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29. Piper

29

PIPER

I pour Gabriel another whiskey, my hands shaking as I add a few ice cubes to the glass. The sharp scent of alcohol stings my nostrils, but I don't dare show my revulsion. Not when Elysse is sitting next to Gabriel at the kitchen table, her eyes wide and frightened as she watches him.

Gabriel's face is a mess of purple bruises, his nose encased in a protective plastic cast. Elio did a number on him, and I can't help the small thrill of satisfaction that zings through me at the sight. But it's quickly replaced by dread as Gabriel takes a long sip of his drink, his cold eyes finding mine over the rim of the glass.

"Is dinner almost ready?" His words are slightly slurred, a testament to how much he's already had to drink.

I nod, turning back to the stove. "Five more minutes."

The chicken sizzles in the pan, and I stir the sautéed vegetables, trying to ignore the way my stomach churns with nerves.

Elysse shifts, her movement drawing Gabriel's attention. He sets his glass down on the coffee table with a thunk, leaning forward to pin her with a hard stare.

"And what about you, princess? Are you happy to be home with me?"

I tense, my grip tightening on the wooden spoon. Elysse mumbles something I can't quite hear, but it seems to satisfy Gabriel. He leans back, picking up his drink once more.

My heart pounds as I wait for the food to finish. Gabriel watches my every move, his eyes dark and glittering with a dangerous light. The knife I used to chop the vegetables now sits on the table next to him, too close to Elysse.

"Just in case you get any ideas," he'd said when he took it and sat next to her.

I told Danny not to help me. Gabriel said he'd hurt Elysse if any help arrived. Yet I stand here, hoping that Elio will save us yet again. That he'll find a way to get us out of this nightmare once and for all. Until then, I have to play the dutiful wife. I have to keep Gabriel calm and placated.

"Come sit," he commands. I'm about to tell him the dinner might burn, but that will likely inflame him. As will a burnt dinner. I can't win.

I comply, sinking into the chair across from him. Elysse is next to him, her small body rigid with tension.

Gabriel's hand snakes out, gripping Elysse's arm in a bruising hold. She whimpers, and I lurch forward, ready to intervene. But the look he shoots me freezes me in place, a silent warning.

"Not a word from you," he hisses at me, his fingers tightening on Elysse's arm. "Or I'll make sure she regrets it."

I swallow hard, my eyes burning with unshed tears. I've never felt so helpless, so utterly powerless to protect my daughter.

"My real daddy will come for us. He won't let you hurt us anymore." Elysse's voice is trembling but clear.

Gabriel's face contorts with rage, his grip on her arm turning brutal. "Your real daddy?" His eyes blaze with a terrifying madness I've never seen before. His fingers dig deeper into Elysse's arm, and she cries out in pain.

"You turned her against me," he snarls at me, spittle flying from his lips. "Filled her head with lies about her 'real daddy'. This is all your fault, you fucking whore!"

I flinch at the accusation, my heart racing. "Gabriel, please. Let her go. She didn't do anything wrong."

But he ignores me, his attention fixed solely on Elysse. "I'm your father. Not that Mafioso piece of shit. Me!"

Elysse whimpers, tears streaming down her face. I can't take it anymore. I lunge forward, grabbing Gabriel's wrist, trying to pry his fingers loose.

"Stop it!" Desperation claws at my throat. "You're hurting her!"

Gabriel backhands me with his free hand, sending me reeling backward. Pain explodes across my cheekbone as I hit the floor, stars dancing in my vision.

"You did this," he slurs, staggering to his feet. He sways drunkenly, his eyes unfocused and wild. "I've got a fucking broken nose from your murderous lover. You got me fired. Turned my own daughter against me. It's all your fault, you bitch!"

I taste blood in my mouth. Gabriel advances on me, his fists clenched at his sides. I scramble backward, my heart in my throat.

"I'm sorry." I hold up a hand to ward him off. "Please, Gabriel. Don't do this."

But he's beyond reason, lost in a haze of alcohol and rage. He reaches down, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking me to my feet. I cry out, my scalp burning as he drags me up. "I'll show you. I'll show you what happens when you cross me."

Terror seizes me, cold and paralyzing. I know what he's capable of, the brutality he can inflict. And Elysse is watching, helpless and afraid…

I take a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Gabriel, please," I say softly. "I know you're upset. I'm sorry."

He blinks down at me, his eyes still glazed with alcohol and anger, but there's a flicker of uncertainty there too.

I press on, choosing my words carefully. "I'm sorry things have been so hard lately. I never meant to hurt you or turn Elysse against you."

Gabriel's jaw clenches, but he doesn't lash out.

I take it as a sign to continue. "I know you love her in your own way. And I know you want what's best for her."

He nods slowly, his grip on my hair loosening further. "I do. I just want us to be a family again."

My heart twists at the misplaced regret in his voice. I know it's a lie, a manipulation tactic he's used countless times before. But I have to play along.

"I want that too." I force a small smile. "I want us to be happy."

Gabriel's brow furrows, and for a moment I think he might argue. But then he sighs, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he lets go of me. "I know. I fucked up. I hurt you and Elysse. I'm sorry."

The words ring hollow, but I nod anyway. "I appreciate your saying that." I move closer to Elysse, hoping to be in a better position to protect her.

He nods, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I will. I'll do better, I promise. Just come back home, and we can start over."

I hesitate, knowing it's a trap. But I need to keep him talking, to buy more time for Elio to get here.

"Maybe we can just forget about everything that's happened with Elio. We can start over."

Elysse looks at me like I've betrayed her. I hate that she's too young to understand what I'm doing.

Gabriel's face darkens, and for a moment I think he might lash out again. But then he looks away, his expression almost sheepish. "I never actually contacted a lawyer. I was just trying to scare you into coming back."

Relief washes over me. He was bluffing. Just like Elio said. It means there is no threat of Elio going to prison for beating up Gabriel. It also means that I've fallen for Gabriel's plan. Because I didn't listen to Elio, Elysse is in danger again. Guilt and regret grow.

I can't think about that. I need to keep a level head until I can get Elysse safe. Now that things are calm, I keep talking, keeping Gabriel calm, keeping him distracted.

Until help arrives.

"Let me serve us dinner." I turn back to the stove when there's a knock on the door. I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. Gabriel's head snaps up, his eyes narrowing.

"Who the fuck is that?" he growls, his hand inching toward the knife on the table.

I shake my head. "I don't know. I swear." I turn off the stove hoping it looks normal, nonchalant.

Gabriel stalks over to Elysse, grabbing her roughly by the arm and hauling her to her feet. She cries out in pain and fear, but he ignores her as he stands in the opening of the kitchen, looking toward the front door.

"Open it," he orders me, his voice low and dangerous. He positions Elysse in front of him like a human shield. "And if you try anything stupid, I'll snap her neck like a twig."

I nod frantically. "I won't. I promise."

With shaking hands, I reach for the doorknob, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure Gabriel can hear it. I pray that it's Elio on the other side, that he's found a way to save us.

I pull open the door with trembling hands. There stands Elio, his face a mask of barely contained fury. A gun is clutched in his hand, the metal gleaming dully in the dim light of the entryway.

For a moment, hope surges through me. Elio is here. He'll save us, just like he promised.

"Stand aside, Piper." Elio raises the gun, pointing it at Gabriel.

Gabriel wraps an arm around Elysse's waist, lifting her and holding her in front of him. "Go ahead. Shoot me. But the only way you'll kill me is if you kill the kid."

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