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Even if he did make my lady parts sit up and beg.
My dress had hiked up. I jerked the skirt down, tearing it past all repair. With a feral snarl, I dragged the damn thing off and shoved it into a waste basket before stomping into the bathroom.
The soaking tub was actually a big jacuzzi. I blew out a breath.
You’re in.
That was the important thing. If Gabriel wanted to play with me, well, I couldn’t blame him. And I also couldn’t pretend I hadn’t liked it.
I took a quick shower to wash off the makeup and my own nervous sweat, and then filled the tub, adding bubble bath for good measure. I lowered myself into the hot water and turned the jets on low. As they purred to life, a sigh of pure pleasure escaped my lips. I sank deeper until the bubbles reached my chin.
For a few minutes, I just lay there. It made no sense, but for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.
I knew it wouldn’t last. Gabriel’s security seemed solid, but Andre was an old, powerful vampire. He’d find a way inside.
Not tonight, though. Andre hadn’t told me much, but I’d heard enough to guess the plan was to attack Gabriel in his Manhattan penthouse.
So for now, I was safe, and so was Gabriel.
I swallowed sickly. I fingered my left earring, wishing I dared remove it and its mate. They were soldered on, but a pair of wire cutters would do it.
But they had Joey.
Andre had tied my hands as surely as if he’d snapped a pair of steel cuffs on me. I couldn’t even write Gabriel a note. “We’ll know if you do,” Andre had warned.
I wasn’t surehowhe’d know, unless he had someone on the inside—or maybe they were monitoring me via Gabriel’s security system? But I couldn’t take the chance.
I cast a bleak look in the direction of Gabriel’s suite and got out of the tub. My relaxed feeling had evaporated along with the bubbles.
Back in the bedroom, I turned the lamp on low. It had been a long time since I’d slept without a nightlight. Too many monsters lurked in the dark.
Curling up in the big bed, I stared at the sky-colored wall, sure I wouldn’t sleep, even worn out as I was. But for too long, my nerves had been stretched to the breaking point, and my belly was full. The combination made me heavy-eyed.
I rolled onto my other side. This time I faced the windows. The blinds were closed, but somewhere far below, the ocean threw itself against the rocks, over and over, in a hypnotic rhythm.
My eyelids drifted shut. I felt again Gabriel’s hands on my shoulders, massaging me, long-fingered and sure. Touching me exactly where I most needed it.
Sorrow stabbed through me. I’d missed him so much. It hurt, to have him be so cold.
But his kindness hurt even more, because I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t know how or why Andre would attack, but he would. And then Gabriel would fight Andre to the death rather than allow him to hurt me.
It was time to face facts. I didn’t have to do a thing to help Andre. Just my being here endangered Gabriel. My accepting the blood bond had made things even worse. Gabriel was honor-bound to protect me now.
God, I’d been stupid. Hot tears pricked my eyes.
You did what you had to do. It was Gabriel or Joey. At least Gabriel has a fighting chance.
But knowing that didn’t do a thing to relieve the guilt eating me from the inside out. I moaned and pressed the heels of my hands to my eyelids.
Outside, the ocean heaved and sighed. Gradually, my breath slowed to match it.
When I was sure I wasn’t going to cry, I took my hands from my face and resolutely closed my eyes. I might not be able to sleep, but I needed to rest.
10
Gabriel
Ispent the rest of the night working in the study off my bedroom. Near dawn, my father finally contacted me on the secure phone, a cryptic text that was pure Karoly Kral.
