“Trouble. Emilie has been taken, and Diana went after her.” Gabriel rubbed his brow, his head beginning to pound with worry. “You think she will be able to find—”
“Of course.” He gave Gabriel a censorious look for doubting his wife. “If she says she will find your daughter, you may believe it. What do you need?”
Gabriel dropped his hand. “While Rand and I search for them, would you be willing to use your connections to get in to see my uncle?”
“Bishop Fredrick?” Samuel rubbed his chin. “Yes, I can do that.”
“Tell him about the situation with Williams. The man will keep coming after my family. It’s time to stop him, or I’ll end up killing the scrawny bastard with my bare hands, no matter how many witnesses are gathered.”
“I think I have a solution.” Samuel gave a sharp nod, as if to himself, then smiled. “Leave it to me. You two worry about Diana and Emilie.”
Rand quickly checked in with Tallie, and then the men left. “Where are we searching?”
“I want to check the orphanages. My guess is Diana will beat us there, and I am hoping the commotion she causes will lead us right to her.”
Gabriel didn’t bother to turn at Rand’s question, but continued searching each alley for any sign of Diana while he replied. Abject poverty and an air of grim survival clung to the people and buildings. It was no place to be out at night, much less for a single woman alone. He had only himself to blame for driving her away. What could she have been thinking to go alone?
“My lord!” The hail came from behind them, less than twenty feet down the street. The two men stiffened, then reached for their guns and turned in unison. A lad of thirteen, breathless from a hard run, hurried toward them. “Milles sent me. A message.”
Taking the sealed page, Gabriel nodded to the boy and watched him dart off before breaking the seal. Gabriel’s blood ran cold with each word. At the end, he crushed the missive in his fists.
“What is it?”
“A message informing me my daughter is safe, but only for the moment. I am to hand the witch over in exchange for my daughter’s life.”
“The cocksucker.” Rand swore colorfully, his horse sidestepping and tossing its head. “Did he sign it?”
“No, but safe from the witch leaves me little doubt that Pastor Williams is behind this new threat.” Gabriel resisted throwing the sheet into the gutter, not wanting them to fall in the wrong hands in case he needed them for evidence later.
House after house in this eerie world appeared dark, and not a soul stirred. The building labeled New Friar Indigents was the opposite. Lights blazed in every window, while a large group of people milled around outside. Gabriel exchanged a grim look with Rand when he spotted Diana’s horse.
It felt like someone had kicked him in the gut. He forced his horse through the crowd, then dismounted and charged up the steps.
“You cannot go in there, sir.” Gabriel ignored the voice and forced his way through the knot of people until he made it to the door. He would not be denied. His hands shook at the prospect of finding them, his stomach churning with the need to see for himself that they were all right. The wood structure remained bolted shut, and he put his shoulders to the door.
The wood splintered on the second try, the pain only an annoyance.
Screams of frightened children echoed around him. Gabriel grimaced at the commotion and charged toward where a large knot of women were gathered by the stairs.
“I say! You cannot take that child.” An older woman with steel gray hair barked the order.
Gabriel followed to where her attention was locked and slowly released a breath.
Diana.
“This child is mine. The man who took her—”
“Is a Holy man of God.”
“—is stealing from the people he is supposed to protect. You would best remember that before you open the doors to him again. Now stand aside.”
Gabriel saw Diana at the top of the stairs, his little girl clutched in her arms. Instead of listening to the claptrap, Gabriel picked the arguing woman up by the waist and set her aside. After her initial shriek, the whole group quieted. Gabriel took the stairs two at a time, stopping abruptly two feet away, suddenly uncertain of his welcome.
It hurt not to be able to touch them and claim them as his own.
“Honey, look who’s here.” Diana whispered to Emilie.
She burrowed closer, before reluctantly peeking out of the corner of her eye. “Daddy!” Her scream quickly turning into a sob. She reached out, almost tipping Diana over in order to get to him.
His eyes stung as hugged his precious burden. “Hey, baby. Did anyone hurt you?”
