LINDEN It was still surreal watching my father talking with Gustav. I didn’t think it would happen sooner, but looking at them getting along was fulfilling for me and Estelle. “You okay?” Estelle placed her hand on my thigh under the table. “Yeah. You?” I didn’t have to ask because I saw it in her eyes. She looked happy. This must have been her dream for a long time, not seeing her parents at each other’s throats. Willa gave me a questioning look, sitting next to Dad. I slightly shook my head and smiled. “I’ve been to many restaurants, but your food has a distinct taste that I didn’t find anywhere. What’s the secret? Am I allowed to ask it?” Dad chuckled. “It’s all the same. The ingredients we choose but how we prepare and cook are different.” “I also try cooking at home if I have time, but not as close to good as this. Edible, though,” Gustav said. “I can’t cook anything fancy, but I know a few pasta recipes. I just don’t have time, I guess.” Deirdre also enjoyed the menu.
ESTELLE“Gabriel Rembrandt, do you take Estelle Rae Solace to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”“I do.”“Estelle Rae Solace, do you take Gabriel Rembrandt to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”“I do.”“I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.” He put the ring on my finger.“I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love,” I repeated as I slipped the ring into his finger.“By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of Isola di Marettimo, Italy, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”Linden in a solid beige suit was a sight to behol
ESTELLE Sixteen months later “Hey, baby.” I couldn’t help but smile. Who would have thought I could be this happy and contented with life? I had a thriving company. I had friends, families, and my baby Rae. And my parents turned out to be good as best friends. And my husband, my best friend, my lover, my anchor. God, how could I be so lucky to have a man like Gabriel Linden? “I’m on my way home. Where are you?” “I’ll be home in one hour. I’m still at Osmium. Do you need anything?” Linden’s company had three times more employees and opened two HQs in Dubai and Qatar. I was so proud of him. No matter how busy he was, he made sure to have time for me and his daughter. “Nope. Just checking how long you would be home.” I took over the chairman chair from my dad, but I always got so excited to go home to him and to be with our baby. “Why?” There was an excitement in his voice. “I could wait a few minutes in the tub. I thought you might wanna join me.” He groaned out a curse. “
LINDEN“What a surprise when I checked my schedule for today.” I rose from my seat to meet Moses Braddson, one of the world’s most powerful and influential billionaires, and he was standing before me, aging like a fine wine.“How are you, Gabe?” We shook hands before he pulled me into a hug like how he did to his son, Striker Cade, one of my brothers and best friends.“I’m good, boss. Thank you,” I replied as I pulled back. I still wondered what this visit was all about. He always called and met me in his estate if he wanted to talk, so Moses being here perplexed me.“Can I offer you something?”“Gabe, I’m like your father, and you’re still calling me boss and treating me like one.”“I owe you—”He gestured for me to stop. “You don’t owe me anything. I am the one who owed a huge debt to you.”“If you mean Cade, I will always protect his ass, take a bullet for him because that’s what brothers do, boss. I call you boss because I have a huge respect for you, and you’re my best friend’s f
ESTELLE “Are you sure you wanna go alone?” “I’ll be fine.” I looked at Quinn through the mirror as I did my final touch on my makeup. His tall and athletic physique stood at the door with brows squeezed together. His brown eyes pinned at me. Quinn Hunter had been my bodyguard for three years. He was loyal and dedicated and would do anything for me, even maybe catch a bullet— I hoped it would not come to that. When I had a conflict with my father, Quinn stayed even if Gustav Bladwyn was the one who hired him. I couldn’t ask for a better man to protect me than Quinn. “You know what to do,” he prompted, unimpressed. I sighed as I picked up my panic button. “Yes, sir.” “I’m serious, Estelle. Unless you wanna go back to your father.” “I just want a drink and walk down the beach alone.” “Are you,” he said hesitantly. “Going to bring home a date?” His question made me laugh. I turned to face him. His expression didn’t change. “What made you say that? Because I’m going out alone? Y
LINDEN I’d been staring at the ceiling in my hotel suite for an hour and couldn’t sleep. I wanted to update Moses that I found Estelle Bladwyn, but it was too early to go with the plan. I didn’t want to spook her and Quinn.I picked up my phone and went through her Instagram account. Still, she hadn’t uploaded anything new except for Star Cosmetics and Star Activewear accounts, which the social media manager handled.I couldn’t believe her father wanted her to marry for a business alliance. It wasn’t new to me. In fact, my brothers married their wives through arranged marriages. Thankfully, they were all happy. Estelle, on the other hand, was another story. Gustav Bladwyn didn’t mention this important part, and so as Moses. Why? I was going to find it out, and the man arranged to Estelle.She was stunning, though— hot as fuck. She was funny, but I could see the distrust in her eyes, given that her own father had broken her trust. I got it. She didn’t know me. I guessed it was a good
ESTELLE Quinn was waiting for me at the door. The villa was too big for both of us but safer, and I valued my privacy very much, considering my current situation. “I’m early, am I?” Quinn took the bag of the dinner I brought for him, still wearing the same expression since I left hours ago. “You’re mad at me?” “I feel useless. You might as well fire me if you just want to bench me.” “I have pepper spray and know a few basic self-defense moves.” “That’s not funny, Estelle. When you are in that situation, you will forget everything you know. You will panic.” “What situation exactly?” I lifted my chin. “That someone will kidnap me?” “What if someone will recognize you and spike your drink?” “I’m sure you paid some locals to tip you if I’m in trouble.” “You always have answers to everything. I hope we won’t come to that, Estelle, because I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, and I wasn’t there to protect you.” Quinn left, leaving me in the Mediterranean-sty
LINDEN Estelle agreed to a boat ride but didn’t want to swim. She was already wearing a skimpy tiny yellow two-piece that barely covered those goods. And she had an ass that was made to be gripped hard. When I agreed to find her, I knew I would be in trouble, but Moses was like my second father, and he never treated me differently despite how wealthy and powerful he was. And even if I wanted to retreat, it was too late, and I was not the kind of man who left unfinished jobs to others. I’d never had a hard-on watching women in swimsuits, but Estelle had this effect on me that I could no longer ignore. And her skin is so soft and smooth against my palm. I’d touched a lot of women’s skin, but something different, when I touched her, it sent jolts of electricity in my spine, rushing in my balls. I faltered and jumped into the water, knowing it was cold, freezing my ass, and she just watched me from the boat. For the past few months, I managed to hide my desires, control my need, and