I’d told the twins to put a moratorium on the information flow about tonight. Nothing would make someone like her, a narcissistic sociopath, crazier than ostracizing them without warning. By now, she should be making herself nuts, thinking that everyone was talking about her, laughing at her. So, of course, I knew she’d come here tonight, be bold enough to even try to get in. She’d learned from her mother, after all.
I’m almost going to miss tormenting those two when this is all over with; then again, I have others to play with. Thinking about that almost put a damper on the evening, but I pushed it away with ease when I walked back inside and saw her waiting for me. “Let’s take a walk.”
GABRIEL
“Let me grab a jacket. Be right back.” She started to fret that there was nothing to do justice to her gown like a typical female before I stopped her.
“No need. Here.” I walked to the coat closet where the rest of her outfit waited and removed the cape I’d left hanging there.
“Oh my, it’s beautiful.” I draped the ermine coat around her shoulders and stood back to look. The padded silk cape had been died to match her gown in daffodil yellow, while the white ermine border glistened beneath the light of the chandelier. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” She ran her hands over the fur in awe.
I took her hand and led her to the door, or I have a feeling she’d have stood there all night admiring herself. She hadn’t yet noticed the butterflies outlined with gold thread pattern that flitted along the back and sides of the cape, but I knew that would be a whole other conversation if she did, and I didn’t want my prey to retreat before the finale I had planned.
“It’s not too cold, is it?” it shouldn’t be; the thing was lined enough to withstand the worst of Siberia.
“Not at all; I can’t even feel the wind.” I stopped on the top step and pulled the cover over her head to complete the look and ward off the wind. “Let’s go to the garden.” That should give Victoria a perfect view of our moonlight walk. Call me petty, but what better way to torment someone than by using their own weakness against them?
I know the binoculars I’d left surreptitiously at the Fontane residence were high-powered enough for her to see every last thread in Gianna’s clothing. We walked in silence for the first few minutes until we came to the Turkish garden, which was in the best location for Victoria to see us plainly.
“Oh wow, this is beautiful; we’ve not been here before.”
“That’s because, like mom, you prefer the Japanese and English gardens. There’s still another three or four after this.” I can’t keep up with Ma’s obsession with gardens and Pop’s need to fulfill them all. There could be twenty of the things around here, for all I know.
I let her admire the indigo, red and silver tile work that made up the pathway in intricate design while scanning the road beyond over her head as we walked to the covered courtyard that made the garden what it is. “It’s Turkish, from the Ottoman empire.”
“What’s that amazing scent?”
“Jasmine.” I dropped her hand now that we were outside, not wanting cold air to sneak in beneath her cape, and rested my hand in the small of her back as we walked instead.
I didn’t feel shame for my actions because they were just as heartfelt as they were deliberate. She hadn’t noticed the car parked out of place across the way that was visible through the bars of the iron fence, and she most definitely didn't see my smirk when I looked that way before turning her to face me.
In all honesty, I forgot our audience as soon as our lips touched. In my mind’s eye, I could still see her dancing, the look of joy and peace on her face, plain for all to see. I put my hands beneath the cape and drew her in close going deeper as we both got caught up in the feverish passion of the kiss. It’s the first we’d shared in a while, and I realized only then how much I’d missed being this close to her.
If car engines had emotions, the one that turned over just then would be anger. Gianna flinched at the sound, but I tightened my arms and held her in place against me as I fed on her lips with something approaching hunger. It was her softening against me, her sighing into my mouth that brought me back to my senses.
I lifted my head and looked down at her in the moonlight. Her hood had become askew, so I put it back in place while giving my heart the chance to calm down. I always forget how potent she is to my senses; how easy it is for her to slip under my guard. “Are you having fun?”
“Yes, the party is amazing, so is this.” She rested her head on my chest and squeezed.
For just that moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the feel of her in my arms. Though now, there was a war going on inside my head and heart. The lure to give in and be drawn away by her was strong, but so was the other. One left me feeling warm and tender, while the other left me cold and empty. I’m afraid I already know which one will win, and for the briefest of moments, I regretted having met her.
Had I not, I wouldn’t be in such turmoil. The heart that I’d put to sleep so long ago wouldn’t be showing signs of awakening. “What’s wrong?”
I frowned at her question before catching myself. “Nothing, let’s finish our walk.” It can’t be that she knows me well enough to read my shift in mood. No one knows me like that—just one more thing to make me question my fate.
BECKY
“Guard, yeah you. What day is it? Why am I still here?” I’ve lost track of time in this dump. “I asked for a lawyer; why isn’t he here yet?”
“Lady, it’s Sunday; no one works on a Sunday.”
“I’m entitled to….”
“Yes, yes, I know, you’ve said it a hundred times already. But you’re the one who waited until Saturday night to ask.”
That’s because I expected my husband to get me out of here long before then. My stomach cramped with cold as he walked away. Why hasn’t Felix sent the lawyer yet? Does this mean he’s given up on me? I’ve been racking my brain for an explanation for selling the car and came up with a good one.
I could say Victoria did it in retaliation for her burnt car. Felix doesn’t pay attention to detail, so he may not notice that the timing was off. That would buy me more time, time enough to find some money somewhere in case things went south.
I won’t believe that my hard work was for nothing. I’d got my hands dirty and did a whole lot of things that would send me away for a good long time, not to see it end up like this. I was playing the long game. Things were going exactly to plan until this until that little bitch got the Russos involved in our lives.
That smug little prick, I can’t wait to wipe that arrogant smirk right off his face; and I know just how to do it. I’d had lots of time to think in here and had come up with some pretty good ways to put him in his place. Since he likes championing little Miss, perfect, I’ll just have to make her pay more than before.
At first, I hadn’t had much use for the simpering little twit who only knew to cry for her dead mother day in and day out, always hogging her dad’s attention away from me and mine. It was Victoria who hated the girl and wanted to erase her completely; I just went along.