A Love of Vengeance

by Nancy Haviland

  She rued Nika’s adventurous side as she trudged up the stairs.

  Gabriel dropped the kettle bell he’d been curling and grabbed an already damp towel from the end of the bench to wipe the sweat from his face. Some old-school heavy metal tolled through the hotel’s empty gym. Empty because he’d instructed his manager to close it up so that he and Quan could work out in peace.

  Muscles tight and burning, he headed over to one of the treadmills lined up against the back wall. He stepped on and punched the right buttons to get the machine moving and was soon pounding the track with heavy feet, feeling as if he were running away from something he had no hope of ever escaping. He blinked the sweat out of his eyes and pressed a button on the panel to make it go faster.

  Of course, it didn’t help. Forty minutes and two bottles of water later, his body aching as though he’d just been beaten, no oxygen left in his bloodstream, he finally collapsed on the padded bench.

  He snagged his phone and hit up a number. A click sounded in his ear, and then Jak’s, “S’all good, G. No one’s been around.”

  “Has she left the house at all?”

  “Nope. But she will be later. She’s meeting a friend at a club downtown. Ten o’clock. Nick was pruning and overheard her on the phone. Said she didn’t sound too enthused.”

  Jak would have also heard the conversation from the listening devices they’d placed in Eva’s house. Violating her privacy had been a necessity. They couldn’t be blind to her movements. Had to be aware of any plans she made.

  Like the ones she had tonight. A club? His beauty in a nightclub? With a friend that had to be Nika—a woman who was just as attractive but in an entirely different way? Fuck. The vultures would be out for blood the second the girls walked through the doors.

  So would Gabriel.

  “Stay close to her. Text me the name and location of the club. We’ll be inside just before ten. Let me know if her plans change.”

  He dropped the phone next to his twitching thigh and bent to rest his elbows on his knees. And smiled. Looked as though he was reverting to the old ways of picking up women in bars.

  He tossed back the last swig of water before dragging himself to his feet, throwing the empty plastic bottle into the recycle bin next to the wall.

  Alek walked through the opaque glass door, his Tom Ford looking overly formal against the blue mats and training equipment. He tossed a folded newspaper to the bench before going over and leaning against the mirrored wall. He pushed his dark-blond hair off his forehead and didn’t even bother looking annoyed when it flopped back. “Not the kind of attention you need right now.”

  Gabriel grabbed the paper and flipped it open. The success of last night’s gala was the headline, the story and two photos beneath. Photo number one was the front view of the Crown Jewel; photo two was of him and Eva. The caption under the picture read “Entrepreneur Gabriel Moore, co-owner of the Crown Jewel, and Eva Jacobs.”

  He studied what the photographer had captured. Christ. The way he was holding her, melded to his side, his hand resting so possessively on her hip, it looked as if he’d had her hundreds of times. The way she was looking up at him, eyes wide, cheeks flushed. She looked like she wanted him to have her hundreds more.

  “That’s guaranteed to bring out the wolves,” Quan said from over his shoulder. “But it’s a good look on you, G. I like it.”

  He did, too.

  He folded up the paper and tucked it under his arm.

  “You know Stefano is going to see that,” Alek interjected, crossing his arms over his chest. “My uncle, too, if I know him. You also know it’s going to cement your brother’s decision to come after her.”

  Gabriel gritted his teeth. Of course he knew that. “Vasily’s still incommunicado. He managed to send a text at five this morning saying he’d be on the radar again in a few days.” He’d been relieved to get the message. There was nothing worse than not hearing from one of your own for a long period of time. The mind always went for the negative scenario. “In Stefano’s case, I say we go to him. Preferably before he sends another flunky. Or comes to Seattle himself.”

  “I think that’s the only option left to us,” Alek agreed. “When do you want to leave?”

  “In the next day or so. I’ll let you know.”

  Alek nodded. “Now that that’s settled, let’s go to the restaurant and eat. I’m sick of room service.”

  The three of them filed out of the gym and went down the hall toward the elevator.

