She looked down into her empty glass. “No, thanks. I had a late dinner before leaving home. And I’m only drinking this,” she tipped the flute, “because it came to me. I don’t really care for it.”
“What do you care for?”
Her lashes fluttered and lust burned through his veins when a lovely flush stained her high cheekbones. “Sorry?”
“To drink,” he specified as his body reacted. Could he get any harder?
“Oh.” She shrugged, bringing his attention to the fragility of her bare shoulder. Her free hand came up to play with the glittering earring dangling from the delicate lobe of her ear. “A Cosmopolitan is my go-to if I’m in a club. Which is almost never,” she added quickly.
It’s okay, sweetheart, I know who you are. Your father was right when he told me you lead a quiet life.
“I like wine,” she continued, her chatter almost nervous now. “I don’t know if other people have the same preference, but I go for red in winter and white in summer. Maybe it’s the temperature difference or the heartiness. I don’t know.” She sighed in an adorable burst. “What about you? What do you like, Gabriel?”
He didn’t doubt his full disclosure of what he liked would send her running, so he settled for raising his now-empty glass. “A chilled Stoli is always welcome.”
“Hmm,” she mused, as if she hadn’t really heard him. Her gaze skimmed his features, lingering on his mouth. Again.
He unbuttoned his fucking uncomfortable jacket and wrenched his neck to the side for a satisfying crack when a vibration against his left pec signaled his phone going off. Almost glad for the reprieve, he rudely withdrew it from his pocket and brought it to his ear around his gruffly muttered, “Excuse me.”
“Yeah,” he snapped into the mouthpiece.
“Can you talk?” It was Alek.
“No,” he replied dryly. Wasn’t doing great so far, unless you were giving marks for interrogation methods.
“Then get somewhere quiet and call me back.”
Dammit. He didn’t want to go somewhere quiet. Unless it was to ravish the woman in front of him. Sure as hell didn’t want to leave her in a room full of gawking men. In fact…
Gabriel put his phone away and aimed a dark look at Liam. The kid who’d brought him his drink earlier. He was in his early twenties and putting himself through college, if Gabriel remembered correctly. Which he did, because he was gladly helping to pay the tab for the ambitious little fucker whose chatty mother cleaned his suite every second day.
He waved the clearly enamored ginger over with a two-fingered prompt. “We won’t be changing our minds about that champagne, kid. If I see you troll by here again, you’re gonna be wearing it. Got me?”
“Sorry.” Liam’s grin was good-natured, his eyes flipping between Gabriel and Eva. “Just doin’ my job, Mr. M.”
So as not to be a complete asshole, he bumped the offered fist. “Get lost.”
“Yes, sir.”
Liam nodded to an amused Eva before he left, tray balanced perfectly. Out of the corner of his eye, Gabriel could see Jak and Quan standing a few feet away. Quan had his back tonight, Jak had been on Eva since she’d left her house. Neither of them blended with Seattle’s upper crust. But then, none of them did. Too rough around the edges.
“Listen, there’s something I need to take care of. Were you planning on leaving anytime soon?”
Eva’s midnight hair shimmered under the chandeliers as she shook her head. “Not for a while yet. Will you be back?”
“Absolutely,” he vowed when he heard the hopeful note in her voice.
Her cheeks grew bright as she smiled. “Good.”
With that softly delivered ego boost ringing in his ears, he turned on his heel and got the hell away from her. “Don’t let her out of your sight,” he snarled at Jak as he went by, feeling Quan settle at his left flank.
He stormed his way down the busy corridor, blind to the tuxedos and evening gowns scattering like roaches to get out of his way. Keeping his head down, he dialed as he went through the lobby and solarium, passing guests admiring the tall trees and lush greenery spread in every direction.
“You should be flattered as hell.”
He listened to the phone ring in one ear as Quan’s comment filtered into the other. “Why?”
“The look on her face when she first saw you?” Quan’s chuckle was all about male appreciation. “You should be flattered as hell. That’s all I’m saying.”
