by Joan Davis
“How dare you threaten us? I’ll report you to the police,” LuAnne said in a huff. “Right Millie?” LuAnne sought her friends support but Millicent Andrews was already trying to edge away from the bad situation she now found herself facing.
Without touching the woman Honor raised her arm and corralled her back closer to LuAnne. “Oh no, Roxanne, I wasn’t threatening you. If I were threatening you, I would tell you that the very next time I hear about you harassing Risa or gossiping about me or anyone I care for, I’m going to come looking for you. Then you and I will have a little chat, just the two of us,” Honor said, moving closer to LuAnne with every word until the last few words were said softly right by her ear. Honor then turned her head towards LuAnne’s fair-weather friend. “Do you think she’ll remember that Missy? Maybe you might want to remember it, too. That way you can remind each other of what a real threat sounds like.” Honor continued to stare hard at the woman until she jerked her head in a nod.
Honor stepped back and gave the women a wicked smile. “Good, I’m real happy we had this little talk. You two have a real nice day. Bye, Bye” Honor waved them away and both women skittered out of Maybell’s as fast as possible.
Honor turned and sat down calmly at the table with Risa. Risa batted her eyelashes at Honor and said, “You’re my hero.”
Laughing at Risa’s mock devotion, Honor said, “Damn, you weren’t kidding. That woman is a vicious little bitch, isn’t she?” Honor asked, but then shook her head. “Okay, enough about her. What’s new with you?” Honor smiled gently to the waitress who returned to their table with caution. Risa and Honor gave her their orders, and she beat a hasty retreat.
Risa shook her head. “Oh no, my friend, I am not the one that disappeared for a week without a word to anyone. You have some explaining to do,” Risa said. “I hear Buck was a nightmare to work with and that put Samson in a bad mood. You owe me. So start talking woman.”
Sighing, Honor said. “I had some things to work out in my head, so I went home to Atlanta to visit my foster mother.”
Nodding Risa said, “I get that. I go to my dad’s house when I need some unconditional love. He just knows what to say to me to make me feel like everything is going to be alright.” Risa propped her chin on her hand again. “So these things you had to work out, one of them wouldn’t happen to be Gabriel Ryan, would it?”
Honor’s mouth opened in shock and then snapped shut. “What makes you say that?” Honor said, avoiding Risa’s stare.
Snorting Risa said, “Are you kidding me? You and Gabriel are the talk of the town.”
Frowning Honor asked, “What are you talking about? I have barely been around Gabriel. What could people possibly have to say?”
“Oh, Millie Andrews, or Missy as you called her, let it slip that Gabriel was all over you when you were touring your house for the first time. She went on and on about how he stared at you with lust in his eyes the whole time.”
“That’s a lie. She didn’t even see us until we came out of the master bedroom . . . I mean . . . we were looking . . .” Honor stopped out of self-preservation.
“Uh huh, she said that the chemistry between you two was almost explosive. You know, Samson told me that Gabriel warned Conner to back off of you the first day you met them,” Risa confided gleefully, watching her friend’s face turn pink. “Samson was afraid Gabriel was going to get physical if Conner didn’t back down.”
Honor stared at Risa, and a shiver of unwanted pleasure shot up her spine. “That’s ridiculous. Sam was probably just making a joke,” Honor said, but knowing the truth when she heard it.
“Well, I also know that all the guys at the construction company have given you a wide berth. They got the message loud and clear. Gabriel staked his claim on you. Danny Betts said that being around you and Gabriel is like standing next a powder keg with a lit match,” Risa said. She was taking great pleasure in teasing her friend.
“Damn, how do you know all this? Nobody ever said anything to me about it,” Honor said defensively, but she now realized that she had not experienced the kind of sexual come-on’s that usually occurred when she first came onto a new job. From the very beginning the crew had been raucous and loud, but respectful of her gender. Honor had assumed the reason for this had been Buck O’Leary’s influence, but now she had to wonder.
Shrugging Risa teased, “I have my sources. You know that bets are on that when you and Gabriel finally do get together it’s going to explosive.”
