I freeze. “Oh shit. Is she flipping out?”
“I talked her down. You have to call her, though. She’s demanding proof of life.”
“I will,” I whisper as I squeeze them all close. “Thank you. Thank you for being here and worrying about me.”
Harlow cups my cheeks. “We love you right back, and this is what we do for the people we love.”
Kelsey presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“Did you know you have two seriously famous people standing six feet away from you right now?” Monroe tries to whisper, but it comes out much louder.
I twist my head out of Harlow’s hands to stare at Monroe. Iactuallywhisper, “What did you just say?”
She turns my head in the other direction, and I catch a glimpse of Silas Bohannon as he steps over to give Jeb a backslapping hug. And then my gaze locks on an imposing man in a dark suit and the petite brunette standing next to Big Mike, Joanie, Ryan, and Christine.
Creighton Karas lifts his chin at Gabriel, and then moves toward me as the girls shift to stand beside me. “Ms. Priest, it’s a pleasure to meet you. We’re very happy to hear that you came to no harm after your ordeal. I promise we won’t stay long. I just wanted to offer my sincerest apology to both you and Legend for what happened tonight.”
The girls step back, and Gabriel comes to my side, curling his arm around my waist. “It wasn’t on you. No apology necessary.”
“I told you not to worry about Gaspard because there was nothing to worry about. The fact that he was here and my security team didn’t prevent him from causing Ms. Priest distress proves that I was wrong.”
“Moses saved me from Rolo,” I tell the billionaire. “So ... maybe it’s a good thing you were wrong?”
Beside him, his country superstar wife smiles at me, proving that tonight can’t get any more surreal.
“No harm, no foul,” Gabe adds.
“Still, I feel responsible for that, and to make amends, I’m forgiving the debt you owe me. Congratulations on winning tonight, Legend.”
Beside me, Gabriel goes still. “But ...”
“Please,” Holly says with an apologetic smile. “It’s the least Crey can do.”
I had almost forgotten Creighton Karas loaned Gabriel money, but I remember vividly now.Whoa. He doesn’t want it back?
Gabriel steps forward, offering his hand. “Thank you,” he says, his voice hoarse, as Creighton shakes it.
“Great fight. Have a good night. We’ll get out of your way, Legend. Ms. Priest.”
Creighton inclines his head as he presses a hand to his wife’s back. As they turn toward the door, Holly meets my gaze.
“I know this isn’t really the right time ... but I’d love to see your store before we head back to Nashville next week. I’ve heard amazing things. But only if you’re up to it. I’ll be back again.”
I can only imagine that my eyes are as wide as dinner plates. “Of course. I would love to have you come to Curated.”
Kelsey springs toward them, holding out a piece of paper. “Here’s her card. Scarlett’s cell is on the back.”
My friends are amazing, I think as Holly takes it.
“Thanks. Talk soon, Scarlett. We’re both so glad you’re okay.”
As soon as the billionaire and his wife leave the office, everyone seems to release a breath.
“Well, shit,” Q says with a wry grin. “Maybe we should have fights more often.”
Gabriel hugs me close to his side. “Let’s table that discussion for another night. Right now, all I want is my woman, a shower, and an ice bath.”
“You killed it in the cage, man,” Silas says, coming forward to shake Gabriel’s hand. “I won’t take up much of your time. Just wanted to tell you I was impressed as hell, and congratulations.”