Gabriel studied Diana over her head, searching for any sign of injury, hungry for just the sight of her.
He thought he’d never see her again.
It took a few moments for Emilie to calm enough to answer. “No, but he said bad things about you and Mommy.”
Gabriel saw the devastating effect the word had on Diana.
Tears gathered in her eyes before she could blink them back, and Gabriel vowed to do everything in his power to fix what he’d broken. Diana deserved to be happy, and he was the only one capable of giving her what she wanted most.
She thought she wanted protection, when what she really needed was love.
Nobody else could come close to loving her the way he did.
“It’s all right now.” He descended the stairs and stopped at the bottom, glaring at the worried faces around him, then drew himself up to his full height until he towered over them. “This is my daughter, Emilie, kidnapped by your friend, the supposed man of God. This woman is Lady Mendenhall, my wife.” Gabriel snagged Diana’s arm and pulled her within his embrace.
It felt like coming home.
He turned to the steel-haired woman who’d carped like a fishwife. “In the future, you will address her as Lady Mendenhall. I will have the authorities and my solicitors here tomorrow. They will make sure everything is in order.” With a curt nod of his head, Gabriel exited the building, pulling Diana behind him.
Gabriel wanted to gather Diana in his arms and kiss her senseless until she forgot her anger, but more people had gathered outside, a few rough men in the back looking a little too interested in them for his comfort.
“Mount up.” Even as he spoke, Gabriel swung up on his horse with Emilie in his arms. He waited until Rand and Diana mounted before kicking the horse into motion. Gabriel cast frequent glances over his shoulder to assure himself that Diana was still there, their separation irritating him all over again, not liking that she wasn’t in his line of sight.
That it didn’t seem to bother her only frightened him more.
Anxious to get her alone so he could explain himself, he urged the horses faster.
They pulled up outside of Rand’s house some twenty minutes later. Rand dismounted, then shook his head at how peacefully Emilie slept. “I will call in the morning.” He nodded to Diana, his face softening. “Get some rest.” With a nod, he went inside without another word.
Gabriel nodded and turned the horses toward home. Conway met them at the stables, taking control of the horses without a word. Since they’d left the orphanage, Diana had yet to speak a work.
Hell, she had yet to even look at him.
He felt like he’d swallowed acid.
“Come.” Gabriel walked behind her, herding her to the house so she wouldn’t try to disappear on him. Once inside, they both headed up the stairs. Gabriel slammed his palm on her door before she could shut him out. “Let me settle Emilie. I will return shortly. We have things to discuss.”
Diana shut the door behind her, observing the room as if she’d never seen it before. Moving mechanically, she pulled her traveling bag from under the bed, placing it beside the still-sleeping Jack. She was grateful she could feel nothing. It made it easier to do what had to be done without having to deal with the devastating loss.
She stared down at Jack, and t
hat emotional shell cracked.
He’d grown attached to Emilie, and the girl would need a friend after Diana left.
Then the pain came, an avalanche that smashed into her chest and made breathing difficult. She was leaning weakly against the wall when a knock sounded on the door.
She closed her eyes, focused on trying to get air in her lungs and her composure back. When the knock came again, Diana straightened, took a deep breath. “Enter.”
When Gabriel opened the door, the first thing he saw was the satchel on the bed. He firmly shut the door behind him, then crossed his arms, not giving a damn that he stood blocking the exit. “Going somewhere?”
“I’m going to make sure this never happens again.” Diana lifted her stubborn chin.
The words stung, but he gained courage from seeing that tiny spark of rebellion back. Gabriel dropped his arms and stalked forward, hoping to rattle her from behind that icy shield where she hid. “By yourself?”
“It’s me he wants. With me gone, he shouldn’t bother you anymore.” Diana twisted to keep Gabriel in view, unable to get enough of the sight of him…one last time. “You and Emilie will be safe.”
“Leaving you in the same situation as before…vulnerable to his tender mercies.” His hand crept up, cupping her jaw. “You married me for protection.”