Gabriel’s chest tightened with pleasure as he recalled the glow of recognition that had lit Eva’s eyes when she’d first spotted him, the interest. He was so goddamned flattered it was mortifying.
“I just hung up with Vincente,” Alek informed him on answering. “He got into the PI’s office. Found a fat file on Stefano Moretti’s little bro. Over a year long. There was no information on exactly who Eva is, but they know something is tying you to her.”
“Name and description?” The guy had only been doing his job, but that didn’t mean Gabriel wasn’t going to let the PI know he’d gotten into bed with the wrong brother, and that if he didn’t climb out, the man was done.
“Quan and Jak have it.”
Quan held up his phone; a rounded face was front and center on the screen. Gabriel leaned in and stored the image as Alek went on.
“Apparently, Ian Preston has an eye for detail—we should snap him up. Vincente said there were quite a few photos of you in New York, with Eva’s image circled in red in the background.”
Fury bloomed in Gabriel’s chest, but he tamped it down. Vasily was going to want his head on a pike for this. Nothing good ever came from being distracted in their world.
“Stefano is gunning for her.” A statement. Not a question.
Alek’s sigh wasn’t encouraging. “Looks like it. One of his boys is heading our way. V said his name is Skars, but that’s all he got. Maksim is working his IT skills on finding out more, but until he does, he said to be on alert. Stefano specified Eva isn’t to be touched, but who knows how loyal his guy is. Maybe he doesn’t take direction well. And just so you know, I’ll be staying in Seattle until this is settled.”
“You’re upstairs?”
“Yes. After yesterday, I had a feeling things were going south. And she is family. The only female cousin I have, actually.”
“Thanks, brother. I’m glad you’re here.” Gabriel’s gratitude was sincere. Alek was a definite asset.
Quan slapped him on the arm and indicated Gabriel should look over his shoulder. He turned to the stone terrace that stretched the entire rear of the hotel and was instantly captivated when he saw Eva drift across the way to lean on the iron railing that overlooked the darkened gardens. There were only a few other people out there, and they were already heading back toward the ballroom doors.
Where the fuck was Jak?
His eyes narrowed, a weight settling on his chest when he saw her wipe at her cheeks. Was she…crying?
“Listen, G.” Alek’s voice startled him. He was still holding the phone to his ear. “Maybe you should—”
He disconnected the call without a word, adrenaline kicking into his bloodstream as Eva turned to look over her shoulder. Shifting his gaze, he nearly went through the window when he saw a guy loping over to the shadows where she stood.
Completely alone.
At any other time, an unidentified male homing in on a woman like Eva with a look of such interest would be nothing but hunting. This wasn’t any other time. And the guy didn’t look as though he belonged at this benefit any more than a hyena in a tux would.
Had to be Skars.
Despite the few guests strolling nearby, Gabriel broke into a sprint. Quan followed suit and they made for the only exit at the far end of the solarium.
Which had them going in the opposite direction from where Eva was.
FIVE
Thankful the drizzle had stopped, Eva leaned on the railing in the quiet gardens of the hotel and listened to the soft rush high abov
e as a mild breeze feathered through the wet leaves on the trees. Taking a tissue out of her clutch—she’d needed them after all—she dabbed at her eyes, careful not to smear her makeup.
She’d found her mother’s friends sitting at a table near the doors leading out to the terrace and had gladly welcomed the round of hugs as the trio that used to be a quad fawned over her just like her mom used to. She’d sat with them, and had just started to decompress when Corrine Horton—the harmless busybody of the bunch—had zeroed in on the fact that Eva was alone.
“Why didn’t you bring your date to meet us, darling? We wouldn’t have embarrassed you.” Corrine had patted her short, perfectly styled salt-and-pepper hair and smiled in such a way that said they certainly would have.
