Gabriel's Redemption (Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy) (18 page)

“Easy, tiger. They’re asking us to fly to Selinsgrove for a weekend when we get back. They want us to give them some dates and then they’ll talk to Diane’s family.”

“You’re going to be a big sister.”

A startled look passed over her features.

“I’m going to have a sibling,” she breathed. “I always wanted a brother or sister.”

“Big sister Julia,” said Gabriel. “With all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities. I always hated being an only child. I was glad when Scott and Rachel became my siblings. Even though Scott was a pest for most of his life.”

“I don’t know how this happened.”

Once again, Gabriel suppressed a grin. “I’m disappointed to hear you say that, Mrs. Emerson. Obviously, our nocturnal activities haven’t been—ah—
memorable
enough.”

Julia frowned. “You know what I meant. My dad is old.”

“He isn’t that old. Diane is even younger.”

“She’s forty. She told me.”

“A spring chicken.”

Julia looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Did you just say
spring chicken
?”

“I did. Your dad found himself an attractive young fiancée and now he’s about to be a father. Again.”

“My dad is going to be a father,” Julia repeated, a faraway expression in her eyes.

“I think you’re in shock.” Gabriel stood up. “Maybe I should get you a drink.”

“Rachel wants to have a baby, Dad is having a baby, and we . . .” She didn’t finish the sentence.

Gabriel leaned over her. “Look at it this way. There will be lots of older kids for our children to play with during Christmas and summer vacations. Eventually.”

“Christmas and summer vacations. All those kids. Holy shit.”

“Exactly.” Gabriel smiled. “Holy shit.”

Chapter Twenty-three

T
hat same day, Christa Peterson strode into the Department of Italian at Columbia University a few minutes early for her appointment with Professor Lucia Barini, the chair. Christa had successfully escaped Professor Pacciani and returned to New York, nursing her wounds (both internal and external) and vowing her revenge.

When she thought about what had happened to her at the Malmaison Hotel in Oxford, she did not use the word
rape
. But she had, in fact, been raped. He’d forced her to have sex and used violence to subdue and overpower her. For various reasons, Christa chose to think of what happened to her as a loss of control. He took power away from her and used it against her. She was going to do the same to him. Only she was going to make sure he suffered more.

He’d sent an email offering a halfhearted apology. She’d ignored it.

In fact, she’d decided to dedicate her considerable energy to ruining him. She wrote a long letter to his wife (in Italian), detailing their affair from the early days when she was Pacciani’s student in Florence. She enclosed photographic evidence (some of which was pornographic), along with copies of salacious emails. If that wasn’t enough to make his life difficult, she intended to bide her time until she could do something really damaging.

Which was why when she heard a rumor that Professor Pacciani intended to apply for a job in her very department, Christa made an appointment to speak with Professor Barini.

Because she was so intent on revenge, she hadn’t had much time or energy to devote to Professor Emerson and Julianne. In fact, she’d almost forgotten about them.

Since she was early for her appointment, Christa decided to check her departmental pigeonhole. From it, she retrieved a business-sized envelope, emblazoned with the name and address of a prominent New York law firm. She hastily ripped open the letter and read the contents.

“Damn it,” she muttered.

The Professor hadn’t been kidding when he said that he was going to shut her up. She held in her hand a cease-and-desist letter that accused her of several incidents of public defamation of character. Each incident was described in painstaking detail, along with the legal implications of her statements. The letter threatened further action if she persisted in making slanderous remarks about Gabriel or his wife, reserving the right to take action on those incidents that had already occurred.

Fuck
, she thought.

Part of her wanted to pen a saucy reply to the law firm. Part of her wanted to continue her crusade to ruin the Emersons simply out of spite.

But as she looked at the other pigeonholes, she realized that such an act would be foolish. If she ever wanted to be admitted to the PhD program and actually graduate, she couldn’t do anything that would embarrass her department.

(And besides, she had a much larger fish to fry.)

As she crammed the letter into her purse, she resolved to forget about the Emersons and focus her attention on ending the career of one Professor Pacciani. To do this, she was going to expose her affair with him.

And, playing the part of the insecure and easily controlled graduate student in Professor Barini’s office, that was precisely what Christa did.

