Diavolo Ch. 03

Just as Gabriel was about to give her a scathing retort, Daniel stepped in.

"This is all terribly misfortunate, but rehashing the past cannot fix the damage already done. Mother, Gabriel is in his right to feel angry over this situation. He grew up without our prestigious name and all it entails. Had my father been alive, I'm sure he would have rectified this situation."

"This situation has no rectification except to put a price on it," Paulina spat, her eyes blazing as she looked from Daniel to Gabriel. "And, as for this," she shook the envelope in front of them before striding to the fireplace in the study. "This is what I think of this rubbish."

Daniel made a sound of dismay as he darted forward, even too late, to rescue the smoldering letter from the flames of the hearth.

Gabriel gripped his shoulders to halt Daniel's momentum, his eyes on Paulina's smug face though. "Don't worry about it. It was just a copy."

Paulina's smug expression slipped a bit. "State once and for all what you want and then kindly leave my home."

"Mother," Daniel snapped, expression scandalized.

Gabriel released Daniel and stood straighter.

What did he want? Certainly not to just walk out and leave this bitch here, pleased with herself.

"Well for starters," he began crossing his arms back over his chest, "I want what my father intended me to have." He stepped closer to Paulina. She stood her ground and tossed her head back defiantly. "Half," Gabriel spit out.

Her eyes literally glowed with rage. "Over my dead body," she answered through gritted teeth.

"That could be arranged," Gabriel seethed before Daniel stepped in and pushed them apart.

"Enough," Daniel barked.

Paulina looked like a snake about to strike. "You heard him. He had the audacity to threaten me. I should call the authorities."

"Go ahead," Gabriel dared. "I can almost hear the paparazzi that followed me here buzzing overhead. They'd certainly love to see a line of cop cars pulling up outside. It'll be a great intro for my tell-all interview."

Her eyes widened and face grew pale. "You are an abomination."

Gabriel just laughed in her face.

"Let's discuss this in a civilized manner, shall we?" Daniel said, adjusting his tie. He looked at his mother angrily. "I do not want to judge, but I think Gabriel is owed some sort of recompense for all that has happened. It couldn't hurt to allow him to learn the ropes at the company and perhaps even be part of the board."

Paulina made a disgusted sound and stepped around them. "Do whatever you want."

Gabriel watched her stalk out of the study, enraged that she'd backed off. He wanted to continue to tear away at her. Let her see that as much as she'd tried to come between his father and mother, their love had been too strong. He was the proof of that.

Daniel was clearing his throat. "Forgive my mother. She's a very strong willed woman."

"Forgive her? Did you read through that diary?" Gabriel said incredulously.

Daniel straightened, his face impassive, and in that moment, Gabriel hated him too. "Look, Gabriel. There was no excuse for whatever she did—"

"She stole my father from my mother!"

Daniel scowled. "Now neither of us were alive at the time and we shouldn't make rash judgments."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

Daniel lifted his hands in a placating manner. "I understand your anger—"

"No you don't," Gabriel snapped. "You understand nothing. You've lived all your life in this palace, waited on hand and foot like a fucking prince, oblivious of my mother's existence—oblivious of my and my grandmother's existence."

"And what fault do I have in that," Daniel answered calmly. "I was not responsible for the conditions into which I was born, anymore than you. I'd like to resolve this situation in a manner that is suitable for all involved."

Gabriel looked his brother up and down. Why did he have to be so level-headed and calm and collected?

Gabriel's emotions were just boiling inside him. He wanted to hit something, wanted to rant and yell, but the person responsible for all his rage had walked out like a fucking queen.

Gabriel turned, running his fingers through his hair. "I need to think." Truth.

"I understand," Daniel replied, the epitome of tranquility and wisdom.

Gabriel clenched his fists. There was nothing more he could do.

"Look...I'm sorry I lost my cool."

Daniel clapped him on his shoulder a slight smile on his face. "I don't hold it against you. This must have been quite a disturbing shock for you to find out about your real father." He dropped his hand and turned with a sigh, walking a few steps away, head bowed. "I've heard that my—" He quickly rectified with an apologetic look over his shoulder aimed at Gabriel, "our father was quite the ladies man back in his day." Daniel turned again, eyes pinned on Gabriel. "Did you know he came from a family of renown musicians in Spain? Some of our ancestors played for the kings and queens in Europe. I'm told that our own father once sang for the pope himself before he journeyed here to America. He was an accomplished opera singer." Daniel grinned. "You must have inherited your amazing voice from him."

