by Taylor Lee
When the smoke cleared and Peter’s trembling fury was apparent, Gabe stepped up next to Ana and gripped her elbow as he had in the ballroom. Without taking his gaze off Peter, he asked in a laconic tone, “Why don’t you ask her, Peter. Ask her who she was waiting for.”
Peter’s pale face flushed an angry dark red. He glared at Ana. She stared back at him her anger at both men flooding her. Gabe’s firm grip gave her courage. She would deal with Gabe but first she had to get rid of Peter.
Her voice was surprisingly strong, given the turmoil roiling her gut.
“Go Peter, please go.” At his shocked expression, she added, “Yes, I was waiting for him.”
Peter’s expression changed. It went from fury to a cold, calculating anger that frightened her. She shivered and moved closer to Gabe.
Peter held her gaze then tossed the worthless glasses against the stone floor shattering them in hundreds of pieces. When he spoke his voice was different, no longer the pompous fop. Rather, it was hard, icy.
“You’ll be sorry for this, Ana. For the rest of your life.” Including Gabe in his threat, he added, “You both will be.”
He turned and strode to the door. As he opened the door to leave, Gabe’s quiet voice stopped him. “If you ever threaten her again, Harcourt, or come within five feet of her or this ranch, I will kill you.”
Peter shook. The tremors shaking his body were visible across the dark expanse. Even from the distance Ana could see that it was fury, not fear that drove him. Relief flooded her when he strode through the doorway, slamming the door behind him.
~~
Chapter 22
Ana collapsed against Gabe shrouding herself in his strength, his warmth. For a long moment she gave in to her need to hold him, be held by him. His voice crooning in her ear comforted her, eased the tremors that were shaking her. Little by little she regained her composure. Taking a deep breath she forced herself to forget the fury raging in Peter’s eyes and remember her own.
She twisted free and stepped back angling away from the railing to give herself space, to prevent Gabe from trapping her. Glaring up at him, she asked, “Why are you here?”
A smile quirked his lips. “That’s becoming a little repetitive, Ana. I thought we resolved that issue, the last time we were out on this balcony.”
Ana shuddered at the memory.
She tossed her head and lifted her chin. “No, Gabe, we did not. If anything, the question is more pertinent that it was before.”
When he just smiled and reached up and chucked her under her chin, she jerked away.
“Are you sure you have enough time for this, Gabe? I don’t want to take you away from Sarah Hamilton. Although from the look of your partners they will keep the twins occupied until you return to finish the job. Or are you here to fulfill some pre-established quota for the night among the three of you? ”
Even before the words spewed out of her mouth she knew she sounded petty, childish, like she was jealous. Her face burned and she forced herself to squeeze back the angry tears that threatened to betray her.
Gabe reached over and stroked her cheek. “Ah, Princess, you need to go back to where we left off? Angry, hurt?”
She stammered, “I...I...wasn’t hurt. I wasn’t! But, yes, I was angry and I still am.” Attempting to salvage her pride, furious that she had betrayed her jealousy, letting him know how much he had hurt her, she pushed him farther away and moved toward the door.
His voice stopped her.
“Ana, come here.”
She hesitated, then squared her shoulders, grasping for resolve.
“Ana, here, baby, right here.”
She turned to face him trying to resist his magnetic pull. He reached out and gently pulled her toward him. When she was next to him, he tossed his cigarette to the ground.
His voice was soft, husky. “You asked why I am here. I will tell you. I’ve waited as long as I can, Ana.” He reached out and ran his finger around her lips. At her start, he rubbed against the moist surface of her inner lips, then pinched the corner of her mouth. When she gasped, her eyes widening, he grinned and said. “Yeah, Princess, I’m done waiting for this, for you. To do this to you”.
“What…what are you going to do? “ Her voice was shaky, he saw the fear and the anticipation in her eyes. He breathed in her fragrance. It flooded him charging every nerve ending in his body with desire. His only concern was that he would take her, plunge into her before he kissed her. And he knew he might die if he didn’t kiss her soon.
“First, I’m going to kiss you.”
She pulled back and shook her head. “I don’t want you…I …I don’t know how, Gabe.”
