“Wait, did you say Gabriel didn’t expect to live after his revenge? What does that mean?” He just gave me a look, and I went numb all over.
“What’s he planning to do?” My voice sounded weak and tinny. “What do you want me to do?” For the next half an hour, he spelled it out for me while I listened without interrupting him.
I laughed at the part about making Gabriel jealous with some dummy groom. “You really don’t know, Gabriel. I doubt he would even care.”
“You wanna bet? Have you ever looked at the inside of that dog’s collar?”
“No, why?”
“You should have a look later. Use Google translate when you do.”
“By the way, the fake fiancé is not just for him; it’s for you as well.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re a female. If he comes running to you when he finds out you’re engaged, wouldn’t that go a long way to proving that he still has feelings for you? I won’t tell him that he’s a father; that would be up to your discretion.”
“Why are you so interested in Gabriel? Why all this fuss?” I indicated the cabin where the men he’d brought with him were inside. Someone had started cooking, and there was a lot of laughter coming through the open door and windows.
“Mancini thinks we can use him for our cause.”
“And what’s that?”
“Saving those who need saving.”
I was a mess after that and asked for some time alone, so he left me outside after a clap on my shoulder and went back to join the others. I called my grandmother, hands sweating and a pit in my stomach because I expected the worst. I’d disappeared from her life as well, except for the one phone call more than a year ago letting her know that I’m alive.
For some odd reason, things I hadn’t allowed myself to think too hard on were now front and center, and I wondered if I’d been punishing her too for all the years I’d suffered at Becky and Victoria’s hands. Of course, I’m old enough to understand that there was nothing she could do once dad went no contact, especially after she lost the bid for grandparent’s rights, but the hurt little girl in me must’ve been holding onto one heck of a grudge.
It went nothing like I feared. She cried; I cried and reassured her that I was safe. I inquired about Colton, Daniel, and Elena, and she confirmed that they were who they said they were. She didn’t know anything about Gabriel’s situation, but she did admit to keeping in touch with his family and also confirmed that they had indeed been trying to find me.
It made me feel, at least, to know that their welcoming acceptance of me had not been a façade. We stayed on the phone for a good bit before I went to check on things inside. Connie and Elena were on baby duty while one of the men was in the kitchen cooking.
I went back out on the porch because my mind was awhirl with a million thoughts going in a thousand directions. Then I felt a long-familiar sensation, and Thor was in my lap, butting his head against my hand for affection the way he used to. I don’t know why that one innocent act touched me so deeply, but I buried my face in his side and cried my heart out.,
The cold of the diamonds in his collar rubbed against my cheek, and I recalled what Colton had said. I removed the collar and then used the searchlight on my phone to read the words there. I repeated them to myself before going into Google like he’d said to find the meaning.
My heart hurt and then exploded before settling down again, and more tears blinded me. “Love always, Gabriel.” I’ve always known I’m too soft where Gabriel is concerned. Maybe it’s a casualty of true love? But I can’t seem to find the anger that I’d held onto for so long.
In my mind, all I could see was my beautiful Gabriel, laboring under such a heavy burden all his young life. And he’d put that all aside to take care of me when he really didn’t need to. There was another part of me that wanted to hold onto the anger because I’m afraid I might need it. Once Gabriel realizes what I’d done if he even cares, there’s going to be hell to pay. I know at least that much about his character.
GABRIEL
When I was sure the paramedics were at Teresa’s home, I used the burner one more time to call the local police with an anonymous tip. Without this tip, the authorities may believe that Antonio had died of some strange illness, though the gangrene that rotted his groin and genitalia would raise a few questions.