After admitting that she’d come alone, Danielle had cooed while leaning over to cover Eva’s hand, the chunky ring on her forefinger so heavy Eva was sure it would leave an indent. “Kathryn told us about your…fear.” She whispered the over-enunciated word. “She was so worried about you. She knew why you didn’t date like other girls your age. But, sweetie, you have no idea how much she regretted allowing you to see her pain over your father. Even more, she regretted allowing that pain to affect her so strongly at all. How often, girls,” she put to Corrine and Marilyn, “did Kat say she wished she’d been stronger for Eva?”
“Too often,” Marilyn had confirmed as Corrine nodded in agreement.
“She didn’t want you to be alone, Eva. Yes, she loved that you’re an independent, strong woman, but then, look who raised you,” she’d said with a shimmer in her eye that had caused an ache to form in Eva’s throat. “But she wanted you to be happy. Loved and happy, sweetie. Don’t let what that man did affect your life as negatively as Kathryn allowed it to affect hers.”
It was then Eva had shocked herself by blurting a question she’d never thought to ask them before. “Did she ever tell you his name?”
“Oh, no,” Corrine had shaken her head quickly, bracelets jangling as she waved a finger like a wiper blade. “And it wasn’t like we didn’t ask. But she said telling us would be too dangerous—” She’d checked herself and rushed to clarify. “To her peace of mind. Too painful for her. He’s in the past anyway. It’s time for a fresh start. It’s what Kathryn wanted.”
Having reached her limit at that point, her throat closing tighter and tighter, Eva had quickly excused herself and come out for some air.
Why had Corrine used the word dangerous? she wondered now as she touched the pad of her pinkie on water droplet glimmering on the railing. Seemed a little melodramatic. How could revealing Eva’s father’s name be dangerous? To her mom’s piece of mind? Had she been so fragile where that man was concerned that simply hearing his name would have caused her pain?
God. She truly didn’t understand a love like that…
Her pulse fluttered Gabriel Moore’s image shimmered to life in her mind’s eye. Thank God the ladies hadn’t seen Eva with him earlier. An affluent businessman, handsome, single…they’d have had her married off before she could blink.
Hearing footsteps, she couldn’t smother the hopeful feeling that surfaced as she turned…
But it was just a stranger in a dark suit that looked a size too large for him.
Eva’s gaze narrowed warily when he came right over to her, stopping when only a few feet separated them. Hopefully he just needed a lighter—
“Found you.”
The hair on her arms sprang up when he paired that with a quick glance around, as if checking to make sure they were alone. She did the same and cursed silently when she saw she’d walked farther from the ballroom doors than she’d realized. The sounds of the gathering were much more muted out here in the shadows.
“You were looking for me? Specifically?” She casually pushed herself off the railing, getting ready to bolt if he came any closer. Not that she could move very quickly in her heels. “Do I know you?”
His thin lips stretched into a knowing smile and he sidled over, effectively blocking her escape. “Don’t be scared. I’m just here to give you a message.”
Without warning, her meeting with Stefano Moretti popped into her head and she glanced around once more. Where the hell was everyone?
As if on cue, an amplified voice came over the sound system inside to introduce the first speaker of the evening, followed by the polite applause of the assembled guests.
Well, that explained it, she thought as she focused on the man in front of her. They were about the same height, but he outweighed her by at least thirty pounds.
Eyes, throat, groin.
Eyes, throat, groin.
Eyes, throat…
Caleb had drilled the trio into her and Nika’s heads before every date they’d gone on. He’d even been so thorough in his self-defence training to teach them the proper way to hold a knife and how to shoot a gun. Either weapon would have come in handy right then.
“This message,” she said, trying to appear unaffected. “Did my boyfriend send you out to deliver it? I know he’s not the most patient guy.” Maybe if he thought someone knew she was out there he’d leave her alone.
He didn’t respond. Just stared at her with a bland smile that didn’t reach his beady eyes.
Fuck this.
She stepped to the side, rudely pushing between him and a stone bench. But rather than let her pass, his hand shot out and latched on to her wrist. When he roughly pulled her into his body, she froze, caught completely off guard by the bold move. And his surprising strength.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, anger joining the panic filling her chest as she gave her arm a good yank. “Let. Go!”
