“Just something nice. No matter what you wear, you’ll be beautiful.”
She had nodded and kissed him goodbye. Because that had not been helpful at all.
Half of her closet was still strewn across her bed from trying to find that one nice outfit. She settled with a white dress that went to just her knees. Not tight to her slender frame, but a bit flowy. Not too flowy where she could twirl and look like an expert dancer, but flowy enough where it wouldn’t be considered skintight. The top was overlaid with lace, which gave it a formal look, but not too formal.
All in all, she thought it looked nice. Like he’d asked.
When he picked her up, he was dressed in tan slacks and a pink dress shirt. No tie. The pink surprised her. She had never seen him wear anything other than white or gray shirts with a black suit. On the weekends, he did dress down with polo shirts, even T-shirts on occasion, but no pink.
Now, here they stood outside his car in front of his parents’ house—a very large house. Not something she’d classify as a mansion, but it was huge. It screamed money. And her pretty white dress suddenly felt not nice enough to even step inside.
He had helped her out of the car, closed her door, yet made no other movements. No step forward. No quick kiss. Nothing.
“Should we go inside?”
His head shook as if shaking himself out of whatever trance he had been in. He looked at her. “We should. Thanks for coming with.”
“Of course.” She patted his chest, running her hand down in a slow, smooth gesture, hoping to relax him a bit. “You look so handsome. I love this pink on you.”
For the first time since he picked her up, he smiled. It lit up his features, personified every sexy inch of him, from his perfectly styled hair to his deep brown eyes that sparkled with desire. To his five o’clock shadow that made her itch to brush her hand across his jaw, then replace it with a sweep of her lips.
“Thank you. I don’t wear pink often. It’s only for special occasions.”
With that, he pulled her toward the front door.
By the slight devilish twinkle in his eye when he said the last part, she didn’t think he meant special occasion in a pleasant way.
He let go of her hand to knock on the door since he held the beautiful bouquet of lilies in his other.
The door swung open a few seconds later to an older woman with beautiful blonde hair swept up in a simple coif. She had on a light layer of makeup that brought out her gorgeous features. She wore a light white blouse that went all the way to her wrists and black slacks that fit her perfectly. Gabby always had a hard time finding slacks that fit her hips and butt just right.
By the way her eyes lit up—that were the same deep brown as Dane’s—she assumed this was his mother.
“You made it,” she said brightly, hugging Dane with a tenderness that had her a bit envious. Her mother never hugged her like that. More like, patted her cheek with a goofy grin, like she was high or something.
His mother took the flowers from his proffered hand, then switched her attention to her. “You brought a guest. How wonderful.”
“I told you I was bringing Gabriella, Mom.” Dane sounded as if he was about to lose the deal of a lifetime. The despair and anguish in his tone made her heart beat a little faster.
Was she not welcome? Did his mother not want her here?
“Oh, I know, I…this is wonderful.” Then his mother pulled her into a sudden hug and squeezed. Tightly. “You have no idea how wonderful it is you’re here. He’s never invited anyone here.”
His mother whispered the last part in her ear, low enough where Gabby figured she didn’t want Dane to hear.
By the fierce hug and delight in her tone, Gabby’s heart settled back down. His mother didn’t mind she came. Yet, it had sounded like she didn’t believe she’d actually show up. How odd.
“Come. Your father and brother are in the living room. The meal is almost ready. I’m going to put these beautiful flowers in a vase. How thoughtful of you, Dane.” She caressed his cheek in a way only a mother could do, then wandered off down the hallway.
“Are you okay?” she whispered, in case anyone was nearby. She wasn’t even sure why Dane still seemed so tense. She knew he didn’t get along well with his brother. And his father wasn’t always supportive as he should be, but the odd way he was acting concerned her.
Maybe Dane didn’t want her to come with. Maybe he felt obligated to ask her.
But that didn’t sound right either.
His mother whispered she was the first to ever be invited.
She didn’t know what to think. All she knew was Dane’s behavior had her nervous.
He suddenly produced a smile. Not a real smile. Not the kind that reached his eyes and enhanced his handsome features. And in the past month, he had smiled more than she figured he used to.
“I’m fine.” Then he leaned down and kissed her. “I’m fine.”
For the first time, she knew Dane just lied to her.
Because he was not fine at all.
18
Dane steeled his spine and stepped into the living room with Gabriella by his side. Her presence helped the tension weaving its way through his veins to not warp his body as if he just received the worst beat down. But it all worried him.
Would his father act appropriately? He didn’t expect much from Champ, and Gabriella already knew the kind of man his brother was. But he didn’t want his father to act like he always did. Not in front of her.
“Hello, Father.” He managed a slight grin for him. When his gaze landed on Champ, he dropped all pretenses. “Champ.”
“You finally made it. Your mother’s been worrying like crazy. I don’t know why you couldn’t be here early,” his father scolded. “Like your brother.”
And there it was. Already. The first words out of his mouth.
No hello.
No how are you?
No nice to see you.