“Oh my God,” Honor said turning beet red and biting her lip.
Seeing her friend’s guilty face, Risa’s eye’s popped open wide. “Get out! When did this happen? Is that why you left town? Oh, this is big, sister.” Risa leaned in and whispered conspiratorially. “No way! Does Samson know about this? What am I saying, that man can’t keep gossip this big inside without having to tell Conner or Mik at the very least, and they haven’t breathed a word to me.” At Honor’s shocked reaction Risa flipped her hand in annoyance. “Oh please, Samson and the boys gossip more than old women at a quilting party.”
Laughter and embarrassment spilled out of Honor at the same time. “Risa . . . you are . . . just wrong . . . Oh, kill me now,” Honor said in resignation and put her forehead down on the table, but then quickly sat up straight when the waitress appeared with their food.
When the waitress left Risa said, “What happened? Something obviously went wrong since you’re not together now.”
Sighing, and seeing that Risa was now like a dog with a bone, Honor said, “It was a few months ago. He came over to my house and . . . you know,” Honor said rolling her eyes.
“So was it a smoke bomb or a case of TNT?” Risa asked, wriggling her eyebrows.
Honor couldn’t resist smiling wickedly at Risa. “It was sort like Mount St. Helens. It just sort of happened without warning and everything exploded all at once.”
Risa grinned back. “Good for you. So I don’t get it, what went wrong?” Risa asked confused.
Shrugging, Honor looked down saying, “I’m not quite sure. I had to go out the next morning to get my truck from the repair shop and when I got back we had a fight and that was it. I told him to leave and we didn’t talk after that until the night of your party,” Honor said, not wanting to get into private details.
Risa understood about privacy and didn’t push. “So did you see him after the party?”
Honor nodded solemnly. “Gabriel was waiting at my house when I got home. He said he wanted to talk to. He told me about his sister and Lela.”
“Oh, I see,” Risa said. “Honor, I didn’t tell you about it because I didn’t think it was my place.”
“I understand that. Anyway, he explained everything, and then he said he found out some other things that he needed to tell me,” Honor said, taking a shaky breath, relieved when she looked around a found very few people around them.
“Honor if you don’t want to talk about this, I’ll completely understand,” Risa said, seeing the painful look on her friend’s face.
Clearing her throat, Honor shook her head. “No, I don’t mind telling you. I think you might understand better than anyone.” Honor fought her instinctual need to protect herself and said, “The same thing that happened to Lela happened to me.”
“Oh Honor.” Risa breathed compassionately and reached across the table to squeeze Honor’s hand.
Honor appreciated the support and continued. “Gabriel had me investigated and he found out that I had been abducted when I was thirteen, but I escaped and was found, and eventually reunited with my foster mother. Gabriel was in San Francisco the week before your party and found the detective that worked on my case after I escaped and got confirmation.”
“Wait a minute. He had no right to snoop into your business Honor,” Risa said hotly.
“Yes he did. Even though I don’t like it, I understand his need to protect Lela.” Honor didn’t mention her connection to Maximus Dunn. She still didn’t know how she was going to deal wi
th this new knowledge. Overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, she wanted to see Gabriel before she decided her next move.
Realization appeared in Risa’s eyes. “The people who took you put that tattoo on you, didn’t they?” Risa said as tears filled her eyes.
Seeing Risa’s tears Honor said, “Hey, I didn’t freak out on you. You can’t freak out on me. Remember, I have a great life. I have a good job that I love, and I just bought a home. Everything is good now.” Honor sent up a prayer that it would all remain true.
Blinking away her tears and trying for humor, Risa said, “Don’t forget you also recently had Mount St Helen’s caliber sex.”
Relieved that Risa was trying to hold it together, Honor laughed. “Yes, all night long, as a matter of fact,” Honor said, giggling at Risa’s shocked expression. “Anyway, when Gabriel told me what he knew, I sort of freaked out, and the next day I ran home to Atlanta.”
