Treasured by Thursday(111)

“I’d just escaped death, Officer . . . knew my assailant was dead. I wasn’t questioning my good luck and quizzing the man offering clean air.”

“It was a man?”

“Or a bulky woman. I couldn’t say for sure.”

Delgado blew out a breath.

The officer stood and extended a card. “If you remember anything else.”

Andrew and Delgado passed in the doorway.

“I brought soup.”



Three days later Gabi and Hunter sat beside Lori and a team of lawyers, half Hunter’s, half Samantha’s, and the district attorney.

Every detail on who Diaz was, why he had targeted her . . . her bank accounts, and the insurance mistake she would gladly pay in full if the courts would allow it, was spelled out.

It helped that the media had painted her the unfortunate socialite who had married a billionaire only to find herself kidnapped and held for ransom. There were three men dead and a few more recovering in hospitals . . . and Gabi sporting enough color on her face to make a supermodel happy.

In case the outcome wasn’t what they wanted, Hunter and his PR team had prepared a press conference directly following the meeting with the DA.

As it turned out, Diaz had been a vicious player in the drug community who had taken a hit when the shipment Alonzo Picano was responsible for went missing. Diaz was quickly recovering when Gabi switched the accounts. All that said, the DA said they would have to launch a full investigation, but he didn’t see any criminal charges being brought against her.

As for the insurance fraud, the DA held little jurisdiction, but would offer testimony on her behalf. With the return of the money, and the DA refusing to press charges, the chances of the insurance company getting anywhere was slim.

Gabi left the DA’s office on Hunter’s arm, their team claiming a holiday victory.

Instead of a press conference, the family and friends who’d gathered in her support followed them home.

There Andrew and a small team of people had prepared a preholiday feast.

Perhaps bought a preholiday feast was a better word. Not that Gabi cared. The thought was what counted.

“Why are we having a party today?” Hunter asked Blake when he noticed Samantha ushering children and a few nannies into a yet-to-be-furnished downstairs den.

“Appearances are important,” Blake told him. “I don’t really get it, but Sam insists.”

Hunter smiled and moved beside Gabi as they walked around the room. They thanked Judy and Rick for their support, and Gabi noticed Hunter’s predatory gaze when she hugged Judy’s brother Michael. “Thank you for coming.”

“If those sharks started picking on you, they would have had to deal with me.”

Gabi turned to Hunter. “Have you two met?”

“I doubt there are many left who don’t know who you are.”

Gabi laughed. “Sucks being a movie star.”

Michael winked and turned his attention to a man who approached with a glass of wine. Gabi introduced Ryder without an explanation as to who he was or why he was there. Hunter didn’t ask, and she didn’t offer more.

Carter Billings moved beside Neil and shook Hunter’s hand. Gabi accepted a hug from Carter and a pat on the arm from Neil. “I feel I need to thank you,” she told Neil.

He shrugged. “Not sure why.”

Dressed in black, armed to the teeth . . .

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

Neil tipped his beer back, offered one nod, and walked away.

“Such a chick magnet, that one,” Carter muttered before walking away.

Gabi sipped on wine, thankful once again that she could enjoy it. She reacquainted Hunter with Zach and Karen.

At one point Meg pushed in and pulled Karen away.

Hunter leaned in and whispered, “You have a great group of friends.”

She reflected on his observation. “Two years ago, I didn’t have one friend to call mine.”

Hunter didn’t look convinced.

A scruffy voice said her name from behind her. “Sherman!” Gabi opened her uncasted arm to the man.

“I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Doctor wanted to keep me for a few more days. Told him I had better places to be.”

Gabi stood back as Hunter and his father squared off.

“Glad to see you vertical, Dad.”

“It’s a new look.”

Hunter laughed.

“Been four days without a drink. First day didn’t really count since that shit cut me off without asking, but I’m claiming it anyway.”

Gabi’s heart tugged a little when Hunter and his father embraced.

The sound of someone tapping a glass and making it ring made her turn around.

Val stood with a glass in his hand, a smile on his face. “I’d like to propose a toast.”