hand moving protectively around her shoulder.
"Lyah?" Gabi's voice was soft, tinged with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "How do you know about her?"
Zack leaned forward, his heart rate quickening, even though the name Lyah was unfamiliar. Then again, so was everything about his child bride. "So, you do know her?"
Gabi nodded slowly, her blue eyes studying him intently, before she threw a questioning look at Marcus who narrowed his gaze on him and squeezed his wife’s shoulder before she could continue.
“Before Gabi says anything else, I’m afraid you’re going to have to tell us why you want to know. This is some… sensitive stuff, Zack.”
Zack hesitated. He was a private man and didn’t really want to go through all the details of his personal affairs all over again. Then again, this was his best lead so far, and if what Saul suspected was true, then Gabi was technically his sister-in-law.
Taking a deep breath, he related the story to them both, watching carefully for Gabi’s reaction.
When he finished, she shook her head, her gaze far away in the past. “I always wondered how Lyah’s mother managed to keep her safe…”
There was a wistful note to her voice which made his gut wrench, even though he wasn’t privy to her story. “I’m sorry…” Zack felt compelled to apologies, even though he didn't know what for.
Gabi shook her head, clearly affected, but it was Marcus who spoke.
“Gabi and Lyah have the same father. He’s dead now, but when he was alive, he bartered his twelve-year-old daughter in exchange for his debts.”
Marcus’ disgust was palpable. “When Lyah’s mother managed to get her out of it, the guy she was promised to set his sights on Gabi instead, even after their father’s death.”
"She's my half-sister, but we don’t really keep in touch. It’s never been safe...” Gabi explained.
Zack rubbed his temple and forehead with one hand. “So, your half-sister, Lyah, is Emylyah?” he asked, needing to clarify. “Emylyah Baskov?”
“That’s right,” Gabi confirmed, but she shook her head and frowned. “But there’s something I don’t understand. You say you’re looking for Lyah so you can get an annulment?”
“That’s right.” Zack nodded.