Chapter Twenty-four

A
cross the ocean, Gabriel switched the light off before pulling Julia into his arms. He began to kiss her neck ardently.

She tensed.

He paused. “What’s the matter?”

“I can’t, remember? I’ll probably be finished the day after tomorrow.”

“I’m not kissing you because I expect sex.”

She arched an eyebrow in the darkness.

“I have a fairly good memory. I remembered that you were on your cycle.” He pulled away, sounding chippy.

She tugged at his arm. “Sorry. I didn’t want you to get your hopes up.”

He lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “Hope
springs
eternal.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll show you. Eternally.”

She laughed and curved herself into him.

“So much witty repartée, Professor. I can almost imagine I’m in a Cary Grant movie.”

“You flatter me.” He kissed her eyelids. “Are you excited about being a big sister?”

“Yes. I want the baby to know me. I want to spend time with him or her. I’ve waited my whole life for a sibling.”

“We were planning to spend part of our vacations in Selinsgrove, anyway. As Rachel’s and Scott’s families expand, we’ll want to spend time with them too. Selinsgrove is the best place to do that.”

“That’s another reason to be glad that Richard decided to move back into the house. We’ll all be together.”

Gabriel pulled a lock of her hair thoughtfully. “I’ve come to like your shorter hair. It suits you.”

“Thanks.”

“Although I like your hair long, too.”

“It will grow back, I promise.”

Gabriel stopped his movements.

“I have half siblings.”

“Oh?” Julia forced herself to sound casual.

“When my mother was upset, she used to say that my father left us because he loved his real family more.”

“What a terrible thing to say to a child.” Julia’s tone was severe.

“Yes. She was troubled, but beautiful. Dark hair and dark eyes.”

Julia gave him a questioning look.

“I have my father’s eyes, apparently. I remember my mother being tall, but I can’t imagine she was more than a few inches taller than you.”

“What was her first name?”

“Suzanne. Suzanne Emerson.”

“Do you have any photographs of her?”

“A few. There are baby pictures of me, as well.”

“You’ve been holding out on me. Why have I never seen them?”

“They aren’t hidden. They’re in a drawer back in Cambridge. I even have her diary.”

Julia’s mouth dropped open. “You have your mother’s diary?”

“And her father’s pocket watch. I use it, on occasion.”

“Did you ever read the diary?”

“No.”

“If Sharon had left me a diary, I would have read it.”

Gabriel gazed at her quizzically. “I thought you didn’t have anything of your mother’s.”

“They sent my father a box of her stuff when she died.”

“And?”

“And I have no idea what’s in it. Dad used to keep it in his closet. I’m assuming he still has it. Now that you’ve reminded me, I should probably ask him to let me see it.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you. How much do you know about your father?”

“Not much. I seem to remember meeting him once or twice, not counting the content of last night’s dream. When he died, I had a few conversations with his lawyer. I know my father lived in New York and had a wife and children. Initially, I declined the inheritance, but when I changed my mind they tried to break the will.”

“Did he disinherit them?”

“Far from it. A year before he died, he added me as an equal beneficiary to his other children. His wife also received a substantial inheritance.”

“So you never met them?”

Gabriel laughed without amusement. “Do you think they were in a hurry to meet the bastard who was stealing their birthright?”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“I don’t care. They aren’t my family.”

“What was your father’s name?”

“Owen Davies.” Gabriel lifted her chin with his finger. “I’ve told you these things and I’ll share what photos I have when we get home. But I want you to promise you won’t look into my family.”

His expression was intense, if not severe. But there was something else in his eyes that she couldn’t quite decipher.

“I promise.”

He brought her head back to rest on his shoulder.

Chapter Twenty-five

August 2011

Near Essex Junction, Vermont

T
he following evening, Paul sat at the kitchen table in his parents’ farmhouse, staring at his laptop. It was almost seven o’clock.

He’d been home from England for two weeks. Every day he sat down to type an email to Julia, and every day he found he couldn’t.

Her emails were always cheerful, and the most recent one was no exception. She’d written him from Italy, urging him to visit the Vatican museum the next time he was in Rome. As if he needed urging. As if he needed the reminder that she was married and jet-setting around Europe with her dashing and older husband, who was probably thinking of ways to persuade her to have his baby.

