Chapter 18

18

To say his uncle's appearance had been unexpected was understating it.

"After Will's report, I had to come see for myself," he insisted when Gabriel rounded on him the moment Leah hurried off. "There was some question about whether the humans are taking advantage of you. I know you must've used magic to get this done in so short a time."

"They're not taking advantage of me." Gabriel could barely concentrate as he answered his uncle. All he heard were the same words, teasing, tempting.

I'm yours for the taking.

A lush hint of desire shuddered through him.

Fortunately, August was far from aware of his distraction, and looked less than convinced. "I just think—" His mirror chimed in his pocket.

He discreetly checked it. "Hong Kong are wanting to pass through the new contracts." He glanced up, around. "Any ideas on finding a space without prying eyes?"

"I've not been here before."

"No matter. I'll cast a glamour barrier." August flipped open the gold square compact engraved with the family crest. "One moment," he said in fluent Cantonese as he walked toward the exit.

Battling frustration, Gabriel didn't get a chance to breathe before Bluewater appeared.

"Goodnight." He made the name a whip, cracking it out. "We need to talk."

Gabriel eyed him with derision. "Fine."

"Not here." Without waiting, Kole stalked to a deserted corner. Gabriel followed at a stroll calculated to annoy. He wanted to annoy Kole, a petty fact that should've shamed him, might shame him later, when his temper wasn't simmering.

They squared off, two men in tuxedos with tension a crackle in the air around them.

Kole didn't waste time. "You need to back off from Leah."

Gabriel kept his face expressionless. "I wasn't aware you spoke for her."

"I watch out for her. I want what's best for her. And you're not it."

That dug in deep, splintering off to Gabriel's nerves. "I'm a Goodnight," he returned. "A legacy."

"I wouldn't care if you were from the High Family itself." Kole gritted his teeth. " You aren't right for her."

"And you know me?"

"I know you're a cold son of a bitch. I know you care more about your family crest than its members."

"Fascinating how you read me like a book, considering I can't think of one instance we've spent time together." Gabriel lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly, too used to society drawing their own conclusions to care. "And you're one to talk about caring for family when you left Emmaline alone for so many years with your mother."

His dart was well aimed. Kole's eyes flashed. "Listen, you arrogant dick. This isn't about me."

"Isn't it?" Gabriel stepped closer, body locked so he wouldn't betray the emotion humming through him. "Because it looks to me like you're having a tantrum about my spending time with your toy."

" She isn't a toy. "

"Exactly," Gabriel shot back, angry on Leah's behalf. "She's a woman who makes her own decisions. But you're treating her like a toy. She isn't yours to put down and pick up when you come back. She isn't yours, period."

"And you think she could be yours?" A laugh carved out of Kole's mouth, jagged, threatening to slice Gabriel. "It might've escaped you in this game you're playing, but there are higher stakes here than just breaking her heart." Magic sparked and sizzled around Kole before he pulled it back with visible effort. "If she finds out about witches, she could be seriously hurt."

Gabriel's jaw grated from clenching so hard. "I would never hurt Leah."

"You hurt her by being near her. If you really cared, and that's stretching it, you wouldn't endanger her by getting involved."

He had no answer for that, not that he needed one as Kole stormed off with one final warning.

Left alone, Gabriel slumped, mind whirling. It was true. Getting involved with Leah was dangerous, reckless and decidedly un-sensible. And yet...

She wanted him. He wanted her. All the rest was just noise.

She'd asked him to respect her—he did, enough to trust she could make her own decisions, just as he'd told Bluewater. They could do this.

If he could be bold enough to grab happiness for just a little while.

The night stretched on. Every time Leah tried to get close to Gabriel to finish their conversation, something whirled them away from each other. Even the absolute stunned joy of her mom appearing with George, beckoned there on Gabriel's decree apparently, hadn't blocked the raging impatience that hummed under her skin. So, she'd played hostess and danced with her mom, posed for photos and pretended that every second wasn't a century.

Two hours after she'd appeared, Leah's mom hugged her by the idling town car. Her grip was firm, loving, and she smelled of soft roses and expensive perfume. Leah drew it in as something in her settled. "Thank you for coming," she mumbled into her neck.

Joyce Miller née Turner drew away, sparkling in an elegant silver gown and matching chandelier earrings. Her blond hair had been tamed into a classic updo that framed her regal, still-beautiful face. The eyes might have a few lines, but they shone the same blue as Leah's as she surveyed her daughter.

George was already in the waiting car, having said his goodbyes. They were headed straight to O'Hare, back to their honeymoon, but Leah couldn't bring herself to feel too sad. They'd shown up for her. That meant more than anything.

"We wouldn't have been anywhere else. I'm sorry we have to leave tonight." Disappointment shadowed her mother's face. "But we've arranged a wine tasting and a day out in—"

Leah shook her head, interrupting. "Mom, it's fine. I'm just glad you could make it."

"Me, too." Joyce squeezed their joined hands before her gaze slid past Leah. From the appreciative gleam, Leah could guess who she was looking at.

"Your Gabriel," she began, confirming Leah's assumption.

"He's not my Gabriel."

"He would be if you were smart about it."

Leah couldn't help but laugh, even as her heart ached. "He's going back to New Orleans next month."

"There are planes," her mother argued. "People move."

If only distance was the obstacle. "It's not like that between us."

"Well, what is it?"

"I..." The secret fell like weight across her shoulders.

He's a warlock , she wanted to say. I'm a human. It's never going to work out.

"It's just not that simple," she settled for.

"It should be. Consider this my motherly advice for the decade: seduce him."