Just simple berating and “why can’t you act like your brother?” Shit never changed. And if it wasn’t for his mother, he wouldn’t even come around. Why should he when he dealt with this kind of treatment every single time?
Instead of responding with a sarcastic comment, an automatic response usually when he dealt with his father, he smiled.
A big, wide smile that had his father frowning. Not an unusual look for him. He usually frowned when Dane was around.
“This is Gabriella. My girlfriend.” He pulled her closer to his side and looked down at her. She returned his smile with a sweet one of her own. That smile managed to uncoil one knot of tension sitting deep in the pit of his stomach. “Gabriella, this is my father, Bryan Holloway.” He inclined his head toward his father. “And you know Champ.”
“Mr. Holloway, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Gabriella stepped forward and held out her hand in greeting.
Dane should’ve known Gabriella wouldn’t cower in his father’s presence. Most people did. Not his Gabriella. She was the most fierce, most courageous, most confident woman he had ever met.
His father shook her hand, yet no smile appeared. If anything, he narrowed his eyes some.
“I hear you worked at the company.”
Her smile faltered, but only for a second. “Yes, temporarily. To help Dane out.”
Champ coughed. More like a laugh, but he had to cover it up with a fake cough. Dane figured Champ was the one to tell their father Gabriella worked at the company for only a week. Because he sure in hell didn’t say anything. Of course, he knew Champ didn’t tell their father the real reason she had because then he’d have to admit he cheated on a woman. And Champ never let their father see his many failures. Either that or his father was blind when it came to him.
“Yes, well, that doesn’t surprise me. Dane usually needs help. He’s not like his brother at all.” His father turned toward Champ with a proud smile that made Dane want to puke.
Gabriella chuckled. She made it sound like the kind of giggle a woman would give
a man she was trying to please. “Oh, yes, Dane is nothing like his brother.”
Then she grabbed his hand and snuggled into his side while looking up at him with adoring eyes. Oh, how he could drown in her eyes until the end of time.
This beautiful woman had no idea how much her presence meant to him. He thought this supper might be a night of hell. But not with her by his side. Her witty retorts. Her secret sarcastic comments. Her standing tall and proud by his side. Giving her support.
“Well, Dane isn’t dating a useless woman for once. How nice.” Then his father started to head out of the room as if he hadn’t insulted Gabriella. “Let’s head to the dining room before your mother comes looking for us.”
Her mouth opened a bit in surprise, yet she didn’t say a word.
Champ chuckled and followed his father.
Dane stood there.
She brushed a soft hand across his cheek and then swept it through his hair. He closed his eyes, picturing the two of them alone in her apartment. In bed. Her tender hands moving to other parts of his body, soothing him. Making all the painful moments disappear.
“He’s never even met anyone you’ve dated, has he?”
His eyes opened. Her understanding gaze gutted him for some reason. It’s as if she could see straight to his soul—all of his dirty little secrets.
How could she read him so well with one look?
“No, he hasn’t.” A wry grin twisted on his lips. “He always believes what Champ tells him.”
“And what about what you tell him about Champ?”
Dane laughed. “I don’t say shit to my father about Champ.” Then he lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. “He wouldn’t believe a word I say anyway.”
They made their way to the dining room where a large table that could seat ten people was set up as if they were at a formal dinner party.
He took the seat across from his mother. Gabriella sat next to him. Champ sat across from her, and his father sat at the head of the table. He almost wished his mother would’ve wanted them to eat out on the patio where the table wasn’t as large and didn’t feel as imposing. It was also a circular table where no one could sit at the end. His father always acted like he was some sort of king when he sat at the head of the table.
The first plate was set in front of them. A delicious Cobb salad that he always devoured. Francis was the best chef on the planet. There were times he wanted to steal him from his parents. Except he was never home to eat an actual meal there. It would be pointless to steal him.
The mundane conversation started. His mother was doing most of the talking, asking Gabriella questions about herself. What did she do for a living? Was she from New York? Her favorite things to do? Things a mother would want to ask the woman dating her son.
Dane found most of the questions harmless. Gabriella seemed at ease and didn’t mind answering.
The main meal was delivered—roast beef, with carrots and potatoes, and a nice portion of asparagus. Francis had also delivered a warm bowl of handmade rolls. Simply delicious. Every bite.
It wasn’t until the dessert was set before them—a slice of tiramisu pie, his mother’s favorite—when his father started asking some questions.
“So, Gabriella, tell me, why did you become a cop? Such an odd profession for a woman.”
He tensed, scrunching the napkin in his lap. Gabriella must’ve sensed his immediate tension because she slid her hand under the tablecloth and grabbed his hand, squeezing. Then she smiled at his father.
“I like to help people. Being a cop is a great way to help people.”
“But homicide?” His father frowned in that disapproving way. “It’s so morbid.”
“Someone has to do it. I like it.”
Champ scoffed. “You like looking at dead bodies? Blood, guts, and gory shit?”
His mother cleared her throat, throwing Champ a scolding look. “Language, young man. And must you say such things while we’re eating?”