Bastard.

Paul was a rugby player. He was tough. But somehow, this slip of a woman from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, had turned his life upside down. Now he was afraid of doing what he’d already determined to do.

“This is ridiculous,” he muttered. He started to type, the words just beginning to flow, when he heard a knock at the back door.

Curious, he answered it.

“Hi.” Allison greeted him, standing outside and holding two large coffees from Dunkin’ Donuts. “I thought you could use one of these.”

When he didn’t respond, she gave him an uneasy smile. “Are you working on your dissertation? I don’t mean to interrupt.”

She handed him a coffee. “I’ll just go.”

“Wait. Come in.” He held the screen door open.

She thanked him and walked into the kitchen, pulling out a chair across from where his computer was situated.

“I haven’t heard from you since you got back from England.”

“I’ve been busy.” His voice had a slight edge to it. “My dissertation director is kicking my ass and I have a lot of ground to cover before September.”

“How was your trip?”

Paul sipped his coffee and made an appreciative noise. “It was good. My paper went well and I was able to talk to my director.”

Allison nodded, clutching her cup a little too tightly. “Was she there?”

“Her name is Julia.” Paul’s tone was sharp.

“I know that,” she said gently. “I met her in this kitchen, remember?”

“Yes, she was there.” He tasted his drink again.

“How is she?”

“She’s good. Her husband was there, too.”

Allison searched Paul’s unusually morose expression.

“You don’t sound happy.”

He didn’t respond.

“I’m sorry.”

He gave her a half-smile. “Why are you sorry?”

“Because I don’t like to see you pining.”

He shrugged but didn’t deny it.

“I was trying to compose an email to her when you knocked on the door.”

Allison gripped her cup in two hands. “I don’t know her. But I think it’s weird that she’s keeping in touch with you, given your history. It’s like she’s leading you on.”

“You’re right, you don’t know her.” Paul glared.

“I doubt her husband is happy about her emailing you.”

Paul muttered something unflattering about the Professor.

Allison sat still for a moment, as if she were waiting for something. Then she stood.

“I’ll see myself out.”

Her former boyfriend followed her to the back door. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“You’re welcome.” She stepped outside.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

Allison didn’t turn around but stood facing the driveway.

“Me, too.”

Chapter Twenty-six

August 2011

Umbria, Italy

E
very time Julia sat down at her computer, she was tempted to Google Gabriel’s parents. But he’d exacted a promise from her and she wouldn’t betray him, no matter how difficult it was to keep that promise.

On one such morning, Julia was checking her email when she found something from Paul. She opened it.

After she read the message, she sat back in her chair, stunned.

“Do you want eggs for breakfast? Or fruit and cheese?” Gabriel called from the kitchen, which was next to the living room.

When she didn’t respond, he walked over to her.

“Should I make eggs for breakfast, or just fruit and cheese? There’s also pastries from the bakery.”

She looked up at him in evident distress.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just got an email from Paul.”

Gabriel resisted the urge to comment on the Angelfucker and his behavior. “What did he say?”

Wordlessly, she pointed at the computer screen.

Gabriel fished around in his pocket for his glasses and put them on.

Dear Julia,

Thanks for your email. You did a great job with your paper and I thought you handled the questions well, especially Christa’s. I was impressed.

Professor Picton was very complimentary. She doesn’t praise people often, so you should be proud of yourself.

Please pass along my congratulations to your father and his girlfriend. He’s a good guy and I’m happy for them.

I’m back in Vermont. My dad’s health continues to improve. Thanks for asking. I’ll tell him and Mom that you said hello.

I’m determined to meet Professor Picton’s deadlines, so my parents have hired more help at the farm. I hope to go on the job market this fall and pick up some interviews at the Modern Language Association meeting. If I don’t get a job, I’m back on the farm for another year.

I’m glad we had a chance to go to lunch. It was good to see you.

There were some things I should have said, but didn’t. I guess I should say them now.

I think we need to go our separate ways. You’re married and I need to move on.

Maybe it will be easier for me in the future. But in the meantime, we should stop emailing.

