Prologue

Katrina

Six years ago….

The bright sun coming in from the large hotel windows, hitting me right in the eyes is what wakes me up.

‘What the hell happened last night?’ I think. ‘Fuck!’ I look under the covers, and sure enough, I am naked. ‘Did I sleep with that guy?’

I look around the room. ‘This isn’t my room.’ This room is HUGE. A lot bigger than the one I booked with my best friend, well my best friend now, Jade. The last thing I remember is being at the hotel’s bar and meeting this gorgeous guy. I couldn’t believe he was talking to me.

Yesterday Jade and I flew into Las Vegas for a long girl’s weekend. I am heartbroken, finding out that my long-time best friend and long-time boyfriend were sleeping together will do that to ya. Finding out that they have been screwing around for close to a year, a fucking YEAR, will just about kill you.

Thank god for Jade. She was the one that suggested and booked everything for this weekend. I have known Jade for 10 years, starting when we were 15. We became fast friends when she transferred to our high school in the middle of freshman year. We were part of a trio, me, Jade, and Selene. Fucking Selene, I swear I will kill her and Conner if I ever see those two again.

‘Am I even in the same hotel anymore?’ I think as I continue looking around the room. 

There is a silver bucket with a bottle of champagne sticking out of it. I assume I drank that last night. I sit up and quickly regret it, ‘Fuck my head hurts.’ I flop back down on the bed.

‘What the hell did I drink last night?’

I look at the nightstand to my right. There is a bottle of water, some Tylenol, my phone, and a note. I slowly reach over for the note. I run my finger over my name nicely written on the front. Then I flip it open.

Katrina,

Sorry I had to run out early this morning. Something came up at home so I had to head back. Last night was a night to remember. I hope you’re not feeling too bad, I certainly don’t.

Take your time leaving, hell stay in the room for the rest of your girl’s weekend. I know your friend, Jade would love that. I let the front desk it is on me if you choose to do that. Just call down and let them know.

I hope to see you soon.

Your forever,

G

I smile slightly, but then try to think back to last night. Who is this person, I remember meeting a guy, the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. His jaw was sharp, with the sexiest amount of dark stubble along it. His eyes were the brightest blue, which would sparkle like a diamond in the sun when he would smile. I would think every time I looked into them about how different they were from Conner’s.

Conner’s eyes were a dark brown. Which I learned, after five years together, that was because he was completely full of shit. 

The rest of the night is a little bit of a blur. He seemed nice but haunted. I couldn’t put my finger on it. With Jade’s encouragement, I hung out with him and we talked. He bought me drinks, I vaguely remember shots being involved. 

‘Shit Kat, what did you do last night? It’s not like you to go to some random guy’s hotel room.’ I scold myself.

I reread the note and then put down the note. I reach over and take the Tylenol. Then I grab my phone looking at my messages as I finish the bottle of water. I nearly choke when I see texts from Conner and Selene.

I roll my eyes as I open the texts from Conner.

Conner: Kat, I am so sorry for what I did to you. Will you please talk to me? I still care about you.

Conner: I’m worried about you. I went by your parent's house. They said you went to Vegas? 

Conner: Kat, I’m worried about you. This isn’t like you to up and leave town like this. Please call me.

It goes on and on. I back out of them. Next, I go to the texts from Selene.

Selene: Hey! I am really sorry that we didn’t tell you sooner. You’re my best friend. Please talk to me.

Selene: Kat! Where the hell are you? Conner told me that you went to Vegas? Call me, please.

Selene: Come on please call me and talk to me. I feel really bad about this. 

I roll my eyes at that one. How can you feel bad and still care about me? I am so irritated and angry when I am about to throw my phone across the room when it begins to ring. I look down about to give them a piece of mind. 

‘Oh thank god!’ It’s Jade.

I answer. “Hey!”

“Bitch, where are you?” She screams into the phone. “I woke up and you are not here. Obviously, you were not kidnapped since you answered your phone.”

I laugh. “I’m in a room. What the hell happened last night?”

“You left with that hottie last night. I couldn’t get ahold of you so I came up to the room and passed out. What hotel are you at?”

I look around and see that I am still at the Cosmopolitan.

“I’m still at the Cosmo. In-room,” I sit on the edge of the bed and look at the number on the room phone. “51-224.”

There was silence for a second.

“Ok what tower?” Jade finally asked.

“I don’t know I will have to call down and ask.” I say and then remember the note. “Oh the guy said we could use this room the rest of the weekend. On him. I think we should this room is huge. I haven’t even got up to see the rest.”

Jade gasps. “Ok call down and see what tower and I’ll pack our stuff.”

“Ok I will do that I’ll call you right back.” I end the call.

I call down to the front desk. “Hello Ms. Thomas. I take it that you will take the offer of staying?” A very cheerful woman says on the other end of the line.”

I am stunned into silence for a second. ‘He knew my last name? Maybe we talked about that last night? Too bad I don’t know his last name so I could find him and thank him. Hell I don’t even know his first name.’ I mentally palm my forehead at the thought.

“Uh yes I am.” I pause. “I have a friend staying with me also. We were in…”

“Room 22-341. Yes we know and we will check you out and reimburse you for that days that you did not use the room. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Uh….” That was a lot easier than I thought. “Oh yes, what tower is this room in?”

“Oh it is the Chelsea Penthouse. So that would be the Chelsea Tower.”

‘WTF! The Penthouse! Jade is going to freak out.’ 

“Oh okay. Thank you.”

“Not a problem. Feel free to order any room service that you would like. Everything is taken care of.”

“Ok great. Thank you.”

We hang up and then I call Jade and just let her know what tower. I wanted to see her face when she found out that we were in a Penthouse. I sat in the bed for a few minutes longer contemplating how my life has changed already, in a good way, in just a few days.

Little did I know how much my life had changed.

Gabriel 

I sit in the back of the town car on the way to the airport holding our wedding photo. I run my thumb across her face. I know what I did was not the smartest thing I have ever done in my life and my father was going to be super pissed. What’s done is done.

I’m not going to tell him for a few months just so I know that he won’t be able to get it annulled. I can push off anything he thinks he can plan for me and Maria for a few more months. It won’t be that hard.

I really hated leaving Katrina this morning, but I knew she would freak out this morning if she woke up and found out we got married last night. So I snuck out and offered the room. Maybe in a year I will show up where she lives and tell her everything. We had some crazy chemistry and maybe we could try and make this work for real. She really is beautiful.

“Thomas,” I call to my drive and bodyguard.

“Yes, sir?” He answers.

“I want you to keep track of someone for me and give me weekly updates about her.”

He looks at me through the review mirror. “Is it Mrs. Bernardi?” I see a little smirk. I smirk back.

“Yes, but she cannot know that she is Mrs. Bernardi. I want to make sure she is safe and no one messes with her. If anyone saw in Vegas,” I pause. “Just keep track of her please.

He give me a subtle nod and we continue on our way. 

Last night was incredible. And I am not just talking about the sex. Katrina was so different from anyone that I ever met. If things between the Bernardi and Gallo families weren’t so hostal right now I would make a true go with Katrina. I know what I need to do and how to fix things. I just have to wait for father to retire.

Little did I know it would take longer than I had anticipated. Or that Katrina would come back into my life all on her.