GABRIEL (Killer Book 2) (3 page)

"People don't know me. They think they do, but they don't."

-Andrew Cunanan

I sit at the bar as I sip my Long Island Iced Tea. It’s been a long couple two weeks. That asshole was sure to follow through with his threat. Not one reputable contractor has called me back. It’s ridiculous. He was an absolute pig.

“Hey! Sorry I’m late. The office was bat shit crazy today.”

I sigh as my good friend Misty hops onto the barstool beside me.

“It’s fine. I’ve had a crazy couple of days myself.” I murmur before taking another sip.

Misty eyes me before she waves at the bartender and orders her drink.

She rests an elbow on the bar and places her cheek against her palm, “Yeah, you look more flustered than usual. What’s up?”

I let out a long exhale as I bury my face in my hands, “Ugh. I had this amazing contractor set up for the fall show. I met him for lunch and completely blew it.”

Misty frowns, “Blew it? How?”
I peek at her from over my fingers, “I called him a misogynistic, pretentious asshole.”

“Dani!” Misty exclaims, “What in the hell did he do to warrant that?”
I throw my straw from my drink and press the glass to my lips as I swallow the rest. I nod to the bartender for another.

I turn and look at Misty, “He ordered my wine and then my food. He didn’t allow me to order. He came off as a complete asshole.”
Misty scoffs, “So, let me get this straight, he ordered you food and wine and you lost your shit on him?”

I cross my arms over my chest, “You don’t understand. There was something about him. He looked…
familiar
.”

Her eyes delve into mine as she tries to read me, but before she can ask any questions, the bartender delivers her drink.

Misty takes a gulp of her drink before pulling out her phone, “What’s his name?”

“Why?”

“Because I want to see what Mr. Controlling looks like.”

I snort as I mock his name, “Gabriel Smith.”

When she hits a button and places her phone to her ear, I gasp.

“What are you doing? Misty!”

She places a finger to my lips, “Hush.”

“Hi, my name is Taylor, I’m Dani LeBlanc’s assistant. It seems that there was a misunderstanding between my boss and Mr. Smith. Is there any way that I can speak with him? Thank you.”

She winks at me as my eyes bulge out of my head.

“Hello, Mr. Smith. This is Taylor, Ms. LeBlanc’s assistant. Look, I just want to apologize, Ms. LeBlanc has just been under so much pressure lately.”

She pauses as he responds, though I can’t hear him. I’m going to kill her!

“Yes, I understand completely. She can be high strung at times. Look, I know you’re busy, but is there any way that we could meet? We are actually at Tony’s – I believe that is right down the street from your office.”

She lets out a charming laugh, “Great. We will see you in ten!”

“MISTY!” I exclaim as she ends the call.

“What?” She responds slyly.

I lean towards her, “That was not cool, Misty. Not at all.”

She laughs, causing her voluminous blonde hair to bounce, “Come on, Dani. Have some fucking fun for once.”

“I don’t like him. He’s a fucking asshole!”

Misty takes a sip of her drink. “You don’t have to marry the guy. When is the last time you got laid, anyway?”

“Here we go again.” I breathe out.

Misty grabs my hands and pulls me from the stool. “What are you doing?”

She looks back at me as she leads the way, “Getting you cleaned up.”
I look at myself in the mirror. It’s a Wednesday night, so the bathroom isn’t too busy as Misty gets to work on my hair.

She runs the hot iron over my dirty blonde locks as I watch her in the reflection. “Who carries around a hair straightener?”

“Me. Duh.” She responds playfully.

As I look towards my reflection, I contemplate what everyone has been saying. Maybe I am lonely. My blue eyes look tired. I’m too skinny from the lack of eating. I never have time for anything. I eat, breathe, and sleep fashion – but as I look over myself, I feel that I’ve lost a piece of myself while chasing my dreams. When I was a little girl, I would dress up my dolls beautifully. I would design their clothes and make them walk down their glittery, cardboard runways. All the while, I was covered in dirt from playing in the dust.

“Dani… you need to take care of yourself. I’m only doing this because I love you. I want you to be happy. I’m not saying that this guy is long term, but he’s a start.”

I sigh as I look over my shoulder at her, “I know. You’re right. I just don’t even know where to begin. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been on a date.”

“Well,” She says as she gets to work on my face, “First thing is to not verbally assault your date.”

Once done with my face, she begins digging around in her large purse, “Here,” She says, throwing me a small piece of bunched up black fabric, “wear this, and these.” She throws me lacy red panties and a matching bra.

“What the hell?” I ask as I hold the little black dress before my eyes.

“Always be prepared.” She says as a smile covers her face.

She smacks my ass as she saunters out, “Now get dressed! I’ll see you at the bar!”

I pull on the bra and panties before I pull the tags off. She just bought these, and they look expensive. I owe her one.

I give myself several look overs once I pull the dress over my body. It barely ends right below my ass. If I bend over, everyone in this damn bar will get a show.

I slip my red stilettos back on and take a deep breath before I emerge into the bustling bar.

I immediately see the green of his eyes. They land on mine as soon as I exit the bathroom. The liquor did little to calm me earlier, and after all of the commotion, I’ve practically lost my buzz all together.

