Gauge didn’t hesitate, “The pretty girl will have milk, I’ll take a glass of white merlot, and the lovely lady will have,” he turned to eye Ella expectantly.
“Wine too, please,” she supplied, a little miffed that he’d order for Alysa without consulting her first.
When Cindy left, Gauge smiled at Alysa, “Do you like milk?”
Alysa nodded and reached for the salt and pepper shakers.
Ella’s hand shot out and grabbed the shakers first before smiling and shaking her head, “I don’t think so, young lady.”
In seconds, Cindy was back with their drinks and two menus. “Here ya’ go. I’ll be back to take your order in a few.”
Gauge perused his menu, but Ella eyed the pub. “Isn’t this table too small?” She pointed to a line of tables in the center of the room. “We could put a few together.” She made to stand, “I’ll get the bar maid to help.”
Gauge’s hand caught her elbow and she turned to face him.
“Crow will be late. He said to eat without him.”
“Oh.” Ella reclaimed her seat, “Okay.” Something didn’t feel right.
Cindy returned too soon, “Are we ready?”
Ella blushed as she took up her untouched menu.
“I can order for us if you’d like?”
Ella nodded sheepishly and placed her menu back on the table.
“My pretty girl will have the six ounce fillet with mashed potatoes and gravy, and,” he looked at Alysa, “carrots or broccoli?”
She bounced in her seat, “Carrots!”
He chuckled. “Carrots it is. And her mother and I will both have the seared duck with apple cabbage compote and roasted potatoes.”
“Great,” Cindy penned down the order, “I’ll get this in right away.”
When she left, Ella muttered a thank you.
“Do you enjoy seared duck?”
She shrugged, “Never tried it.”
He smiled, “Then you’re in for a treat.”
Aside from Alysa’s incessant chatter and non-stop questions, they waited in relative silence. Every time Ella sneaked a peek up at Gauge, it was to find him studying her curiously. She wondered if he was regretting kissing her. Once he actually appeared angry as his lips thinned into a grim line and she couldn’t help but feel like she was in trouble. Luckily, Cindy returned with their food and she was delighted to discover that Gauge had been right. Seared duck was quite the treat.
Ella couldn’t keep her eyes from darting to the clock that hung over the bar. She didn’t want Mr. StoneCrow to arrive to them eating, so she ate quickly and several times admonished Alysa to do the same.
“It’s fine,” Gauge commented. “Take your time. There’s no rush.”
Dread began to pit in her stomach. What did he mean there was no rush? They had a business meeting planned. Didn’t they?
Cindy returned to clear plates and to re-fill Ella’s wine. She typically wasn’t a drinker, but she needed something to take the edge off her nerves.
As she took a sip of her wine, she saw Gauge’s rigid shoulders relax as she eyed the doorway. Setting her glass down quickly, she turned to greet CEO StoneCrow, but was shocked to find he wasn’t the source of Gauge’s sudden ease. A large man, carrying a toddler, and holding the hand of a beautiful brunette entered.
“Where is everyone?” Ella fought down her panic. “You said there was a meeting.” Her eyes scanned the room and she wrapped a protective arm over Alysa’s shoulders.
“Mr. StoneCrow isn’t coming.” Gauge’s eyes narrowed on her. “I wanted to talk to you outside of work and knew that after last night, you’d be reluctant to grant me any second opportunity.”
Her eyes rounded, “You lied?” The incredulity in her tone was quickly replaced by anger, “How dare you!” She was just about to get up from her seat when a large foreboding figure stepped up to the table and had Ella leaning back in her seat and pulling Alysa tighter to her side. It was the man who’d entered with his family. He was huge and had a nasty scar that ran from his hairline, over one eye and the bridge of his nose to slash across the opposite cheek. He looked fierce and intimidating. Ella swallowed hard.
“This is Commander Drago.”
The Commander smiled and while it made him seem slightly less menacing, it didn’t have Ella relaxing any.
The Commander held up his arm and his tiny female walked up to step into his embrace. Her jet black hair was interrupted at her temple with one white swath that ran all the way down the long length of her hair.
