The Seduction (Finding Forever #2) - Jessie Jones Page 0,68

the hospital, Gillian had promised that she would head straight to the airport after the meeting. He not only had a guard with her, but he had guards stationed outside the hospital. John wanted to take no chances with Gillian. After all, if he had his way, the two would have a long life together.

John's eyes momentarily drifted to the door of the conference room as he heard it open. He then watched Luther walk into the room and look directly at him. A lump formed in John's throat when he saw the look on his most trusted guard's face. He knew instinctually that something was wrong.

"Tania, please show these gentlemen out for a moment. I need a word with Luther." Without hesitation, the men stood up and followed the petite Russian secretary out of the conference room. When the door closed behind them, John looked at the guard and asked, "What's wrong?"

"John, we just got word that Pandora is in Paris, and you won't believe who she was spotted with," Luther said as he watched the Brit's eyes blacken. "Your enemy and mine, Galen Stavros."

"Fuck, kitten!" John yelled in fear as he jumped to his feet and immediately headed toward the door with Luther in tow.

Across town, Gillian walked out of her meeting with Bennet. As she closed the door to his office, a tall, muscular Italian guard fell in step behind her as she made her way down the hospital corridor. Gillian could not wipe the silly smile from her lovely face. John had been so affectionate this morning, and she found herself eagerly awaiting his return. Glancing down at her hand, the American beauty eyed the ring that John had given her. The ring was six carats, an oval diamond surrounded by another four to five carats of rubies and was the most stunning piece of jewelry she had ever seen. Gillian had rejected the ring at first because she knew it had cost John a small fortune, but her lover had insisted that she wear it. Hugging her hand to her chest a moment, she inhaled and sighed in total happiness. Could the day get any better?

Deep in her own thoughts, Gillian did not see the woman approaching her quickly. Before she knew what was happening, she ran smack into a solid body. The guard behind Gillian caught her as she stumbled backward. As the guard stood her back up, Gillian lifted her eyes and the breath caught in her throat when she saw Pandora standing before her. Her heart immediately began to race, and she felt heat turning her face red as she watched the Greek beauty burst into tears.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Gillian heard herself ask angrily as she attempted to put distance between herself and Pandora. However, as she did this, the guard's grip tightened on her arm.

"It's John!" Pandora cried, the tears streaming down her face. "He's been shot!"

"Oh my God!" Gillian whispered as her hand covered her mouth and tears immediately filled her eyes. Her free hand found the guard's arm for support as the overwhelming feeling of nausea and lightheadedness came over her. In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, "Is he alive? Where is he?"

"On his way to the hospital. He needs your help. The guards sent me to get you."

"You were with John when he was shot?" Gillian asked, already aware of the answer. Tears fell down her face as she waited for Pandora's response. If she didn't have ahold of the guard, Gillian knew that she would be lying flat on the floor.

"Of course, I was. Where else would I be?" Pandora said as her eyes locked with the American's.

Trying to catch her breath, Gillian pushed aside the hurt and betrayal she was feeling. John needed her help, and even though he had lied to her, she loved him. Gillian would do anything to save the man she loved, even if it meant she couldn't have him. Grabbing Pandora's hand, she said, "Follow me."

Jerking her hand from the American's grasp, Pandora yelled, "Let go of me! What in the hell are you doing?"

"This is the best hospital in Paris, so they should be bringing John in through the ER any minute."

"They aren't bringing John here!" Pandora replied with wide eyes. "His condition is too dire for him to travel this far. I have a car downstairs waiting for us. You need to come with me now!"

Gillian was jerked behind the Greek model