So, I do what I do best. I pull my shoulders back, straighten my stance and walk confidently towards Misty and Mr. Asshole.

Misty gives me a broad smile as she stands, “Well, I’ve got to get going.”

I shoot her a look, “So soon?”

She rolls her eyes dramatically, “Yeah, just got a text. Little Timmy hurt himself again. I’ll see you tomorrow!”

Little Timmy? Liar! She’s single and childless like me!

I watch her leave and my eyes travel back to Gabriel’s handsome face and green eyes.

“You look ravishing.” He says, pulling the stool out for me.

I cock an eyebrow as I take a seat, “Thank you.”

“So, Taylor said that you wanted to reconsider?” He asks slyly.

I narrow my eyes at him as I summon the bartender, “I’ll have another.”

My eyes stay fixed on his as I smile smugly, proud to order my own drink, “Yes, I would like to reconsider, seeing as you have made sure that another contractor will not work with me.”

“Enough business.” He says quietly.

My eyes travel to his teeth as they bite at his lower lip.

“Let’s talk about why both of us are really here.”

I look into his eyes as I feel my arousal once more. This man makes me wet on the spot. It’s unnerving.

“Why are we really here?” I stammer, feeling my face flush.

He tilts his head to the side, “May I be frank, Ms. LeBlanc?”

All I can do is nod haltingly.

“I can tell you why I’m here. Do you see that hotel over there?” He pauses and looks towards the large window and my gaze follows, “I could easily get us a room overlooking the city. Right at the very, very top.” Our eyes meet once more as he continues, “I’m going to take you there tonight. I’m going to tie you up, and I’m going to fuck you.”

“You seem so sure.” I whisper, realizing that our faces are only inches apart as we pull towards each other, the force between us is becoming undeniable.

“Because I know that some things are inevitable, Dani.” He responds as he reaches up and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

A shiver shoots down my spine as his fingers creep up my leg, all the way to the hem of the black dress.

“I… I…” I whisper through parted lips. Every fiber of my being wants his hands, his mouth and his body, but that fucking voice whispers to me.

“You’ll always be mine, Dani girl. My beautiful, blue eyed Dani girl.”

I grasp his hand and remove it from my thigh, “I’ve got to go. I’m sorry.”
Quickly, I scoot from the bar as the tears rise in my eyes.

I’m such an idiot! Always letting the past get the better of me, listening to that goddamned voice as it reminds me that I’m a worthless little girl who doesn’t deserve pleasure, she only deserves pain.

“Hey!” He hollers behind me, but my feet quickly try and make their way towards safety. I can’t feel. If I feel, I’ll release the past from where it’s locked away in my mind, and I can’t. I can’t revisit the events that twisted me from the inside out.

I suck in a breath when he catches me around the waist and pulls me into a vacant alley.

“Hey.” He says softly as he presses my back against the cold, damp wall.

I feel pathetic and weak as his chest presses against mine as he holds me in place with his strong body.

Tears stream down my face.

I can’t remember the last time that I allowed myself to cry, but this is out of my control. I feel out of control, the demons of the past wrap their long fingers around my heart, sinking their sharp nails into the beating organ.

“I can’t do this.” I whisper, looking into his eyes.

His eyebrows squeeze together as he runs a hand over my cheek, “Okay, let me at least take you home.”

The morning sun illuminates the room. I open my eyes and roll onto my back, blinking the sleep awayas I look towards my alarm clock
.
I reach over to retrieve my phone and see numerous messages from Misty, and one from Gabriel.

Gabriel Smith 6:15 AM

“I want to see you again.”

I frantically place my phone to my lips as I sit up in bed. I look over and watch the bare branches sway beyond the window as my eyes tear up.

I can’t see him again. Not after my episode last night. I’ve managed to hang onto my sanity for this long, I’m not letting go now.

Not after years of torment and then more of trying to heal my broken mind. His green eyes tell me that he’s a danger to my heart.

I jump when my phone buzzes, looking at the screen, I see that it’s Taylor.

“Hey.”

“Oh! Dani! Hey, I was going to see if you were coming in today? You’re usually here by now.”

I sigh, “Have the shipments came in?”

“Uh, yeah. I’ve got it covered though. You’re clear of any appointments, so if you want to take the day off, I can hold down the fort.”

I look around my apartment, which is an absolute disaster. I haven’t had a day off in so long. Maybe I should, though that damned voice keeps telling me to stay busy.

“Yeah, I think I’m going to get some things taken care of around here. Thanks Taylor.”

“You deserve it. See you tomorrow!”

I end the call and place my phone on my nightstand. I begin gathering clothes from random places around my room and throw them into the hamper. Once that’s done, I get to work on the kitchen, the bathroom and the living room.

I place my hands on my hips as I look around. I can’t remember the last time my home has been this clean. I have to admit, it is nic
e
.

I walk back to the bedroom and my eyes dart open when I see the window is standing wide open. My eyes frantically scan the room.

I’m just about to turn and get the hell out of here when an arm wraps around my waist and a hand slaps over my mouth. I wiggle to try and escape his grasp, but he’s got me, and something tells me that my current life will soon be a fond memory.

There isn’t any use in screaming. He’s placed a drug – likely chloroform – over my mouth. My knees buckle under me as I go limp in his arms.