Gabriel looked away feeling...strange. His father—his real father was a stranger to him. He knew nothing of the man except that he'd founded North Star Records, and from the talks around the dinner table that night, they also had a vineyard and a rose farm.

I'd like to say goodnight to Abs before I leave," was all he said.

"Of course," Daniel replied, his smile dying completely. "About Abigail...she really is a very...innocent girl. She grew up abroad. My mother sent her to the finest girls schools in Europe."

Gabriel hardened all over again imagining Abigail in a schoolgirl's uniform, pigtails, and her glasses. Holy shit!

"I believe she was quite enamored with me, but Mikayla..." Daniel's gaze grew far away, his eyes glassy, "Mikayla has captured my heart like no other."

Gabriel tried not to scoff. Instead, he stepped up to Daniel and said in a low voice. "Don't worry about Abigail. I think I'm man enough to fix her broken heart."

Daniel winced and blinked a few times. "She's been through allot. I never meant to hurt her. I didn't think she'd continue to harbor her girl's crush after so many years. I don't understand this sudden association with you, but please don't just use her and—"

"I won't," Gabriel snapped. "I know a good thing when I see it."

They regarded each other for a few seconds before Daniel nodded and offered him his hand. "Fine. I'll have one of the wait staff fetch Abigail for you. She might have retired for the night." Daniel looked at his watch. "We've been in here for three hours."

"Let me find her. Just tell me where her room is."

Daniel's eyes grew hard. "If Abigail wants to invite you into her room, I'll let her decide for herself. She's not the type of girl who indulges in pleasures of the flesh."

Gabriel almost smirked. Daniel was an uptight nerd. No wonder Mikayla was creeping around on him, not that that was a good excuse for her slutty behavior though.

"Whatever," Gabriel replied with an indifferent shrug.

Daniel narrowed his eyes briefly before gesturing for Gabriel to follow him back out to the living room.

He nodded to Gabriel and left him waiting in the softly lit room.

With a sigh, Gabriel removed his jacket and walked over to the piano.

Like a lover calling to him, he sat at the bench and caressed the keys.

Slowly a melody seeped from his fingertips, poignant and haunting.

Soft hands slid over his shoulders, over his pectorals and abs.

Gabriel shuddered at the contact until a lush mouth skimmed over his left ear to poke a naughty tongue into his ear hole.

Gabriel shoved to his feet, gripping Mikayla's wrists to glare down at her.

"I miss you, baby," she whined.

"Buy yourself a vibrator," Gabriel sneered.

He grabbed her hand when she tried to slap him and laughed in her face.

"Fucking asshole. You're so pathetic trying to use my sister to get back at me."

"Use? I'd never use a girl like Abigail."

Mikayla laughed, tossing her head back. "Please. You couldn't possibly be interested in the likes of her."

Gabriel rested his hands on his hips. "Why not? She's fucking hot with her blond hair and blue eyes."

Mikayla looked aghast. "She's a little prude. You couldn't pry her legs apart with a crowbar."

Gabriel lowered his face inches from hers, "Yeah. That's the part that excites me the most. No one's ever had her...until me of course."

Mikayla shoved him away, her eyes flashing. "You're a pig. Go on...do that idiot the favor, but you'll be running back to me when you get bored."

"Don't count on it," Gabriel snorted.

"I hate you," she hissed. "I swear—you're going to be sorry you did this to me, you bastard."

Gabriel just smirked.

She flounced away. That's when he noticed Abigail standing under the archway between the hallway and living room. As Mikayla moved past her, the younger sister shoved Abigail against the column.

Gabriel started in surprise at Mikayla"s aggressive behavior toward her sister. He even took a step toward Abigail before restraining himself. Mikayla kept walking away.

Abigail rubbed her shoulder before slowly making her way toward him, eyes on the floor.

"Daniel said you wanted to speak with me."

Gabriel felt his anger ignite again. The fucker could go to her room but barred him.

He swallowed his anger, hands itching to touch and hold the shy girl in front of him. "I just wanted to say good night."

Abigail nodded. "Of course."

He stepped closer and she took a tiny step back. Never one to back down, he stalked her until her back met the column.

Big blue eyes stared at him from behind cute glasses.

