After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 109

GABRIEL

"Any news?" I inquired as soon as Duke and Coulson flashed on my laptop screen. It was past six in the morning, and Audrey was still asleep in my bed.

 "It's too early for this, Gabe." Coulson yawned in the other line. "Do we really have to? I did what you asked me to do."

"I heard, and I think Audrey knows. Scott told him. She's close to accepting my proposition."

"Curious." He smirked. "By the way, I don't like that Scott guy, but it's just me. He hasn't done anything… at least for now."

"The feeling is mutual." I picked up my Americano and gulped it down. "Duke, what's yours?"

"You're not going to believe what I'm about to tell you, man." For someone who barely had slept for screwing people, Duke Garner sounded enthusiastic this morning. 

"What is it?"

"Edward Hopkins ran for public office four years ago. He didn't win, but the previous term is about to end, so he's attempting again."

I gritted my teeth. "I guess he's on the move again, but his daughter seems to be unaware. What else?"

"I have no evidence yet, but isn't this odd? His son just died."

"Follow this lead, Duke. It can be connected. He can't run for public office. We have to avoid this. If he wins this time, he will take over the town again. Hopkins is corrupt, and we both know his underground activities. He might turn half of Phoenix into his own paradise." I rushed my fingers through my scalp and exhaled. "It's like having his properties transferred to me isn't enough."

"Don't you think it's time for you to take over?" Duke suggested. "I mean, this is your town, Gabriel. There's no evidence that they found your body on that lake that day."

"Yes, because I was alive." I shut my eyes and sighed. "My life is here, and I'm a businessman, not a fucking government official. But I've got an idea, though it's crazy. It has to be someone—"

"Good morning, Gabriel." I heard my sweet angel's voice, and she appeared behind me. Her arms gilded around my waist. 

"No, Audrey, don't! Wait—"

It wasn't enough that she spun around and sat on my lap. I looked up at her stunning, flushed face, wearing only my t-shirt and her lace underwear. She rested her head on my shoulder and curled her arms around my neck. 

"I miss you already. Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Audrey?" I whispered in her ear softly and caressed her back. "Audrey, I don't wish to be rude, but you shouldn't be doing that right now." My voice strained as she sat on my cock, and the more her softness pressed on me, the harder it grew. 

"Why?" 

"Audrey…"

A cough reverberated from my laptop speakers.

"What is that—" Audrey looked over her shoulder, and her eyes instantly grew wide. "Oh my God!" She swiftly jumped away, then she set her horrified face back at me. 

"I'm sorry, gentleman. I'm afraid we should cut this short. I'll see you in the office, Coulson. You too, Duke. We're not done."

Audrey moved away further, with her face still flustered. 

Coulson laughed. "See you later, Gabe. Good morning to you, Miss Hopkins."

She clasped her mouth. 

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, shut up." I closed the laptop down and finally swung my chair, and faced Audrey. 

"So, Miss Hopkins…"

"That's Coulson Stark." She pointed at my computer.

"Yes, and my lawyer."

"They saw me in this state! Why didn't you just shut it down?"

"We were talking about something important, and I tried to stop you."

She slapped her forehead. "Oh, God! That was embarrassing." She chewed her bottom lips hard as if she was inviting me to it for her. 

"You appeared in my face. I didn't want them to see your half-naked state either." I sprang up and brought her back to my arms. "Come on, let's get you something to eat. I also have new clothes delivered by Jones this morning, and we'll go to the office together."

"What?" She looked back at me unbelievably. "We can't go together."

"Why not?"

"You're my boss. They'll think we're lovers."

I scowled. "Are we not?"

Her shoulders fell. "You know that's not what I mean. They'll talk about this."

"I don't give a damn. Let them talk."

Her eyebrow raised. "Coming from a person who set the non-fraternization policy."

"I didn't set any. Did you read anything like that in the employee's manual?"

She nodded. "Yes, I did."

"It's HR's idea. I'll have it changed, then."

"Oh, God." She heaved a sigh. "You're impossible." 

I chuckled. "I don't mind secret affairs. What I don't like are fucking rumors." I held her small, beautiful face between my palms. "And this isn't a rumor."

"And I'm fine with my face being plastered all over the tabloids? No, thank you," she refused. "Please, not yet, Gabriel. We barely even started anything. I still need to figure things myself."

"You've been researching." I kissed her forehead and let her go. "Fine, but that's for now."

"Thank you." She kissed my cheek and grinned. "Let's get breakfast."

AUDREY

Surprisingly, my Audi was available when we stepped out of Gabriel's penthouse, and as planned, he drove his car by himself but insisted that I should have Jones drive for me.

"I'm not sure what you mean by that, but yes. I can be if I want." He grinned.

I giggled. I looked around to check if someone was looking, but there wasn't, so I took the opportunity to give him a brief kiss. I parted, but then he pulled me back against him and crushed his mouth with mine. 

"I wanted you to come home again with me, but I'm going with Coulson tonight," he whispered between our lips.

"It's okay. I can't always stay with you, Gabriel. We have to take this slow."

"I understand." He kissed me one more time. "I'm going to check the folders now before I lose myself here and bend you over."

I bit my lower lip, smiling. "Kinky." 

I parted away from him and headed towards the door, but before I even pulled it open, it swung directly at my face, and a tall, chic, short-haired blonde woman in a silver dress stormed inside. 

Coulson was freaking out behind her. "Carla, don't—"

"You better explain yourself to me now, Gabriel," the woman ranted. "Did your secretary just ask me to go away?"

"Excuse me?" I finally reacted. "Who do you think you are?"

Her attention swung at me. Damn. She was at least four inches taller. She studied me from head to toe and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not talking to you."

What the fuck?

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "Did you let her in, Coulson?"

"She's yelling at our receptionist," Coulson reasoned.

So, this was Carla Garner from the Exclusive. She wouldn't be rushing over to the CEO's office if Gabriel didn't know her. She marched towards Gabriel's desk and stood mightily in front of him.

"You can't run away from me forever, Gabriel."

"Who said I'm running?" his voice was still calm, and he turned around his desk and sat.

"Audrey," Coulson called me. "Come."

"She snapped at my face," I pointed incredulously. 

"Yes, and she will if we don't come out now." He caught my arm. "Please."

"What is going on?"

"Just come. I'll tell you outside." Coulson snatched me out of Gabriel's office and brought me to his office. Then I remembered he saw me at such a state this morning at a video conference, so I guess this was a good time to talk. He was Gabriel's brother, after all.

"Tell me right now before I type her name in Google," I said.

Coulson sat behind his desk. "I guess there's no point in keeping it from you."

I frowned. "Keep what from me?"

"Carla is Gabriel's ex fiancée."