Or were these completely new?
Dread coiled in his gut as he gathered the photos and stalked to his kitchen. He tossed the images on the counter and started reading the letter.
Gabriel,
I don’t know how much longer I have, so I’m reaching out to my only living relative.
By now, you may have figured everything out. Yes, I’m Maverick. I have my reasons for doing what I did, which I’ll lay out below. But I also have some unfinished business and need your help.
As you know I was shunned at the Texas Cattleman’s Club. My attempts to gain membership were constantly turned down. They let women in a man’s club and kept me out? Well, I had to take matters into my own hands and, once I explain why, you’ll understand. I hope you carry on where I had to leave off.
Years ago I had an affair with Colleen Humphreys. Her husband was a longtime president of the TCC and on the board until his death just a year ago. When he found out about the affair, he threatened to ruin me. But blacklisting me only backfired on his precious club. I mean, who had the last laugh? The revenge I took on the members was so sweet. I do feel a tad guilty for the lives I ruined, but they were merely pawns caught in the game. I had no choice.
Gabe gritted his teeth at his uncle’s words. So Dusty had done all of this, terrorizing Royal for months on end, to get back at a man who’d been his victim to begin with? What kind of sick person had his uncle been?
Disgust filled Gabe as he focused on the rest of the letter.
Here are some final photos of Chelsea Hunt. I never shared these and I know you’ll help me out by finishing this. You always were so loyal. I’m counting on you, Gabriel. Do what you see fit to ruin the TCC and all those who were allowed in when I was not. Women like Chelsea and so many others think they’re too good, walking around all high and mighty. It’s not right, but we’ll make sure they suffer.
Gabe gripped the paper so tightly that it crinkled in his hand. Then he tossed it onto the counter, unable to even touch it another second. He had no clue what to do. He had to think. He’d believed this situation was behind them but it had just reared its ugly head once again. Now, he was in control...whether he wanted to be or not.
At least Dusty had mailed the photos and letter to him. Gabe hated to think what would’ve happened had they gotten into the wrong hands.
Disgusted, Gabe turned away from the heap of photos on the counter. He didn’t want to see them anymore, didn’t want anyone to see them. Gabe would have to turn them over to Sheriff Nathan Battle to be processed with the rest of the items. They were still trying to figure out who could’ve helped Dusty because obviously the man couldn’t have planted a camera in a women’s locker room by himself. Not with his poor health.
Gabe would get to the bottom of this. He’d find out who was helping his uncle, he’d make sure this was all in the past, and then he and Chelsea could move forward with their future.
Fifteen
“Can you believe tomorrow is the day?” Chelsea resisted a girlish squeal, but she hugged her best friend tight. “Everything is going to be perfect.”
The rehearsal dinner was going exactly as planned. The food was perfect, the décor similar to what would be used in the actual wedding. Chelsea couldn’t be more excited for her best friend.
“Everything is going to be perfect,” Chelsea exclaimed.
Brandee eased back and nodded. “You and Gabe have gone above and beyond. I can’t thank you guys enough.”
“We were happy to help.”
Brandee’s brows rose as her smile widened. “Maybe we’ll be planning your wedding next?”
As much as the idea gave Chelsea the warm fuzzies, she wasn’t sure Gabe was ready for that. She wasn’t even sure he was ready to hear her say how she truly felt. But, after the wedding tomorrow, she was going to tell him.
This was their last night together and she had every intention of making it unforgettable. She would love to open herself up to him tonight and tell him every emotion she’d kept bottled up, but if he turned her down, she didn’t want the awkward tension at the wedding, especially since they were walking down the aisle together.
“We’re just...” Chelsea wasn’t quite sure how to describe the current situation. “Taking this one day at a time.”
“You love him.”
The chatter around them, the music from the DJ, the soft breeze, everything faded away at those three words. There was no use denying them, not to Brandee. The girl knew Chelsea better than she knew herself.
“I just hope he feels the same.”
Brandee tipped her head. “If the way he’s staring at you right now is any indicator, I’d say he feels more than lust.”
A thrill shot through Chelsea. She so wanted Gabe to be on the same emotional page as she was. They’d had a breakthrough moment when she’d fully opened herself to him. He’d taken her to his bed and made love to her like she was the most fragile, most precious thing in his life. She only prayed that was true.
“Just be honest,” Brandee urged. “I almost lost Shane, but we both fought for what we wanted. You’re going to have to do the same.”