“Wow, I can certainly understand why,” Risa said. “So what happens, now? Have you seen Gabriel since you’ve been back?” Risa asked, but then snapped her fingers. “Oh wait, you couldn’t have. He took Lela down to Florida to visit all the attractions with her grandparents.”
“I wondered,” Honor said softly. She had secretly hoped Gabriel would show up at her door the whole week and was hurt when he never did. Her barriers were down and she felt vulnerable. She was almost afraid of her reaction when she did see him.
Risa took in her friend’s unhappy demeanor and said, “They’re coming back on Monday, I think. I’m sure you two will hook up then . . .” Risa stopped and her eyes grew large. “I didn’t mean ‘hook up’ like hook up. I meant that you would have a chance to talk with one another,” Risa rushed as she blushed over her blunder.
Laughing Honor said, “There was no way I wasn’t going to become your friend, was there?”
Grinning, Risa shook her head. “I just have a way with construction workers,” Risa said innocently.
“That’s why Samson is so jealous of Buck, right?” Honor laughed as Risa fell over sideways giggling.
“Don’t bring that up to Samson. He hates being reminded that he was jealous over Buck’s attention towards me when I first met him,” Risa said with a grin. “He also hates that I won’t let it go. But it’s just too much fun sometimes,” Risa grinned.
“Okay, crazy lady, I won’t ever bring it up,” Honor said shaking her head. “Let’s pay our bill and go do some shopping. Do you have time?” Honor asked hopefully.
Risa hesitated for a moment. “Samson said he was going to pick me up in a few minutes,” Risa said, and then for the first time in forever she felt confident enough to say, “Just let me call him and tell him that he doesn’t need to bother coming out to get me if you’re willing to give me a lift home after we shop.”
“Heck no, I don’t mind. I feel the need to spend some money and it’s always good to have a partner in crime,” Honor said. She knew Risa was a bit nervous, but hoped she felt safe enough to enjoy the day.
Risa grinned and they left Maybell’s to explore the many shops that Dalton had to offer.
*****
CHAPTER 7
Gabriel opened his front door with one hand and held a very sleepy Lela in his other arm. “We’re home little one, time to get you to bed,” Gabriel said softly and carried Lela into her bedroom, pulled back the covers on her bed and gently laid her down. He pulled off her little sandals and her headband, and Lela snuggled up to her pillow. Gabriel pulled the covers over her and tucked her inside. He kissed her forehead and left her room.
He made his way to the kitchen and fixed himself a sandwich and a beer and ate at the kitchen bar. He and Lela met up with her paternal grandparents in Orlando, Florida, and visited most of the main attractions- Disney World, Sea World and even Universal Studios. Lela’s face had stayed lit up the entire time as she took in the experiences of the tourist city.
It had been amazing to watch her truly laugh and enjoy herself again. Sam had been correct. Lela was Gabriel’s first priority. She loved her father’s parents, but it was Gabriel that she looked to for security and guidance. She held his hand when she was unsure about feeding the stingrays at Sea World and then looked for his approval when she decided to give it a try. When she grew tired after walking the entire park at Disney World, Lela wanted only Gabriel to carry her while she took a nap. Lela relied on him, and he would not let her down.
Looking over at his answering machine, Gabriel saw that there were three messages. The first two were from Conner regarding to security deals they were working on at present. The third was from Sam. ‘Hey, Sam here just thought you’d want to know that the little birdie that flew the nest is back home and doing fine. Call me when you get back and we’ll all get together.’ Gabriel’s body tightened with painful need, but he pushed it aside for now. He needed keep things in perspective.
Getting up and moving into his bedroom, Gabriel sat on the bed and then laid back. The only thing that marred this trip was the constant thought that his sister Diana was missing so much of her daughter’s life. Lela was becoming such an amazing individual, and Diana would have been so proud of her. How was Gabriel ever going to be able to live up to what Lela needed? He worried that he never quite got it right. Gabriel put his arm over his eyes. He needed to clean out the car. I’ll rest here for just a moment and then I’ll get moving, Gabriel thought tiredly.
