She cocks her head to the side. “I’m sorry, really sorry for that. Losing my mom was like,” she pauses, “well, it was like having my heart ripped out of my body. She was sick for a long time,but it still came as a shock to the system. I watched her suffer all those months…” I can’t stop myself from touching her. I trail a finger along her cheek. “That’s why I go to the hospital. I don’t want those kids to feel alone. I don’t want them to be alone while they hurt. They deserve some happiness. And it makes me feel better to do it. To be the one to brighten their day just a little bit.”
“I know. I know it does. Just next time take me along, okay? I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you.”You’re admitting way too much, Todd. Back off.I clear my throat, but she moves closer. Her body is now pressed up against mine.
Fuck, those blue eyes of hers are imploring me to kiss her.I can practically taste her sweet lips. I know it would be good between us. I know it would…
My phone’s alarm goes off. I know what that means.Line 214. Something serious is going on, either with my case or someone else’s.
I clear my throat. “I have to check on this.”
“Of course,” she says and backs away.
She walks out while I check my phone and I feel like I’ve lost something. Something special.
That idea is only reinforced by the distance she puts between us over the next few days.Something has changed, but I don’t know what.I tell myself she’s doing what I couldn’t. She’s taking herself away from me so that I’m not tempted. But it still hurts like hell.
Chapter Six
Gabe
If she wants to play hide-and-go-seek, I’ll be the seeker. And I damn well won’t give her a head start. -Gabe
1 month later
“Where is she, Frank?” I glance down at my watch. “We’re due at the airport in thirty minutes. We should already be on our waythere now.” I run my hand through my hair and try not to panic. Gemma always does this. She’s notorious for locking herself in her bedroom to get “alone time” as she puts it. She can be in there for a couple of hours. I do a thorough sweep of the room before she goes in, but when she gets lost in her own world of music, all sense of time escapes her.
Frank sighs. He hooks his finger behind him at the closed oak door. “She said she’ll be out in a minute. You know how she is.” He rolls his eyes and I mutter a low “fuck” to myself.
In the last month, Gemma has done everything she can to defy me. She barely looks at me, which drives me crazy. And when I try to hold her fans back from her as she exits her car or enters buildings, she gives me a look like I’m the boogeyman. She repeats over and over again that she’s only where she’s at because of her fans.That doesn’t mean they should have unlimited access to her.
Watching over her has been eye-opening. I never realized how hard people in this industry of hers work. She’s constantly in the studio or writing. Or doing press. Or collaborating with other artists. Or doing any of the other million things on her schedule. I get why she needs her “me” time. I get it, but it still makes me anxious as hell.
“Fuck, Frank, we’re due in Cupid City ASAP. I need to check everything out for the ball and make sure that we’re all set up.” Not to mention, all the background checks I need to do on all the people attending. I’ve already got our best guys on it, but something about his damn ball makes me uncomfortable.
“Move aside, Frank. I’ll get her moving.” My tone is harsh, and Frank immediately moves to the side. He shrugs.
Gemma insisted on keeping some of her original security, including Frank. I like the old guy, even if he was there when that guy got in. He cares about Gemma like a daughter, and I know he would protect her with his life. That’s all I ask for.
I knock on her door. “Gemma, get the hell out here. We need to get the airport now or actually like ten minutes ago.” I let every bit of frustration seep into my tone. I have only become more enamored of my charge, but she can frustrate me like no one else.
There’s no response.
I knock again, pounding this time. “Gemma, fuck, get your ass out of this room and come on. I’ll break down the door if I need to.”
I glance over at Frank after another minute with no response. He merely raises an eyebrow.
I pound again, this time throwing a little more weight behind my closed fist. “Fuck, you’ve got until three or I’m knocking down the goddamn door.”
I step back. “One…two…” I take a deep breath and finally Frank looks like he’s at attention. He nods at me. He’s worried now too. It’s like Gemma to be obstinate, but not to this extent.
“Three!” I kick and the hard wood of the door splinters apart. The door opens just a fraction.
There’s still no noise from inside. No indignant screeching. No cursing from the pop princess. Nothing.
And that’s exactly what I find when I enter her room.Nothing.
“Holy shit, boss,” Frank breathes out. “I’ll alert all the security and call the police. He couldn’t have gotten far with her.”
My stomach roils with anxiety. I feel sick. I slam my hand against the dresser to my right.
