Lauren (Silicon Valley Billionaires 1)

“Well, if it makes you feel any better…” I let my voice trail off. I knew full well what I was about to say wasn’t going to make Gabe feel any better. “It’s not just him I’m worried about. You know what this means, don’t you? The fact that he’s been arrested?”

Gabe scrubbed a hand across his face, looking weary in spite of the coffee. “Yes.”

“They’re going to seize his equipment, and go through all of his electronic records. They’re going to find evidence of his correspondence to Jiàn Innovations, unless he scrubbed it. Not only that, they’re going to find out that I reverse-hacked Clive. They’re going to find out that Leo and Dave got into his phone too. That’s wiretapping. Those are going to be federal charges.”

“We’ll tell them the truth—about everything. Clive, Jiàn.” Gabe’s expression softened. “Whoever investigates this is going to understand that you were only trying to protect yourself. You weren’t stealing. You’re the victim here.”

“Well, that would be great if it actually turned out that way. But for now, I need to turn myself in. It’s literally a matter of hours before they find that stuff and come looking for me. This is a nightmare.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to ward off a headache. “As a corporate CEO about to launch her first major product, it doesn’t look good for me to be dragged away in handcuffs. I need to get out in front of this and turn myself in.” I swallowed again. “I’m also worried about how Jiàn Innovations is going to respond to all this—to Clive being held. There’s the possibility that they’ll be exposed. The FBI will get involved now.”

Gabe said nothing. He appeared lost in his own thoughts.

“If they hold me—and they probably will—I’ll need you to help run Paragon. I need you to stay on track with the launch.” For once, I realized that I couldn’t do everything myself and be successful. I needed his help. “You’re the only one I trust to do it.”

His eyes met mine. He looked stunned. “Do you mean that?”

“Of course I mean it, Gabe.” I’d protected Paragon with everything I had. I believed that Gabe would do the same. I’d just have to make him promise not to bash anybody’s kneecaps in while he did it.

We were both quiet then, contemplating the changes the imminent future held.

He finally nodded. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

I managed a small smile. “Including sending me care packages to prison?”

He closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me. “I’d be your prison wife, if I could.”

I laughed, but then I realized I might cry. “I have to call the police soon. I have to turn myself in before this becomes a media circus and blows up in my face. That’s probably still going to happen—but at least this way, I might be able to control the message.”

He stroked my cheek, looking into my eyes. His eyes had that familiar sparkle, the one I longed for, the one I relied on. “I’m not going to let you go to jail, babe.”

I ran my hands over his shoulders. “I know you’re Silicon Valley’s resident badass and all, but that might just be out of your jurisdiction.”

“We’ll see.” He rose up and kissed me deeply, our tongues connecting. I threw my arms around him, pulling him to me, relishing our closeness.

Eventually and unwillingly, I pulled back. If I was indeed going to jail, I was going to be separated from him, and I needed to say more. I owed him that much, but I still struggled with the words. “I meant what I said yesterday. I’m…I’m so sorry about running off to ambush Clive like that. Without telling you. If you’d done the same, I would’ve been worried sick.”

He chuckled. “Why is it so hard for you to say?” He kept me wrapped in his embrace.

“Because I’m so rarely wrong, the words ‘I’m sorry’ aren’t part of my normal lexicon,” I teased, even as my heart swelled.

“I’m still not sure I’ve forgiven you yet.” He brushed his lips over mine. “You might have to make it up to me some more.”

“I might not have time.” I leaned up and kissed him hungrily, trying to commit the taste and feel of him to memory.

“We can make it quick. And dirty.”

Hot anticipation lit my veins as I kissed him again. “I wish I didn’t have to go,” I whispered when our lips parted, thinking of the police. “I don’t want to be away from you.” I bit my lip and blushed.

“It makes me crazy when you bite your lip like that. Stop.” He sighed and scrubbed his hands across his face. “Go wait for me in bed. I think I need to be inside you again before I can fully forgive you. It’s a theory worth testing out anyway.”

“So…you haven’t forgiven me?” My voice came out wobbly.

“I have, but it’s against my better judgment.”

I exhaled in relief. If things are right with Gabe, I can face everything else.

This realization almost pushed me over the edge. My life had irrevocably changed, so quickly, and my heart was now in someone else’s hands. Damn. All the scientific method in the world hadn’t prepared me for this.