“Hi, Ella and Alysa,” the woman beamed. “I’m Aries and this is my mate, Conn.”
“Hi!” Alysa piped up happily.
Ella didn’t speak. It didn’t go unnoticed to her either that Aries referred to herself as Conn’s mate and not his wife. It was a slip she was sure the other woman wasn’t even aware shed’ made. Ella turned to eye Gauge warily, “What’s going on?”
Aries held up a hand and a little girl dashed over to the table, “This is our daughter, Wynter.”
The girl locked eyes on Alysa and smiled as she waved excitedly. “Wanna play?”
Alysa inched out of the booth without even asking.
“Alysa!” Ella hissed reaching for the child. Gauge snagged her hand and held it.
“It’s okay. I’ve asked them to entertain Alysa so that we might talk.”
Ella tried to jerk her hand free as Alysa inched further from the table. “Wait!” She was near hysterical.
Gauge squeezed her hand and commanded, “Alysa, come here.”
The little girl did as asked he watched as Ella visibly relaxed. He looked up at Conn and Aries still standing near his table. “Give us a moment?”
Conn nodded and led his mate and child closer to the door.
Ella reached for Alysa, but Gauge snatched the child into his arms and stood to stare down at Ella. “I’m going to send Alysa with Conn and Aries. She can play with their daughter, Wynter, while we talk. She’ll be safe. It’s just a play date.”
Delicate brows speared down as she shook her head, “No! Talk about what?”
Conn lingered near the door with his family.
“Alysa, give mommy a kiss. You’re gonna go play, okay?” He leaned down to give Ella the opportunity to peck her daughter on the cheek. When Ella reached for her instead, Gauge pulled back. His tone was firm and brooked no refusal, “She’ll be fine. It’s only for an hour or so.” In seconds, Gauge was at the door speaking with Conn and his family. They exchanged smiles and then Alysa was deposited in Conn’s arms as the Commander, his angel, and a very excited Wynter, exited the Crow’s nest with Ella’s daughter in tow.
Gauge returned to the table and Ella was blinking back tears, attempting to compose herself. “Where are they taking her,” she attempted to round the table, but Gauge slid into the booth and pulled her back down into her seat. He secured an arm around her shoulders to keep her from attempting to flee.
“We need to talk.”
“I can’t,” she tried to rise, but the weight of Gauge’s arm on her shoulders kept her in place. “I can’t leave Alysa with strangers.”
“She’ll be fine. Conn and Aries enjoy having other children around. Wynter doesn’t get to interact with many children her age. It’s fine. They’re not strangers.” He used a finger under her chin to force her eyes to meet his. “I’d never put her in harm’s way. Besides, we need some time alone to talk freely.”
Oh God, here it comes! “I don’t want to talk freely,” she jerked her chin out of his grasp and tried to pull away, but his arm slid lower to circle around her waist while his free hand cupped her face and forced her to look at him.
“Ella, don’t!”
Her eyes collided with his and her breath caught. He was a beautiful man. Too beautiful. When she’d had the chance to date she’d always had a firm rule against dating men that were more beautiful than herself, and Gauge Alexander definitely fell into that category, but the way he was looking at her now made h
er wish that… No, she couldn’t go there. Not only was he her boss, but she had Alysa to think about and that meant putting her desires on the backburner.
She shook her head as if to clear it, “Mr. Alexander,” she began at an attempt at formality, “thank you for dinner, but I’ve gotta get going.” She scanned the pub as if searching for an excuse. Her eyes locked on the window, “It’s begun to snow and we’ve got a long drive.” She turned to face him but didn’t have the courage to meet his eyes so she settled on staring at his mouth. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d taste as good as he had the first time they’d kissed.
Gauge knew he was on borrowed time, so he shot straight to the heart of the matter. “Whose child is she?”
Ella stilled and paled dangerously. “What? Mine!” her tone was too airy with a forced composure.
“Ella, I know she is not yours. I want the truth.”
Stars exploded in Ella’s vision and she swore she was going to pass out.
“Breathe,” Gauge commanded, gripping her shoulder tightly to give her a shake.