Diana tried to turn her face away, couldn’t bear to have him touch her for fear that her will would crumble, but he refused to let her go.
“I’ve never once doubted your abilities. It’s about time you start believing in mine.” Gabriel pressed closer, forcing his body in contact with hers in a way that made her breath catch. “What about your promise to give us a second chance?”
His words shattered her composure, and she shoved at his chest. The bastard didn’t even have the grace to budge. “You broke that promise first when you walked out that door. You said we would be a family, then you took that away.”
“Never.” Gabriel grabbed her hand and dragged her closer, engulfing her in his arms. “I belong to you. Now and forever. Leaving won’t change that.”
Diana trembled, his words eroding her resolve to do the right thing and leave. The heat emanating from him seduced her closer. She had been so cold for so long…until she met him. Only he warmed her soul. She should remain firm—leaving would keep them safe—but when his lips touched hers, a whispered caress, all thought of leaving evaporated like mist.
His hand rose, cupping her chin, lifting her face for his gentle assault. Unable to resist the once-in-a-lifetime temptation, Diana kissed him back.
Gabriel crushed her close, his kiss setting her on fire as his mouth ravished hers. His control snapped. His hands slid lower, and he grabbed her hips, pressing his cock against her in a blatant demand for more. Diana groaned at the proof of his desire. She pulled back to see Gabriel’s dark blue eyes focused on her, as if studying what drove her crazy.
“Do that again.”
A groan started low in his chest, a rumbling sound felt more then heard as he bent his head and kissed her as if he never wanted to let her go.
Diana let her eyes close and enjoyed the sensations, but it still wasn’t enough.
She needed more.
She grabbed the back of his neck and dragged him closer, nipping at his lips. Gabriel jerked in surprise, then growled. “Again.”
Pleasure spread through her at his demand, and she did as instructed, starting at his neck and working her way toward his mouth.
Gabriel took control, fisting his hands in her skirt, slowly drawing it up. When his warm hand skimmed along her thigh, Diana gasped, his heated touch burning through her buckskin breeches. He took full advantage, his lips trailing lower until he nipped her neck, his questing fingers trailing higher, and Diana tipped her head back, granting him further access. It seemed to be all the approval he needed. He lifted her off her feet and wrapped her legs around his waist. Diana groaned at the intimate feel of him pressed against where she needed him most.
He rocked against her, making her body tingle from head to toe, and Diana tightened her legs, wanting him closer. Wanted him inside her. Her eyes slid shut, and the room spun when Gabriel lowered them until the soft bed was pressed against her back.
Jack huffed a sigh before slinking off the bed.
Then she and Gabriel were alone.
Gabriel loosened his hold and leaned away. A bit uncertain why he halted his intoxicating kisses, she reluctantly opened her eyes and found him studying her. She reached up, unable to resist tracing her fingers over his ruggedly handsome face, and then sweeping her thumb across his bottom lip.
He caught her finger between his teeth, then kissed the injured digit, the heat in his eyes scorching. “Tell me to stay.”
Diana tightened her legs around his waist, then gripped his jacket and peeled it down his arms. While he struggled to free himself, Diana attacked his shirt. Gabriel growled in frustration, then grabbed the bottom of his shirt and pulled them both over his head.
She laughed at his enthusiasm, then lost her breath as she studied the wide expanse of his chest, the corded muscle stealing her focus, and she traced the smattering of dark hair at the center. Her fingers itched to explore every inch of him, and her heart skipped with joy to realize that she no longer had to hold back.
Arching upward, Diana kissed the center of his chest, right over his heart.
He pushed her back down, fumbling to remove her breeches. Diana reached down to help, but only ended up tangling their fingers. “Let me up.”
He jumped as if startled, then, much to her consternation, he began to reach for his shirt. It only dawned on her that his first wife must have treated him worse than a prostitute. Diana launched to her feet when he began to back away, and she quickly caught his hand.