  So much for cleaning up and heading out to Mercer Island. In a perfect world, Gabriel would have killed the club idea and kept Eva under wraps until his brother had been dealt with. But the world they lived in was far from perfect.

  The ding of the bell announced the arriving elevator car. They entered the large space, joining a young, obviously newlywed couple—judging by the brand-new sparkling ring set on the woman’s finger. They nodded a greeting, which he ignored. And even though Quan and Alek were polite—Quan mentioning of all things, the weather—the way the round little blonde pressed herself into her husband’s arms, you’d think one of them was holding a blood-dripping butcher knife.

  For two cents he would have let her know he wasn’t the brother she had to watch out for. But that the psychopath might very well be on his way.

  Being Sunday, it took no time at all to get into Seattle and even less to find parking. A gorgeous Audi R8 pulled out of a spot just down the street from the club, and Eva slipped her Ford Focus right in and cut the engine. Checking the side mirror to make sure she wouldn’t get sideswiped when getting out, she hesitated when a car pulled up next to the one parked behind her. She waited with her finger on the handle for the car to pass, but it stayed put, its headlights blinding her through the mirror. Must have thought she was about to pull out of the parking space, rather than having just pulled in.

  She wasn’t going to sit out here all night waiting for the car to move. Grabbing her purse, she climbed out, tugging inelegantly at the short hemline, and gave the unseen person in the dark sedan an apologetic wave for the parking misunderstanding.

  She gazed into the storefront windows as she started down the sidewalk, stopping briefly to ogle a gorgeous pair of heels. As she was about to move on, she noticed through the window’s reflection that same sedan, engine still running, sitting right beside her car. Her stomach lurched, making her feel instantly sick. She glanced down the line of parked vehicles, hoping to see one pulling out so the mystery car could pull in. All were empty and still.

  Fighting a shiver and trying not to let her imagination get the better of her—or her memory—she started walking, relaxing somewhat at the amount of foot traffic she passed coming in the opposite direction. It wasn’t as though someone was going to try “giving her a message” with so many witnesses.

  Gabriel had thought the message thing was a ruse to distract her anyway, so she shouldn’t worry. Right?

  She bit her lip. What if the police had questioned the man from last night and then released him because they’d had no real reason to hold him? She hadn’t been called to give her side of the story as she’d thought she would today. Seemed strange.

  She didn’t want to start being too paranoid to leave the house, but it didn’t hurt to be extra vigilant.

  Could it be Stefano Moretti or one of his goons?

  No, he wouldn’t know she’d be on the street at this time.

  Her rational conclusion made her breath come a little easier.

  Deliberately keeping her eyes straight ahead, she focused on her periphery . . . and almost stumbled when she saw the car now trolling alongside the parked vehicles, hanging a few meters behind her. Shit, shit, shit.

  She forced herself to keep a steady, seemingly unaffected pace as she neared the line that had formed in front of the club. The sight of Nika standing off to the side, looking drop-dead gorgeous in a slinky green dress that covered much more than Eva’s did, was the most a
mazing thing she’d ever seen. She practically tackled her friend.

  “Whoa!” Nika laughed, returning her tight hug. “Nice to see you, too. What’s wrong?”

  “Dark-green car,” Eva said, her voice trembling. “Is it still at the curb?”

  Nika looked past her, silver hoop earrings winking in the flashing lights from above. “Just leaving. Why? Who is it?”

  Eva finally turned and watched the car slowly drive off down the street. Unfortunately, like most, the tint on the windows was too dark for her to make out anyone inside. “I don’t know. But I’m pretty sure they were following me.”

  “What?” Nika’s tone was filled with alarm.

  She stepped back after noticing the entertained looks they were attracting from a group of guys and took their place in line. Eva quietly recounted, first, her meeting with Stefano Moretti, and then the attack the night before, leaving Gabriel out of the story altogether. For the time being.

  “And tonight that car was behind me when I parked and it followed me all the way here. Do you think I’m being paranoid? Because I can hear myself and I sound paranoid.” She rubbed the goose bumps off her arms.

