“She still needs to breathe, Darian,” I hear Rosy say from behind him, and Darian relaxes his squeeze. As always, Rosy is waiting for me with a warm smile. She’s always been the sweetheart of the family and the softness we all needed.
“I was going to let him live, but I think I’ve changed my mind,” Darian mutters under his breath.
“Shall I get the shovel?” Rosy asks, sounding serious, but she’s fighting a smile.
“You’re not killing anyone while you’re pregnant,” I remind her.
“Not you too. I already have to deal with how overbearing he is all the time and you’re supposed to be the voice of reason.”
I laugh, wiping the tears away quickly. “Come here.” I give Rosy a hug next because I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without seeing them. It’s been almost four weeks, but I had to get away.
Before I left the island, I emailed Darian telling him I was in over my head and he needed to find someone else. I’d only been running the company a week and I let secrets fall into the wrong hands because a man seduced me. Never in my life would I have thought that was possible.
“You got some sun,” Rosy says, and I nod as I put my hand on her very small baby bump. “You’re glowing.”
“The twins dragged me all over the place.” There wasn't a dull moment, and I think they thought by keeping me busy it would distract me. It worked, but only for a short time. Every moment I was alone, especially at night, the thoughts of him would return.
While I was with them it was impossible to not have moments of laughter. I knew that, and it’s why I’d gone to them to get away. Also on the off-chance Gibson did try and chase me, it wouldn't be possible unless Darian helped him.
I think that might have been a pipe dream because Gibson got what he wanted, and I haven’t heard from him since. I didn't understand him trying to plead with me after I caught him in the act, but I suppose his plan could have been to keep stealing secrets. Did he think I was that stupid?
“How are the girls?” Darian asks as we head into the kitchen where he makes both Rosy and me a pot of tea. Rosy scrunches her nose up at it because she really wants coffee.
“They’re good. It’s nice to see them so relaxed and free without a care in the world.” Darian sets the tea down in front of me, and I let it steep.
“That’s what I wanted for all of you.”
“I’m not sure I’m built that way.” I was feeling lost before Darian dropped the company into my lap. I was so used to people needing me for one reason or another. Then when they didn't, I had no clue what to do with myself.
“You ever think you have empty nest syndrome?” Rosy asks, taking my own thoughts right out of my head.
“I’m kind of young for that.”
“You’ve been raising these guys since you were a kid yourself,” she points out. “And even raising me too along the way.”
“Maybe so.” I take a sip of my tea and shrug. “I don’t know what I want anymore.” A little voice in my heart whispers that I want Gibson. How can I hate him and still want him?
“Men will do that to you.” Rosy bumps my shoulder with hers.
“Hey.” Darian fakes like we hurt his feelings then sobers. “The company is still waiting for you.”
“What? Why? Who’s been running it?” I fire one question after another. While I was gone, if my thoughts didn't drift to Gibson, they would drift to the company hoping everything was okay. I’m also holding on to some guilt about how I left without so much as a warning. I did what I thought was best, but it wasn’t exactly professional.
“If you’d called me you might know the answers to those questions.” He gives me a pointed look.
“I’m sorr—” The look he shoots me has me cutting off another apology.
“It’s pretty much running itself, to be honest, and you were always better at handling a business than me. Sure, I could create, but you know how to build teams and make them function smoothly and efficiently. Mary has been overseeing things, but even she’s had some downtime.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, wondering if that downtime is with Cora. I miss both of them.
“I might be good at that, but I’m also good at giving away company secrets.” I close my eyes, not wanting to cry again. “I was so stupid because I went and fell in love with him.” It burns to admit it, but if I can tell anyone the truth, it's Rosy and Darian.
“I know you did,” Darian says, making my eyes fly open. “I can’t think of anything else that would send you running. It happens, and trust me when I say it can happen fucking fast.”
Rosy leans into him, and I remember how their love was instant. The two of them have been together forever, and that isn't going to ever change. I’m not sure my brother could function without her.
“I didn’t run, I was taking a break.” Of course I ran, not only from Gibson but from facing Darian too.
“Well, he finished the project ahead of time along with some great mods. It’s already rolling out, so even if he gave secrets away, they wouldn’t be any good.” He shrugs like the bomb he just dropped is no big deal. “Mary says he never leaves the lab and won’t stop asking about you.”
“What!” I nearly shout as I sit up straight. “He still works there? How is this possible? He stole from the company.” He stole from me too, but I don’t say that out loud.
“Technically, you still work there too,” Darian points out.
“I resigned.” My head is starting to spin and so is my stomach.
“Your resignation was rejected, and you didn't fire Gibson.”
“I think I’m going to be sick.” I jump up from the chair and run toward the bathroom. I barely make it before the muffin I ate on the plane is coming up.
I feel someone come in the room once the contents of my stomach are flushed. I sit there and a cool wet towel is placed on my neck.
“Here.” Rosy holds it for me, and I use it to wipe my face. “You know I throw up sometimes too,” she says suspiciously, and I jerk my head up to meet her gaze. Her comment about me glowing comes back around, but it means nothing. I’ve been sick a few times over the last week, but between the nerves about the company and Gibson and the travel, I chalked it up to that.
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m on the pill.”
“Are you good at taking them?”
I am, so why is she insinuating that pregnancy is a possibility? I mean, taking them was never a big deal before, but between going to the island and then the storm and power outages, I got so wrapped up in Gibson and everything else. Oh shit, this is not happening.
“You should talk to him,” Darian says, leaning up against the door of the bathroom.
“Let’s take a test first. I’ve got some in the master bathroom,” Rosy suggests, and I nod in agreement.
“Either way. You still need to talk to him,” Darian pushes.
If only it was so easy.
Chapter 14
Gibson
Over the past couple of years, my business has taken me all over the globe and away from some of my favorite parts about my work. Being in the lab and working with my hands to figure out problems, streamline production, and see the success being built in front of me gives me an internal reward that being in a boardroom never did.