Champ’s lips thinned in a tight line as he looked at him, raising his brows. As if saying, “See, she’s always on my case and not on yours.” He didn’t respond even with a silent gesture because fair was fair. Their father never got off his case.
“I’m curious, though. How did you meet Dane and know he needed help at the company?” The question surprised him. Why was his father stuck on that?
“Why does it matter, Mr. Holloway?” Gabriella countered. She smiled as if she received an endearing compliment. It always amazed him how she could smile in such tense moments. She even had when she worked for him that short week, and he had a short temper.
“Because it’s my company, and I’d like to know.”
“I don’t work there anymore, so it’s not relevant any longer.”
“But you were once employed, so I want to know.” His father’s voice echoed throughout the room. The very authoritative voice that said no one would disobey him. Even Champ never tried to test his father when he used that tone.
“Well, quite frankly, Mr. Holloway, it’s none of your damn business.” Gabriella increased her smile. She even looked at Dane and giggled. “Remind me to add a quarter to my swear jar when we get home. How silly of me to let that slip.”
“Excuse me, Ms. Stileano,” his father started to say.
“Yes, Mr. Holloway?”
Dane wanted to kiss her breathless and say thank you in the most pleasurable ways for the way she was not bowing down to his father. Why couldn’t his father stop and drop the conversation?
“How dare you talk to me that way.”
His beautiful Gabriella cocked a brow. “How dare you talk to Dane the way you do. If you must know, my friend asked me to see if Champ—who she was dating at the time—was cheating on her.”
“He’d never treat a woman like that.” His father tilted his head in Dane’s direction with the disgust on his lips and the devil dancing in his eye, as if daring her to say something like that again. “Dane, on the other hand, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Bryan,” his mother whispered as if shocked he’d say such a thing.
Gabriella grasped his hand tightly, somehow knowing he needed all of her support right now. Because shit was truly hitting the fan like he’d never seen before.
“You’re either very obtuse or pretend to ignore the kind of man Champ really is. I found out he was. Screwing the secretary right there on his desk with the door wide open.”
“The damn door wasn’t wide open,” Champ spouted as he threw his napkin on the table.
Dane lifted Gabriella’s hand and kissed it. He had never seen anyone stand up to his father like that. Not even he had.
His father couldn’t deny it happened when Champ just openly admitted to it.
Dane couldn’t hold in his laughter. “Wide open. That’s still all you focus on. Not the fact you cheated on a good woman.”
His father made an odd sound. Not quite clearing his throat. Not quite a scoff—just an odd muffled sound that drifted from his throat.
“This woman wasn’t good enough. Champ wouldn’t cheat on a good woman.” His father’s words reverberated around the room.
Wow.
His damn brother still could do no wrong in his father’s eyes even when he truly did wrong.
Gabriella exhaled slowly as her hand slipped from his.
He looked at her, almost feeling the invisible thread holding them together snap. Breaking the bond they had with one quick snip.
Then she stood up and looked at his mother. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Holloway, for a delicious meal. Happy birthday. I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave.”
“Oh, please, don’t. I’d love to have a glass of wine with you on the back patio while the boys do whatever boys do.” His mother stood up as well, rounding the table quite fast.
She hooked her arm through Gabriella’s and gave each of them a pointed stare.
“I expect this table to be cleared and the dishes taken care of. It is my birthday, after al
l.”
Then the two women walked out of the room.
“You heard your mother.” His father left as well.
Dane sat there staring at the mess, wondering what the hell happened. It felt like he lost Gabriella. Not to his mother’s company. But lost her for good. That once they left, he’d never see her again.
Because she had a good picture of his family, and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
Not to mention, his father insulted Mia, and that was one of the worst things he could’ve done. Nobody hurt her best friend.
“Why didn’t you answer my calls? I’ve been calling you all weekend,” Champ snapped as he stood up, almost knocking his chair over from standing so fast.
“I didn’t see you call.”
Champ rolled his eyes, not believing the blatant lie.
“What did you get Mom?”
“What did you get her?” Dane countered.
By the look in Champ’s eyes, he didn’t get anything, which was why he had bothered him all weekend. He wanted to hoard in on his gift like he always did, instead of going out and buying something himself.
“Add my name to the damn card.”
Then Champ walked out of the room as well.
Dane sat at the table, surrounded by a mess, and a massive hole in his heart.
Screw his brother.
Damn his father.
But bless his mother. For she was the only one trying to stop Gabriella from leaving him with an empty heart.
Gabby took a sip of wine, even though her feet itched to jump up out of the—very nice—plush patio chair. But it was Mrs. Holloway’s birthday, and it felt wrong to leave her in the lurch when she asked her to join her outside.
Of course, she also knew why she asked her to join her. To dispel the icky tension. Maybe even warn her away from Dane.
It was quite transparent that his father and brother did not like her. His brother, Champ, sure, she understood. She ruined his chances with Mia by discovering his lecherous behavior.
The Wrong Brother (a perfect for you novel Book 1) Page 20
