LOGINGABRIELLE’S POVMy jaw dropped. “But if she’s your grandmother how is she —““Poor?” Martha cut in with a laugh. “Don’t hurt your head guessing. I’m his maternal grandmother. His father's side is the side with all the money.“I straightened. “I'm asking how you’re a gold digger when your grandson is a billionaire.”Her smile faded and Damon stiffened beside me. “Can’t a girl be an entrepreneur?” She asked, her smile coming back. “Besides, I like how I’m living. But I see why everybody hates the guy.”I leaned closer. “I believe you could do better than that. You could get another rich old man, not that.”“If it’s any consolation, I’ll get someone better and younger when he dies and leaves all his money to me,” she winked at me. Damon’s phone rang in his pocket and he excused himself to pick it up. I cleared my throat. “You didn’t answer my question. Damon can give you whatever you ask for. Why are you doing this?”“I don’t want any of his stained money,” Martha said as he walked aw
GABRIELLE’S POV They led me to a table in a private lounge where three women were already sitting. One of them was Anya—Lila’s mother. Her eyes lifted the moment I stepped in, and a slow smile spread across her face. “Well,” she said, her voice honeyed. “The infamous Gabrielle.” I sat down, my fingers still wrapped around my glass. “Infamous? I didn’t realize I’d earned a title already.” “You did the moment Damon brought you here,” one of the other women said, crossing her legs. Her nails were painted black, matching the stone on her ring. “You’re one of us, love. Or soon to be, if you prefer. I’m Monique, the third ex-wife.” Anya dropped her glass. “We’ve met before so no more introductions necessary. I was the first, Naomi the second, Monique was the third,” she turned to her left. “And the fourth one is Malika who got my daughter a giant monster called a teddy bear.” Malika rolled her eyes. “It was my first time in this country and I heard the kids love them he
GABRIELLE’S POV I pushed at his chest, but he didn’t move. His body heat trapped me, and the music from the bar still thumped faintly through the walls. “You don’t own me,” I said. “No?” he murmured, tilting my chin up. “But you wanted me to see you. Didn’t you?” “You don’t get to act jealous,” I snapped. “You left me waiting all night and you claimed it wasn’t a big deal. Now you’re being possessive?” “You were supposed to stay out of this world,” he said, his voice rougher now. “You think it’s a game?” “Oh, please,” I said, my throat tight. “I’m a virgin not a prude. I know about drugs, strippers, and sex.” His eyes darkened. “That’s not all this place is. That’s what I came here for last night. To cut my ties with them.” My mouth parted but no words came out. “And now that I just hauled a man across the room for you, they know you’re special to me,” he said, his voice tight. “Do you realize how much danger that puts you in?” My anger dimmed, replaced by some
GABRIELLE’S POV The jet took me to New York, where I proceeded to wait for Damon all night in a hotel. He didn’t show up. I wondered why I still expected him to behave like a proper human being and communicate when he’d be late. I got off the bed and freshened up before calling room service for breakfast. I checked the bags for something I could wear but most of my things were in the other jet with Damon. I decided to check his bags for a shirt or jacket and that was when I saw his iPad. Curiosity got the best of me and I turned it on. It was password and finger print secured so I couldn’t unlock it. I connected it to the WiFi and his location from few hours ago popped up. EDEN I wondered where could be so I searched it on my phone. The results came back with photos and my fist clenched. He was at a strip bar while I waited all night for him. Screw him. I turned the iPad off and kept it in his bag. A knock came on my door. I opened it, expecting room s
DAMON’S POV I waited until the car turned the corner before walking away. Being around Gabrielle too much wasn’t good for either of us. A car was parked a few blocks away. I got into the front passenger seat. “How long have you been waiting?” Fiorella smiled. “Thirty minutes. What took you so long? The plane was ready an hour ago.” “I had business to attend to,” I said, adjusting my jacket. The same business I was attending to was right in my pocket. Fiorella arched a brow, her eyes flicking to the tension in my shoulders. “Business that leaves you looking like that?” I ignored her, reaching into my pocket. The fabric brushed against my fingers before I pulled it out — her underwear, still faintly warm from earlier. I stared at it for a moment before tucking it back in. Fiorella noticed. “You’re getting sloppy, Damon.” “Watch your tone,” I said quietly. She smirked. “It’s the truth. The great Damon Gravari doesn’t lose control for anyone.” “Gabrielle isn’
GABRIELLE’S POV“Pull your dress down,” Damon said, tucking the handkerchief in his pocket with my underwear. I sat up, my body limp and the tension gone from my shoulders. “Is… is that all?”“I’m very close to my limits, Gabrielle,” he said, his voice tight and edged with restraint. “Pull your dress down.”I did as he said. “You’ve done that before, though?” he asked, his eyes still on everywhere but me. “No, not really,” I said. “It was always solo. Jared and I —““Thank you for reminding me I could still kill him for ever touching you,” Damon cut in, his tone calm but the edge in it made my stomach twist.His jaw flexed, and he finally looked at me — that slow, dangerous lift of his eyes that made my pulse trip over itself.“Damon…” I whispered, unsure whether to be scared or flattered.He leaned closer, voice low. “Don’t say his name around me again. I don’t want to picture anyone else’s hands on you.”I swallowed hard, the sound loud in the silence between us. “He’s in the pas







