Gabriel's Heart [The Men of Treasure Cove 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (3 page)

Devonshire, England, Spring, 2001

Her laughter carried on the wind as she ran giggling through the open field of wildflowers. So beautiful, her long flowing chestnut hair glistened in the afternoon sunshine. He watched as she stopped and twirled, arms out wide, spinning as if the wind could carry her to far-off places. The magical innocence on her face was pure joy.

He laughed with her when she tripped and fell. As he walked toward her, her sweet laughter filled his heart. Just being around her made him forget everything in his past. She was joy and love. He was anger and hatred. For a short time, he opened his heart and allowed this little girl to show him life through her eyes.

“Catch me, Gabriel!” she shouted as she ran into his arms. Catching her, he spun her around and around in the sun, her joy filling his dark soul.

For one brief moment, she showed him heaven.

* * * *

Treasure Cove, Fall, 2003

Gabriel could hear shouting the moment he got out of his car. Shaking his head, he walked up the steps and entered the house.

Standing back and listening, he watched as his two best friends scolded her. Though he agreed with them, it still broke his heart to see her sitting there with tears gently falling from her beautiful eyes.

She shouldn’t have snuck out. He knew it was taking everything in her not to shout back. She was a strong-willed girl, independent and smart. She should have known better, but she was only a naive teen. She could have gotten hurt. Just the thought of her hurt had his heart trembling in fear.

Listening as they berated her, he wanted so much to go to her and hold her, protect her, but it was not his place to do so. She needed to learn from this mistake. That was all it was, just a simple teenage mistake. She would learn. The moment she turned and saw him, his heart literally broke.

Her eyes widened, and her tears came in earnest. He knew he should not have, but he opened his arms as she ran to him, seeking shelter from her brothers.

“You’re not helping,” Jeff said, looking at him angrily.

“Let me talk with her. Maybe I can help,” he said, holding the crying girl in his arms.

He watched as Jeff threw his hands in the air as if washing himself of her.

He walked her over to the couch and sat her down. Taking a handkerchief from his suit pocket, he gently wiped her tears and then handed it to her.

“I just wanted to see Kelly. I wasn’t going to be gone long. I swear,” she sobbed, blowing her nose.

“But you left without telling your brothers,” he said, looking at her.

“I just needed to see Kelly,” she whispered.

“What was so important that you had to sneak out in the middle of the night to see your friend? You know you can talk to your brothers about anything,” he asked.

“I can’t! Not about this!” she shouted, getting to her feet.

It was the alarm on her face that told him exactly why she needed to see her friend. When clarity stuck, he sighed. He should have known. She was at the right age.

Getting to his feet, he kissed her forehead and gently sat her back down. “I’ll be right back.”

Walking into the kitchen, he found her brothers drinking coffee, neither talking. When he approached, he just told them what he believed the problem was. He would have laughed at their pale faces, but he could not blame them any more than he could be angry with her. She was a young girl who desperately needed her mother, but with no female around, her brothers were doing their best.

After a couple of phone calls, all three of them watched as Anne Conner and her daughter Kelly arrived. Within minutes, the woman and young ladies headed to the waiting car.

He watched as she barely spoke, looking shyer than he had ever seen, but when she should have gotten into the car, he watched as she turned and ran into his arms, giving him a tight hug. Her soft whisper of
thanks
warmed his heart.

As quick as she hugged him, she fled back to the waiting women.

* * * *

Treasure Cove, Summer, 2006

The house was full of people all eager to help celebrate with her. She had graduated from high school with honors and would soon be heading off to college. Her brothers were proud of her as she hugged and laughed with them.

It was a good day.

Watching, he enjoyed the merriment of those around her. Over the years, he had done his best by her, helping her brothers. Now, she eagerly waited to walk out into the big world before her. Even though she was determined and sure of herself, he worried for her. So did her brothers, but her independent nature refused to be squashed.

Like so many young adults who thought they could take on the world with their young knowledge. He prayed she never fell. Oh, he knew she would eventually. He just wished that it was not such a hard fall. This she would have to learn on her own. She was no longer a child, but rather a naive woman.

Remembering every little bit of her life, he smiled, assuring himself that she would be just fine. She was a survivor. She would succeed in anything she put her mind to.

He had fulfilled his promise. He could let go now.

Turning to leave, he felt her close. When her soft hand touched his, he turned to see her smiling up at him.

“You’re leaving?” she asked.

“Yes, little bird. I have an appointment to attend to.” He lied to her for the first time, and it burned his stomach to do so.

“Walk with me?” she asked, pulling him along. They walked hand in hand out the front door into the warm sunshine. Sitting on the porch, she leaned her head on his shoulder, never letting go of his hand.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?”

“Everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Gabriel?”

“Yes.”

“I love you,” she said softly like the blowing wind. Raising her head, he looked into her beautiful eyes, unsure of what to do or say. The moment she leaned in and lightly kissed his cheek, something unfurled within him. A light burst, exploding as brightly as the afternoon sun.

Before he could say anything, she laughed and fled back to her party.

Sitting there, alone, he never heard him approach.

“She has her whole life ahead of her, Gabriel,” her brother said firmly.

Gabriel sighed, “I know.”

“I need your word, Gabriel,” her brother said, determined.

He did not need to turn to see his friend or ask what he meant.

He already knew.

“I give you my word,” he said, getting to his feet. Just like that, all the warmth and goodness in the world fled, and he was once again cold and uncaring. He never bothered to say good-bye. Getting into his car, he never looked back, for if he did, he would crumble.