Yeah. She was different from his usual status quo. He liked that she was real...that she was...sweet and untainted. He was curious to get to know her better.

"How'd you like to go into town and get something to drink?"

Abigail stared up at him in horror. "I've never ridden a motorcycle."

Gabriel smiled. "You don't know what you're missing."

She shook her head, her face taking on a stern look. "Those things are dangerous."

Gabriel stepped right into her personal space. "That's what makes it more exciting, Abigail." She shuddered, her eyes huge. Those little shudders of hers were going to be the death of him. "Don't you like excitement?"

Her breathing grew labored and she licked her lips, shaking her head vehemently.

Unable to resist, Gabriel spread his fingers over her throat softly, tipping her head up to his as he lowered his head to hers. "But I excite you. Don't you like feeling excited like that?"

Her only reply was to puff out a little breath. Her pulse hammered wildly at her throat. He could feel it beneath his fingertips. Hot color raced up into her face and her pupils grew wide.

Fuck. She was as turned on as he was.

He swept his lips over hers, learning their softness. He'd been too rough the first time, letting his anger rule him. Now, he wanted to savor her.

Again, he let his lips brush over the petal softness of hers. She trembled and whimpered, her eyes fluttering closed as her lips parted.

Gabriel slid his hand to the back of her head and gripped her hair lightly, pulling her head back and exposing her throat to him. He used his body to press her against the column, letting her feel what she did to him, how worked up he was for her. She stiffened and brought her hand up as if to push him away.

He let his tongue slide into her mouth. She made a strangled surprise sound at the back of her throat.

Gabriel stroked her tongue with his, coaxing it into play. She was shy, but it only made him hotter, made him gentle his efforts to coax her out of her shell. Her fingers tightened on his black Apocalyptica t-shirt and she began to respond.

Holy-shit! His blood sang in his ears before pooling all in his groin. He throbbed like a sore tooth and felt uncomfortable. His other hand lowered from its perch at the dip of her waist to cup her sweet derriere.

To his disappointment, she shot out of his embrace like a jumpy cat.

"I'll have you know, Mr. Raven, that I am not easy. So, I'll thank you to please keep your hands in their appropriate place," she snapped, gloriously riled.

Such passion. She might be uptight now, but he'd be willing to bet his manhood once worked up, Abigail would be pure fire in bed...and he'd be the first to find out.

Hell yeah!

"And stop looking at me like that," she demanded with a shaky voice.

Gabriel quirked a brow at her. "Like how?"

She cupped her throat, something he realized she did allot, especially when she was worked up and nervous. "I can almost see your perverse machinations in your eyes."

He grinned now, liking how she expressed herself, so refined and proper. He bit his lip feeling himself twitch in his pants. "It's hard not to."

She frowned, as if confused, before her face smoothed to stoic endurance. "Nice try. Perhaps I pose a challenge to you, but that's all I guess I am, and I'm not willing to sacrifice myself to appease some passing fancy for a playboy rock star!"

Ouch. Gabriel frowned. "You don't know the first thing about me, Pop Tart."

She bared her teeth at him, and he imagined her nipping him with those pearly whites. "Stop calling me Pop Tart! What does that even mean?"

He laughed. That's what his grandmother nick-named his eighth grade teacher. Miss Harper hated his refusal to cut his hair. Back then, it reached his waist. His grandmother wasn't enthused with his choice either, but since he'd been a straight A student, she at least respected his choice of self expression and didn't bother him too much about it.

Abigail's glasses were similar to Miss Harper's, or, like he and his friends used to call her behind her back, Miss Harpy, but sweet Abby looked nothing like the hook-nosed shrew that tried to make his life impossible when he was a kid.

"It's my pet name for you," he said, his voice coming out really deep. He began stalking toward her slowly. She retreated just as slow, eyes going round. "I love Pop Tarts. Know what my favorite flavor is?"

"N-no," she answered breathlessly.

"Cherry," he growled, and licked his lips as he let his gaze blaze over her.

She was still wearing the same dress. He wanted to rip it off her and take her right on that damned Steinway behind them.

Her hands came up, landing on his chest. "Stop it! Maybe that type of aggressive lustful behavior works on the other type of women who frequent you, but it won't work on me."

A challenge he would only be too pleased to take up. He smiled down at her. "You've got me all wrong, Pop Tart. I know more than you think, how different you are from the other chicks who always make a play for me. I like you." He stressed the word like, and hoped his eyes conveyed the heat he felt every time he looked at her. "And I'd like to get to know you better." He shrugged. "After all, you are my girlfriend."