  Nika gave her wrist a light squeeze. “Why haven’t you told me about this Moretti guy? If I’d known you were so spooked, I never would have insisted on coming here. God, Eva.” Concern shone from Nika’s brilliant green eyes.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m just thrilled to have a night out with you.” She took in her friend’s flaming red hair, shimmering with golden highlights, and her stunning emerald dress. “You look gorgeous,” she said. “I’ve missed you.”

  Nika blinked rapidly, smiling as she reached forward and tucked a stray hair that had fallen from the loose knot behind Eva’s ear. “Stop it, you. You’re going to make me ruin my makeup. Seriously, though, has Caleb found out why those guys were in his place?”

  Eva shrugged. “He texted last night and had nothing. If he found something today, I’m sure he’d have let me know, but I texted him anyway. He didn’t reply.”

  Nika frowned. “He will. I can’t believe that jerk last night. And at your mom’s fund-raiser, too. Eva, I’m so sorry.” They moved up in line. “If I’d been able to come with you, maybe it wouldn’t have happened.”

  If Nika had come with her, maybe Gabriel wouldn’t have happened either. Guilt poked at her when she felt relief that her friend had had other plans. “What did you guys end up doing last night?”

  Nika’s face closed up and she wouldn’t meet Eva’s eyes. “Oh, uh, we went to the movies. It was, uh, the premiere for some shoot-’em-up guy thing. I nodded off through most of it. You know what?” she said, swiftly changing the subject before Eva could even ask if she’d at least gotten to ogle Jason Statham or someone equally hot. “I’m sure the person in the car was only looking for parking and just happened to be driving next to you. Checking out your smokin’ bod,” she added with a mischievous smile and a playful wink that reminded Eva so much of the girl Nika had been before Kevin had entered the picture.

  “I can’t believe you bought this thing for me,” she grumbled truthfully as she looked down at the shimmering silver-blue sheath. “I mean, it’s lovely, but there’s nothing to it. You know I don’t wear stuff like this. I feel like a poseur. You’re lucky I love you too much to hurt your feelings by burning it.”

  “Are you kidding? You look scrumpdeliyicious, as I knew you would. Caleb would kick both our asses if he saw you. Me for buying it, you for wearing it. How is he?”

  “He’s good but misses you. Says he doesn’t get why you won’t move to New York and start over.” Eva watched closely, but all she got was a blank look.

  “Don’t start on me, Eva,” was the subject closer that time.

  They reached the entrance and, after showing the overly ripped bouncers their IDs, entered the club. Even though it was Sunday, the place was packed and it took a minute for Eva’s eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interior. She followed Nika as she weaved her way to the end of the bar, taking in the simple black-and-gray décor, the base thumping to match her heartbeat. There was an assortment of high tables for standers and your typical table and chair combos for those who wanted to sit. The back wall was filled with U-shaped booths on a raised floor area, and, as the light show on the dance floor cast shadows around the room, she was surprised to notice all the walls were bare. Apparently whoever designed the place figured the patrons would be decoration enough. They were right.

  After ordering drinks, they moved off to the side and lucked out when a trio of inebriated women a little older than them stumbled away from a small round table. They pounced on it.

  “So, aside from your new fan club, how are you?” Nika posed.

  Eva was surprised she was able to smile at that. “How are you?”

  “You first,” Nika insisted.

  “But then we’ll never get to you,” she said with a laugh.

  “There’s nothing new on my end, Eva.” She sipped from her mojito. “It’s the same . . . it’s just the same. You must be missing your mom now that you’re home, surrounded by her things. How’s your OCD?”

  “Nika!”

  “What? We all know you have it. Or a touch of it anyway.”

  All, meaning Nika and Caleb. They discussed Eva’s tendency to . . . tweak . . . things? Irked, she then remembered waking up that morning, looking down at her tank and pajama shorts, and changing because they’d looked slept in.

  Because she’d slept in them.

