“Yes, he got a copy of the donation check. It was dated the day your dad died.” Closing my eyes, I felt the anguish wash over me. “There’s more, sweetheart. Do you want to know right now or do you want to process this first? You’ve had a lot thrown at you today.”
More so, how could there be more? At some point there had to be an end to all this.
My words were barely above a whisper. “Yes, I want to know.”
“Trent pulled the coroner’s report. Three days ago, the coroner was found dead. He’d been burned.”
That was three people related to this who had been burned to death—Commander Taylor, the unknown accomplice in the Botticelli theft, and now the coroner.
The fist clinched tighter around my already aching heart. Commander Taylor was a dirty cop involved in selling the lie of Alex being an undercover cop.
“Alex is cleaning things up and tying up his loose ends. De Luca burns bodies. Do you think he’s trying to frame him?”
Gabe’s chest rose and fell with a deep sigh. “That’s my theory. Whatever he has planned, he’s about to act. If there’s no one to left who was part of the crimes, he’ll be untraceable.”
Untraceable.
The words left an empty feeling inside me. Would he try to hurt Gabe, someone else I loved, or me? We had to catch him before he hurt anyone else.
The sun dipped below the horizon. “Do you know where Candy’s been?”
“She hooked up with Harley and sold the house she shared with Alex. It looks like the money went into a joint account she has with Harley.”
Being abandoned by your mother was incomprehensible to me.
Gabe hugged me and said, “Let’s head inside. The wind is picking up.”
In silence we walked back. The slight change in temperature felt as if there was a storm brewing in the distance. We entered the house. Besides the security team, we had the place to ourselves. Mildred had retired for the evening and Chris had gone home to his family. The house had a comforting ambience to it as we ascended the stairs though I knew security was all around.
We walked into the bedroom and I saw Gabe’s luggage next to mine.
“I hope that wasn’t too presumptuous.”
“No, I want you in here.”
“Good. This is the only place I want to be. I have something for you.”
My brow quirked as I followed Gabe into the bathroom. The bath was filled with a bubble bath and the scent of lavender wafted through the air. “I thought you might relax. I checked and you can have warm baths.”
I kissed his lips. “Thank you.”
“Anytime, sweetheart.”
Refreshed after the bath, I lay on Gabe’s chest in bed. Halfway through, Gabe had returned and washed my hair. I felt cherished as he lathered me with love and affection. Gabe closed the book after he finished reading the chapter.
“You with me, sweetheart?”
As he’d read this evening, my mind had wandered. “I am now. I can’t stop thinking about it. I try, and I feel better, but my mind won’t stop going there.”
His fingers trailed up my back before making their way back down. “I know. Me, either.”
I wrapped my arms around his middle. “What do we do next?”
“I thought we would stay here tomorrow. Spend some time together before Carson and Francesca arrive. Then, I need to go see my mom.”
I raised my head.
“I know you want to go, but I can hardly stand the thought of her being near you or my babies. Willow…”
I moved up his chest and pressed my lips to his. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I’m too tired to make an important decision. I won’t go if you feel that strongly about it, but I still want to. Your brother potentially killed my father and so much more. I feel like I need to meet her, to understand and be there for you. I know it doesn’t make sense.”
“I don’t think you’ll get the answers you need.”
“Maybe not, but we’ll be doing this together.” How would I feel to only end up with more questions? The scenario completely plausible, but the need overshadowed the worry.
Searching my face, Gabe brought his hand to my cheek. “You are the most precious person in my life.”
“I feel the same way about you.” Pressing my lips to his, I kissed him. Hard. The twins and I were Gabe’s everything just as he was mine. The twins. I sat up, remembering my earlier conversation with Carson. “Oh, Gabe, I let it slip. Well you let it slip first by saying babies. And then I said children.”
Gabe quirked an eyebrow in confusion.
“Carson knows we’re having twins. I hope you’re not upset.”
He laughed heartily. “No, sweetheart. I can’t wait for people to know.” I opened my mouth to speak, but Gabe cut me off. “When you’re ready. I don’t care when, but I think I have a girl’s name picked out.”
Since our time under the tree, I hadn’t thought about names. I loved our plan to name them. “Do I get any hints?”
He shook his head, the light of joy seeping into his eyes. “In a little less than eight months, I’ll tell you.”
A giggle escaped. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
Laying on my back, I touched my stomach. Gabe scooted down the bed and rested his mouth near my abdomen. “I can’t wait to meet you both. You’re going to have the best mom.”
“And dad. They’re going to have a terrific father.”
His lips pressed to my navel. “I will love you both equally.”
The vow broke my heart. To question the love of your parent was incomprehensible. I ran my fingers through his hair. “They will never doubt that, Gabe.”
“What if I’m a horrible father?”
The worry tore through me. “Gabe,” I whispered.
His saddened eyes met mine, but he didn't say a word.
“When your actions are filled with love, it’s impossible. Think about how you are with me
. You are the most caring and loving boyfriend. The way you are completes me.”
Pressing his lips against my navel again, he whispered something unintelligible to our children before scooting up the bed.
I snuggled into his side. “Loving you is as easy as breathing.”
His muscles relaxed under my touch.
“And so will loving our children.”
All morning long, I had been in my studio painting up a storm. My thoughts calmed as I moved the paint across the canvas. I finished the last stroke on the smaller canvas and grabbed a Twizzler, my after-painting treat.
A man and woman’s hands reached across the canvas, their fingertips touching as their hold on each other became surer. Like Gabe and me.
Three rapid taps at the door brought me out of my reverie. “Come in,” I called.
Gabe entered, carrying a lunch tray. “Mildred thought you might be hungry. How’s it going?”
“I just finished.” I took a step away from the canvas. “What do you think?”
Laying down our sandwich tray, Gabe walked to the painting and studied it. His eyes roamed the canvas, but his face remained blank. I loved watching someone take in a piece of art for the first time as they connected emotionally with the painting. What was he thinking?
“I’m never letting you go, Willow. Our hold on each other will only strengthen.”
He got the meaning. A smile crept over my face. “I hope so.”
Seriousness took over his face as he turned to me. “I will never let you go. You are it for me.”
“You’re it for me, too.”
He grabbed my hands and led me away from the painting toward the door. “I have a present for you. It came this morning.”
A giddiness took over as I bounced on my toes. “What is it?”
“Go look outside.”
Quickly, I jogged outside and found a wrapped package about the shape and size of a canvas leaned against the wall. I picked it up. The feel of it confirmed it was. Whose art would he have bought me as a gift? Excitement bubbled through me as I took it inside and grabbed the card under the huge white bow on the front.