“Mom,” she said softly, pulling back to look at her, “I’ve been calling you non-stop. Where have you been? I needed to talk to you about something important.”
Anastacia smiled and ran her fingers through Carterina’s thick hair. “Well you are here now, baby girl. We have plenty of time to talk, okay? Mama just needs to take her medication first.”
Concern filled her expressive eyes. “What happened?” she asked.
“I’ll tell you soon, baby. I promise that I’m feeling better, I just haven’t gotten much rest. I needed you back home first.”
“Well I am here now, Mama. You and I will rest together. Turns out we are both in need of the same thing.”
She kissed her baby’s forehead, and nodded. She was about to pull her daughter into the house when she saw her eyes dart to someone behind her. A million different emotions flashed through Carterina’s eyes as she looked to whomever stood behind Anastacia. Nervousness, fear, irritation with the person, then a hint of amusement.
Anastacia frowned. “What are you looking at, child?”
Carterina’s eyes quickly cut to hers as alarm flashed through them. Okay, that’s odd, Anastacia thought. She was about to turn around when Carterina stopped.
“Mama, look over there,” she said pointing to her … father. “Mom, Daddy’s alive. Do you see?”
Anastacia looked over to the man and locked eyes with him. She didn’t speak, yet she couldn’t deny that she had the sudden urge to run into his arms and kiss him … but after that kiss, kick his ass until he was unrecognizable. Just mere months ago she was still so in love with him. Things had changed drastically since then. She was happy to see he was alive, but she didn’t want him around her daughter. She no longer trusted him. Especially since for the past six years he’d been with Silas.
He gave her a sudden sly look, as if he knew exactly what she wanted to do; both the kiss and beating.
“I know of your betrayal,” she said to him in Arabic. “It took a moment, but I figured it out.”
He chuckled. “And I know that my daughter was alone for five years because you couldn’t handle the simple task of finding a seventeen year old girl.”
She smiled warmly as to hide her true disdain for him from their daughter. “We’ll talk later. You and me, away from the eyes and ears of my daughter.”
“I agree. But to keep her happy … shall we?”
Anastacia nodded and walked forward. Robert met her halfway, and took her into his arms. For one weak moment the hug she gave him was genuine. For that one weak moment she reveled in being in his arms once again, but the moment was gone when she pulled back and looked at his face. She saw Silas. There was once a time when she saw them as two individuals, but now that she knew what he’d done, that he’d allowed that monster to see her baby, she saw nothing but a Steele. He was her enemy.
Leaning forward, she place a lingering kiss to his cheek. “Welcome back, Robert,” she whispered.
“We’ll talk,” he said, kissing her cheek. He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“I look forward to it.” She couldn’t wait to hear what type of explanation he could possibly give her for his actions. For this reason only, she was happy that he was alive. Maybe there’d be a way they could salvage what was left of their relationship. They could at least be friends for their daughter’s sake. There was no chance of a romance blooming between them once again.
“Gabe, wait—”
Anastacia barely heard Carterina’s soft plea to someone behind her before she turned away from Robert and found herself nearly colliding into a young man. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the sun and settled on his face.
“Hello,” he said softly, an English accent thickening the word. “My name is Gabriel. I am your son, and I just have one question for you. Did you leave me with him because you didn’t want me, or did you truly not know that I was alive?”
One second she was looking at him, and the next . . . darkness.
Chapter 14: Gabriel . . .
She was his mother—his mother—and she was stunning. Gabriel had his mother’s eyes, he’d never known that until he had met his sister. He also looked a great deal like her. Gabriel smiled as he listened to the exchange between his mother and Carter’s faux-father. He even found himself feeling a slight bit of anger when the man insulted her. The moment she perfectly executed the fake embrace with him for the sake of Carter’s feelings he could no longer stand back. He had to meet her.
He quickly walked forward despite the protests of his dear sister. He could no longer wait. He needed to know if she knew he was alive. If she didn’t, if she was truly innocent and believed she had lost her son, then Gabriel could safely give his mother his heart. He wouldn’t hold back if he gave it to her either. He had nothing to lose. Gabriel knew hurt and rejection all too well; his father had given him plenty to cry about. He wasn’t afraid to be hurt anymore. If this Anastacia was truly interested in being the loving parent he’d never had, and never thought he’d have, he would embrace being her son without hesitation. He would honor her, protect her and his sister to the best of his abilities, and love them as a man should love his mother and his sister.
When he stood behind his mother, Carter’s faux-father cut him a look to which Gabriel responded with an expressionless stare. It wasn’t that Gabriel didn’t like him—because he did, it was obvious the man was a good stand-in father to Carter—it was just that Gabriel honestly didn’t care to know him, get to know him, or develop a relationship with him. It was a not so appealing quality Gabriel had inherited from his and Carter’s actual father. Gabe wasn’t a people pleaser, and in the opinion of most, he came off as an elitist and a bit aloof. But that was because many just didn’t take the time to understand who he was, to get him. Carter had, and Gabriel believed his mother would, too.
