Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 292

Clairessa’s POV

“Yes,” Gabriel replied immediately. “Cole will be handling sweeps, checking the apartment for bugs, making sure we’re secure.”

My brows shot up. “Sweep the apartment? Gabriel, don’t tell me you think our place is bugged.” I laughed under my breath, but the sound fell flat the second I said it. The idea slid down my spine like ice water. “Because that’s… no. That’s ridiculous.”

His eyes pinned mine. “We don’t know what Marco is capable of. And until I know for certain, I won’t take chances.”

Before I could respond, he gestured to Andrew. “Andrew goes wherever you go. Grocery store, walk outside, work, everywhere.” Gabriel’s tone softened, but it was still firm. “Claire, you cannot go anywhere without him.”

Andrew gave me a small nod, professional but kind. Cole didn’t so much as blink. They looked like they’d been born to stand guard.

I set my coffee aside, rose from the sofa and tugged on Gabriel’s sleeve, pulling him a few steps away, lowering my voice. “Gabriel, don’t you think this is a little much? Security trailing me everywhere I go? I mean, come on. Don’t you think we’re taking it too far? I’m not the First Lady. I can go to the corner store without an escort.”

He shook his head, the muscle in his jaw flexing. “No. Not after last night. Claire, you can’t go anywhere without him. If you must leave, you leave with Andrew. That’s not up for debate.”

I stared at him, trying to hold on to some of my defiance, but the sheer conviction in his eyes made me slightly afraid of the entire Marco situation, though I still needed to reach a compromise about having a bodyguard following me around.

My lips parted to argue, but right then my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down.

**Adrian:** We need to talk. Alone. Make sure my father doesn’t know. I’ll send the address later.

My hands trembled and Gabriel noticed. His gaze darted to the screen. “What’s wrong?”

I locked the screen too fast, tucking the phone against my chest. “Uh… Jess,” I lied, forcing a casual shrug. “She’s asking if I’m free later.”

He studied me for a beat too long, like he could read every thought I tried to hide. Then he dipped low and pressed a quick kiss to my temple, his hand sliding briefly down my arm before he let go.

“I don’t mind that you’re meeting with Jess,” he said quietly, “but you’re going with Andrew. That’s not up for debate.”

The finality in his tone left no room to argue. He straightened, his fingers brushing a stray curl from my cheek, lingering like he didn’t quite want to pull away.

“I’ve got a brief meeting at the police station, then I’ll head to the office. I’ll only be gone a few hours, but I won’t be able to focus on a damn thing unless I know you’re safe.”

My brows lifted. “The police station? Should I be worried?”

He shook his head firmly. “I’ll handle everything. Andrew stays. Just make sure he drives you to see Jess.”

I exhaled, shaking my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. “So I guess I don’t have a choice.”

His mouth curved, just barely. “Not unless you want to fight me on it.”

For a second, my stomach sank. I hadn’t seen him since that night, since he’d walked in, seen me with Gabriel, and everything had shattered.

I didn’t want to lie to Gabriel, not again. But I also knew I had to face Adrian, to clear the wreckage between us myself. And with these new hulking shadows Gabriel had stuck me with, I wasn’t sure how the hell I was supposed to pull it off.

My eyes met his and I forced a polite smile before shutting the door behind me.

Inside, I let the façade crumble, dragging a hand down my face. After a shower, I pulled on fitted pants, a nice top, and a touch of light makeup. On the dresser, the black box sat open, the bracelets Gabriel had given me glinting in the light. I slipped two gold ones onto my wrist, holding them up as though they were more than jewelry, as though they were a part of him, something I could carry with me, almost like the way I felt when he held me close.

My hand drifted down to my stomach, and I let out a soft laugh. As much as the bracelets made me feel connected to Gabriel, they couldn’t compare to the little life stirring inside me. Not just a bump anymore, but an entire human being we had created together. Soon, it would all be over, and we could finally focus on our family.

By the time I was standing in front of the mirror, fully dressed and braced for battle, I knew one thing for sure, Andrew wasn’t going to make this easy.

When I stepped back into the living room, there he was, exactly where I’d left him.

“Andrew,” I started, tilting my head like maybe charm could do better than reason.

“Miss Hartwood,” he replied, voice polite but unmoved.

I exhaled softly. “So, I already told Gabriel I have an appointment with my friend. We’re meeting at a restaurant close by.”