Ignoring the way he stared at her in confusion, Diana tugged the shirt from his grip and tossed it to the floor, then went back to touching all that warm skin.
Muscles bunched under her seeking fingers, but it just wasn’t enough.
She wanted more.
Taking him unaware, she pushed at his shoulders, gratified when he obediently fell back on the bed. He grunted in surprise, then froze when she started to loosen her clothing, his blue eyes deepening with desire.
The gown fell away, leaving her dressed in her boots, breeches and a chemise. His eyes locked on her hands as she slowly began to pull on the strings of her pants. He lay so still, she wondered if he was even breathing. She bent and worked on the laces of her boots next.
Glancing over her shoulders, she saw his clenched fist, his eyes focused hungrily on her bottom. With a little hop, she twisted off one boot, letting it fall to the floor. She bent and struggled with the other boot and pulled it off as well, wiggling when it stuck on her heel. Just when it slipped free, Gabriel emit a tortured groan. Glancing up, she saw his focus had dropped to her chest.
He licked his lips, his gaze hungry, and her breasts tingled at the attention. Straightening slowly, she allowed the strap of her chemise to slide down her shoulder a bit. Diana slipped her hands into her pants, then slowly dragged them down her legs before kicking them free.
When she straightened, wearing only her chemise, Gabriel’s attention was riveted on her every move. He sat on the bed, fists clenched tightly on his knees. Diana sauntered closer until she stood inches from him, her chest right in front of his face.
Then she grabbed the last remaining item she wore, and slid the fabric higher. When it reached her waist, she lifted her arms and pulled the chemise over her head in one move.
She let it flutter to the floor, then untwisted her hair from the knot holding it up.
When her hair tumbled down around her shoulders, it was all the incentive he needed.
Gabriel reached out and dragged her closer, his mouth closing over her breast. A groan tore from her, her legs weakening at the delicious way he controlled her body. She gripped his hair and urged him to take more.
As soon as he started to suckled,
her knees threatened to buckle. She shoved at his shoulders until he released her breast and fell back onto the bed, and she quickly climbed after him, settling on his lap when he ran a hand up her back and pulled her forward to continue working his magic.
Unable to remain still, she rocked against him, groaning at the feel of him between her thighs. Gabriel growled, then wrapped his arms around her and twisted until she was pinned beneath him.
He looked down at her with such wonder that her throat ached. She couldn’t stop touching. When she ran her nails across his chest, he sucked in a startled breath, his body arching, pushing himself more firmly against her hips. She moaned as heat surged through her. Desperate to feel that pleasure again, Diana dug her nails into his back and urged him to do it again. “Gabriel, please.”
Instead of obeying, he pulled away, and her eyes shot open in panic. Gabriel lifted her hand, turning it one way then another. “Gabriel?”
“We have all night. What’s your rush?” He ran his finger down the center of her palm, making her shudder, then lifted it to his mouth. Pleasure shivered through her again when his teeth scraped over her palm, and she fell back onto the bed, enjoying the attention, allowing him to do what he wanted. His lips trailed up her arm, leaving not a spot untouched. He followed the line of her shoulder, then drifted down her chest to her abdomen.
Diana couldn’t catch her breath as she sat balanced on a precipice, writhing on the bed, not sure how much more she could take. Her breath caught when he dragged his mouth down her stomach, trailing kisses lower and lower, until she couldn’t think. She grabbed his hair and dragged him back up her body. “Enough. Are you trying to drive me insane?”
“You’ve had that effect on me the first time I laid eyes on you.” That sexy smile sent her stomach fluttering. “Turnabout is fair play.”
Before she could think of a reply, he spread her thighs and lowered his head.
Diana sucked in a harsh breath when his mouth and tongue caressed her intimately. Pleasure became almost unbearable as he pushed her higher and higher. Diana arched, offering herself to him fully. When the tension finally broke, she cried out as wave after wave of pure bliss took hold of her, and she could do nothing but let Gabriel do as he pleased.
Druid Temptation (A Druid Quest Novel Book 2) Page 28