Page 53 of Desperate
"Here,charge them to my room." An arm reached around her handing the attended akey card caught Salene by surprise.
Turningaround Salene was more than surprised to see Derek giving her a worried look.The sympathetic look in his eyes only made her eyes water more. Ringing up theitems Derek handed Salene the discrete white paper bag carrying the test.
Walkingback down the long pier towards the bungalow they walked in silence.
"Areyou okay?" Derek finally asked.
"Idon't know yet," She answered honestly. Right now her entire life hingedon these results.
Aftera moment of silence, he continued. "Do you not want kids?"
"Ido," she wiped away a trailing tear. "But I don't know if…"Salene felt like her throat wouldn't let her say the words she feared most.
Thewarm pressure of Derek's hand on her shoulder blade made her look in hisdirection. Giving her a comforting smile he gave her a reassuring squeeze onthe shoulder. "Don't worry Salene, it's more than obvious Gabriel lovesyou I have a feeling he's going to be very happy."
"Ihope so," she whispered in a low tone, more to herself than anything.
Reachingher door, Salene fumbled nervously with the key card.
"Here,"Derek took the card from her hand. "Let me."
Walkinginto the room, Salene was so relieved to find it empty she felt faint. Seeingthat she looked pale, Derek crossed the threshold allowing the door to closebehind them.
"Salene!Are you going to be okay?" Worried Derek stepped closer with his hands outafraid she might drop any minute.
Witha death grip on the bag, she nodded firmly. "Let me just take thesetests."
"Doyou want me to…" Derek looked unsure as he glanced around the suite.
"No!Please stay." Salene just couldn't be alone right now.
"Okay,"still looking a bit uncomfortable he took a seat by the bathroom door."I'll just sit here then."
Noddingshe hurried into the bathroom. Reading the instructions carefully she sat onthe toilet and proceeded with the steps. Snapping the tops onto each test, shelaid both carefully down on the counter. Should she be praying, she wonderedand if so what result would she pray for? Beyond emotionally exhausted sheleaned against the door.
"Derek,"she called out. "Thank you for everything."
Thesound of the chair shifting muffled through the closed door. "You don'thave to thank me Salene, it's the least I could do." He paused. "Youknow… For pestering you."
Salenesmiled, at least he finally got the message she thought.
"Iam actually happy I got to see you since I'll be moving to our Oregon officenext week." He sounded a little resigned about the news.
Walkinginto his room Gabriel had to pause and blink at what had to be a mistake.Surely this had to be a fucking trick, right?
Sittingin a chair talking about his new transfer was Derek Cipriani. As if sensing hismounting anger Derek's head snapped in his direction losing a couple of shadesof pigment when their eyes met.
Standingup fast Derek held out a hand. "Gabriel I was just…"
Pocketinghis room key Gabriel calmly walked across the room towards the man. "Youknow when I think about it this is really my fault," he said thoughtfullyinterrupting Derek. "I should've taken care of you at your first offense.You see Salene calls me a Neanderthal but I've tried it her way, and I have totell you, the results just aren't there. But don't worry I know one way to getto get through to you Cipriani."
Bynow Derek looked rightfully scared now that Gabriel was only a few feet away."Wait, Gabriel let me…"
Gabriel'sfist connected with the man's jaw sending him stumbling back into the wallbehind him turning over the chair.
Thedoor to the bathroom swung open just as Gabriel was about to reach for Derek'sthroat.
Salenecould hardly process what she was seeing, Derek's bloody nose as he lay againstthe wall on the floor or the complete look of savagery on Gabriel's face.