*****
Gabriel could hear his sister’s terrified and pain ridden screams as he raced through the warehouse. He knew Conner and others were right on his heels. His heart was pounding and as he rounded the corner, he felt his entire body convulse at the horror he saw before him. Three men were beating and raping his sister. They mauled and abused her so violently that Gabriel couldn’t seem to comprehend what was happening. Then he heard his sister’s cries for mercy when one of the men slammed his fist into her abdomen, and then all Gabriel saw was death. He remembered racing towards them and grabbing the first man and snapping his neck. After that he just had flashes of carnage as he used his hands and a gun to kill all three men. When he stopped, he turned his rage-filled eyes towards Conner’s cautious face. “Help me,” Gabriel said softly and went to his sister who was lying in a pool of her own blood.
Diana turned her face slowly towards Gabriel as he knelt down beside her. “He stole my little girl. You have to find her and bring her back to me,” she said. Her voice was broken and lifeless.
“I know sis. I’m going to find her, don’t worry. I’m going to get you to a hospital,” Gabriel said. His voice was choked with tears. He picked his sister up and carried her out to the waiting helicopter. Conner was barking orders at the pilot as the aircraft lifted up, then swung around and headed for the nearest medical center.
“I’m so cold, Gabriel,” Diana said through her pale lips.
Conner got a several blankets from a storage compartment and helped Gabriel cover Diana. “I’ve got you baby. Just hold on for me. We’re almost to the hospital,” Gabriel pleaded with his sister, and at the same time he prayed to God to keep her from dying.
Diana clutched a bloody hand into Gabriel’s shirt. “Maximus has Lela. He said he was going to ship her and some other little girls out from a warehouse in San Francisco. He called the warehouse MaxiExports. Gabriel, he said the shipment would be in a crate. I think he said J509. Maximus said it would be his final shipment before he went back to Europe in a week,” Diana said, her voice growing ever weaker with every word.
“Conner, I’m losing her!” Gabriel cried hoarsely.
“Five minutes out, Gabriel,” Conner said, tears streaming down his face.
“Gabriel, find my baby. Don’t let anything happen to her. Bring her home. Take care of her for me. She loves you so much,” Diane said, her voice fading as her hand slowly lost its grip on Gabriel’s shirt and her eyes stared fixed in death.
“No! Diana, don’t leave. Don’t leave me! Don’t leave Lela! Fight honey!” Gabriel rocked his sister, grief stricke
n. He felt the helicopter land and the hospital staff had Diana on a stretcher and working on her as they wheeled her into the hospital. Thirty minutes later an Emergency Room doctor came out to explain that they had done everything they could do to save Diana, but the trauma to her body and the blood loss were so severe that nothing they had tried worked.
Gabriel stared at the doctor for a few seconds and then turned glazed eyes towards Conner. “I need to get to San Francisco. Mom and Dad . . .” Gabriel started trying to think straight.
“I’ll make all the arrangement and calls, Gabriel. Don’t worry about that. I will have you on the first available flight to San Francisco. I have a contact there who’s a Private Investigator. He’ll meet your flight,” Conner said.
Nodding, Gabriel slowly walked out of the hospital. His sister was dead. Lela had been stolen and he had to find her. Gabriel heard a roar of rage and realized he was on his knees outside of the hospital and the sounds were coming from him.
*****
Gabriel jerked awake and then fell back on the bed. He had had that same dream many times over. The memories of that night still haunted him. He would give his last breath for a chance to see his sister again. Guilt and grief swamped him. He should have protected them both better. Why hadn’t he followed his instincts and had Maximus Dunn investigated? He knew from experience that it was a dead-end to play the ‘what if’ game. It didn’t change anything.
Gabriel’s thoughts turned to Honor. His need to see her was a driving force. He had made so many mistakes with her already. He prayed she would give him another chance. All he wanted to do was to touch her and pull her in close to his body. He had been too long without her. Sighing, Gabriel got off his bed and headed out to the car to unload it. He tried to push thoughts of Honor away, but she stayed with him for the rest of the night.