Tapestry of the Past (29 page)

It was a sign of Gabriel’s agitation that he didn’t immediately jump Badger’s case for the language.
Kalesia
touched Gabriel’s back in a silent plea, feeling the tension in the rock-hard muscles. “Listen to him. This might be our only chance to catch the killer.”

His eyes went hard. “No. You,” he leaned over
Kalesia
, caging her between two steel arms, “are out of your pea-sized brain if you think I’m going to let you go out there on your own. This isn’t some kind of game, woman. This guy plays for keeps. He’s already killed a professional hit man. I absolutely refuse to let you set yourself up as bait.”

Waves of quivering outrage and implacable denial washed over
Kalesia
. The gray eyes were no longer a polished mirror but molten as silver in a fiery crucible. They singed her as Gabriel brought his face closer to hers. Suddenly, it was hard to breathe, as if all the oxygen was sucked up by Gabriel’s fury. To her disgust, her voice trembled as she sought to make him see reason. It wasn’t fear, she assured herself. Gabriel would never hurt her. But he could be very…intimidating when he wanted to.

“I know it’s not a game. However, we won’t get another opportunity like this one.”

“No.”

Her own temper, never shy, flared. “What do you mean ‘no’?”

“I mean, no. No, you will not leave this house. No, you will not stay at an isolated cabin by yourself, I don’t care how secure it supposedly is. No, you will not be setting yourself up as an unprotected target,” Gabriel gritted, his voice as dark as midnight and as rough as gravel.

Kalesia
drew a deep breath and reined in her ire. One of them had to remain calm. His anger was coming from fear for her safety, she had to remember that. But he had to understand it was her decision. She refused to live her life looking over her shoulder, waiting for a bullet from an unseen marksman. “I won’t be unprotected. The way Tom explained it, men will be hidden around the property and a base will be set up nearby. They’ve been there since before Pompano said that was where he’d take me. One way or the other, someone will know my movements at all times. Besides, it’s not your choice to make.”
Kalesia
stared, fascinated, as the pulse in the hollow of his throat beat a rapid tattoo.

“
Wanna
bet?” His hand snaked out and captured her chin. The rough texture of his fingers threatened, promised pain if she struggled.

Kalesia
didn’t move as she stared into his eyes.

“I could crush you with very little effort. If I decided to tie you to my bed, there wouldn’t be a damn thing you could do to stop me. You’re not strong enough.” His fingers tightened, adding just the slightest fraction of pressure.

Kalesia
met his gaze with absolute assurance. “But you won’t, will you?”

Gabriel tried to stare her down. Didn’t she understand that no matter how close an eye they kept on the place, there were no guarantees? It would tear him apart if she was injured but if she was to get killed, he’d go crazy. Not just insane but gut-wrenching, soul-tearing crazy. It’d be a pain worse than any he suffered while tortured.

“I won’t let you be hurt!” he snarled, recognizing defeat and bitterly furious about it. An unfamiliar anguish knifed through him, twisting his mouth.

Her hand curved about his and the emerald green eyes were as warm as a lagoon on a summer afternoon. “I know you won’t.”

Where the hell did she get her belief in him? He exhaled heavily, letting go of his anger with an effort. “I’m going to regret this.”

“No, you won’t, because I’m going to be fine.”

Gabriel released her chin and extended his hand, palm up. He waited.

There was a question in her eyes. She stared at his hand and then back at his face. He didn’t say anything, just held his hand out.

Kalesia
put her hand in his.

Relief coursed through him. He closed his fingers about hers. Such a small hand, he thought in amazed wonder, to hold his happiness. And it was a hand that wouldn’t falter.

Kalesia
believed in honor. Not many did anymore but Gabriel knew, without the slightest doubt, that she would never betray him. He could trust her with his honor and with his life.

Gabriel spoke over his shoulder without turning his head. “This cabin had better be as secure as you say.”

“It is,” Wolf stated. “I designed the security system myself.”

* * * * *

Kalesia
watched Gabriel as he got ready for bed. The shirt was thrown over the chair. She loved the fact he never tried to hide his scars from her. He sat down and took off his shoes and socks. The wallet hit the dresser and slid across the polished surface. His keys, watch and change were placed with a little more care. He stood and stepped out of his jeans.