  But she only acted out when she was stressed or emotional. After her mother’s death, how could anyone blame her?

  “I’m getting by. I miss my mom like crazy, but I think it’s getting better.” She took a drink of her cosmo. “Um, by the way,” she said with a nervous chuckle. “I sort of met someone last night.”

  Nika’s head whipped back to Eva, away from where she’d been looking at the dance floor. “What do you mean you met someone? Like you met . . . someone?” Her emerald eyes were alight with curiosity.

  Eva nodded, picturing Gabriel. “Nika . . .” She hesitated, not sure what to even say about the man who’d made her want to end a twenty-four-year chastity streak. “He was really, really something.”

  She glanced up from where she was tapping her nails together and was surprised to see a satisfied smile on her friend’s face. “Finally,” she thought she heard Nika say before asking more clearly, “Who is he?”

  “Well, he’s actually the owner of the Crown Jewel, the hotel where the gala was held last night.”

  “I know the Crown Jewel. Everyone in Seattle knows the Crown Jewel. Holy shit!”

  Eva laughed. “No kidding.”

  “How did you come to meet him?”

  She filled Nika in on having seen Gabriel, first in New York and then again last night. When she got to the part about it being Gabriel who’d intervened with her attacker, she could tell Nika instantly fell in love.

  “Good man,” she said firmly. “And you saw him first in New York? So this is like kismet! How romantic! I can’t believe your time has finally come. I thought it never would. I’m so excited for you, hon. God, if anyone is ready for some happiness—or even just a sweaty roll in the hay—it’s you.”

  She took a gulp from her glass. “Why?” Could Nika know how lonely she’d been lately?

  “Because aside from your mom, and me and Caleb, of course, you’ve never really had anyone else in your life to care about you the way you deserve.”

  “Everyone deserves to have someone love them, Nika. Just because I didn’t grow up in a big family and have a ton of friends doesn’t mean I was deprived of anything. What I had was enough.”

  Until now . . .

  “Oh, I know. I didn’t mean you missed anything, other than having a father. It’s just that you’re such a great person. You’re funny as hell and beautiful. You’re generous and you really are very easy to get along with—”

  “Just a sec
ond,” Eva interrupted, stopping the embarrassing spiel by tapping on Nika’s hand—no wedding rings in sight. Interesting. She tilted her head and wrinkled her brow. “If I’m so great, why did you run off and marry someone else?”

  Nika narrowed her eyes, and Eva couldn’t hold in her laughter long enough to really make the joke work.

  “Ugh. You’re also an idiot—did I mention that?”

  Eva laughed even harder. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it.”

  “Loser,” Nika muttered as she turned toward the dance floor again.

  Eva then shared her job news and received the expected enthusiastic congratulations . . . until the part about moving back to New York came out.

  “Come on, Eva! You just got home!” The panicked look on her friend’s face struck Eva in her chest.

  “I know, but it’s a great opportunity. Why don’t you come with me?” she pleaded, setting aside her now-empty glass. “Cut your losses here. I know—Caleb and I both know, even though you won’t admit it—things are not going well for you. Talk to me, Nika. Please.”

  Her friend’s gaze darted around the room as if the boogeyman were about to jump out at them. “I can’t. As much as I’d like to tell you everything.” She shook her head, her anxiety palpable. “I can’t. Just know that I’ll be following you to New York as soon as I’m able. Now, please don’t ask me about my marriage anymore, because I won’t involve you. I just can’t. Not you or Caleb.” Her hand trembled as she raised her glass and drained the contents. The sight, and her request, filled Eva with dread.

  What in the hell is going on with Nika and Kevin?

  “Please promise me you’ll drop this now. Promise me,” Nika stressed.

  “Okay, okay.” Even though she was loath to do so, Eva promised. “I won’t push anymore. I promise. Just . . . if I can help in any way . . . You know I’m here for you.”

  “Of course I know that. I’ve always known that. You and Caleb . . .” Nika looked away. “I just won’t involve you guys. I . . . can’t.”