She felt her face heat. She jerked away, horrified that she had blurted out the embarrassing truth. Oh God, she was such an idiot. A vision of Sarah Hamilton leaning against him, lifting her face up to his, shook her and she stumbled back.
His grip hardened. “Stop, Ana. Stop doing that, thinking about anything but this.”
He ran his finger over her mouth again, but this time he immediately probed inside. He folded her bottom lip between his finger and his thumb and stroked the tender moist flesh. She was shocked at the sensations that swamped her core at this simple act. She thought she might collapse when he held his finger against her lips and said in a husky rumble. “Suck on it, Ana. Suck on my finger. Take it deep in your mouth and taste my skin.”
When she tasted the salt of his skin, the rich earthiness of his cigarette, the sulphury tang of his match, she looked at him and whimpered. His lips were so close, so full and inviting. The need to taste him, touch him every where, overcame her. She couldn’t suppress the moan that escaped her lips.
His smile was soft but his voice was rough, urgent. “Oh yeah, Princess, me too. I want to kiss you, Ana.”
He ran his moist finger, the one she’d sucked on, around her lips. He bent down and touched her lips gently with his. She didn’t know what to expect. She’d never been kissed. A kiss on her cheek from her father, a bear hug from Kai. But this? This huge man with the powerful muscles was touching his lips to hers lightly, tenderly? He nipped at them, catching tiny slivers of her lips between his teeth as though he wanted to sample them centimeter by centimeter. Then he slid the tip of his tongue inside her mouth the way he had done with his finger. But this was more erotic, more compelling. He twisted his tongue around her lower lip and sucked on it.
A massive shiver zinged through her. The smoky taste of his cigarette, the tang of bourbon mingled with his scent. She smelled the whisper of sandalwood, a fresh piney odor and that musky male smell that made her want more, so much more,
He reached under her hair. His big hand clasped the nape of her neck and pulled her up closer to him, holding her in place. Just where he wanted her, where she wanted to be. His tongue was a sensual weapon. He licked her teeth then pried them open. His tongue tangled with hers driving deeper and deeper. A soft male growl vibrated between their lips and Ana felt something inside of her give way. A dam broke. Sensation after sensation swamped her. She wanted to kiss him, probe him the way he was doing to her. She dug her fingers in the curls at his neck and pulled him to her, deeper, harder.
She was shocked when she realized that the whispery moans, the frantic gasps mimicking his were coming from her.
“Jesus, Ana,” he groaned and bent her back over his arm. Her head fell back opening her throat to his lips. He dragged his rough tongue over the tender skin pausing to lick the throbbing pulse at the base of her throat and the sensitive skin that surrounded it. Her groin clenched and she thought she might faint if she couldn’t catch a deeper breath. And then his wicked mouth was nipping at the lush mounds of her breasts. They swelled at his touch. He bit the tender skin and sucked on it. Every touch, every suck, every bite smashed through one barrier after another. She didn’t recognize the sounds coming from her, the pleas, the sobs. When his expert fingers slipped inside the silky fabric of her gown and sought the throbbing nub of her nipple, s
he cried out. But he was merciless. First his fingers twisted, tugged one sensitive nub then the other. When she couldn’t bear another sensation, he licked her nipple then sucked on it, hard. She didn’t recognize the wail that broke from her throat. It was needy, sensual, a cry as old as the earth.
His hands were insistent; his powerful body relentless. He pressed her up against the railing, forcing her legs apart with his strong thighs. The rough weave of his trousers scraped against the bare flesh above her stockings. Wool rubbing against silk created a friction that only intensified the sensations. His voice was low, guttural, commanding. He drove his bulging erection up against the damp silk protecting her tender folds. “Open to me, Ana. I need you. God, baby. I need you now.”
Wave after wave of sensation pulled her higher and higher, the current dragging her to a place she’d never been. Just when she thought she would drown with need, Gabe pulled back. He still held her but more like a shield than a driving force. He slowly stood wrapping her protectively in the shelter of his strong arms.
Through the roar of sensation coursing through her ears, she heard Kai’s embarrassed voice trail off. “Uh, Gabe… Ana…I…you…
Gabe’s voice was low, ironic, thick with frustration. He murmured, “I want you to know Kai, I have killed men with my bare hands for less.”
