GIANNA
Today’s rehearsal was the best so far. Something about planting my fists in Victoria’s face had loosened me up some, that and the thought of doing it again lit a fire under my feet. The twins weren’t as upbeat, I think Lance had gone off on them in the car, much like Gabriel had done with me, but the others couldn’t stop gushing about how well the session had gone.
Once they left, and it was just the twins and me, I apologized for getting them into trouble. “Is Lance really mad?” I’m still not sure of the dynamics between those three. From what I’ve seen so far, he seems overly protective of them, but so is Gabriel, their dad; in fact, all the males around here treat the girls like spun gold. It’s almost hilarious because it’s as if they don’t know the half of what goes on in these girls’ heads.
I felt guilty, though, for getting them into trouble this time. “He’s always mad, don’t sweat it.” Anna pouted as we left the studio headed for our rooms to clean up. I wasn’t sure which one to go to, Gabriel’s or mine, so I chose mine. He wasn’t too happy with me either, so I’ll give him some time to cool off.
That lasted until after dinner when he all but dragged me to his room. “Don’t be a brat!” Not sure what he meant by that, but okay. Dinner had been a quiet affair. No one mentioned the evening’s events, but the men at the table were visibly pissed.
I’m pretty sure Mr. Russo knew the whole story by now and half expected him to kick me out of his home, but all he did was ask if I was okay and ordered Gabriel to take care of me. Now I’m not sure what story he heard because he seemed irate on my behalf.
“I’m not a brat.”
“Coulda fooled me. Now sit down there, and let’s have a talk.” ‘There’ was the settee in his sitting room where I sat for the next half an hour being lectured. “I know Gabe, you already told me in the car.”
“What did you call me?” Good grief, doesn’t everybody call him that?
You wouldn’t think so the way he leaned forward to glare into my face.
For some reason, I wanted to laugh but stifled the urge because he looked like he’d strangle me if I did. I guess I’m in a mood because I proceeded to poke the bear. “Gabe, isn’t that your name? I hear everyone else using it.” I think he’s part parotia because his eyes changed and became darker. I sat back in my seat, not sure if to run or goad him some more. My head was in a strange space, that’s for sure.
There was a little bit of fear mixed with excitement. And when he leaned in and lifted me from my seat, I think my heart melted into a puddle of goo. That changed quickly when I found myself face down across his lap. “What’re you… Ouch!” I looked over my shoulder at him in shocked silence, and he spanked my butt again.
It didn’t hurt so much as surprise me. “Say it again.” Now don’t ask me what got into me today, but I wasn’t in the mood to give in. So, I looked him dead in the face and repeated it. “Gabe!” And my ass paid the price. “Okay-okay, Gabriel, your name is Gabriel.” My ass was sore by now, but something else was going on with me, something I had no experience with, so could not name.
He wasn’t even breathing hard after all that but that look in his eyes, heated, with something more than anger. I found out what that something was when he turned me over and got to his feet, walking us over to the bed. I opened my mouth to speak, but he swallowed my words, and if I’d felt any anger over what he did, it melted away in his embrace. I’m a damn freak.
“Don’t call me that again.” I wasn’t about to say anything since he had me pinned to the bed beneath him, and he looked hella mad. Sheesh, it’s just a name, and his to boot.
“I won’t!” I rolled my eyes, which apparently, for him is like waving a red flag in front of an irate bull because the next thing I knew, he was biting into my neck harder than before.
“Gabriel…” I started to question him, but then I felt something hard pressing into my thigh and switched gears. Hmm, what have we here? I think maybe Victoria got a few licks in because my head didn’t feel like my own. My mind was on some other mess that I didn’t even want to know. I felt… free, liberated, and confused as hell. He’d just spanked my butt. Am I attracted to that?
Whether I am or not, I decided to play with him just a little bit. I moved my leg just the tiniest bit and felt him jump. When he pulled his head away from my neck where he’d been mauling me, that heat in his eyes had intensified. I gave him the most innocent look I could muster. “You were hurting me.” He didn’t look like he believed me, but when he licked the spot, I knew I’d won.
“Are you laughing?”
“Who me? No!” What’s going on? How had I gone from such anger that I came out of pocket as he put it to this playful mood? How was I feeling this happy at this moment with all that was going on? Maybe I’m having a psychotic break. Whatever the case may be, I pushed it aside as I pulled his head down to mine. “Kiss me!”
GABRIEL
She’s asleep. Exhausted, hurt, confused, it was all written on her face, even as she slept. I watched over her for a little while longer before easing out from under her and going to get cleaned up. The water burned the scratches she’d left on my back and shoulders, but instead of being elated at the wildness she’d shown in my bed, I felt true nervousness for the first time in my life.
Something has changed inside her. She no longer seems like the levelheaded innocent I’d saved that day not too long ago. To add even more to my worry, now that the excitement of the moment is over, my mind keeps throwing horrifying scenarios my way. There’s so much that could’ve happened to her in that house, so much that could’ve gone wrong, and I’ll be forever grateful to my sisters for not letting her go there alone.
My thoughts wouldn’t settle down enough for me to do what I need to because I’m too worried that she’d go rogue again and wondering how the hell I can prevent it. Right now, her blood is up because she’s just learned the truth about what really happened to her mom, so she’s understandably going on pure emotion alone and not thinking at all, which I can’t fault her for, but it could make things difficult for my plans.
Things are happening way faster than even I expected. Her life is about to be turned upside down even more once we confront her dad with the truth. I was trying to put things in place for her protection before the fallout happens, but if she’s going to be laying hands on people who I’m sure will retaliate, then shit’s going to have to change.
See, when I started this, Gianna was an innocent, sweet, shy girl. The person I took out of that house earlier is not that. This person is not going to wait for my say-so; she’s proven that much. Looking back now, I guess I’m partially to blame since I’m the one who gave her over to my sisters to watch. I just didn’t think it was possible for those two to influence her to this extent in such a short space of time. Like what the hell!
And what was that earlier in bed? That aggression was all new. It’s like she was using my body to fight her demons, which I’m not complaining about, but I’m gonna have to teach her how to handle emotion better. Victoria could use this against her, something I’m sure she hasn’t given any thought to, so now I have to do damage control and make sure she keeps her mouth shut.