He was starkly, heavily aroused.

She stared at his erection as it jutted from its nest of hair. A rush of liquid fire heated her pussy. With an effort, she brought her mind back to the topic she wanted to address. He’d been brooding all day and enough was enough. “I’ll be fine, you know.”

Gabriel tossed the covers to the foot of the bed. He came down on top of her, caging her between his arms. “I can’t lose you.” Raw savagery glittered in his eyes.

“You won’t lose me.” She touched the muscle jumping in his jaw. “As Deputy Parker would put it, I’ll stick tighter to you than a tick on a wet hound dog,” she said, trying to lighten his mood.

“That tight, huh?” Some of the tension left him.

“Uh-huh. You’ll have to peel me off if you want to get rid of me.” His hands went to her hips. Out of the blue, she remembered the second thing she’d wanted to discuss. Her gown slid up to her waist. Maybe it could wait until morning. She moaned as he nibbled at her collarbone. What if it’s important? Oh, shut up, she told her conscience. But the mood was broken. She sighed. She had to tell him now.

“Gabriel? I doubt this means anything but I remembered something else.”

Gabriel lifted his head, expression suddenly intent. “From the vision in the barn?”

She nodded, running her hands restlessly from shoulder to the bulge of muscle in his upper arms and back again. “I honestly can’t see how it will help but I recall the flash of gold on the killer’s hand. A ring.”

Beneath her palms, his muscles rippled. “Could you see what it looked like?”

She didn’t know why but the answer was very important to Gabriel.
Kalesia
closed her eyes and tried to visualize it. Frustrated, she shook her head. “Not really. All I get is the impression of an intricate design. Maybe two animals,” she hazarded, all too aware it wasn’t much to go on.

Gabriel pulled away, rolling over to lay with one arm behind his head. He stared at the ceiling. Tension thrummed from the still form.

“What is it? What did I say?” Confused,
Kalesia
shifted to her side. Propped up on one elbow, she stared down at his face. “Gabriel?” she tried again when he didn’t answer. She touched his chest.

He jerked upright and swung his legs out of bed.

Kalesia
felt her mouth drop open. What the hell?

He crossed to the French doors, jerking the drapes aside until they were fully open. He stood, one arm braced on the seam where the two doors met. His reflection was crystal clear in the glass. She saw his fist close and open slowly, one finger at a time.

Kalesia
got the distinct impression he was struggling for words.

The muscles bunched beneath the sleek shoulders. “Do you know,” he said, leaning his forehead against the glass, “the first time I remember seeing it was on a night much like tonight—hot, humid but with a slight breeze to make it bearable. It’s amazing how quickly a man learns to appreciate simple pleasures. The cooling relief of rain after a day spent baking in the sun, a slight breeze as it dries the sweat on your body. The absence of pain…” he whispered.

“I had gone through the usual bull, them telling me of my crimes against Chavez’s pseudo-government and trying to extract a written confession and apology in return for release and me resisting. It was a psychological game. I was still sore from the last beating but not too bad. They had left me alone for an entire day to reflect on my sins. I wasn’t too worried when they came for me again. Figured it was going to be another bull session.” He spread his fingers on the glass.

Kalesia’s
throat ached and a sharp pain ripped through her chest. She thought she had an idea of what was coming next—torture.

He laughed, a harsh grate of sound. “Talk about being wrong! I was cocky, sure I could stand whatever they cared to dish out. I was still a
hardass
, I guess. After all, hadn’t I survived all they had thrown at me without breaking? They took me to the Teacher’s hut. Teacher was my nickname for Chavez because he carried a swagger stick and used it to point at things, the way a teacher does. They manacled my wrists behind my back. I was wary because this wasn’t part of the normal routine but not yet afraid. Talk about stupid! I was a total jackass.”

“It was dark inside. I heard the door to the hut open. They slammed me to the floor. I tasted blood as my lip split. Things wavered for a moment as my head impacted with the floor. From the corner of my eye, I caught the flash of gold as a hand waved. One guard had his knee dug into my back. I could barely catch my breath from his weight. Then the other guard began tightening the manacles. They were the old-fashioned kind that screwed shut. You know, the kind that doesn’t stop for a little matter like flesh? They don’t stop until they hit bone.

