Page 41 of A Mistake of Identity
“That’s none of your business,” Alain replied calmly. “I’m your friend, not your slave.”
Gabriel deflated immediately. “You’re right. I apologize.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache forming.
“Why don’t we head back to the ballroom? Speeches should be starting soon.” Alain suggested.
They returned to the main ballroom, finding their places among the crowd as Alain dutifully retrieved fresh champagne for everyone. The speeches were as predictable as they were endless—the same words about charitable giving and community responsibility that echoed through every society event in Porte du Coeur. Gabriel caught Ellis trying to stifle a yawn behind his champagne glass while Alain didn’t even bother hiding his as he handed them their drinks. They joined the mechanical applause between each speaker, a synchronized performance of social obligation that Gabriel had mastered since childhood.
After the final speaker, their host for the evening, Pierre LaMontagne, climbed the stairs to the stage and announced the close of the silent auction. Electronic notifications chimed throughout the ballroom like an expensive symphony, accompanied by delighted gasps and murmurs. Gabriel’s watch buzzed twice in quick succession.
“Did you win the seats?” Ellis asked, head tilted toward Gabriel.
Gabriel smiled. “And something much better.” He placed his hand at the small of Ellis’ back, guiding him toward the ballroom’s garden doors. Alain followed, still nursing what had to be his tenth glass of champagne.
The night air was cool as they walked through the manicured garden and down to the marina pier, their shoes clicking against the wooden planks.
“Did you buy Ellis a boat?” Alain asked, amusement coloring his words.
“You didn’t!” Ellis spun to face Gabriel.
“I did.” Gabriel stopped them at slip number 8, where the Tanna 47 catamaran bobbed gently in the dark water, its sleek lines illuminated by the marina’s lights.
“Can we go on it?” Ellis asked hopefully, taking a step toward the vessel.
“Not yet. I haven’t received the keys yet, but soon.” Gabriel watched Ellis’ profile in the marina lights, memorizing the way wonder transformed his features.
“Why would you...” Ellis’ voice caught. “Why would you do something like this?”
“Because I love you.” The words came easily, naturally, as if Gabriel had been saying them his whole life.
Ellis turned to him, tears catching the light. Gabriel pulled him close, feeling the tremors running through Ellis’ body as he pressed his face into Gabriel’s chest. “Mon petit oiseau,” he murmured, lips against Ellis’ temple. “Mon coeur, mon trésor.” Each endearment punctuated with a soft kiss, tasting the salt of Ellis’ tears.
“Perhaps we should head home,” Alain suggested quietly from behind them, his voice gentle. “It’s been quite an evening.”
Gabriel nodded, pressing one final kiss to Ellis’ hair. “We’ll come back as soon as the paperwork is done. I promise.” He waited for Ellis to nod before turning to Alain. “I’m driving.”
“What?”
Gabriel pointed to the empty champagne glass in Alain’s hand. “You can ride in the back. Or sleep in it.”
Alain grumbled but didn’t argue.
They left the glittering lights of Pavillon Rivière behind, Ellis’ hand warm in Gabriel’s as they walked to the car. Above them, stars dotted the sky, competing with the city’s glow, while behind them, the massive yacht club cast long shadows across the water where Ellis’ new boat waited.
Ellis
Ellis couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he walked back from the Lafayette Aquatic Club, his hair still damp from his morning swim. The humid May air clung to his skin, but he barely noticed, too caught up in thoughts of tonight. After years of dreaming about the ocean, staring at pictures of sailboats, and imagining what it would feel like to be on the water, Gabriel was finally taking him to see the Tanna 47—his boat.
His. Boat.
The reality of it still felt like something out of a dream. He’d spent hours reading about catamarans online, trying to understand all the technical terms. Every new detail he learned made the dream feel more real—the dual hulls that would make it more stable, the way the sails could catch the wind, the freedom of being able to go anywhere. Tonight, he would finally see it in person. And maybe, if Ellis was lucky, they could christen it…
The sleek black limousine gliding alongside him derailed his thoughts. Before Ellis could react, a tall man in an impeccably tailored suit stepped out, positioning himself directly in Ellis’ path. The man’s expression was professionally blank as he opened the rear door.
“Mr. Rohan would like a word.”
Ellis took a wary step back as he glimpsed the imposing figure in the backseat, but the man in the suit caught his arm andunceremoniously tossed him inside. His gym bag with his damp swimwear thumped against the floor as he landed on the leather seat beside Maximilien Rohan.
Despite his pressed slacks and fitted shirt, Ellis felt shabby under the elder Rohan’s dismissive gaze.
