Arthur
Ifound her in the kitchen, looking through what appeared to be cookbooks. She was alone, the staff usually made themselves scarce. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d come to this side of the house.
I’d lost control last night, trying to make her see me for who I truly am. So, I was afraid of today, afraid of losing her, and even more afraid that I wanted to keep her. I didn’t want the whores in the basement. I was losing myself, and that was dangerous. The way I felt for her made me vulnerable and her a target.
The way her eyes lit up when she saw me made me feel despicable. She set the book down and walked toward me, her hands gripping the lapels of my jacket.
“I want to cook you something.” she said excitedly. “Tonight. I have so many awesome ideas, but I was thinking of Wagyu steaks-”
I bent my head and kissed her full on the mouth, pulling back and meeting her gaze.
Her smile dropped when she saw my face. “Is everything okay? Is it Gabe?”
“No. Everything is fine, but I have something I need to talk to you about. Can we sit?” I motioned to the stools at the kitchen island.
“I prefer to stand,” she folded her arms across her chest. That was another thing I admired about Gaia, she was incredibly perceptive, more than most people I knew. She was right about things nine times out of ten.
“You and Gabe are free to go home.” I decided to get straight to the point.
She frowned. “Free to go home? I thought I wasn’t a prisoner?”
“I’ve kept you here against your will. Both of you, and I had no right to do that.” I kept my face void of emotion.
“So, what was all this about?” She motioned between us.
“That wasn’t part of the plan,” I told her.
“Then what was it?”
“Gaia, there is no reason for you to be here anymore. Your father obviously doesn’t give a shit about either of you, so you’re of no use to me.”
Her defensive stance fell for such a brief second, I thought I’d imagined it. “No use?”
I wanted to take the words back, but I couldn't. She had to leave and get as far away from me as possible.
She started to slam her fists against my chest over and over again. “I fucking gave myself to you.” I let her get it all out.
“I thought that was what you wanted.” My face remained a mask of calm.
“It was.” She squared her shoulders and brushed past me. I followed close behind. She headed toward the front doors, and for a second I was confused as to what she was doing.
“I didn’t mean you have to leave right this minute.”
“What, you want to squeeze in one last fuck?” She asked abruptly. The words stung, but that was fair. “You’re a fucking asshole, Calthorpe, of the worst fucking kind.” Her voice broke.
She picked up the phone and dialed two; she knew it would connect her to my drivers. She requested a car which was waiting out front for her in minutes. She jumped into it without looking back at me. There was nothing more to say.
I called Seth and had him release Gabriel. Gabriel exited the elevator and nodded at me
Soon they would both be rid of Russo too, and then they’d be free. That was the only gift I could give her.
