Chapter 55 The beach
Gavin’s POV
I pulled up to the front of the pent house just as the sun began its descent, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose.
She was already waiting outside.
The moment she saw my car, her face lit up with excitement, it looked so much like Malissa's happy face. She practically ran to the passenger side, and before I could even step out, she’d opened the door and slid in.
“Gavin!” She leaned across the console and kissed my cheek, her perfume…something floral and expensive…filling the car. “I’ve been so excited since you called. Where are we going?”
I pulled away from the curb without answering immediately, my hands steady on the wheel.
“You’ll see,” I said, smiling faintly.
She settled back into her seat, practically vibrating with anticipation. “You’re being so mysterious. Is this about the charity gala or our engagement party? Or the merger? Oh! Are we celebrating something?”
“Diana.”
Something in my tone made her pause. Made the smile falter just slightly.
“Yes?”
“Just… wait.”
She did. But I could feel her eyes on me the entire drive,I could sense the questions building inside of her. I wish I didn’t have to do this. Unlike with others I have a very soft spot for Diana but I just need to.
The beach wasn’t far…twenty minutes outside the city, past the suburbs and into the stretch of coastline that remained relatively undeveloped. The same beach where we’d first met years ago. The same beach where she’d told me she loved me.
The same beach where I was about to break her heart.
I parked in the empty lot and killed the engine. The silence that followed was heavy.
“Gavin?” Diana’s voice was small now. Uncertain. “What are we doing here?”
I got out without answering and walked around to her side. Opened her door. And offered her my hand.
She took it, her fingers trembling slightly in mine.
I helped her down, and we walked toward the water in silence. The sand crunched under our feet. Waves crashed rhythmically against the shore. The wind carried the salt-sharp scent of the ocean.
We stopped near the water’s edge, close enough to hear the surf but far enough to stay dry.
“Do you remember this place, Diana?” I asked, my voice quiet.
She wrapped her arms around herself, looking out at the darkening water. “Yes. This is where I first told you my feelings.” Her laugh was soft, and almost sad. “You were so kind about it. Even though you didn’t feel the same way.”
“Diana…”
“Are you okay, Gavin?” She turned to face me fully, her eyes searching mine. “I’m getting scared. You’re scaring me.” She rolled her hands anxiously, twisting her fingers together.
“Diana, remember what I told you.”
She bit her lip, not answering.
“I can’t give you what you want.” The words came out harder than I intended. “I can’t fully be the man you desire. But I will take care of you. I’ll make sure you never want for anything. You’ll be set for life, Diana. I promise you that.”
“Gavin, please…”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.” I forced myself to continue. “But I have to tell you something. I need you to understand why…” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “I and…”
“Stop.”
Her hand flew up, covering my mouth. Her eyes were wide, desperate,and filled with tears.
“I love you, Gavin.” The words tumbled out, broken and pleading. “I love you. Please don’t leave me. I’ll be anything you want. I’ll take care of you. Just marry me, Gavin. Please. Haven’t I been good? Haven’t I done everything you asked?”
“Diana…”
“I’ll be better.” Tears streamed down her face now. “I’ll be whatever you need. I won’t ask for love. I won’t ask for anything except to stay by your side. Please. Please don’t do this.”
Her hands gripped my jacket, clinging to me like I was the only solid thing in a shifting world.
“Haven’t I been good?” she asked again, her voice breaking. “Tell me what I did wrong. Tell me how to fix it. I’ll fix it, I swear.”
“You did nothing wrong.” I gently removed her hands from my jacket, holding them in mine. “This isn’t about you, Diana. You’ve been nothing but…”
The crack of a gunshot split the air.
Instinct took over.
I grabbed Diana and spun, my body shielding hers as I pulled her down. Sand scraped my knees as we hit the ground.
Another shot.
The sound echoed across the empty beach, sharp and unmistakable.
Diana screamed against my chest.
I covered her completely, my eyes scanning the dunes, the parking lot, searching for the shooter.
Nothing.
Just darkness and the sound of waves and Diana’s terrified breathing beneath me.
“Gavin?” Her voice was muffled against my shirt. “Gavin, what’s happening?”
I didn’t answer.I held her down.
And waited for the next shot.
The seconds stretched, taut and endless, my heartbeat were loud in my ears. I listened for footsteps, for the scrape of boots on sand, for anything that would tell me where the shot had come from.
Nothing.
Only the surf. And it was suddenly too loud and calm.
“Stay still,” I murmured against Diana’s hair, my hand firm at the back of her head. I felt her nod, felt her body trembling beneath mine. My jaw tightened. Whoever did this had meant to kill us, and the person had a nerve coming after me. I prayed for the person's sake that I was killed now .
Slowly, carefully, I lifted my head just enough to scan the shoreline again. The parking lot was empty. No headlights. No movement in the dunes.
I reached into my jacket with one hand and pulled out my phone, keeping my body over hers as I did. One call. That was all it would take.
Diana clutched my shirt tighter. “Don’t let go,” she whispered.
“I won’t,” I said, and for once, I meant it in every way that mattered.