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I went to my car, forcing myself not to look back. As soon as I was through the gate, I dialed my sister. The phone rang and rang without an answer. I was about to hang up when her breathless voice came on the phone. “Gabriel? What’s wrong?”
“Why would anything be wrong?”
“You never call me anymore.”
I couldn’t even tell her it wasn’t true because it was. We used to be close growing up, but ever since she’d run away, there’d been a wedge between us. The betrayal I’d felt when she’d left without a word was still eating away at me. And I didn’t know how to get back to the easy friendship we used to share.
Freya had three overprotective brothers and an overbearing father. While a part of me understood her when she moved to the small town of Ferguson without telling anyone, another part was hurt that she hadn’t confided in me.
“I need you to talk to Vanna. Something’s wrong.”
“What, besides the arranged marriage? Or the fact that her husband wants nothing to do with her?”
Blowing out a frustrated breath, I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Yes, besides that. She seems more skittish than usual. Mom’s worried.”
She cleared her throat. “Wait, areyouworried as well? I thought you wanted nothing to do with her?”
“I’m not worried.” The lie didn’t sound sincere. “But wearemarried, and I take care of what’s mine.”
Freya sighed. “She’s not a possession but a person with feelings. And if you’d only spend time with her, you’d realize how much fun she is to be around.”
Thanks to my family accepting her with open arms, Vanna would be fine. She didn’t need me. And I had other priorities right now, which left little time for my wife. “Will you call her, at least?”
Another sigh. “Of course I will.”
“Thank you.”
“Gabriel.” Her voice had gone from mildly concerned to worried. “It’s okay to care for someone else. She’s not going to disappear or betray you.”
Not like Freya did, a little voice in my head whispered. My sister had once been the most important person in my life. And then she’d left without a word.
“You don’t know that.” I knew as soon as the words left my mouth that I shouldn’t have spoken them aloud. But it was too late to take them back. Freya had always had a talent to get me to open up to her. But I didn’t want her to know how much her leaving had affected me. “I need to go. See you at family dinner.”
“Gab—”
I hung up, knowing I’d reveal too much if I continued talking to her. She’d give me hell for cutting her off, but I had no intention of exploring my confusing feelings tonight. Or any night. There was too much to do to steer the business on a more legitimate path. And feelings were a distraction I couldn’t afford.
10
VANNA
Gabriel leaned closer soI could hear him over the music. “Do you want another drink?”
Since his unannounced visit at the house, I’d talked to Leslie a few times, going through invitations. He’d asked me to choose with her which ones we should attend and which ones we’d skip.
I was surprised but excited to be given the task. It was a small thing to decide on, but he didn’t know how much something so small meant to someone who had never had any control over her time.
Getting to decide how I wanted to spend my day was exhilarating. I even found I enjoyed working out when it was on my terms. So now Cleo and I started our days with Zumba in my newly furnished home gym.
Tonight’s event was the first time I’d seen Gabriel since he’d been at the house. And I had missed him, no matter how much I’d promised myself I wouldn’t let my feelings get involved. Too late for that, anyway.
“Champagne?”
He chuckled, the throaty sound shooting straight to the lower parts of my body. Coupled with his hand on my back and his addictive scent, I fought against tilting my head to bring our mouths closer together.
“Nice try. Water or soda?”
“Fine. Water.” I couldn’t help but purse my lips in a pout.
