The door to the bedroom swung inward and Brice walked in. “May I inquire what is going on in here? This girl is my patient.”
The judge turned slowly, one eyebrow shooting up. “I thought you had agreed that we could question her today.” He glared at Francesca’s lawyer.
Gabriel reached for Brice’s mind. The man was a whirling chaotic mass of contradiction. He was angry with Francesca, certain she had already chosen to be with Gabriel. It was in his mind to sabotage her efforts to gain custody of Skyler. Gabriel forced down his own desire to allow the man to completely ruin his chances with Francesca. At once he made the decision to interfere. He solidified outside the door to Skyler’s room, shoved it open, and strode in.
Brice swore aloud, stepping back hastily to allow Gabriel entrance. Gabriel’s tall, powerful frame dwarfed the doctor’s. As he brushed by, he leaned close so that his words were heard by Brice alone. “You will tell the truth in this matter.” He gave the command softly, his voice compelling the other man to do his bidding.
Brice found himself responding with words he’d had no intention of saying. “I did say Skyler could answer your questions,” he admitted reluctantly. He glared at Gabriel. “She is high strung. All these visitors could very well upset her and send her into a regression.” He avoided Francesca’s dark eyes and the censure he knew he would see there. “I have serious reservations about Francesca providing a home for Skyler. I happen to know her home situation has changed and she no longer lives alone.” He said it in a belligerent tone, his jealousy making him reckless.
The judge glanced at Gabriel. “You must be Francesca’s husband.” He reached out, offering his hand. “She has been saying some wonderful things about you. It is quite a privilege to meet you.”
“What did you tell him? “
Gabriel took the offered hand with a firm, courteous shake. His black gaze caught and held that of the judge. The man stood mesmerized, felt as if he were falling forward straight into that gaze.
“The only record they will find of you has a top-security clearance. I created a file on you explaining your absence. You were heroically serving your country. It is not too difficult to do such things when you know your way around the computer. It also helps to have people in high places owe you favors. You look like a hero to anyone who might inquire.”
Francesca’s soft voice brushed rather smugly in his mind.
“I hope my living at Francesca’s house will not be a problem.” Gabriel said, staring directly into the judge’s eyes. “After all, we are still married. She was kind enough to give me a place to stay. Francesca is obviously the best person in the world for Skyler. I would not want to do anything to jeopardize such an arrangement.”
The judge had never heard a voice so pure and beautiful as Gabriel’s. His entire being reached out toward that voice, wanted to please the speaker.
“Francesca, there is no need to stay married to him. You’re not obligated just because he came back from the dead,” Brice put in, furious. “Has he done something to make you lose your mind? You don’t know this man anymore. You haven’t seen him for years. You don’t know anything about him. He should have stayed dead!” Suddenly aware of the things he was shouting, of the difference between his voice and Gabriel’s, Brice made an effort to calm down.
Skyler was gripping Francesca’s hand hard, her incredibly long lashes shading her large gray eyes, hiding her mounting terror. At once Francesca touched her mind to reassure her, recognized Gabriel’s comforting encouragement.
“We are with you, Skyler, right here.”
To the shock of both Gabriel and Francesca, the young girl was able to reply on a mental path neither had ever used before. “
What if the doctor won’t let them give me to you? I can’t live without your help. I know I can’t. It would be better to just let go.”
There was a desperate fear in her. Someone had touched her life with gentle understanding, someone she recognized as good. Someone who understood how different she was. Someone who valued her despite the terrible things that had happened to her. Now she might lose her rescuers.
Gabriel’s dark eyes swept the child huddling close to Francesca for protection.
“Look at me. “
It was a soft command, but impossible to disobey. Skyler’s large eyes met his instantly.
“You will trust in me, in Francesca, and believe that we can sort this out. There is no need for fear. Those under my protection cannot be abused in any way. Francesca will continue to heal you and you will cease to worry over trivial matters such as this ugly argument. They cannot touch your life, little one. They will never be allowed to do so. They only believe they have such power.”
Skyler visibly relaxed, allowing her breath to escape in one long sigh of relief. Francesca found herself beaming at Gabriel, her heart in her eyes.
Chapter Nine
Brice was watching Francesca’s face. He found himself cursing silently at her expression as she gazed at Gabriel with pride. He knew he had to back off or lose her. He had never experienced jealousy and found it to be an extremely ugly emotion. What had gotten into him? Was this his true character? Of course it would be best for Skyler to live with Francesca, how could it not be? But Brice didn’t want to share Francesca with anyone, it was that simple. Francesca had many acquaintances who called themselves her friends, but he was the only one she had allowed close to her. He was used to having a special place in her life. A teenager didn’t figure into his plans for the future. Francesca knew many people; she had money and moved easily in the inner circles. She was beautiful and well liked by both men and women. By escorting her to charity balls and parties, he had become accepted too.
Gabriel moved. It
was
a mere shifting of his muscles, subtle but frightening all the same. There was something very dangerous about Gabriel, though Brice couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. Something about his eyes that wasn’t entirely human. He tried to look away from those black, empty eyes, but instead he was falling forward, straight into their centers. At once he felt ashamed of himself. Brice had a very strong urge to retract his words. He cleared his throat and spoke almost without his own volition. “Francesca is the perfect guardian. Of course there’s no question about that.”
Brice managed to tear his gaze away from those cold black eyes. He had the feeling Gabriel was secretly laughing at him. To his amazement, Brice found himself clenching his fists. He was not a violent man, but he desperately wanted to hit someone. He also had the strangest feeling Gabriel knew exactly what he was thinking, knew it and was deliberately antagonizing him. It was in his every look, his smile, his pitiless eyes. Why couldn’t Francesca see that those eyes were as cold as death itself?
Gabriel smiled, a flash of perfect white teeth. “Of course Francesca is the perfect guardian. You think so, too, is that not correct, Skyler?” His voice was soft and gentle, so beautiful it made Brice sound harsh in comparison. But it was more than that, it was the way he said Francesca’s name that made Brice want to throw things. There was something very intimate, very possessive in his tone.
The judge turned to look at the young girl. “Is that so, Skyler, would you like to live with Francesca? It’s up to you. If you prefer to answer in private, we can clear the room and just the two of us will hear what you have to say.”