I don’t mean to hurt you, so please don’t take it that way. I care about you, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and believe it’s for the best.

Be happy, Rabbit.

Paul

Gabriel’s eyes focused on hers. She looked stricken.

“I sent him a couple of emails. It took him days to reply. And look at what he said.”

Gabriel crouched down, placing his hand on Julia’s knee. “He’s in love with you. You know that.”

“I know he loved me once.”

Gabriel looked at her gravely. “Did you stop loving me when I left Toronto?”

She nibbled on the edge of one of her fingernails. “Of course not.”

“If he truly loves you, he’ll love you for a long time. Maybe forever.”

“Then why wouldn’t he want to be friends?” She turned troubled eyes in his direction.

“Because it’s too painful.” Gabriel cupped her cheek. “If I’d lost you to him, I couldn’t be friends with you. I’d simply have to love you from a distance.”

“I never meant to hurt him,” she whispered.

“I’m sure he realizes that.”

“Why didn’t he try to talk to me about it when we were in Oxford?”

“He didn’t want to upset you before your lecture.”

Julia turned suspicious eyes in her husband’s direction. “Did you know about this?”

Gabriel hesitated, ever so slightly.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“For the same reason he didn’t bring it up. We wanted you to be in the best frame of mind at the conference.”

She pushed her chair back from the table. “So you and Paul discussed this? You discussed me?”

“Briefly, yes.”

“You should have told me!”

“I’m telling you now. Truthfully, Julianne, I thought he’d change his mind. But once again, Paul has surprised me.”

“You dole out information like vitamins.”

Gabriel lifted his head, a smile playing about his lips. “Vitamins?”

“You know what I’m saying. You and your secrets.” She rose to her feet, but he caught her wrist.

“I don’t have secrets from you. We agreed not to disclose everything from our pasts for the sake of moving forward. But if you want full disclosure, I’ll give it to you.” He lifted his chin in challenge. “And then I’ll ask you for full disclosure. For example, did you happen to have a conversation with Paul about dropping out of Harvard?”

“What?”

“He tore a strip off me, telling me I had to make sure you didn’t abandon your dreams.”

Julia’s eyes widened.

“When did he say this?”

“In Oxford, right after your lunch. So don’t lecture me on keeping secrets, Julianne. I’m not having lunch with old flames and telling them about our marital conflicts.”

“I wasn’t doing that.”

“Well, what do you call it, then?”

She lifted her hands and then let them drop to her sides. “It just—came out. I was worried and needed someone to talk to.”

“Did it ever occur to you that you already have someone to talk to?” Gabriel glanced between them significantly. “Someone infinitely closer?”

“I needed time to think.”

“I can understand that. I can even support it. But time to think and going to someone else to talk about our problems are two different things. That was not the right thing to do, Julianne, and you know it.” His tone was reproving.

Julia stared, expecting him to explode into temper. Surprisingly, he didn’t.

(Which demonstrated, clearly, that the Apocalypse was nigh.)

Gabriel continued. “I don’t share our problems with anyone. And yes, sometimes I dole out information, as you so charmingly put it, in order to protect you. But it is always,
always
, done with love.”

His fingers slid from her wrist to her hand. “I tried to persuade Paul not to cut off contact with you. Not because that was what I wanted, but because I didn’t want to see you hurt.”

Julia blinked back tears that had suddenly appeared. “What hurts is the fact that you don’t trust me.”

“I trust you.”

“But not with your family history.”

He clenched his teeth. “You know what I know—that my mother’s family disowned her and left me to foster care after her death. My father abandoned us. Do you want me to investigate such people? Just so I can discover more unsavory details?”

“They made you, Gabriel. There has to be something in your family history that’s worth knowing. And of course I don’t want you to be upset. But your family is part of you. If we have children, eventually they’ll ask about their grandparents.”

Gabriel dropped her hand, his face a mask of stone.

“If I could expunge them from my memory, I would. I won’t have our children so polluted.”

She lifted her chin. “A man as good and as brilliant as you came from that pollution. And so will our children.”

His expression softened. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“You’re right, I shouldn’t have gone to Paul with my worries. But he was my friend.” Julia continued to fight back the tears.

He pressed her face into his chest.