Chapter 48

"Okay, I can actually get fired for this, Daisy, but I'm going to risk it anyway. Explain to me why I overheard Xavier and Alistair talking about Gabe De Bellis getting married and having the firm draw up a will, leaving every single thing he owns to his wife?" Dani whispers to me.

When she arrived at El's house, I took her upstairs into Gabe's room. I don't think anyone will come in here, which means we can talk freely. "He did what?" I ask, because I don't know what else to say. I wasn't prepared to answer these kinds of questions.

Dani glances back towards the door before landing her glare on me. "He got married, apparently."

"Well, I know that bit, but he had a will drawn up?" I question her.

"He did. Or is in the process of doing it," she clarifies. "Please, for the love of God, tell me what's going on here, Daisy? Did you seriously run off and marry a mafia prince?"

"I didn't run off and do anything. We just went to the courthouse, but you can't tell anyone, Dani. Gabe wants to wait so we can tell everyone together. Although that plan's going to shit."I sit on the end of his bed and look around the room that feels so empty without him.

"I'd sit down, but El told me about what she overheard you two doing on it, so I'll pass on that." Dani laughs. I don't.

"I need Xavier Christianson's number, Dani," I remind her.

"Why?"

"Gabe got arrested, and other than the fact that it happened last night in Sydney, I have no idea why. I don't know what's going on. And I need to find out," I tell her.

Dani's eyes bug out of her head. "He got arrested?" She seems surprised. Which isn't good for me. Because that means I still know more than she does.

There's a knock from behind us before the door opens and El walks in and quickly shuts it behind her. "Oh, Daisy, I'm so sorry," she says, rushing over and wrapping me in her arms.

I don't know what it is, but suddenly I break. The tears fall down my cheeks and a sob chokes my throat. "I'm scared, El. I don't know what's going on. I need him to come home."

"I know. And he will," she tells me.

I pull back to look at her. "What do you know? Why was he arrested? What were the charges?"

"I don't know. Gio wouldn't say." She glances over at Dani. "Can't you log into your work files or something and find out? You work for the firm," El points out.

"I'd get fired," Dani whispers. "But I can give you Xavier's number. You can call him yourself and ask him what's going on." She pulls a card out from her purse and hands it to me.

"He's not going to tell us anything. If Gio's told him to keep things quiet, then he's not going to just tell us." El sighs.

"He might tell Daisy." Dani shrugs, and I jab her with my elbow.

I cannot let El find out I married Gabe. Because then the news will spread to Gio and ruin Gabe's plan for us to tell everyone together. And I want to give him that much at the very least.

"Why would he tell Daisy?" El asks.

"She's persuasive," Dani says. "And I know for a fact that Xavier has a soft spot for tears. So if you call, make sure you cry and tug at all those heartstrings not many people know he has."

"Okay," I agree. "I think I'm just going to have a shower and try to sleep. Hopefully, I'll wake up and all this will just have been a nightmare."

"Daisy, I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do. What can I do to help?" El asks me.

"Call your husband and find out what's going on. It's the not knowing that's driving me crazy right now. I don't know where he is… if he's safe… if he's being mistreated… I don't know what they're doing to him, El."

"I'll call him again. I'll even try the crying thing. I really am sorry. But I have no doubt that Xavier will have him home in no time." She does her best to reassure me.

I wish I had her optimism. The only thing I know is that after one day of marriage, I'm about to become a prison wife. Which is exactly what I feared. That if I let myself love him, if I let myself admit that he was it for me, something bad would happen and he'd be taken away.

I was terrified I'd lose him. And I still am…

I've been calling Xavier's number every ten minutes for the last hour. It keeps going straight to voicemail. I'm not going to stop until he answers though. He might be the only one who can give me insight into what's going on with my husband. And how bad this situation really is.

I press the green phone icon next to his number again, and this time I get a ringtone.

"Xavier Christianson," a gruff voice answers on the other line.

"Mr Christianson, this is Daisy Blake. I'm Gabrielle De Bellis's… uh…"

"Wife?" Xavier fills in the blank for me.

"Yes." I nod my head, even though I know he can't see me. "I want to know what's happening with his case. Where is he? I need to talk to him, see him."

"Mrs De Bellis, I'm heading to the station now. I'll know more when I arrive, but as of right now, he's in police custody. I won't know any more details until I speak with someone there," Xavier says.

"I want to talk to him." My voice breaks on a sob.

"I'll see what I can do to arrange that. But for now, the best thing you can do for him is remain calm and positive."

"Okay, thank you."

"I have to go. I'm pulling up now."

I click end call and realise I don't feel any better. I'm scared, and even being in a house surrounded by people—by Gabe's family and, by default, mine too—I've never felt more alone in my life. I need to do something. I can't just sit around in this room and wait. I'm going to drive myself crazy.

Pushing up from the bed, I walk out of the room and rush down the stairs. I have no idea where I'm going or what I'm doing.

Maybe I should just go and find El and Dani?

But the thought of actually talking to people has me turning around and heading back for Gabe's room. Being alone might be better than trying to pretend that I'm fine to my friends or his family.

Guess I'm the exception to the whole misery loves company thing.

Two hours. That's how long it takes for my phone to ring. I jump at the sound, and when I see Xavier's number on the other end of the line, my fingers fumble as I swipe the answer button.

"Hello?" I rush out.

"Daisy." One word. That's all it takes for me to crumble at the sound of Gabe's voice.

"Are you okay?" I ask him.

"I'm okay. I don't want you to worry, though. I'll have this all sorted out soon," he says, but I can tell he doesn't believe it even if he desperately wants me to.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do. How can I help? What are you actually being charged with?"

"There isn't anything for you to do, babe. I just need you to wait for me. I love you. Don't ever forget that I love you, and I promise I'll be coming home," he says.

"I love you too." I can't stop myself from crying. I know it won't help anything. Likely make him feel worse. But there's nothing I can do to hold back my tears.

"Please don't cry, baby. I'm so sorry." Gabe's voice is quiet.

"I don't want to do this, Gabe. I want you home. I want to start our life together. I don't want to do this," I repeat like somehow it will change what's happening. I know it won't.

"I know," he says. "Xavier has some papers for you to sign, Daisy. I need you to sign them. Can you do that for me?"

"What papers?" I ask.

"It's just some legal shit. I need to know that you have access to all of our accounts without having me there with you."

"But you're coming home soon. I don't need your money, Gabe. What I need is you," I tell him.

"I know, and I will be home. Very soon. Just sign the papers, Daisy, and don't forget that I love you more than anything in this world."

"Why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?" I sob.

"I'm never going to say goodbye to you. I will be coming home to you," he says with more determination than he's had since I answered his call. "I have to go."

"Okay," I whisper.

But it's not okay. Nothing is okay. Nothing is going to be okay if he doesn't come home to me.