“This isn’t necessary, kitty.” She slapped his hand away when he cupped her shoulder, and barely heard his, “I just wanted to talk to you,” through the rushing sound in her ears.
With a quick move, she shifted, and using the momentum, slammed her elbow into his solar plexus, just like Caleb had taught her. A burst of whiskey-scented breath shot out of his mouth as he bent over, but still he didn’t release her wrist. She pulled, tensing to lift her knee, just as a huge shadow appeared from out of nowhere and ripped her assailant away.
Eva’s legs almost buckled as Gabriel yanked the blond man farther into the darkness. At the same time, his fist was already swinging around and the crack of knuckle on bone sounded. Blood flowed from the creep’s broken nose, the shiny liquid black in the dim light as it ran over his lips and down his chin.
“Well, if it isn’t—”
Gabriel’s fist connected once more, effectively shutting the guy up and perhaps shattering a few teeth in the process.
Faster than she would have expected, the blond snaked around and broke Gabriel’s hold. He reached down to his ankle and came up twirling a knife. He swung his arm out and the blade narrowly missed Gabriel’s wide chest as he moved lithely to the side, proving right then that he’d done this before. The two circled each other and the blond lunged again. But Gabriel was too fast, his expression tight, terrifying. With one deft move he had the attacker’s knife-wielding hand in his grip. He jammed his knee into the man’s stomach and snatched the falling blade when it would have clattered to the ground. He ended it by delivering a solid backhand to her assailant’s temple that caused the man to fly backward and land in a crumpled, unmoving heap on the hard stone.
With her hands tented over her mouth, Eva went to cross over to Gabriel but was stopped by a gentle hand on her elbow. She barely swallowed a shriek as she spun.
“It’s okay,” said a striking Asian man who had his hands up, palms out in that gesture men used to show a woman they meant no harm. “I’m with Gabriel,” he said, then repeated, “It’s okay.”
“That’s Quan.” The deep vibration of Gabriel’s voice carried even when he spoke so quietly. He turned his attention from the beaten man at his feet. “My security,” he clarified in a flat voice before adding, “Where the fuck—”
Before he could complete the question, another
man came out of the shadows from the direction of the gardens. This one had longish tawny hair and a nasty scar on the side of his face. He was clearly angry as he stomped down the stone path and jumped up the three steps to the terrace in one effortless bound. He went right up to Gabriel, wiping at a steady trickle of blood that had to have impaired his vision as it was running down his forehead and into his eye, though he treated it as if it were nothing more than a mild annoyance. He glanced her way with an expression of regret and then said something she couldn’t hear.
Whatever it was made Gabriel’s lips tighten. He nodded at the blood. “You okay?”
Tough guy just snorted and looked insulted by the question.
She was about to ask Gabriel what the hell was going on when yet another male voice came from behind her, this one speaking a language very much not English. He was tall and well-built with dirty-blond hair that fell boyishly over his forehead. Unlike everyone else, he was dressed casually in a silky gray button-down and beat-up jeans.
Eva narrowed her eyes. There was something vaguely familiar about him. Too frazzled to figure it out, she wrote it off to his resemblance to David Beckham.
Her attention went back to Gabriel. Did all of these guys work for him? Hotel or personal security? Had the incident been captured by surveillance—
Gabriel responding to the new guy distracted her.
She swallowed a sound of disbelief.
Were they speaking Russian?
Shit. She just couldn’t get away from that, could she?
When they’d said their fill, both men turned to her, and, from what she could see in the limited light, they didn’t look happy. A gust of wind played around them, and she ignored the sudden need to hide from all that aggression. Rather, she straightened her spine and injected the right amount of censure in her voice when she suggested politely, “Maybe you can fill us in?” She included Quan and the scarred one in her clueless group. No doubt they were as curious as she was.
Gabriel came over to stand before her, gently tipping her head back with a knuckle under her chin. “Are you okay?”
Vengeance Unleashed (The Wanted Men Series Book 1) Page 5
