Page 23 of Attorney Privilege
Gideon pulls me into his lap, and I rest my head on his shoulder, relaxing against him. For the first time in my life, I feel seen. It’s like he’s unlocked my soul and understands every part of it.
“Thank you,” I say, brushing my nose against his neck. I close my eyes, wanting to savor this moment. His fingers drift gently up and down my back, and I’ve never been more at peace.
“Don’t thank me,” he says, but it sounds like he’s far away. He’s warm against me, so I know he’s right here, but I’m too comfortable to lift my head.
When I open my eyes again, bright light is streaming around me, and I’m in Gideon’s bed. I jerk awake and glance next to me, but he’s not there.
“Holy shit.” I jump out of bed and try to remember what happened. Gideon was holding me and then it was lights out. I must have fallen asleep on him and he put me in his bed.
Where the heck did he go? I want to talk to him, but what if he left the hotel? Maybe he doesn’t want to see me get married to another man. I can’t blame him. The thought of never seeing Gideon again makes a deep ache throb in my chest.
I search the room like he could be hiding under the bed before I have no choice but to go back to my own room. Time’s up, and I have to face my fate.
Chapter Fourteen
GIDEON
“Thank goodness you were here.” Conner’s father, Frank Merritt, claps me on the back. “You’ll be at the wedding, won’t you?”
I grind my teeth and give him a sharp nod so I can get the fuck out of here. This is what I get for leaving Emerson.
“Great, great. We’ll talk Monday.” He pulls me in close, and I can smell whiskey on his breath. Either he stayed up all night drinking or that’s what he had for breakfast. My money is on the latter. “But you’ll make sure this doesn’t leak to the press, right?”
“Of course.” My smile is tight, but I’m good at keeping my emotions in check. Otherwise I would have burned this hotel to the ground already.
Last night when Emerson fell asleep in my arms, it was the most peaceful thing I’ve ever experienced. Hearing her talk about her family and her life growing up, my heart broke for all the things she didn’t have. Sure, her family was filthy rich, but there’s no substitute for love. She grew up never feeling like she was good enough and not trusting her family to do what was best for her. When I carried her to bed and she cuddled next to me, it felt like I’d earned it. Emerson whispered my name in her sleep and reached for me like I was her only lifeline.
When my phone vibrated a few hours later, I saw that it was Gamer’s number on the screen. I shouldn’t have answered it, but deep down, I was hoping for a confrontation with him. I wanted to tell him to break it off with Emerson and let her be free, but instead, I got a new mess to deal with.
Apparently Conner wanted to spend his last night of freedom going balls out. Not only was he doing line after line while drinking, but the woman he brought to his room invited a few friends. When he passed out mid-orgy, she grabbed his phone and called the number marked Lawyer instead of the cops.
I called an ambulance, and by the time I got to his hotel room, the paramedics were there waking him up. He refused to go with them and called his dad, and that’s how I ended up here in this mess. Frank Merritt talked to the women before they left, and I’m sure each of them was paid handsomely for their silence.
Now Gamer is hungover as fuck and groaning on the couch next to us. He’s got a sheet around his waist and keeps dry heaving into a trash can.
“We’ve got to meet your mother downstairs,” Frank tells his son as a look of disgust passes over his face. “Clean yourself up. It’s your wedding day, for Christ's sake.”
The sounds of him berating his son are still going as I leave the hotel room. I have no sympathy for either of them, especially when this affects Emerson. I’ve stood by long enough, but I refuse to let her tie herself to this piece of shit.
Once I’m out of the room, I’m half running to the stairs when I come to a dead stop. The door to Emerson’s suite is open, and when I catch a glimpse of her, I almost fall to my knees.
She’s standing there in her wedding dress, looking like something out of my dreams. For a long moment, I wonder if I am dreaming. Then she turns in my direction, and our eyes lock.
“What are you doing? We need to go.” That’s when I see her mother behind her, practically shoving her out of the room. “Oh good, a bellhop. You, come take my bag.”
She holds it out to me, and I’m so shaken by the sight of Emerson in the dress that I take it. Emerson flushes with embarrassment as her eyes widen. She goes to say something to her mother, but I shake my head.
“Allow me.” I hold out my arm for Emerson, and she steps closer, sliding her hand through my elbow.
“Gideon,” she whispers so only I can hear.
“This dress is too much. I can hardly stand next to you. Take the elevator on your own. I’ve got to greet our guests. You’re to go to the bridal room and wait to be called.” She snaps her fingers at me. “See that she doesn’t fall on her face on the way there.”
Clearly her mother doesn’t remember that I’m the lawyer that did the prenup for Emerson, so I don’t bother correcting her. Instead, I watch her get on the open elevator and take it down alone. When she’s gone, I toss her bag in the garbage can next to us, and it makes Emerson laugh.
“I’m so sorry. I’d say she’s not usually like that, but it’s pretty standard.” Emerson looks up at me, her eyes filled with worry. “Where were you?”
“It’s a long story.” A second set of elevator doors opens, and I pull her on. “I’ll tell you later, but I need you to trust me, okay?”
