Page 89 of Untamed Protector

Gabriel points to the fridge, then grabs my hand and pulls me in for a tight hug. “Don’t worry, they’ll manage. You come and get your birthday wishes and kisses.”

“But it’s not my birthday, Gabriel. I don’t mind a good party, but my actual birthday isn’t for months!”

“No, baby. Your birthday is every month now, starting today. I’ll keep throwing you parties and showering you with love until we make up for all those years when nobody said Happy Birthday to you. Your birthday is not just another day on the calendar. It’s a reminder of the amazing woman you are. Never doubt how special and important you are. Happy Birthday, my beautiful girl.”

Strong emotions often find release in tears, but I don’t want to cry anymore. I just want to savor this amazing, kind-hearted, selfless man who’s always there for others. He came into my life by chance, and I never imagined the profound impact he’d have on me. Gabriel has been the answer to every silent prayer for peace. No matter how much I pushed him away, he wouldn’t let me fall; he wouldn’t let me lose myself.

Nothing I’ve wanted in the past few years, neither the desire for revenge nor the need to escape sad memories, can even come close to how alive this man makes me feel. I don’t need to erase the sad memories; I just need to create countless happy ones with Gabriel. Love, not revenge, is the answer. My love for Gabriel.

Epilogue Gabriel

The party fizzled out, leaving behind a peaceful hush. Duke, the sleepyhead, sprawled out by the door, paws in the air, soaking up the afternoon sun. Someone caught him stealing the last slice of cake, but those puppy eyes melted all the anger away. Lexi, Lena, and Alice escaped to the front garden to soak up some sun and finish the last of the ice cream in the fridge.

We ran out of champagne, so Damien and I had to endure yet another of Dominic’s lectures on taste and refinement over coffee.

“Gabriel, my boy, you’ve done well for yourself.” Dominic only came by my place once, in a rush, to drop off my meds when I had a severe cold a year ago. I’d just moved in back then. After that, Mike, Dean, and Glitch swung by to help with my security system. But that’s pretty much all the visitors this house has had—except for an unfortunate visit from Anita, who crashed in late one night, begging me to keep her hidden. This house had been my hideout from the world until Lexi found me.

“It’s a bit too minimalistic for my taste, but I guess it suits you,” Dominic adds.

“Have you thought about a better security system for this place?” Damien asks, as if reading my mind. When Lexi got kidnapped, the guards I had outside were knocked out with a tranquilizer gun. Vargas went all out to make Anita’s wishes happen. He was involved in all kinds of trafficking at the port, so getting his hands on that weapon was a piece of cake for him.

“Yeah, I talked to Glitch. We’re going to upgrade everything. I want to raise my kids safely in this house.”

Dominic flashes that “I-told-you-so” grin, while Damien just smirks, like he’s half-sold, half-still the forever-single dude. I know that club, I used to be a member.

“You’re building a nest, my boy. Huh? Does Lexi know about your plans? Is she pregnant?”

“No, it’s not that. But I’ve been seriously thinking about us settling down.”

“Does she know about these thoughts? Because honestly, I’m so proud of you.”

Dominic—always acting like a big brother. It’s not age, but wisdom and much better social skills that qualify him for the role. He and Damien were like family to me until Lexi came into my life.

“We’ve started discussing it, but she hasn’t given me a final answer yet. That’s what we were talking about on the beach when you guys showed up.”

“Well, hurry up, then. Damn, I’m good. Remember, I called it. I knew she was a keeper. You really hit the jackpot here, Gabe. You won’t find anyone else as beautiful, smart, or willing to put up with all your crazy. Don’t screw this up.”

I wish I could argue with Dom just to shave off some of his keeper-of-all-wisdom arrogance, but he’s right. Lexi is a keeper. I need to move fast, or I’ll lose her. She deserves the world, and I can be there to fulfill her dreams. But I need to play it cool, not scare her off. These past few months, with her by my side every day, have been amazing. The thought of her talking about a life away from me made my heart sink. I had a mini panic attack, imagining her packing bags and moving out.

“What are you guys up to in here?” Lexi asks, sneaking in beside us.

“Dominic’s lecturing us about life, and we’re pretending to listen,” Damien says, winking.

Lexi slides in beside me, her fingers tracing lazy trails down my back. Her other arm wraps around me, pulling me close until her ear rests against my chest, her warmth like a cozy blanket. The surprise party caused a surge of emotions in her. I notice the sparkle in her eyes, replacing the tears, and I can tell she’s savoring every moment. Her hand playfully pinches my back before venturing lower and finally settling on my waist. When did my girl turn into a fearless temptress?

“Damien, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” she says. “What happened to Anita and Vargas? Where were they taken? Did they appeal?”

Damien looks at me, waiting for a nod. Lexi notices and catches his gaze.

“What happened? Is there something you don’t want to tell me?” she insists.

Damien breaks his silence to reveal something we initially decided to keep from Lexi. She needs to put this story, which has scarred her for so many years, behind her and look to the future. There’s nothing she can do about it, anyway. It’s time she let this go.

“Peter’s lawyers worked their magic and got Anita the best possible outcome. They appealed and got her transferred to a low-security prison with advanced medical facilities. The other inmates will give her a hard time, but otherwise, she’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know what to think,” Dominic interrupts. “Anita’s a snake. She’ll buy her protection and run that place in no time. She won’t be in as much danger as Vargas, but she’ll still have a rough ride, going from a life of privilege to misery.”

“And Vargas? What happened to him?” Lexi sighs.

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