Page 39 of A Mistake of Identity
Gabriel made a mental note to have Nika look into yacht brokers. Perhaps start with something modest in Miami. Or no—the Mediterranean. Ellis would look beautiful against the backdrop of the French Riviera. The Rohan family estate on the Côte d’Azur hadn’t been used since his mother passed. The thought of Ellis there, golden in the Mediterranean sun, salt spray on his skin...
“More coffee, monsieur?” Jacob’s quiet inquiry pulled Gabriel from his planning. He waved the butler away, alreadycomposing a mental email to Nika. It was time to have the estate opened up again.
Several hours later, Gabriel leaned against his bedroom door frame, watching Ellis adjust his tie for the third time. The bespoke suit fit him perfectly, and the burgundy waistcoat gave a subtle nod to the Rohan Family colors. Gabriel had foregone a tie with his black suit, but Ellis seemed more comfortable with the extra armor of proper formal wear.
Ellis caught his reflection in the mirror and stilled. “What?”
Gabriel crossed the room, coming up behind him to press a kiss just below his ear. “You look handsome.” He felt Ellis relax slightly against him, their eyes meeting in the mirror. For a moment, they both just stood there, taking in their reflection, Gabriel’s hand resting possessively on Ellis’ hip.
Ellis turned in his arms, reaching up to smooth an imaginary wrinkle from Gabriel’s lapel. His fingers lingered there before he lifted his face, pressing a soft kiss to Gabriel’s lips. Gabriel indulged in its sweetness, these careful kisses that Ellis so rarely initiated. Not their usual heated exchanges, but something new. Something that felt almost domestic.
“Thank you,” Ellis murmured against his lips, “for the suit. For everything.”
Gabriel tightened his arms around Ellis’ waist, wanting to freeze this moment. But they had a party to attend, and the world was waiting.
Downstairs, they found Alain waiting by the front door, impeccable in his black suit, without a waistcoat or tie. The drive to Pavillon Rivière was quiet, Ellis watching the city lights reflect off the river as they approached the Second Cat.
Pavillon Rivière rose before them, palatial in its limestone grandeur, its façade glowing warmly in the evening light. Gabriel had grown up attending events here but saw it anewthrough Ellis’ wide eyes. The main building stretched along the artificially expanded Lake Saint Louis, its reflection dancing on the water.
The Mercedes glided to a stop at the entrance, where a valet, in crisp navy blue livery, stepped forward to open their doors. Alain handed over the keys with a warning look that made the young man stand straighter.
“It’s enormous,” Ellis breathed, taking in the sprawling resort complex.
“Three ballrooms, two restaurants, over a hundred rooms,” Gabriel listed off, his hand settling protectively at Ellis’ lower back as they climbed the grand steps. “There’s a spa, fitness center, indoor watermark, even a movie theater. The marina has thirty full-service slips for larger vessels and twice that many smaller slips with partial or self-service options.”
“Where Peruque Creek once was, they carved out the Peruque Canal,” Alain commented dryly. “So the members could take their ridiculous boats straight to the Mississippi.”
“All this in the middle of Missouri?” Ellis shook his head.
“What the rich want, they get,” Gabriel explained. “And they wanted a yacht club thousands of miles from the ocean. So they made sure it was worth the investment.”
Before they reached the entrance, Gabriel caught Alain’s arm. “Keep an eye on him if I get pulled away?”
Alain nodded, understanding exactly what Gabriel was asking. “Of course.”
They entered the marble-floored lobby, Ellis’ head tilted back as he took in the soaring ceilings and gilt details. Gabriel, however, noticed the stares—not the usual appreciative glances he was accustomed to, but something more calculating. More curious. Jean’s words from breakfast echoed in his mind, and he pulled Ellis closer.
The massive crystal chandeliers threw rainbow patterns across Ellis’ face as they entered the main ballroom. Gabriel found himself watching Ellis rather than their surroundings—the way his eyes widened at each discovery, the slight parting of his lips as he absorbed the contrived opulence.
Behind them, Alain shifted position, automatically moving to block the most direct line of sight from the gathering crowd. The evening hadn’t truly begun, and already Gabriel felt the weight of everyone’s attention. But Ellis was his, and he wouldn’t let anyone make him doubt that.
As they circulated the room, Alain moved between them and the buffet table, bringing plates of delicacies and fresh champagne glasses—the latter mostly for himself, Gabriel noticed. His security chief was drinking more than usual, eyes constantly scanning the room with unusual tension.
“Gabriel!” Patricia Taylor’s voice carried across the marble floor. “How wonderful to see you!”
“Mrs. Taylor,” Gabriel smiled with practiced ease. “How are you? I don’t see Earl this evening.”
“Oh, you know Earl,” she sighed, adjusting her diamond tennis bracelet. “Always at one of the dealerships. He did mention how pleased he was with your latest Mercedes purchase. The AMG, wasn’t it?”
“Sedan style, and it’s serving me well. And how’s Michael? I haven’t spoken to him in a while.”
“In London now, did you know? Working with that tech startup of his. Earl’s being far too permissive with the funding, if you ask me, but...” Her lip curled slightly. “I suppose I don’t have a say in how he chooses to risk the Taylor reputation. Though I suppose that’s better than some of the stories I hear about dear Henri. That latest scandal with the Dubrule girl. Élise, wasn’t it? The older one.”
“Ancient history,” Gabriel cut in smoothly.
“Yes, well, tell that to the society pages.” Patricia let out a forced laugh. “One must be so careful with the Rohan image these days.” Her gaze slid to Ellis, sharp with curiosity. “And who might this be?”
“Gabriel,” Nikolai Rykov greeted smoothly, effectively shouldering Patricia aside. Nika’s timely intervention prevented Gabriel from having to answer. “Good to see you and your boyfriend again.”