Ella’s mind was racing so frantically that she hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath. Her mouth fell open and she sucked in an agonized breath as her shoulders rose and fell with her rapid breathing, but she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. She flattened a hand on her chest, willing her breathing to slow from its erratic pace.
“Easy, Ella!”
She knew the display was only confirming Gauge’s suspicion, but for the life of her, she couldn’t seem to control the sudden panic that flared to life. She was shaking her head frantically, wanting to deny his claim but no words came out.
“Here!” Gauge lifted her glass of wine to her lips, “Drink this, it may help.”
She reached for the glass with shaky hands, but Gauge didn’t release it as he tilted it to pour it into her mouth. She took a sip and when he made to pull away, she clamped her hand over his and kept drinking.
Just get a grip! He doesn’t know anything; if he did he wouldn’t be asking. Right?
Satisfied that she’d gotten herself under control, she allowed Gauge to set the glass on the table even as his other hand rubbed at her back, “You okay?”
She dropped her head, “Fine, I just,” she shook her head and then eyed the door longingly. “I’ve just never had Alysa taken from me like that before.” It was the truth, and while it wasn’t the real source of her consternation, Gauge didn’t need to know it.
“I’m sorry,” he expelled a harsh breath and plowed his hand into his hair. “I should have done this better. I wasn’t trying to corner you, but I know that’s how it feels.”
Cindy returned and re-filled Ella’s wine glass for a third time, eyeing Gauge. “Everything alright?” She looked genuinely concerned.
“Fine,” Gauge snapped and motioned with his head toward the bottle of wine. “Leave it.”
Cindy did as requested before casting Ella a sympathetic looking and heading back to the bar.
Ella used the linen napkin to dab at her mouth before asking quietly, “W-what made you think that Alysa wasn’t mine?”
Now it was Gauge’s turn to grow anxious. He couldn’t very well admit that he could scent the lack of maternal connection. “I, uh…,” his eyes shifted around the table. “I did a background search.”
“And…” she prodded. She wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
“And I found Alysa’s birth records.”
It was a lie. Ella had worked as a nurse for the hospital where Alysa was born. It was how she knew Stoney; both had gone to nursing school together. She had shredded the birth records herself the day before she’d devised her plan to take Alysa. Two could play Gauge’s game.
Ella lifted her chin defiantly, a fire igniting in her dove-gray eyes. “She’s mine.” She watched as Gauge’s nostrils flared and knew he scented the lie when his lips thinned and the muscle at the side of his jaw worked. He was lying to her and she was lying to him and they were both doing it because they both had something to protect.
His eyes glinted dangerously and she knew then that he was aware of her calling him out. If he expected the truth from her, then he’d better be willing to reciprocate. She fought a smile, knowing he couldn’t reveal his secret any more than she could reveal her own.
“Fine,” he gritted out, watching her drink her glass of wine with an air of self-satisfaction. “Have it your way, Ms. Garret.” He stood and held out his hand, indicating the end of their meeting.
YES! Mentally, Ella fist punched the air in victory. That’d teach him to corner a desperate woman!
Exiting the Crow’s Nest, she pulled her cell from her purse.
“What are you doing?” he ground out angrily.
“Making a call,” she didn’t get to finish her explanation as Stoney picked up.
“What up, El?”
“Hey, I’m just getting ready to leave StoneCrow. Would you mind keeping Alysa for me until the morning? I know you said you had an appointment in town early. Can you just bring her home when you come in?”
“Uhh, sure! Why?” The bored tone of Stoney’s voice turned giddy, “Oh please tell me you sex-sirened it up and are about to get proper fucked.”
Ella’s cheeks flamed. She knew with his Walker hearing that he’d heard Stoney’s words.”
“No,” Ella rushed on in a quieter tone. “Can you keep her or not? She’s with Conn and Aries Drago. You’ll need to go pick her up.”
“Absolutely,” Stoney was still smiling. “Enjoy your night” she teased.
Ella quickly hung up and peeked up at Gauge. He was frowning as they waited for the elevator.
“I thought you couldn’t leave her with strangers,” he ground out accusatorily.