“Using nylon strips, they began lacing my arms together, from wrist to elbow. I was lucky,” he reflected too caught up to notice
Kalesia’s
sick horror at the story unfolding. It was so much worse than she had expected.

“I’ve seen men’s arms dislocated and bones separated from sternums with that little trick. That’s when I discovered I wasn’t Superman. I screamed and sobbed like a baby.”

“It’s a misconception that a person always passes out when pain becomes too intense. I would have given my balls to be able to pass out. I prayed for it. Then I prayed to die.” Gabriel shrugged. “I lived. I also stayed conscious. I never heard the man with the ring speak but, dimly, I understood that the Teacher was asking questions at his direction. The entire time I was captured, the worst sessions were when he was present.” Gabriel’s hand flexed convulsively on the glass, then he dropped it to his side. “Not that Chavez wasn’t creative on his own.”

“I’m so sorry,”
Kalesia
whispered, horrified. She’d never dreamt that mentioning the ring in her vision would garner this.

He turned. “You have nothing to be sorry for, sugar. It’s simply an old enemy coming back to haunt me.” Moving until he was standing next to the bed, he reached out one tentative hand and smoothed a strand of hair from her face. “Actually, I should be the one to apologize. I shouldn’t burden you with ancient history.” Aching need replaced the bitterness of past memories on his face. He placed one knee on the mattress.

“Don’t,” she pleaded, her insides tightening at the sensual promise in the gray eyes. Dear God, how she wanted him. “Don’t hide things from me. I want you to share what hurts you. I’m stronger than I look.”

He studied her. “Yes, you are. Much stronger. Oh God,” he muttered darkly, burying his hands in her hair, “give me some of your strength tonight, sweetheart. You have no idea how much I need it.” His mouth came down on hers.

She responded with every fiber of her being to the naked power and need, unable to do anything else. She was dazed by the force of his passion. He was coiled and leashed as tightly as a panther. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down on top of her.

One big palm skimmed up her thigh under her nightgown.
Kalesia
arched uncontrollably at the caress. She nipped his shoulder in passionate demand. She was already burning.

“Now, Gabriel!”

Impatient hands tugged at the hem of the gown, pulling it over her head and throwing it to the floor. She tried to tug him back down. He resisted and
Kalesia
heard the nightstand drawer open. Within less than a minute, his large form settled over hers.
Kalesia
welcomed the heavy weight. Her hands sought the small of his back. Gabriel was extra sensitive there she’d learned. She feathered her fingers over the area. A shudder went through him. Spreading her fingers, she raked her nails lightly down the firm muscles of his buttocks. The tip of one finger strayed into the cleft that defined them. Dark words of encouragement spilled from his lips.

“Fuck, sugar! Harder. I want to feel your hands all over me tonight.” He rocked against her, the hard, hot length of his cock sliding between her pussy lips.

Kalesia
caught her breath. She nipped his shoulder again. Hard enough to leave a mark. His hips flexed, a short, hard stroke. A jolt of pleasure stole her breath when the head of his cock lodged against her clit.

Tension spiraled higher. The edge of his teeth raked her nipple. Lights exploded behind her lids. She arched, her nails sinking into the taut muscles of his ass.

“Tell me you love me,
Kalesia
,” he muttered against her breast. “I need the words.”

Gabriel was well aware he wasn’t being fair. He couldn’t return the words but, son of a bitch, he needed them more than he needed his next breath. He licked at the bead of sweat pooled in the delicate hollow of her throat. The salty, hot taste of woman exploded on his tongue. Her pulse there fluttered frantically. “Tell me,” he commanded, heart pounding in his chest.

“I love you.” Her voice caught in the back of her throat. The soft, wildly sexy sound ignited a white-hot blaze.

“Again, tell me again.” He fisted one hand in her hair. “I want to hear you say it.” Greedy. He was goddamned greedy. He stared down into her emerald eyes, demanding, compelling, needing the words. Hearing them was fast becoming a fucking obsession.

Understanding lit her gaze. Her eyes became warm and tender. “I love you. I’ll always love you, Gabriel.”