Gunnar broke in, his voice devoid of its usual overlay of humor. “I’m sorry, man. Don’t blame the kid. You gotta come now. It’s Chao. He’s been hurt. Bad.”
~~
Chapter 23
Ana’s face was frozen with fear but to her credit her voice was calm, comforting belying the terror Gabe saw in her eyes. Chao’s face was covered with bruises and cuts, the signs of a vicious beating. Both of his eyes were swollen shut and there was a thin purplish ring circling his neck indicating whoever had attacked him had used a garrote or rope – Gabe assumed to strangle him. His left arm was bandaged and splinted.
Madam Ling nodded when Gabe asked, “”Broken?”
Her response was cryptic. “In three places.”
Even in his semi-conscious state, Chao’s soft moans testified to his driving pain. Madam Ling and three of her assistants were tending his wounds, applying salves and herbal poultices to the open cuts. When Gabe pulled back the sheet to see for himself the extent of his wounds, his breath caught at the sight of the massive bruises covering Chao’s chest and abdomen. Ana’s gasp confirmed that she understood the extent of his injuries.
Gabe probed the swollen places around his ribs and met Madam Ling’s gaze.
“We are waiting for the laudanum and opiates to take effect before we attempt to reset them.” She added. her voice tight with strain, “At least two, maybe three or four are cracked.”
For Ana and Kai’s sake, Gabe kept a tight rein on the fury coursing through him. Motioning to the horrified valet, Quitin, Chao’s long time manservant, Gabe caught his arm and pulled him away from the group.
“I need you to step up here, Quitin. Do you understand me?”
The diminutive man brushed the tears off his face and nodded. “Get a comfortable chair for Miss Ana and for Mr. Kai. I know they will insist on staying by him tonight. . When she is ready, Miss Ana will need to change her clothes. Send her personal maid, here. Jing, correct? Have Jing bring Miss Ana a robe and change of clothes.”
As difficult as it was to hear, the fact that Chao was moaning, reacting to the healers’ ministrations, was a good sign. The critical issue was to tend to his wounds and not let him die. Gabe knew from long experience dealing with badly injured men, the first hours were critical. The Chinese doctors surrounding Chao’s bed were accomplished healers. If anyone could keep their master alive it was them. Most critical was Chao himself. His will to live, to fight through the agonizing pain would be the determining factor.
Gabe crouched down beside Ana. Her face was ghost-like. Her dark eyes were huge, black with fear. He looked up and motioned to Kai to come stand beside them.
Looking from one to the other, Gabe assessed their ability to comprehend what he was about to tell them. As concerned as they were, he was gratified to see an inner strength in them both.
He took Ana’s hands in his forcing her to meet his gaze.
“Ana, honey. And you too, Kai. Listen to me. Your father is going to live. I am convinced of that. He is a strong man, physically, but most important spiritually. Do you understand?”
Ana stared at him, her face contorted with fear. She started to speak then bit her lips as if she was afraid to ask the question. Gabe gave her a reassuring nod, urging her to continue.
“Promise me, Gabe? Do you promise me that he will live?”
Gabe swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah, Princess, I do promise. As bad as his injuries are, he is breathing well which means that even though his ribs are cracked none of them punctured his lung, always the most life threatening injury in a beating like this. Tonight is critical. By tomorrow, we will see a big difference. But these next couple of days are going to be difficult. He’s going to hurt like hell.”
He stood when he saw Jing enter clinging to Quitin. The older woman’s eyes widened with shock at the sight of their master but then riveted on Ana. Gabe motioned to her to come over to them.
Gabe pulled Ana to her feet and put his arum around her.
“Princess, I asked Jing to come and bring you some comfortable clothes. You need to change out of that dress and especially those damn shoes.” he said at an attempt at humor. He was gratified to see a scintilla of a smile cut through the pain in her eyes for a brief second.
He turned to Jing.” Jing, please take Ana to Chao’s changing room. See that she puts on these clothes you brought for her.”
When Ana shook her head and frowned, Gabe held her tighter to him and lifted her chin so she couldn’t look away.
