“It’s complicated and it’s not that simple. Let me ask you something, “What do you know about her boyfriend, Brendon Sommers?”

“Other than he’s a complete asshole who deserves to be sent to the depths of Hell and never to be seen again, not much. Why?”

“Just curious.”

She pursed her lips together as she narrowed her eyes at me. “You like her. Don’t you?”

“It depends on what you mean by ‘like.’ Wouldn’t you like to see her get out of her situation with Brendon? Start over and make a new life for herself?”

“Well, of course. I’ve been trying for the past year to get her to leave him, but she’s too insecure. She keeps making excuses for this demeaning and degrading behavior.”

“Then fire her or lay her off. Give her the chance at a new life.”

“A life that involves you?” She smiled.

“Of course. She’d be working for me.”

“Unfortunately, we just lost a big department store account and we have to lay off five people. But Gabby wasn’t one of them. We were actually going to promote her to a marketing manager because she’s an amazing employee.”

“Well, now it looks like you’ll be laying her off. Listen, if you do this small favor for me, I will give you the marketing account for my hotel in the Virgin Islands to help with the loss of your department store account.”

“You’d do that?”

“I’m a man of my word. I can have my attorney draw up the contract today.”

“I suppose she would be better off in Seattle. Her best friend lives there and they’re really close. It would be good for her to start a new life there.”

“Then it’s settled.” I stood up and lightly shook her hand. “I’ll have my associate, Peter, give you a call to get Gabrielle’s number and I’ll call you when I know she’s in Seattle. I can trust you will never mention this to anyone.”

“I would never. As far as I’m concerned, this meeting never took place.”

“Thank you. I’ll be in touch soon.” As I began to walk past her, she placed her hand on my arm.

“She’s a really good person. Please don’t hurt her.”

“I won’t,” I said with a small smile.

My plan was now set in motion, full circle, and soon she’d be in Seattle where she belonged.

Chapter 28

Gabrielle

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!” I yelled from across the room. “What were you going to tell me?”!

I was seriously clueless at this point. The only thing I could think of was that he was working with Brendon on a business deal and he was scared to tell me.

He ran his fingers through his hair and inhaled deeply.

“TELL ME!” I screamed.