I nodded. “I’m better now that they’re letting you out. But I’m still mad at you. Actually, I’m furious.” Even as I said it, I kept my hands on him, betraying my words.
But I should be furious. Gabe had turned himself in to the San Jose Police Department and the FBI to protect me, and he’d done it behind my back.
“We can fight about that later.” He ran his hands down my sides. “Right now, you need to go. With security. And I need you to either stay at Paragon or at my house. I want Timmy with you until I’m out of here.”
I reluctantly released him and stepped back. “I’m going to go to the office. The board called an emergency meeting for later today.”
“Are you ready for whatever they have to say? They’re probably not going to be too happy with me right now. Or you, for that matter.”
I was prepared to defend both Gabe and myself to the board. Or at least, I would be when I let myself fully comprehend what I needed to disclose to them.
“I’m not concerned about that, not right now anyway.” I could still hear the worry in my voice, though.
“Then what are you worried about?” Gabe could already read me too well.
I swallowed hard. “Clive is responsible for us both being released, and I don’t know why. Or what’s going to happen to him.”
“We’ll have to wait for the arraignment.” Gabe shrugged. “But as much as I appreciate him getting me out of here, I still don’t trust him.” He watched my face. “You are not, under any circumstances, to make contact with him to ask him questions. Okay? He’s dangerous, even in here. Now, more than ever, you need to keep a low profile. Stay away from him.”
I nodded. Gabe’s brown eyes had a stormy, warning look.
“Sorry to break this up, but Lauren, you need to get going,” Kami said. “I need to wrap things up with my client.”
I’d forgotten she was even in the room.
Gabe pulled me back into his arms. “Is everything going to be okay for you at work?” I asked. “Are you worried about fallout from being arrested?”
“Nope.” He kissed my cheek.
I relaxed against him for one last moment. His confidence soothed me. I blocked everything out except for the feel of his chest pressed against me and his strong arms encircling me with his warmth. He kissed my cheek and then released me. “After I’m done here, I’m going to Dynamica, and then I’ll meet you at the house tonight. Okay?”
“Okay.” I leaned up and kissed him briefly on the lips. The contact sent heat rushing through my body, and I craved more of him. “I can’t wait for you to get out of here. And…I love you.”
Gabe smiled and ran his thumb along my jawline. “I love you, too.”
Kami was watching us with her perfectly manicured eyebrows raised. She opened her mouth to speak, but Gabe cut her off. “She’s going, Kami. We heard you.”
It almost physically hurt to step away from him, but I did it anyway. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Gabe nodded, watching as Kami led me out. She closed the door behind us and turned to me. “He’s going to be fine. I promise. We’ll be done here soon. Just do what he says, okay? Take your security detail and go back to your office. Have your attorney contact me.”
“I will. Her name’s Bethany O’Donnell. For the record, she’s a little…aggressive.” Bethany was going to be on a holy tear when she found out I’d been question by a federal agent without her present.
“Good. That’ll help.” Kami handed me her card. “I can catch her up to speed.”
“Thanks. It was nice to meet you. If anything comes up, will you please call me right away?”
“I have a very high hourly rate. I can promise you, Gabe’s getting out of here soon.” She smiled at me warmly. “Now, go. And take care.”
I headed slowly down the hall. I hated to leave Gabe behind, and my mind was racing with everything I had to do.
Detective Conant was standing in the lobby. “You know you’re free to go, Ms. Taylor, but the FBI will be in touch to follow up with you shortly. I’ll be in touch, too.”
“Great,” I said.
Just great, indeed.
Chapter 19