“It was a lone gunman on a bike. He was wearing a helmet. Everything happened too fast for them register anything useful. However, they are checking security footage as we speak.”

I swallow down a lump in my throat. “I need to meet him, Gabe.”

He sighs. “You can’t, Aaliya. The police don’t know who shot at him, whether it was aimed at him specifically or any of the others who were with him. But he and I both think that he was the target.”

“I need to see him. I need to see for myself that he is fine. Please, Gabe!”

“No! Aaliya, please understand. This is difficult enough as it is. I cannot add Rian and you to this explosive situation.”

“You have no fucking right to decide on my behalf,” I lash out.

I wish I knew where Damien lived then I could have gone to him by myself. I hate that I’m dependent on Gabe to even see him.

“Damien asked me to protect Rian and you. You heard him in his voice message and so, I’m going to do that in the only way I know how to and that is to keep you both away from the glare of the media and possibly, the person who is after him.”

My hand presses against my forehead as I think on his words.

“Aaliya,” Gabe pleads, “you need to be rational about this and work with me. Don’t you think it looks suspicious that you claim to be his wife right after he was shot at? Do you think he’s going to trust you easily? He may just think it’s a ploy used by someone to get to him. Whoever is after him took a huge risk to try and shoot at him in public. What if they have the resources to try and hurt Rian? Are you willing to risk your son’s life?”

My shoulders slump in defeat because Gabe is right. The timing of me telling Damien right now does sound suspect and I’m unwilling to risk my son when Damien still doesn’t remember us.

“He’s been shot at and I can’t even go to him, Gabe.”

“Give him time, Aaliya,” Gabe says. “You bewitched him last night. He couldn’t get his eyes off you when you were dancing with Jonathan. Stay on course with him. Spend time with him. He will remember you on his own. At least try it this way before rushing headlong into confronting him about your truth.”

“But I need to meet him, Gabe. I need to see that he’s safe.”

“You can’t tonight. But I will try to organize something soon. Please give me a day or two. He’s safe right now, rest assured on that.”