Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,91

my name cleared. I also want to remember what happened that night.”

“Do you remember anyone else there you might have recognized?”

She thought about what I was asking, finally shaking her head. “No, but I heard a male voice. He was arguing with Bobby. I felt woozy and had gone to the bathroom. I remember hearing how heated they were. Then everything went black.”

Another male voice. Bobby had been hired to keep an eye on her. What if the second male had planned on Bobby dying at the club then framed Alessandra? When that had failed, perhaps the real perpetrator had been forced to kill Luis. There were too many questions and I was no damn detective. “You didn’t recognize the voice?”

“I don’t think so, but when I hear it in a dream, it’s muddled. There’s nothing special about it. A sophisticated voice in an argument with Bobby.”

Inhaling, I allowed the beautiful scent of her perfume to fill me, fueling both my desire as well as my drive to find the answers. “I will find the person responsible. You have my promise.” I was already labeled a killer, a man who had no care of taking a precious life. Why not continue with the very label that I’d been forced to wear for ten long years?

As Kito appeared in the distance, I cringed, lowering my head as I pulled her face into my hands. “You are my light, my need that drives me to succeed. You are the reason I can survive this. You will hear terrible things about me. Sadly, they are all true. For now, you still belong to me, but I will be forced to let you go. You are far too beautiful and pure.”

I pressed my lips against hers, savoring the taste of her instead of simply devouring her mouth. I wanted these few precious moments to last. They would be even more fleeting, but I would enjoy every inch of her, ravaging her as often as possible. She would forever remember that some part of her belonged to me.

She clung to me, her hands gripping my wrists, the kiss as close to a sweet farewell as I could manage. I slipped my tongue inside, darting mine across hers as she rose to her knees, arching her back in acceptance of our insanity. And I loved her even more.

When I eased back, Kito lowered his head, as if spying on our passion was a breach in protocol.

“What is it, Kito?”

“You have a visitor. Mr. Williams. He refused to leave.”

I shifted my gaze back toward her, kissing her forehead. “Everything will be all right.”

“I don’t know how it can be, especially if you won’t forgive yourself.”

Forgiveness. My mother had once told me that forgiving was divine. I’d laughed then, a young man with no reason to question his behavior. Now I understood the very reason she’d issued the words.

I should forgive my father.

Never.

I should forgive my brothers.

In time.

I should forgive myself.

I could only laugh.

I walked into my office, finding only Jefferson inside, but I could tell by the look on his face that he knew I was well aware of his act of betrayal. Forgiveness might never be a capability I could possess, but I was certainly able to rid my world of parasites.

“Just the man I wanted to see,” I stated as I stood behind my desk.

“When did Liam arrive?”

Taking a deep breath, I held it for several seconds before speaking. “Moments before my past was flashed across the various networks. I have to wonder who might do such a thing.” I remained unblinking as he grew more uncomfortable.

“I am certain Liam told you that I went to Ireland.”

“He did. Were you seeking the gory details, Jefferson, or just a reason to satisfy your curiosity?”

“I was trying to help you, Gabriel. Not everyone is vying to destroy you. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve already done that to yourself.”

He wanted me to bristle, to lose my temper. Instead, I smiled. “Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I do need to spend my time finding happiness. Maybe I’ve actually already done that.”

As he tipped his head, searching my eyes, I could see the same arrogance as always, but there was another entirely different emotion. Pity. It would seem I’d fallen so far in the world, empathy was required in order to deal with me.

“I’ve come to tender my resignation, Gabriel. I’m certain you can no longer trust me.” He eased an envelope from his pocket, sliding it across my desk.

I