Reaper's Salvation: A Last Riders Trilogy Jamie Begley (fb2 epub reader .txt) 📖

him. “Gavin, remember the good old times when you wouldn’t talk to me? Channel him back. I miss him.”

Chapter Nineteen

Ginny’s anger and hurt at Gavin evaporated the moment they entered the lobby of the private resort. The grandeur of the entryway was designed to inspire awe and envy with its masterful strokes of creams, sea foam green, and a touch of gold, making you feel as if you were traveling through a portal that only a few were allowed admission.

As they were led through the lobby, Ginny didn’t feel awe-inspired; she felt deeply rooted in sadness. Remembering how she had begged Manny to come inside, too young and innocent to know the beautiful resort was just an illusion meant to hide the ugliness and duplicity ingrained within each building block.

She had no desire to live in this world of luxury. This was the world that Kaden Cross and Dalton Andrews could easily walk among without missing a beat. Ginny had to give them credit for resisting the lure; stronger men and women hadn’t.

Going up the curved staircase, Ginny could feel the speculative gazes as their small group was escorted to the right hallway. Unconsciously, her hand went to her side, searching for Gavin’s, her exasperation with him put on the back burner as the stressful encounter with her mother loomed closer.

“You’ve got this.” It took a second for Ginny to realize the thought that had popped in her head had actually been Gavin speaking out loud.

Her nerves stretched so tightly as she skimmed over the occupants of the room, not recognizing any of the four female guests as her mother.

Allerton broke away from a tall, charismatic man to greet them.

“Mr. and Mrs. James, Agent Collins, I’m so glad you’ve joined us. We’ve been waiting.”

Agent Collins gave them an aggrieved look, and then the experienced veteran placed guilt where it belonged. “I’m going to excuse myself to make apologies on their behalf and chase down one of those waiters. Excuse me.” Agent Collins left Gavin and Ginny on their own.

Ginny couldn’t blame him for cutting and running. She wished she could, too.

Seeking a quick response for their tardy arrival, Gavin cut in with, “Mr. Allerton, please forgive us. Ginny and I are in the honeymoon stage of our marriage. I’m sure you can understand that, when romance beckons, a man wants to keep his wife happy.”

Forgetting her issue with God, she prayed the floor would open and swallow her whole.

Allerton looked like he was praying for the same thing for her, except visualizing Gavin being swallowed first. “I’m not married.”

“No? That’s a shame. You don’t know what you’re missing,” Gavin said blithely, unconcerned that Allerton was staring at them with distaste.

“Yes, well ….” Allerton turned a cold shoulder to Gavin. “Mrs. James, Soleil just stepped out to take a call from Jasper. She should return at any moment.”

“That reminds me,” Gavin interrupted, making it possible for everyone listening to overhear. “We’ve not had cell service since we’ve arrived. Our families will be concerned we haven’t called.”

“I will have to check into the matter in the morning.” Allerton took two glasses of wine from a passing waiter, giving one to Gavin then one to her, before reaching for another one for himself before dismissing the waiter.

“Come along, my dear,” Allerton said brusquely. “I want to introduce you to a few of your parents’ friends.”

Leaving them to follow him, they made their way to a small group. The two men and one woman smiled politely at their approach. Gavin’s firm grip on her hand kept her from approaching too closely.

“Mrs. James, I’ve been a fan of yours since I heard you sing in Nashville with Kaden Cross.”

“Amelia, give me time to introduce you,” Allerton scolded the woman. “I should have asked before. Which name do you prefer to be addressed with—Evangeline or Ginny?”

“Ginny,” she answered immediately.

“Ginny, this is Amelia Clark and her father, George. Amelia and George, this is Ginny and Gavin James.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Ginny said as Gavin nodded toward the father and daughter.

Allerton turned to the man standing next to George. “Desmond Beck is also a friend of your parents,” he introduced the charismatic man, who she had noticed when they entered the suite.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to hear you sing. I hope you won’t hold that against me.” The mesmerizing man gave Amelia an indulgent look, which had the attractive woman blushing, before turning his charming gaze on Ginny. “I promise, I will rectify the mistake when your next performance is scheduled.”

Ginny didn’t expect to take a liking to any in the group. However, Desmond was a surprise. He stood out like Gavin, exhibiting the same air of confidence that only certain types of men were able to achieve, regardless of wealth.

Her continued scrutiny of Desmond Beck had Gavin giving her a sharp look; Ginny smiled. Gavin might not be able to express his feelings for her with words, but he was like a dog, possessively watching over his favorite bone when other men paid attention to her.

“My singing days are over. I plan to concentrate on songwriting in the future.”

“Oh no, that can’t be true,” Amelia protested. “Your gift should be shared.”

“It will. Just in another way.”

Ginny wasn’t taken in by the woman’s flattery or by Desmond’s charm. She had prepared for years for this moment by studying the people whom Allerton called friends or business acquaintances. She wasn’t a gentle lamb being led to the slaughter without knowing the butchers who would receive a cut of her demise. What she couldn’t find out from media sources or computer searches, Hammer had filled in the gaps. He had prepared her from a young age what she would be up against when she came into contact with the monster.

And George Clark was just that monster. He might seem like the grandfatherly type, having his daughter Amelia later in life, but the tech tycoon was as cutthroat as any of the Predators. Yet, while