Abigail's mouth dropped open. "Yes. About that...I...I'm confused as to what you hope to gain with this pretense."

Gabriel wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. "Who says it has to be pretense?"

He tried to kiss her again, but she shrugged out of his hold and stood with her back to him.

"I don't know what type of game you're playing, but I don't appreciate being used like this." Her voice was so soft and defeated, it tugged at him deep in his chest.

Tamping down his raging lust, he conceded that she had a point. He really liked her, would fuck her in a heartbeat, but she deserved better than that. What if she were right and it were just the fact no one ever touched her that had him all worked up? He'd hate to hurt her especial since Daniel had already broken her heart.

The thought of Daniel had him getting angry again. Daniel had been too stupid to keep her, but Gabriel was going to get to know her.

"Sure you don't want to ride with me? We can go to this little place not far from here. They've got the best fried fish and fries," he said sidestepping the topic of using her.

She shook her head and stayed with her back to him.

Gabriel wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her to the foyer. "At least see your boyfriend out then, woman."

She accompanied him stiffly to his bike. Overhead, he heard the familiar sound of helicopters off in the distance, not close enough to worry about at least.

Leaning on the seat of his Harley, he pulled her between his thighs and cocked his head at her pout.

"I can always stay if you invite me to spend the night." At her outraged gasp, he hastily added with a grin, "We don't have to do anything, Abs. Haven't you ever slept with a man?"

"Of course not," she retorted, scandalized.

Gabriel laughed. "Not even when you were a kid with Daniel?"

Her face changed and he realized he'd just stuck his foot in his mouth. Stupid-stupid rock star. "Hey," he said trying to cuddle her closer. He'd never considered himself a jealous man, but in that instant he wanted to punch Daniel in the face. "Abigail, I'm sorry. I'm an idiot." He still wanted to know if she'd ever slept with Daniel, damn-it. "Let me help you forget that douche-bag."

She pushed against him, her pretty face angry now. "Release me. I know how you intend on making me forget."

"Really?" Gabriel crooned. "How?" he goaded now. She blushed and turned her face away.

He used both palms to cup her cheeks and bring her shy gaze back to his face. "Let's make a deal. I promise not to pressure you into having sex with me and you promise to give me a chance...give us a chance. Let's get to know one another, Abs. I mean really know each other. I meant it when I said I liked you, and I'd like to get to know you better."

"You won't ever try to..." Her eyes closed for a second before opening again to stare deeply into his. "You won't keep trying to seduce me?"

Gabriel smiled and shook his head slowly. "Sorry, babe. I'm only a man. I can't promise you that. I promised not to pressure you, not stop completely, baby."

She tried to turn her lips away from his when he dipped his head again. His lips lingered at the corner of her mouth and he fought the grin that threatened to spread over his face when she trembled with a little breathy moan.

He whispered against her lips, "Do you like me too, Abs? Maybe just a little?"

Her eyes were still closed, and he heard her gulp hard. Soft pouty lips parted on a sigh. Very minutely, almost imperceptibly, she nodded.

"Say it, Abigail," he hissed close to her lips.

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, touching his own and sending his mind reeling with want, but he steeled himself against ravaging that sweet mouth.

"Y-yes," she whispered, her eyes opening to reveal the fire within. "Yes. I like you, Gabriel."

It was his turn to tremble. His heart pounded in his ears and in his groin. He brushed his lips across hers, in the sweetest of kisses and backed off. Her lips followed him, parted, begging, but he kept himself in check. Tonight he'd leave her wanting more...aching as he was aching.

"Goodnight, Abigail," he said releasing her to pull his jacket back on.

She stepped away from him, her eyes watching his every move.

Once he put his gloves and helmet on, he switched the ignition and revved his machine. She gave a startled little leap back and he smiled. He'd have her on his bike before the month was over. That was a promise to himself.

His grandmother would definitely like her too.

The thought was sobering. He'd only ever brought one girl home to his grandmother. Six months later, Alexandra had confessed she was a lesbian and had wanted to lie with a man at least once before she made up her mind completely. He kind-of figured something was up. The girl knew more about cars, bikes, and chicks than he did. They'd stayed good friends after his initial temper tantrum, but he'd never brought another girl home to his grandmother.