Page 8 of Culmination
“I know this is shocking. My being here, showing up like this, but I would appreciate the opportunity to explain myself. Ineedfor you to understand. All is not what it seems. I promise you. Your safety and that of your unborn child are of utmost importance to me.”
Once again, he’s mentioned my child. The one that he knows isn’t his.
The concern laced in his voice is enough for my curiosity to wins out. I force myself to turn, and when I see concern also evident in his expression, I nod. “Okay, Adrian. You win. I will listen—only because I want answers.”
His face lights up until I shake my head.
“But not here. Not today.”
“Tomorrow?” he asks, sounding hopeful.
“I can’t make you any promises, Adrian. I need to talk to…” I pause as his smile falters. For some reason, I find it hard to discuss my current love with my past one. Then again, Adrian’s only brought this upon himself. I clear my throat. “Rafe. He’ll want to know you’re here. That I’m with you.”
“Absolutely not.” Adrian’s insistent growl catches me off guard.
I jump at the sudden change in his demeanor. I take two steps back, wanting some distance, and the action causes his eyes to soften and his lips to draw in a tight line.
He flexes his fist open and shut several times before releasing a sigh. “Gabriella, if you want answers, I will give them. On the condition that it’s just you and me. There are things you must know. Thingshecannot hear. And he cannot know where I am. No one can. It’s not safe.”
“What do you mean? What’s not safe?”
“My father. The Feds. Everyone’s looking for me.”
“Then why are you here?” It makes no sense. “Why haven’t you left the country?”
Adrian offers a small smile before taking my hand and bringing it to his lips, where he gives it a gentle kiss. “You, Gabriella. I’m risking it all because of you.”
I suck in a breath at his words. “Me?”
“This has always been about you. Everything I’ve done is for you and you alone.”
My mind’s reeling, and Adrian reads me correctly. He steps back, giving me space. He pulls a pen and leather wallet out of his pocket and removes a business card. Then he jots down something on the back. “If you’re willing to give me a chance, meet me at this address at the time noted. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
All I can do is nod. I don’t have to think about it. I already know I’ll be meeting Adrian when he wants. What I don’t know is how I’m going to slip away from Rafe.
Adrian takes a step closer, but when I give a slight shake of my head, not wanting his nearness, he stops immediately. His head cocks to the side, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallows hard. He straightens his tie then clears his throat. And when his eyes meet mine, a rueful smile forms on his lips.
“I may have lied about many things, but this remains true: I love you, Gabriella. I will do so until my dying day.”
“Adrian,” I whisper. A finger to my lips stops my protest.
“Iwillwin you back. No matter what I have to do.”
The feral look in his eyes tells me the truth.
It isn’t hyperbole. It’s a promise.
As I’m about to get into the car, I pause, my hand perched on the top of the door. “Adrian?” I call.
His temperament performs a swift one-eighty. It almost hurts to see the hopeful expression in his eyes. He honestly believes he still has a chance, but I know, to my core, no matter what answers he has for me, my heart is no longer his.
He takes one step closer, stretches a hand out, hesitates, and then pulls it back to his side. “What is it?”
“Is it true? Were you trying to kill me that night?”
I have no idea why I’m asking such a question. Call it morbid curiosity, but deep down in my soul, I need to know the truth.
His eyes flash with grief, and then dark waves of anger mask the emotion. I’m about to escape when he sighs, and the ire has been replaced with regret.
