Page 48 of Forbidden Sins

“I know I should have come to you—”

“You’re goddamn right you should have. But that still doesn’t explain why two of my more promising associates were grappling in my hallway.”

He heard Ian snicker. “Yeah. Gabe, why did you pull that first punch?”

Charles made a disgusted sound, and hit the intercom button to his assistant. “Rosa, call Ellie and get her up here immediately.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Ian, get out of here. I need to sort this mess out. I’ll deal with you later.”

Ian stood and quickly left the office, his head bowed.

Gabe turned back to his mentor, who looked at him through narrowed, angry eyes.

Ellie put her hand on the doorknob to her father’s office. She knew that the call would be coming. She entered, and both her father and Gabe watched her. She sat and put her hand on Gabe’s arm in a gesture of support. When her father folded his hands together in front of his face, she knew that he was pissed.

He cleared his throat. “I’m not sure what’s going on here,” he said, raising an eyebrow at her hand on Gabe’s. “I was told there was a physical fight between two of our most promising attorneys, who are in line to become partner, and I learn that you’re married.”

Ellie’s mouth dropped and she looked to Gabe.

“I told him, Ell. I’m sorry.”

“You’re married? How? When?”

“It happened a few weeks ago.”

His mouth dropped. “Weeks,” he said, not a question. “And neither of you thought it was important to tell me.” He was addressing both of them but his gaze fell solely on Ellie.

“It’s not her fault, sir. I take full responsibility.”

“Anyone planning on telling me how this happened?”

“There is no real explanation. We met one night. And we got married. I didn’t know she was your daughter, or that she was working at the firm. I’d just gotten back from Hong Kong. We were on the Strip—”

Her father sat back in his chair, and he nodded. His eyes were still cold and mean. “Ah, I think I finally understand. I see theold Elliehas finally shown her true colors again. It was only a matter of time.”

Ellie’s stomach dropped. Her father’s judgment of her hurt. Every move forward they had made had been lost. She realized that her father hadn’t changed his opinion of her, and he never would. But she still had a chance to save Gabe. He could come out of this whole debacle unscathed. She just had to cut the ties.

She released Gabe’s hand, and smiled bitterly at the older man. “You know what, Dad? You’re right. I haven’t changed at all. Gabe and I got drunk, we got married. Possibly the most reckless, impulsive thing I’d ever done. I was doing this to get back at you, and it was the only way to do it.”

Gabe looked from Charles to Ellie. “What?” She could see the hurt and confusion written on his face, but she ignored it. She had to.

“Yeah, Gabe, this had nothing to do with you. It was all about getting under my father’s skin. You know, bad seed that I am, and all.”

“Ellie, what—”

“Gabe, just stop. You’re embarrassing yourself.” She slid the ring she always kept near out of her pocket and put it in Gabe’s palm, trying not to look in his eyes. “I’m going to get out of here. Thanks for the fun, Gabe.” She turned on her heel and walked out without even looking back.

He caught up to her in the hallway. “Ellie, what the fuck was that?” he demanded.

“He’s right, wasn’t he? Your career has already been jeopardized by me. Just like he said would happen. You can’t throw everything away.”

Gabe shook his head. “But you didn’t mean what you said in there. I know it. There’s no way you were faking things between us.”

Ellie said nothing.

“You must be one hell of an actress, but I don’t think so. Because I don’t believe you right now.”