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I did what she asked, marveling at her choice of wine, refilling her almost empty glass and sliding it in her direction. “My father gave me this house, complete with the wine cellar, when I graduated from college.”
“Oh, wow. What a gift,” she said with disdain. “I received a two-hundred-dollar gift card to Saks.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah,” she said, tossing me a look. “He wasn’t mayor then, just a police captain. Besides, he told me I didn’t need many clothes given I’d opted to become a surgeon and lower my standards.”
“You’re kidding me?”
“Not something I’d joke about.” She grabbed her wine, swirling it before taking a sip. “In case all your investigation didn’t find out, my father and I are usually at odds with everything.”
“That’s not something I could find out.”
“Now you know. I’m not sure why you think he’ll care that much about the fact you’re… insisting we marry. He’ll likely say something crass like I made my bed, now I need to wallow in shit.”
Huffing, I leaned against the counter. “You’re his daughter.”
“My sister is the favorite child. I was supposed to be a boy. You know, to carry on the family genes. From what I heard later in life, he blamed my mother for not giving him a boy.” She took a gulp of wine, her eyes never leaving me.
“What an asshole.”
“Take a number, Gabriel. He’s not well liked by anyone. I am curious. What do you have on him? I know you’re going to use something against him to leave you alone and it’s not just about me.”
I thought about her question and in that moment, I realized how vulnerable she was, longing for her father’s approval while determined to live her life the way he wanted. She and I were more alike than I’d originally thought. “I’m going to appeal to his common sense.”
“You’re lying to me. That’s something you said you’d never do.”
The wine was rich, delicious in its full body. I took several sips before easing my glass to the counter, moving closer and tossing the icepack in the sink.
“Don’t, Gabriel,” she whispered as she threw her hand out. “Don’t take this as anything romantic. I don’t know you. You kidnapped me. I didn’t know when or if you’d come back and I was hungry. I couldn’t just roam your beautiful, cold house any longer.”
I took a deep breath, ignoring her wishes. “What do you want to know about me?”
“What do I want to know? Everything.”
“What I told you at the cabin was all real, the truth.”
“That you like action movies? That you prefer Italian food American style? That you would love to have a family? All bullshit.”
“Not bullshit.” I crowded her space even more, my heart racing. A swift jolt of current swept into us and her lower lip quivered from the closeness. “What we shared at the cabin was special.”
“Stop doing that. You’re a bastard.”
“If that’s what you want to believe then fine.”
She sidestepped me, moving to the pantry and grabbing out linguine. “What happened to Dillon’s family? They died. Right? They were killed because of this… life.”
He had been talking. I wanted to be angry, but I sensed whatever they’d discussed had helped lower her walls, if only to be able to engage in a conversation. I’d indulge her for now, but she would not deny me. “Yes, Sarah. They were caught in crossfire.”
“His wife? Kids?”
“His wife and little boy.”
“Jesus Christ. And he still works with you?” She slammed the box on the counter, almost dropping her glass. Immediately both dogs raced around the corner, trying to protect her. “Mommy is fine. Just fine, babies. Oh, you little cuties.” I heard the anguish in her voice as she bent over, petting both.
“It was his choice to continue working with my brother.”
“Yeah, I heard. He considers this family. I don’t understand how the hell he could continue working for your family, but I admire him for his loyalty, if that’s what you call it.”