Leah choked. " Mom. "

Joyce's grin could only be described as devilish. "Honey, that man is an éclair waiting to be gobbled up." She tugged on Leah's hands. "He called me, a woman he's never met, so I could be here for you. And it was more of a demand than a suggestion."

Leah's lips curved.

"He cares. That's hard to find." Joyce hesitated over her next words. "I know you've always been a little distrustful of men because of, well, your dad, how he left. How I...fell apart. You don't like to let people in in case they hurt you. Leave."

"Mom." Pained, uncomfortable, Leah rolled her shoulders as if she could shrug off the topic. "Don't. It's fine. I'm fine."

Joyce looked like she wanted to say more, but sighed and leaned in to kiss Leah's cheek. "Just promise me you'll think about it." As Leah laughed again, she added, "You deserve happiness, baby."

The words stayed with Leah as she waved them off and saw Gabriel waiting for her with Emma and Bastian. Their eyes locked, and a shiver trailed one finger down her spine.

Happiness , she thought again, exhaling a steadying breath. She was going to go get her some.

"You guys didn't have to stick around," she said as she approached, holding up her skirt and hopping over a puddle. It had rained and the night air was full of the scent of it. "You should've left when Tia did."

Emma smiled at her, tucked under the protection of Bastian's draped arm. She wore his tuxedo jacket and huddled into it as she said, "We just wanted to say how great it all was. Really."

"Loved the little hot dogs," Bastian put in. He flashed her a grin. "Next time my mom throws an event, I'm putting them on the menu. Little wieners for all the big ones."

Leah laughed before registering someone was missing. She glanced around. "Where's Kole?"

Awkwardness infused the air like spice.

"He decided to call it an early night," Emma said after a moment, flushing.

Leah wanted to feel annoyance at the statement but all that came was regret. Despite the fact that she went long stretches without seeing him, she counted Kole as a friend. She didn't want them to be at odds.

Still. It was her life and it was her decision.

He was her decision.

"And you?" She faced Gabriel, who stood slightly apart from her friends. Always apart.

He inclined his head. Unlike Bastian, who'd undone his bow tie, he was as buttoned-up as ever. "I will escort you home."

The hint of care wrapped up in a haughty statement was so like him. "Are you worried about my safety?"

He lifted his chin as if the thought was preposterous. "No. It's good manners, since I escorted you here."

"Uh-huh." She poked him in the rock-hard belly. "I'm onto you, Gabe. You're such a worrywart."

"Goodnights are not worrywarts."

"They might not be, but you are." She grinned at his irritated expression, knowing she was right.

Bastian spoke up. "We can get you home if it's out of Goodnight's way."

Leah didn't take her eyes off Gabriel's face. "That's okay."

"You sure?"

The question seemed double-edged.

Emma reached over and slipped her hand in Bastian's, tugged. "She's sure." She cast Leah a bolstering smile and then, to Leah's surprise, said to Gabriel, "We're trusting you with her."

He gave a clipped nod.

"O kay . On that embarrassing note..." Leah nudged Gabriel to walk. "Bye, guys."

They left her friends and the hotel behind, matching strides despite the height difference. Now they were alone, he relaxed his concrete posture, his face sliding into contemplation. "Are you pleased?"

Leah didn't question with what; she was pleased with it all. "It went well. And I loved having my mom there." She brushed her hand against his, the dark pleasure flirting inside her reflected in his eyes. He didn't pull away.

He didn't acknowledge her silent thanks, either, but she didn't expect him to. He hated to be praised. She got the impression he hadn't been on the receiving end much in his life.

Headlights slid over his face, golden, then not. "What?"

Another shiver, this one from cold, tickled her body. She lifted her arms to fold them around herself, chafed the trailing goose bumps. "Nothing. It's just nice, finally being alone with you."

He looked down at her, moving his gaze to where she rubbed her arms. The air warmed around her the next second, a small twist marring his lips as he turned his head away on an intake of breath.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern overshadowing the jump of excitement at the display of magic. The display of magic in front of her .

He nodded, the movement stiff. As if it hadn't happened, he gestured to the street where traffic kept the city active. "Shall we get a car?"

There were tough nuts and there was Gabriel.

Leah stepped closer, slipping her hand into his. With a glow of triumph, she felt the tremor go through him. "I don't want to go home yet."

He didn't turn in to her but he didn't let go of her hand, either. Even this late, Saturday night in Chicago had its own music, its own rhythm. Leah could barely hear it over her own breath as she waited for him to say something.

When he did, the words were low, filled with gravel. "It wouldn't be a good idea."

A car slid past, spraying puddle water near them, but neither paid it any attention.

"I think you're wrong," she challenged, fear of rejection clamoring in her chest.

"Must you always argue?"

"When you're always wrong, yeah."

He finally looked at her. His eyes were brilliant, lightning captured inside green glass. "I'm not wrong now."

"A matter of opinion." Her heart thrummed, so fast there was barely any space between the beats. Please. She took a shaky breath and went with her best offer. "Once."

"Excuse me?"

God, she could barely breathe. She moved in so the warmth around her encompassed him. Tipping back her head, she carefully set one hand on his chest. It rose unsteadily under her fingers.

"Once," she repeated, ignoring the few people that passed them. They were ghosts to her. "You. Me. One night."

Something sparked under her hand, like his skin had put out a small charge.

She pressed her advantage. "Forget everyone else, your side, my side. What I am, who you are." A muscle flexed in his jaw and she curled her fingers into his shirt. "The politics, the truth, the lies. Forget everything but you. And me. And one night."

"Leah..." His voice was a rumble of darkness. Of warning.

She didn't heed it. "I know you're all about responsibility. Doing what you think is right. But what if we played pretend? What if, for one night, you were just Gabe. And I was just Leah?"