“Stoney’s not a stranger. She’s like my sister, Alysa’s aunt. Besides, I would never drink and drive with her.”
That caught Gauge’s attention. He turned to study her. “Are you drunk?”
“No, but I won’t take the chance with Alysa.”
Concern knitted his brows, “Maybe you should stay.”
Unsure if it was her delight at having won their battle of wills or the amount of wine she’d consumed, but Ella couldn’t stop the, “Is that an invitation?”
The second the words were out, she covered her mouth with a hand and shook her head as she cringed inwardly. What is wrong with me!
Gauge wasn’t entertained. “You could stay in one of the suites. I can have it arranged.”
She was thankful he’d chosen to ignore her words, even if his obvious rejection did sting a little.
“No. Thank you,” she tacked on quickly. “I’m fine. Alysa will be safe with Stoney and I’m good to drive.”
The statement didn’t keep Gauge from shifting and ghosting her car back to the city to ensure her safe arrival.
Chapter 11
Sitting behind his desk, Gauge frowned at the clock that hung on the wall. Ella was late. It was a first, and it had him wondering if it wasn’t a direct result of their conversation the previous night. Silently cursing himself, he swallowed down the fear that she’d quit. He shook his head. Ella was anything but a coward, she wouldn’t simply quit.
He felt the familiar mental nudge indicating that a fellow Walker was attempting to contact him through the mist. He permitted the connection.
“Gauge, its Aries Drago. You need to come to Ella’s motel immediately!”
The fear in the woman’s tone had him springing from his chair even as he queried, “What is it? Is she alright?”
He didn’t bother snatching his suit coat. Striding quickly to the French doors that led out to a balcony that overlooked the estate, he shoved the doors open and vaulted himself over the rail, shifting to falcon form as he fell. Aries’ response hit him with the updraft that sent him soaring toward the town of Great Falls.
“No! She’s not alright. Get here fast!”
***
Gauge stormed into Ella’s motel room with Conn Drago fo
llowing close behind. The Commander had joined him mid-flight, no doubt sensing his own angel’s distress.
They entered the room without knocking, their senses on high alert. As soon as Gauge took one step into the room, he scented Ella’s pain. It was overwhelming in its strength, and had his adrenaline racing. Something, someone had hurt her, and he needed to get to her.
It was easy to follow the scent to the back of the room where Aries exited a room and met them in the hall. Angry tears filled the woman’s eyes as they by-passed Gauge and locked on her mate. “Stoney was supposed to bring Alysa home, but asked if I’d do it for her because she was heading back home for some sort of family emergency.” She abruptly ended her explanation, “Someone hurt her!” She rushed to crush herself in her mate’s embrace. “She won’t talk in front of the child. She wanted me to leave; she asked me to take Alysa and hide her!”
Gauge didn’t slow, he heard Aries’ words as he entered the bedroom to find little Alysa sitting on the bed next to her mother quietly brushing her doll’s golden hair. As Gauge’s gaze slid to Ella he barely caught the sharp tinge of embarrassment that was overwhelmed by the thick cloud of pain that suffused the room. It was suffocating. Whatever was wrong with Ella, it was serious.
“Hey, Alysa,” Conn spoke gently to the child from somewhere behind Gauge. Alysa lifted her eyes to the two large men and excitement filled her eyes, “Gauge!” She dropped her doll and held her arms up.
Gauge crossed quickly to pick her up, “Hey, pretty girl,” he addressed her but kept his eyes pinned on Ella. He pecked a kiss on Alysa’s forehead.
“Do you wanna come and play with Wynter?” Aries asked behind Gauge. When Alysa squealed with delight, Gauge turned and handed the child off.
***
Ella kept her eyes on Gauge as he turned and stared down at her intently. She could see him trying to read her expression. She licked her parched lips before shifting her eyes to Alysa. Gauge noted that Ella moved her eyes only, not her head, and for the first time since he’d known her she didn’t reach for the child when she spoke to her.
“Baby, you go play with Wynter okay? Be good.”
“Do you wanna kiss your mom good-bye?” Aries came close and was bending with the child when Ella made to sit up. It was a mistake.
Skin Walkers: Gauge Page 6
