Unbound

Chapter 49

"You said you found out where I was from Jack?" The road rumbled under the car tires as Gabriel navigated each turn with cautious precision. The relentless rain had finally ceased and a cool, early spring sun fought to shine through the thick layer of clouds. I sat curled sideways with my back against the passenger door so that I could watch him drive. Being back at his side now, it was apparent just how much I'd missed him. I let my eyes roam over every inch, memorizing him. Drinking him in. It was soothing, like rereading a favorite book.

After our conversation in Dmitri's office, he'd led me straight to the car as though he was afraid I'd change my mind. Even now as we drove, he stole frequent glances at me to make sure I was still there. Occasionally, he even lifted a hand from the wheel to brush over my knee to make sure I was real. Each time, electricity arced between us.

Gabriel grumbled an unintelligible response and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He could protest all he wanted; I had him as a captive audience for hours yet, and I wasn't about to let the opportunity slip away no matter how badly I wanted to recline my seat and close my eyes.

"I didn't give him your number," I promised. I knew he was sensitive about his phone.

"He didn't call." A muscle in his jaw ticked.

"He didn't just show up, did he?" I demanded. When Gabriel huffed a sharp breath through his nose, I nearly laughed. "You're kidding."

"Wish I was."

I leaned forward in the seat, angling closer to him so I could rest my elbows on the center console. "What happened?"

"He thought I let Dmitri send you," Gabriel said shortly. This was clearly a sore subject that he didn't want to get into. Too bad.

There was more to it that he wasn't telling me, so I pushed him. "Then?"

"He hit me. Then I told him you'd gone off and done it on your own, and he hit me again." A low growl was building in his chest and he took a beat to settle it before speaking again. "Said you never would have left if I hadn't given you a reason."

"I mean, he's not exactly wrong," I said, only half-teasing. I tried to imagine Jack—my sweet, non-violent Jack—cocking his fist back and punching Gabriel in the mouth. Not once, but twice. I wasn't sure the man had ever been in a fight in his life. I couldn't hide the amused smile that spread across my face. "You didn't hurt him, did you?"

Gabriel shot me a dark look. "Believe me, I would have liked nothing more. And I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"I'm not worried about you."

"Because I'm bigger than he is?" He sat up a bit straighter, flexed the muscles in his arms in a way he thought might be subtle. He was looking at me out of the corner of his eye to make sure I noticed.

I rolled my eyes, exasperated. I couldn't tell whether he was joking, or if he actually needed my reassurance. "Yes, Gabriel, because you're bigger than he is."

Satisfied, he relaxed, and a small smile played around the edges of his lips.

It was odd pulling up to his house late that evening. I hovered near the car, unsure of where I should do with myself. I'd given back the key to the guest house. All my things were at Aubrey's. I felt out of place. But one look from Gabriel, and that feeling vanished. He doubled back when he noticed I wasn't beside him and held out a hand to me.

"Will you come inside?" He asked. I nodded and when I took his hand, he laced his fingers with mine and I relaxed into the sense of security it gave me. The roughness of his palm was grounding.

Gabriel led me through the house to his office, where he got a fire burning on the hearth.

"I've turned the heat off since you've been gone," he admitted sheepishly.