Just as she whispered something to Robert, she turned and almost ran into him. The moment was absolutely perfect. She gasped sharply, and when she blinked and looked up at his face, all he could do was stare at her and utter the words he’d been repeating over and over in his head since the moment he’d realized he was actually going to meet his mother.
“Hello,” he said softly. “My name is Gabriel. I am your son, and I just have one question for you. Did you leave me with him because you didn’t want me, or did you truly not know that I was alive?”
Then something unexpected happened. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she dropped. Luckily Gabriel possessed naturally quick reflexes, and his arm swiftly wrapped around her waist.
“Mom!” Carter exclaimed fearfully.
As he gripped her, he felt what he was sure was a bandage on her side. She had been hurt.
Numerous men darted forward to come to her aid, calling her name, but Gabriel halted them all by scooping his mother up in his arms. Her head rested on his shoulder, but she was still out. He looked over to his sister. “Come, Carter. I want you there when I talk to our mother. She will wake soon.”
Carter nodded and followed him as she began toward the large mansion. “Who has been caring for my mother?” he asked, walking toward the men standing in front of the house.
“I have,” a man answered. He was about an inch or two taller than Gabriel, with inky black hair and cold, sky blue eyes full of concern for Anastacia. When he came forward, he looked as if he wanted to take his mother from his arms.
That was another no-no when dealing with Gabriel; another not so appealing thing he’d inherited from his father. He was fiercely possessive. He’d only just laid eyes on her, but she was his mother and she was hurting. He didn’t need anyone else to take care of her when he could. She was obviously over stressed; some alone time with him and Carter would do her some good. They could get to know each other.
“Sir, will you kindly tell Carter which room our mother is occupying?” Gabriel asked the concerned blue-eyed man just as another taller man came forward.
“How about you let me take her,” the t
aller man that resembled Carter’s husband said. “She needs rest. Once she wakes you can talk to her.”
Gabriel turned a blank look to the man. “Who are you?” he asked, his tone dripping with annoyance.
Carter quickly walked forward and took the taller man’s arm. “He’s my father-in-law.” She looked up to the man. “Daddy Angelo, this is my twin-brother Gabriel. Gabriel, this is—”
“Someone I have no interest in meeting, Carter.”
Carter gasped, “Gabe.” She wordlessly chided him for his rudeness as a deep frown appeared on her face.
Gabriel sighed. “Forgive my rudeness. I am still … adjusting. I’m walking past you now. If you’ll excuse me. Come with me, Carter, please.”
Carter kissed the older gentleman on the cheek. “Trust me, Daddy Angelo.” She motioned for Gabriel to follow her. “We will be out soon. Spook Steele, be nice!”
~*~
“Are you nervous?” Carter asked.
Gabriel shrugged. “I suppose so. I still can’t believe she passed out.”
Carter chuckled. “I can’t believe a lot of things right now.” She pointed at their now sleeping mother. “This woman right here looks nothing like the well put together, strict, hard-shelled woman that I remember from just a week ago.”
“What’s different?” Gabriel asked with a curious smile.
“Well, first off, I had no idea she owned a pair of flannel pajamas. Her hair his hilariously tangled, and she’s wearing my bunny slippers.”
“It’s because I wanted to feel closer to you …”
Anastacia’s voice caught them off guard, and they both jumped as their head snapped in her direction.
“Mom!” they exclaimed simultaneously.
When she locked eyes with him, Gabriel caught himself immediately, feeling his face heat in embarrassment. Why the hell did I call her Mom? I just met the woman for heaven’s sake. Now she probably thinks I’m a freak.
Looking away from her, he whispered, “Sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“Don’t apologize, Gabriel.” She balanced on her hands and pushed herself up to a sitting position. “There is no need. You will call me your mother because that is what I am. I am your mother.”
Gabriel felt tears fill his eyes when she said the words to him. She was his mother. “So he lied? You didn’t abandon me?”
She shook her head as tears fell from her eyes. “I would never, Gabriel. I swear to you.”
“So you thought I was …”
“Yes,” she cried, nodding her head. She inhaled a shaky breath before being able to continue. “I was unconscious when I delivered you and your sister. She and I were both in bad condition. After we left the hospital, Silas handed us off to Robert. The moment I woke up after giving birth the doctor told me that you had died. I was only seven months along, so I–I … I believed them.” She reached forward and took his hand. “I swear to you, honey, had I known that Silas had taken you, I would have done anything to get you back. I thought you were dead, he told me you didn’t survive the attack.”
“What attack?” he asked in confusion. “I didn’t know you were attacked.”
“Silas attacked Mom, Gabriel,” Carter explained softly. “While she was pregnant with us.”
“It is the truth,” Anastacia said. “I left him when I was nearly five months pregnant—”
“Wait, what?” Carter interrupted their mother with a look of confusion. “Mom, what are you talking about? I thought you barely knew him. I thought he was obsessed with you.”
Now Anastacia looked away from them both, seeming to pull herself together. When she turned back to them, her lip was trembling. “Umm …” she whispered nervously, running her hands over her thighs. “Carterina, I—”
“You lied.” Carter’s tone was both wounded and heartbroken. “B–but you promised, Mom. Why would you lie to me? You said that we would build trust—”
“And I meant that, baby, I really did. You just have to let me explain.”
