Page 35 of A Mistake of Identity
Lucas dropped to one knee beside the couch, positioning himself between Ellis and the curious glances from the hallway.
“Are you okay?”Lucas asked, his voice pitched low and steady.
Ellis couldn’t find his voice. He just held up his phone, showing the transfer notification. Lucas’ face darkened for a moment before he did something completely unexpected—he pulled Ellis into a tight hug.
The embrace shocked Ellis into stillness. Besides Jean and Gabriel, no one had ever hugged him like this. Purely for comfort, with no expectation of anything more. Lucas’ embrace was warm and protective.
“Please don’t think this is how Gabriel sees you,” Lucas murmured. “Maximilien... he’s from an older world.”
Before Ellis could process what that meant, the office door slammed open. Maximilien Rohan stormed out, his icy gaze falling on Ellis with such contempt that Ellis shrank furtherinto Lucas’ arms, trying to make himself smaller. Lucas shifted, shielding Ellis from the man’s cruel stare.
“One month!” Maximilien shouted over his shoulder. “I expect you at the LaMontagne fundraiser!” His footsteps echoed down the hallway as he disappeared toward the elevator.
Gabriel emerged from his office, looking both angry and exhausted. “He thought today was the board meeting, which he attended last week. No, crashed.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Just a reminder of why I am CEO of La Sauvegarde now, not him.”
His expression softened when he saw Lucas holding Ellis. With a quiet sigh, he turned to Lucas. “Call Alain? Have him bring Ellis home?”
Lucas nodded, releasing Ellis to make the call. Gabriel took his place on the couch, drawing Ellis into his arms and pressing a kiss to his temple.
“I’m sorry about my father,” he murmured. “The money... you can keep it, donate it, send it back. Whatever you want to do with it.”
“I don’t know,” Ellis whispered. “I’ll ask Jean when I get home.”
Gabriel’s smile was gentle at Ellis’ unconscious use of the word. “Yes. Lafayette Square is your home.”
They sat in comfortable silence until Lucas returned. Gabriel kissed Ellis goodbye before returning to his office, and Lucas escorted Ellis down the private elevator where Alain waited with the Mercedes.
Ellis stared out the window but wasn’t really seeing the city blur past.
Gabriel’s hands. So gentle.
Just another whore, a convenient hole to fuck
His kisses, like Ellis mattered.
Two thousand dollars in exchange
Lucas hugging him. No expectations.
But Maximilien saw the truth
Home. He called it home.
What was home to someone like him?
Gabriel claiming him, but…
He realized he was crying only when a tear splashed onto his hand.
“Maximilien was out of line today,” Alain’s quiet voice said, cutting through Ellis’ spiral of thoughts.
“Was he?” Ellis asked, voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, Ellis. He was.” Alain’s voice was firm, confident. “What you witnessed... it’s complicated. The board made Gabriel CEO because his father’s mind was slipping. His memory, his impulse control...” Alain sighed. “He was leading La Sauvegarde down a losing path.”
Ellis sniffled, trying to process this new information as rain began to patter against the car windows, matching his mood.
“The problem is,” Alain continued, navigating smoothly through traffic, “many board members are old friends with Maximilien. They still trust his word over Gabriel’s, despite everything. It makes Gabriel’s position delicate.”
