Page 64 of A Mistake of Identity
“Sir.” Jacob appeared at Gabriel’s shoulder late the next night, as silent as ever. “The shower has been prepared, and fresh clothes laid out.”
“I’m fine—”
“And Annabelle has threatened to force-feed you herself if you don’t eat a proper meal.” The butler’s tone remained impeccable, but Gabriel could have sworn he heard amusement. “Mr. Moreau has already offered to sit with Ellis.”
Lucas did indeed take the chair by Ellis’ bed, already pulling out his tablet. “Go. Rest. You’re no good to him exhausted.”
The pattern repeated. Alain’s quiet presence while Gabriel handled unavoidable calls. Jean curled in the bedside chair reading aloud from some novel, voice soft but steady. Dr. Nguyen’s efficient visits, changing IV bags and noting Ellis’ improving color with satisfaction.
On her final check before Ellis was due to wake, she handed Gabriel a business card. “Dr. Sarah Chen. She specializes in trauma recovery, particularly for survivors of trafficking. I’ve already briefed her on Ellis’ case.”
Gabriel studied the card. “Thank you.”
“She’s excellent, Gabriel. After the bed rest period—”
“I’ll make sure he goes.”
The morning Ellis was scheduled to wake, Gabriel sat in his usual place, holding Ellis’ hand. The bruises had faded significantly under repeated applications of Smooth, though the memory of them still made Gabriel’s jaw clench.
A flutter of eyelashes. A slight increase in pressure against his fingers.
“Ellis?” Gabriel leaned forward, heart pounding. “Mon coeur?”
Brown eyes opened slowly, confusion giving way to recognition. Then tears.
“Not...not a dream?” Ellis’ voice was rough from disuse.
“No, petit oiseau.” Gabriel carefully shifted onto the bed, gathering Ellis into his arms as the younger man began to sob. “You’re home. You’re safe.”
“I’m sorry,” Ellis choked out, fingers twisting in Gabriel’s shirt. “I’m so sorry, I tried to fight but they—”
“Shhh.” Gabriel pressed his lips to Ellis’ temple. “None of this was your fault. None of it.”
Ellis’ grip tightened. “I thought...I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I will always find you.” Gabriel’s voice was fierce. “Always. Je t’aime, mon coeur. And when you’re better?” He pulled back just enough to meet Ellis’ tearful gaze. “We’re taking that beautiful boat of yours around the world.”
A watery laugh escaped Ellis. “Promise?”
“Promise.” Gabriel pulled him close again, feeling Ellis’ tears soak into his shirt. But these tears would heal, not harm. These tears meant Ellis was home, was safe, was his.
Gabriel
Gabriel leaned against one of the newly installed French doors in the breakfast room, still able to smell the fresh paint beneath the lingering aroma of morning coffee. The renovation had been rushed—money buying speed and discretion if not his neighbors’ approval. Their complaints about “historical authenticity” and “property values” had fallen on deaf ears with him.
Gabriel cared far more about the way sunlight now flooded the expanded space, about how the glass walls and doors brought the garden inside, letting Ellis feel connected to the outdoors even on days when leaving the house felt overwhelming.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the lawn, but the day’s heat still lingered in the air. The newly installed pool, another rushed to completion in just three weeks after Ellis had mentioned missing the water, sparkled in the sunlight. It had been worth every rushed permit, every expedited delivery, every contractor bonus to see Ellis slowly reclaiming his love of water in the safety of their home.
From his vantage point, he could see Ellis now, floating peacefully on his back in the crystal-clear water. Even with Aric’s booming voice claiming absolute dominion over the nearby grill, Ellis seemed perfectly at ease, as if the water itself created a bubble of serenity around him. Gabriel had noticed how Ellis seemed most like himself in the water, the tension easing fromhis shoulders, his smile coming more naturally. It was like watching his little bird find his wings again, one gentle lap at a time.
“I’m telling you,” Aric’s voice carried across the garden, “if anyone else touches this grill, we’re all eating charcoal.” He brandished his tongs at Peter, who had been eyeing the grill with clear skepticism. Aric snapped the tongs menacingly in his direction. “That means you, mountain man. Back away slowly.”
Peter scowled but retreated, his massive frame making the strategic withdrawal look almost comical. Lottie cackled from a lounger nearby.
“Don’t look at me,” Ellis laughed from the pool, the sound still rare enough to make Gabriel’s heart catch, and raised his hands in a playful splash of surrender. “I know better than to challenge the grill master.”
The sight of Ellis relaxed, surrounded by friends, eased something in Gabriel’s chest that had been tight since the rescue. His little bird was healing, slowly but surely. The nightmares still came, and crowds still made Ellis tense, but he was making progress. Being in the pool was a victory, though Gabriel noted how Ellis kept glancing at Alain, positioned discretely by the garden wall with several other security personnel.