Reaching over, Gabriel took Carter’s hand and they looked at each other. After a moment, they silently agreed to hear their mother out. They both took her hands and listened to her as she began to speak.
“Carterina … Gabriel. I met your father when I was at one of the lowest points in my life. But before I tell you about it, I want to tell you both that you two were not the result of some fly-by-night affair. You were made from love.” She swallowed as tears continued to stream from her eyes. “There was a time when I was … head over heels in love with your father. I would have done anything for him. Two weeks after we met, he and I exchanged vows. I didn’t become pregnant with the two of you until months into our marriage. I met him on my twenty-first birthday.”
Both Carter and Gabriel listened closely as they learned of one of the most disastrous relationships in the history of mankind. Catastrophic! They were stunned silent by the events that had occurred during their parents’ marriage. Anastacia told them in detail how some of their worst arguments happened, she told them of his control over her, and of her embarrassment for going back to him … She told them the truth. The cold, hard, painful truth, even though it was more than obvious that it was extremely difficult for her. By the time she finished, they were all crying.
“I just want you both to know that no matter what happened during your father’s and my relationship, I will never regret marrying him.”
They both shook their head. “Mom, you don’t have to say that,” Gabriel stated. The woman deserved to regret whatever the hell she wanted to.
She squeezed their hands. “Yes I do, honey. I say it because I mean it. I’d endure everything, all of it again, if only to have this moment. I know the road to this was hard, my babies, I know. If I could change it, and make it better for you both, you have to believe me when I tell you that I would do it in a heartbeat.”
“We know, Mommy,” Carter said, giving their mother a soft smile. “We know that.”
“Good,” she sighed. “I’m so glad. You two are my heart. I’ve loved you both since the moment I felt you moving inside of my womb. I wanted you even before I knew I carried you. You both are a part of me, and I am so sorry that the decision I made hurt you. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t be there … be your mother when you needed me the most.”
“We need you now, Mom,” Gabriel said, moving closer to his mother. “Honestly, I no longer care about the past.”
“Neither do I,” Carter agreed, moving closer as well. “I think we should let it go, and move forward from here.”
“I agree,” Gabriel affirmed. “Mom, Carter and I still need our mother. We still want you in our lives. I don’t want to spend all of our time sad and angry about the past, we can’t change that. I want this.” He squeezed their hands gently as his voice shook with emotion. “I want you, and my sister. I want to know that from this day forward we’re going to be a family. I just want to know that I … that I’ll never be alone again. Mom, he kept me in a secluded basement in a castle for eight years. I don’t ever want to go back to that—”
Anastacia quickly rose up on her knees and pulled him into her arms. Gabriel wrapped his free arm around his mother and held on to her tightly, never releasing his sister’s hand.
“I promise you, my beautiful baby boy, you will never go back to that place.”
Being in the arms of his mother was an indescribable feeling. She was right. Gabriel would die before he ever let Silas keep him away from his mother or sister again. He loved them both. It was instantaneous; it had happened the moment he’d laid eyes on them, and he welcomed it. He welcomed the instant love, he welcomed the chance he took giving them his heart so freely if this was the payoff. He had a mother and sister that loved him. He finally had a real family.
~*~
They all sat in a circle atop the bed as Gabriel glanced from his mother to sister, mustering up the courage to begin his story.
“Go ahead, Gabe,” Carter encouraged. “You know about us. Now it’s t
ime for us to get to know you.”
“Go ahead, honey,” his mother said with a warm smile. “You know we’ll love you regardless.”
Gabriel sighed, the words giving him the courage he needed to begin.
“I lived in London,” he said softly, “with an older woman named Nanette for the first eight years of my life. I had a happy childhood, and I actually looked forward to the visits I got from Silas. I loved him as my father very much. Every time he’d come, we would play and he would talk about his time visiting his brother’s daughter, who I now know was Carter. The good time lasted until I was eight. My Nanette became ill, but her illness wasn’t terminal. With proper treatment, she would have been able to survive. For a year she was treated, and soon she began to feel better. For a little while she became so ill that she was unable to keep any food down. As a result of her inability to eat, she lost a lot of weight, causing her to look weak and a little frail. But in time I thought she would get better.” He sighed sadly as the memories of his dear Nanette flooded his thoughts. “It happened on Silas’s birthday. Every year he would come celebrate his birthday at our house in London. When he arrived that night, he took one look at her and told her that she was no longer fit to care for me. She begged him to just give her a little bit of time, she was recovering and getting better every day—I know this because I was caring for her—but Silas would hear none of it. He told her she was useless, pulled out a gun, and shot her at the table where we were eating the birthday dinner she and I had made for him.”
Carter and Anastacia were speechless.
Gabriel continued. “It was the most traumatizing experience of my childhood. Silas had just sat quietly at that table and finished his meal, while I screamed and cried over her dead body. Once he finished his meal and opened his gifts, he held me until I stopped crying. He assured me that he’d done what was best for me. Needless to say, that was the day when his and my relationship went downhill.”
“What happened?” Carter asked.
Dangerous Beauty: Part Three: This is War Page 25