Perfectly Flawed

Seven - I Said Leave

Chapter Seven

Shit. Shit. Gabrielle spun around, face to face with the one person that she desperately didn't need to see here.

Jasper Thornton.

This could ruin her entire career, and she didn't put it past him to run straight to the media with news that the Montgomery heiress was participating in illegal gambling.

SHIT.

A thousand thoughts ran through Gabrielle's head, as she stared into Jasper's cold eyes, a thousand excuses, a thousand threats, a thousand ways of begging. But all she could do was stare, with her mouth open.

This was it. Her career was over before it had even begun. There was no way her father would let her take over once this got out - they would lose all their investors if they had an illegal gambler for a CEO. Would he disown her? Oh my god, would she have to leave home and work a low end job in a disgusting fast food restaurant? Grease and sweat were not things Gabrielle Montgomery wanted in her future.

If she had less dignity, she would be on the ground begging. The ground was too dirty and she was too proud though.

Jasper was standing there, flanked by Silas, simply appraising the situation. His cold face didn't let through a single emotion, and he didn't seem like he was going to be talking anytime soon.

Gabrielle gulped, and darted her eyes to Silas, who looked half shocked and half impressed.

"What are you doing here?" Jasper finally asked, his words laced with menace and dropping like they were too strong.

"I...I uh..." Gabrielle stuttered.

Imogen cleared her throat. "What do you think she's doing Thornton?"

Jasper's eyes flickered over to Imogen, who held his gaze steadily.

"Did I ask you?" He shot. She didn't reply, but glared.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Jasper growled.

"Not that it's any of your business, but we are playing poker. What are you doing here?" Gabrielle finally regained her voice, refusing to be growled at like a dog, even if it meant her career was on the line.

"Leave. Now."

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!" Gabrielle spat.

"I said leave." Jasper didn't yell, he didn't even raise his voice, but he didn't need to. His voice was laced with so much authority and so much hostility that it turned the girls' blood cold.

"C'mon Gab, let's get out of here. The nights ruined." Imogen tugged on Gabrielle's arm, pulling her away. She let herself be dragged, glaring the whole time at the two boys who ruined her night and ruined her career.

If she had a lesser will, Gabrielle would have cried in the car on the way home. Instead, she waited until she was safely in her shower, where the tears could mingle with the steaming hot water.