Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,95

I’d expected. I gazed at the small clock, my nerves kicking in. This wasn’t the day I’d expected. Then again, nothing was the way it should be. As the door opened, the hulking mass of a man I now knew as Kito offered what had become his kind smile and appreciative eyes.

“Ms. Toro, a messenger came for you.” He walked further in, an envelope in his hand. I’d never seen him in anything but a suit. Always the professional. Always the man watching for any sign of disturbance. Today, he looked handsome, something I hadn’t allowed myself to notice before.

Yet I noticed the indentation of his service weapon positioned in a shoulder holster. No one was going to dare destroy what Gabriel had created.

“A messenger?”

He nodded. “I didn’t think Mr. Masters would mind since it’s your wedding day and all.”

I hesitated before moving closer, tentatively accepting it. “Thank you.”

“I’ll be back in about fifteen minutes.” He gave me another onceover, his eyes glistening. “If it’s not out of line, I would like to tell you that you’ve been very good for Mr. Masters. I’ve never seen him so happy.”

Happy. Was there such a word that existed in our world? “Thank you, Kito. I appreciate your kindness.”

He backed away, returning to his usual stoic manner. I waited until he’d closed the door before going to the luxurious chair that had been my place of comfort. The handwriting was easy to recognize, the realization my father had sent something after his death only increasing my curiosity as well as my anger. Why was he playing some kind of game? What had been his intent?

This time my hands weren’t shaking as I peeled away the flap, pulling the single page into my fingers. Also nestled inside was a key. I held it into the light, turning it back and forth. It went to a lockbox of some kind. As I opened the letter, I held my breath.

“My beautiful daughter,

If you’re receiving this letter, then this is your wedding day. How exciting for you and I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there to share in your special day. By now you are aware that I took intellectual property from Gabriel. While you may not be able to understand my actions, no matter the reason, the ugly truth is that I did so in order to protect you. I haven’t always been a good man in my life, but you were my shining light, my greatest joy. To have your life threatened was something I couldn’t tolerate.

To that end, I did what was asked, taking information that could prove damning to Gabriel and his company. I want you to know that I couldn’t go through with it. I couldn’t destroy a man I’d grown to care for. That is why I did the only thing I knew would keep you safe. By marrying Gabriel, no one will dare try to touch you. He is far more powerful than you know and will protect you with his life. I’ve taken other measures in order to right the wrong. You will find additional answers by using this key, the lockbox at the little bank where I met your mother.

Know I will always watch out for you and love you with all my heart.

Daddy”

I fisted the key, butterflies swarming my stomach. He’d risked everything in his world, including his life to keep me protected. I’d read about ruthless people in my life, men and women who would stop at nothing to gain more power and wealth. While I had no way of knowing all the reasons why such an elaborate game had been established in order to ruin Gabriel in every manner, I was certain of the person responsible.

While I’d believed Gabriel to be a monster, I realized that he was my hero, a knight in tarnished armor. At least this I could do in order to give him back his life, my wedding present to the man I couldn’t imagine being without.

I slowly moved toward the nightstand, placing the letter and the key on top. I’d squirreled away a single pen and as I eased onto the bed, writing Gabriel a note he would find later, I only hoped that whatever was in the lockbox would ease his pain. Satisfied, I moved to the window, studying the lavishly decorated pool area, various caterers and staff making final preparations for the small reception that would be held immediately after.

And nothing seemed real.

Within no time, Kito returned, ready to