“Listen to me, Princess. It is going to be a long night. Quitin is bringing comfortable chairs and blankets for you and Kai. Right now you need to get out of those clothes. The doctors need to finish bandaging up your father. The best way you can help him – both of you - is to stay strong and stay close. Do you understand? Okay, both of you, go get changed. By the time you get back, the doctors will have finished taping Chao’s ribs and given the opiates they are pumping in him, he’ll be in a lot less pain.”
Gabe waited until the two of them reluctantly left the room then strode over to the small cluster of men standing in the far corner. Gunnar and Eagle were waiting for him along with Emil and Davy.
Piercing all four men with a hard stare Gabe demanded, “All right, goddamnit. Let’s hear it. What the hell happened? We had ten men here tonight to ensure that no one hurt Chao, Kai or Ana.” With a hard jerk of his head toward the bed he spit out, “Obviously we failed. We’ll deal with that later. Right now I want to know who tried to kill Chao.”
~~~
On their rush from the balcony to Chao’s chambers, Gunnar and Kai gave Gabe and Ana the barest of details. Now Gabe needed to hear precisely what happened.
Davy stepped forward. Except for Gunnar and Eagle, Davy had been with Gabe the longest of any of his men. He was as tall as Gabe and outweighed him by at least forty pounds. Anyone who tussled with him knew it wasn’t fat that broadened the big man’s shoulders and arms. His sharp green eyes helped give some credibility to his round face, rosy cheeks and the corn silk hair that fell in soft waves around his face. Gabe thought to himself as he always did when talking with Davy, How the hell could a guy with a baby face like Davy’s and a name like Davy, for Christ’s sake, be the strongest guy on their team not counting himself, Gunnar and Eagle.
Davy’s voice was harsh, strained. “I take responsibility, Gabe.”
Gabe dismissed his apology with a wave of his hand. “I know you do, we all do. It’s on my shoulders as much as yours. Tell me what happened.”
Davy gave a distressed nod. “I was on Chao like white on rice the whole fucking night. Both me and Emil. About ten o’clock, Quitin came over and handed him a n
ote. Chao called me and Emil over and said he needed to get something from his office. I asked him what he needed, told him I could get it for him but he said no. He looked kinda strained. I told him I saw Quitin give him a note and asked if I could see it. He brushed me aside. He told me he’d talk about it with you later. We followed him to his office. He closed the door in our faces. When I heard the door lock, it was pretty clear that he wanted to be alone.”
Davy shoved his hands through his soft silky hair and looked up at Gabe, a deep frown creasing his brow.
“I swear to God, Gabe. Me and Emil were there for ten minutes at the most before I started getting worried. I called out to him and there was no answer. Hell, that silence skewered me bollocks. Me and Emil just looked at each other and crashed through the door. Broke the fucker clear off the frame.”
He looked down, pain crossing his face.
“Damn, Gabe, we never shoulda let him go in there by himself.’
Once again, Gave waved off his recriminations. “Then what happened?”
Davy’s eyes were wide. “He wasn’t there. The goddamned place was empty. Just the doors to the patio were wide open. There weren’t no signs of a struggle. For a crazy minute I thought he’d needed to get air or something. Then I smelled that chloroform smell. You know what I mean. I found this on the floor,” He handed Gabe a shredded rag that still smelled of the drug. Davy continued. “I knowed then that he been taken. Somebody had drugged him.”
Letting out a long sigh as if he still couldn’t believe what had happened, Davy‘s eyes clouded, focused on the memory.
“I raced out to follow them, but, hell, I had no idea where they went. Emil here ran to the barn to get our horses and grab some of the other men. When I started after Emil, I thought I saw another piece of this rag crap on the ground over by the path next to the woods. Sure enough when I got close, I could smell it. I knew they couldn’t of ridden their horses in there without some one of our men noticing. I gotta tell you, Gabe, I wasn’t thinking clear but something drew me to them woods. I just took off running even though I had no idea where I was goin. I was in some deep brush when I heard horses. They was heading away, fast. I didn’t see nuthin, just heard them galloping away. I started to run back to the barn when I heard this moaning like sound. You know, the kind a rabbit or a fox makes when he’s caught in one of the traps? I pushed through them bushes tryin’ to follow the sound. And…and then I saw him.”