He could never have her.

She belonged to the wind.

Present Day

Standing before the wall of glass overlooking the Danube River, he stared into the night as the city of Vienna bustled with life. The sound of Bach’s Air on the 6th String resonated throughout the spacious room. Holding a crystal tumbler filled with Maison Dudognon cognac in his left hand, he lifted it to his lips and swallowed, allowing the warm, smooth substance to trickle down his throat. His thoughts were impassive, for he felt nothing, not even the cold hand that touched his arm.

“Are you going to tell me what has been bothering you? You have been moping around for weeks.”

He sighed within his mind, how could he explain what was going on in his mind when there was so much turmoil and anguish? He turned to look at his best friend, Alexander, and wondered if he would even understand. They had been friends since childhood, and there wasn’t anything that Alex did not know, but he had kept this from him. It wasn’t intentional, but he gave his word long ago, and it did not seem right talking about what was never going to be.

“Nothing is bothering me, just a little melancholy,” he muttered, turning away from the window.

Walking over to the bar, he set his glass down and slowly removed his tie. Unbuttoning his top button on his white shirt, he turned to look at his best friend. He knew Alex could see right through him. He always could. Alex had a sixth sense concerning Gabriel.

He watched as Alex pondered what to say, or if he should say anything at all, but mainly he prayed Alex would leave it alone. He wasn’t in the mood for a heart-to-heart talk.

“You’re lying to me and to yourself, you know,” Alex said, breaking the silence.

“It doesn’t matter,” he whispered.

“Then tell me about her.”

“No.”

He watched as Alex stood, brushing off his pants and righting his suit jacket. “Well then, I guess there is nothing more to talk about. I must get back to London. Parliament will be in session soon. Call me if you want to talk.”

Moments later he heard the door shut. He was finally alone. Walking back over to the glass, he stood with the cognac in hand, taking another sip. He relished the heat as it slid down his throat, warming as it went.

Taking his wallet out of his back pocket, he retrieved the familiar, worn photo of a young woman. So breathtakingly beautiful, his heart stilled. Her dark, chestnut hair cascaded down in waves around her. Her pale skin shimmered like ivory under the early morning sun. She smiled lovingly at him. Her eyes, a hauntingly pale green, sparkled with mischief as she held the yellow-and-pink kite in her hand.

She, this lovely woman, had haunted his dreams since that one night he had given into temptation. A curse upon his soul, he knew it, for he had tasted the forbidden fruit, and now he would live with the remembrance for the rest of his days, for he could not have what his heart desired. He knew he should not have, but even he was man enough to admit that, in that drunken haze, his lust for her was too much, and he relented, and he kissed her.

Turning, he sat on the dark leather furniture, staring at the picture.

What would it be like to have her smiling at him forever? To have her laughter surround him in a warm blanket, to wake with her cradled against him every morning and go to sleep with her in his arms every night?

Sighing, for he already knew the answer- that it was impossible. There was nothing that could be done. Since that night, she had disappeared, and he had no idea where she was. Even if he did know, there was nothing he could do about it.

He had given his word.

Soft footfalls interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and saw the beautiful submissive standing there. “Yes, Violet?”

“Sorry to interrupt you, Master Gabriel, but this just arrived for you,” the beautifully-tailored woman said, handing him a cream-colored envelope, contritely looking at the floor.

“Thank you,” he said, taking the envelope from her hands. “That will be all.”

Waiting until she left the room, he leaned back, placed his glass on the small table in front of him, and opened the letter. Taking out the hard sheet, he smiled as he read its contents…

You’re cordially invited to attend the Wedding & Commencement Ceremony of

Mr. Braxton Henry Connelly, Mr. Jordan David Whitmore,

& Ms. Charlotte Anne Brooks

Date: December 31, 2012

Time: 11:00pm

Place: Treasure Cove Presbyterian Church

The Commencement Ceremony will take place exactly at midnight. Black and White attire requested. Food and refreshments will follow the ceremony.

P.S. Get off your sulking ass and show up to my damn wedding, asshole! - C.

“Violet, pack our things. We will leave within the hour,” he ordered, placing the invitation on the glass table.

“Yes, Master.”

* * * *

The flight had taken longer than he expected, with a detour in Denver due to a recent snowstorm. Relieved, Gabriel was finally home. Leaving the bags for Violet to handle, Gabriel walked into the Pleasure Cave. He was immediately assaulted by the resident dungeon master, Matthias, as the seven-foot-tall black man stormed straight for him. For the first time since he had known the Matthias, Gabriel took a few steps back.

“Where in the fuck have you been? Do you know what I’ve had to put up with around here? This isn’t what I signed up for, Gabe. I mean it, buddy. I ain’t your personal bitch boy!” Matthias yelled.

“Good evening, Matthias. Now, pray tell, what has your knickers in a twist?” Gabriel asked calmly, but the trickle of unease permeated the air. Something was wrong. He could feel it. His once-serene oasis contorted. Something had invaded his space and was wreaking havoc.

“Don’t you start that fancy British talk with me, asshole. I did not agree to run this club for you. Do you understand that! I am the dungeon master, not a fucking businessman. Never wanted to be one, thank you very much. I have had to deal with shit that goes beyond the scope of what you hired me for. I’m done! As of right now, I am on vacation. Call me when the club’s fixed.” Matthias said angrily, walking away. “Oh and it’s a paid vacation! Consider it repayment for what I’ve had to deal with for the last three months!”