I swallow my nerves and open the door. I find John pacing back and forth again, but this time I don’t think it has anything to do with her stalker.
I clear my throat.
His head snaps around and those blue eyes of his, so like Gemma’s, pin with a frosty glare. He takes one look at my wrinkled attire and lets out a disgusted snort. “You done fooling around with my daughter so you can actually protect her?”
I raise an eyebrow. “What did King tell you?”
“He didn’t have to. I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other and the prolonged time in the room was another clue.” His cheeks turn red. “King actually tried to talk loud so I didn’t hear, certain, um noises from in there, but he couldn’t mask everything.”
Fuck, now it’s my turn for my cheeks to turn red. “Uh, sorry?” I offer, not sure how to handle this unique situation.
He stalks over to me and grabs my lapel. “Sorry? You’re fucking sorry? You’re supposed to be protecting her, not fucking her!”
“Enough,” a firm feminine voice says from behind me. “Enough Dad. I’m an adult and so is Gabe. This is none of your business.”
His gaze cuts to her. “Gem, he’s our employee. He is the definition of my business.”
She comes to stand beside me. I take her hand in mine and she sends me a surprised look.
“He can still protect me just fine Dad. This won’t affect that.” She sounds so sure of me that I send her a look of awe. She still believes I can do this, that I can make sure she’s safe. And she’s right. I would lay down my life in a heartbeat for her.
I squeeze her hand. “She’s right, John. I will not stop until this guy is caught. And I’ll make sure no one ever hurts her.”
“Can you include yourself in that? Are you so sure you won’t break her heart?” he asks in a harsh voice. “Because she’s been hurt before, and I’m damn tired of that shit. I want my baby girl safe and her heart fully intact.”
I take a deep breath. I look over at her. “I’m sorry I’m doing this for the first time in front of your father, sweetheart, but I need to say it.” I take both her hands in mine and look into those wary blue eyes. “I love you. I mean it when I say I’m sticking. I’m not going anywhere, not even when this job is over.”
Her eyes sparkle with tears and I can’t resist stroking a finger down her cheek. “This is supposed to be a good thing, princess.”
She throws her head back. “It is a good thing. It’s a great thing. I love you too, you idiot. Of course, I do.”
I take her in my arms and kiss her hard until I’m almost ready to pick her up and take her back in that bedroom and make loveto her all over again. The sound of her father clearing his throat finally breaks us apart.
There’s a small smile on his lips when I look over. “I’m happy for y’all, but just remember we still have the small problem of a stalker. Don’t let your guard down.” He blows out a long breath. “On the other hand,” he glances over at his daughter, “it’s nice as hell to see you happy, baby girl. And I wish your mom was here to see you find someone you care about so much.”
She releases me and walks over to her dad. “I wish she was too, Dad. But I’m sure she knows. And I hope she knows how good of a job you’ve done raising me too.”
The older man’s eyes gleam with tears and he looks at Gemma with utter tenderness. “Thank you, Gem.”
There’s a moment of silence between all of us, until finally I clap my hands together.
“Okay, now let’s go catch a stalker.”
Chapter Fifteen
Gemma
I wish I really didn’t care what people think. I wish I could be the person I want to be. Most of all, I wish I could be his. -Gemma
“I’m so ready for all this to be over. I feel like I have a target on my back.” I look over my shoulder at Gabe.
He rubs my shoulders as I roll them back, trying to loosen up for my show. “I fuckin’ hate that we haven’t gotten him yet, but I know we will. The guys are stationed everywhere. We’re ready, Gemma. We’re going to get him.” He pulls me in close and leans down to whisper in my ear. “Have I told you lately how fuckin’ hot you are in this bodysuit?”
I pull back and do a twirl. “You like?” I ask with a raised eyebrow. I’m wearing a pink and gold bodysuit that clings to my every curve. I love dancing in this thing. Under the bright lights on the stage, it shimmers, and I feel every bit the pop star. It’s not a feeling I relish often because I get too stuck in the minutia of everything I have to do, but performing like this, in an outfit like this, reminds me of what I enjoy about my job. That and the fact that I get to make my words come alive and sometimes, maybe, just maybe, affect someone’s life out there.
His green eyes gleam with want. “I fuckin’ love it, but I love you in anything, or nothing…” He cocks his head to the side. “How much will I ruin your makeup if I kiss you right now?”
I smile wide. “Well, this lipstick is supposed to be able to weather anything. Wanna see if the manufacturer can stand by their promise?”
