Page 74 of Tangled with the Tight End

I chuckle softly and step closer to him as happiness is resurrected inside of me. “I love you.”

“You’d better.” His eyes gleam as he presses his lips to mine, causing my stomach to flop. This kiss is tender and slow as he wraps his arms around me and lazily swipes his tongue along the seam of my lips before delving inside. I wrap my arms around his neck and lean into him, suddenly feeling like my knees will give out.

What about Sloane? And Gino? The intrusive thoughts swirl in my head, and I pull back.

His eyes narrow in anger. “I hate that she’s put this look of worry on your beautiful face, but rest assured, I’ll do everything I can to fix it. I won’t let her waltz in and ruin everything I’ve fought for.”

He grabs my hand and leads me to the sofa, pulling me down to his lap. When my legs are straddled around him, I lay my hands on his chest, loving the feel of the steady beat of his heart under my palms.

“The security firm I’ve hired has found a lot of information that can be used against her.” He clears his throat. “She poked holes in the condom when we had sex that first night. The night Gino was conceived. She’d done this with several other players, other wealthy men, trying to trap one of them into getting her pregnant and sliding into the easy life.”

My stomach clenches as his words sink in, but he doesn’t give me the chance to speak. “One of her friends shared with my investigator that she would get the guys drunk, some highon date rape drugs, and then offer to assist with putting on the condom.” His eyes darken, making bile rise in my throat. “I feel like a fool for falling for it.”

“Don’t.” I cup his cheeks as the stubble from his 5 o’clock shadow pricks my palms.

He licks his lips. “Thank you, but I still feel like a fool. Anyway, I questioned Gino’s paternity when he was born and had his DNA tested. He’s mine, and I plan to keep him that way.”

“Good.”

His arms press around me, pulling me closer. “She showed up today because the other guy dumped her for his pregnant girlfriend, who is one of her friends, and the news is reporting I’m due for a lucrative contract.”

“I’m sorry she’s so conniving.” The woman’s audacity to trick him like that is unfathomable.

“I’m willing to do anything to keep Gino.”

“I support you completely in that. He has no business seeing her again.”

“I’m going to report her actions to the press. I was originally only going to use the information as leverage, but she needs to be stopped from doing this again to some other unsuspecting man. Finn said she tried it on him, but he’d heard about her and made sure he stayed in control of his protection. Another of her girlfriends shared that she’s already been trolling the bars since the day Finn broke things off with her. I’m sorry if that–”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m proud of you.”

“It’s what I need to do.” He shrugs. “I don’t care if sharing it with the world makes me look foolish, and I’m going to take her to court for fraud and sole custody of Gino.” His eyes are solemn as he continues, “Someday, when he’s a few years older, I’ll tell him the truth because I don’t want him reading it online or have one of his friends shove it in his face that he wasconceived against my will. I’ll make sure he knows that I love him unconditionally.”

My heart swells with pride over this man and his love for his son. Sharing these accusations with the public when he’s in the national spotlight is a big risk, and few men would willingly take that risk.

“I wanted you to know before reporting everything.” Anger flashes over his features. “She didn’t even want to see Gino today. I can’t forgive her for that or for how she talked to you this morning.”

“You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever known. Thank you for telling me. And, of course, I support you every step of the way. No matter what.”

“Babe….” The anger fades from his eyes as relief and happiness overtake his features. “I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you in my life.” One corner of his mouth arches upward. “And if you’d be willing, I’d be happy to show you.”

“Yeah, I think you should.” I wink. “At least here, no one else has a key.”

“That’s a low blow.” He lowers me to the sofa and kisses every inch of me as he removes each piece of clothing until I’m a melted puddle of ecstasy.

forty

GABRIEL

When I toldCoach Slater I wouldn’t arrive until the next day, he was concerned but understood once I explained the situation. Norah flew down with me to Florida to provide moral support and to watch Gino while I met with my attorney and Martin Truman from Truman Security.

Because of the allegations of drugs for some of her encounters, my attorney called in the Chief of Police, who interviewed for three hours straight.

Then, he met with the other witnesses to different conversations Sloane had held about Gino’s conception. Finn and his new girlfriend, Dakota, were informative regarding the other men she slept with, specifically those she drugged.

It’s now six hours after we arrived, and a police officer is on his way to pick up Sloane for questioning. It might not turn into anything, but it’ll be another nail to hammer into her coffin when I speak with the press.

I step into the hallway and call Norah.

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