My Ex Husband

Episode Nine

Gabby's POV.

I woke up in cold sweat, Lucca bent over my shaking form, concern and worry evident on his handsome face.

"Baby, it’s alright. It was just a dream." He soothed as I sat up in bed.... confused by my surroundings.

"Where...... where am I?"

"You're at my dad's place. You're safe."

"They.... he.....killed him! They killed daddy!"

"Relax baby.... you're okay. You're safe. Everything will be okay." He soothed as he pulled me into him.

I sobbed into his clothes as he stroked my hair..... Whispering in my ear.

"You want to tell me what happened?" He asked once I had quieted down. "Paul said if I recorded you telling it to me you wouldn't have to go through it again."

I simply nodded and he pulled away slightly, drew open the drawer and grabbed a recorder.

"If you're not ready it can wait....." I stopped him with my hand on his and he looked at me.

"It's okay Lucca. I just want it over and done with."

He nodded back, a ghost of a smile on his face. He started the recording and I told him all I remember.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Your phone's ringing." Lucca said for the nth time and I didn't bother responding.

I wasn't in the mood to talk. I hardly said a word to Alda and her dad. Lucca was the only one I spoke to.

"She'll fly out here if you don't pick up..." he added. It had to be Victoria. I turned to face him, taking my phone from his hand.

"Hello?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

"No need. I'm safe."

"Okay. I will."

"Thank you."

I hang up and gave him back my phone.

I heard him sigh heavily as he walked over and sat beside me.

"Baby, you need to get out of this room. Even you know this isn't healthy." He said as he took my hand and kissed it, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You're right. I'm putting you and your dad at risk. I should go." I said sadly as I pulled myself up in bed and made as if to stand.

"No baby. That's not what I meant." He said stopping me.

"I know but we both know I'm right." I said and his eyes reflected my words. "You and your family should get out of the country for a while. At least till......."

"Gabby, please." He said sounding exasperated. "I'm not leaving you alone. I'm not going to let you face that man alone."

"But Lucca..."

"I don't want to hear it Gabby. I'm staying. Okay?" He said, his hand stroking my cheek.

I leaned into his touch and with the way he was looking at me I just couldn't help it. I kissed him.

He was surprised at first but he soon caught on. He was gentle and sweet, demanding yet promising.

When he pulled away, I lay on the bed, breathing hard while he hovered over me.

"I'm staying. I'm staying because I love you." He said looking me right in the eye before he leaned down and captured my lips in his again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I sat, my back ramrod straight at my father's burial ceremony with the girls by my side with Gwen and Reece holding my hand. Victoria was busy taking care of everything. I was indebted to her for organizing everything to the letter.

Lucca had kept his distance much to his annoyance but he understood that I still had not told the girls about us but he'd promised to be back on my side as soon as they left.

The ceremony had ended fairly early and all our guests had left. The crime scene in the family manor had been cleaned out and the girls had stayed over throughout the preparations.

"You sure you don't want us to stay and help out with everything?" Victoria asked as Gwen and Reece waited eagerly. Ready to drop everything so they could stay behind and help me.

"No girls. Thank you but I'll be fine. You have your own lives to live. I'll stay behind and sort through mine." I said with a sad smile on my face.

They nodded grimly as I stood up, "Now if you don't mind. I'm going to bed."

"Okay. We leave early tomorrow morning. We''ll see you in New York?" Reece said as they stood up and hugged me.

"Yeah. Later this week." I replied in our little group hug and they nodded in understanding.

We pulled away and I headed for bed. I took a quick shower and I was sound asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I woke up to the smell of a breakfast buffet. A note next to my bed said that the girls had already left.

I slid out of bed smiling knowing clearly well who it was in the kitchen.

"Good morning." I purred as I slipped my hands around his body, resting my head on his back.

"Good Morning to you, too." He replied as he switched off the fire as he turned towards me and kissed me.

I deepened the kiss and before long, I was on the kitchen counter with him between my legs as we made out like hormonal teenagers. My pajama top was already off and I was just reaching for the hem of his shirt when he pulled away, panting.

"What is it?" I questioned.

"We..... We shouldn’t. It's too soon."

"You don't want to make out with me..... Probably do more?"

"No! It's not that."

"Is it because we're in my father's house?"

"No. I just don't think it's healthy."

"You don't think making out or sleeping with me is healthy?"

"No! That's definitely healthy. I mean you're fine." He said checking me out and I laughed swatting him on his arm causing him to laugh but it soon died down. "I don't think it’s healthy for you soon after your dad's funeral."

"Oh Lucca! You're starting to sound like the psychologist here." I said frustrated, pushing him away as I slid off the counter, grabbed my pajama top and pulled it back on.

"Gabby we both know I'm right." He added and I had to admit. He was right.

I sighed, head hang as I stared down the sink. I was using him. Using him as a distraction. As a distraction to my grief. I was using him to forget everything. Especially the fact that my father was dead.

"I just miss him so much." I said as I sobbed; only now realizing that I'm crying.

"I know baby I know." He said as he slipped his hands around my waist, turned me and pulled me into him.

After I quieted down, he had me take a shower as he warmed up breakfast. We ate then finally began working on the house. It would be a long day.