Skin Walkers: Gauge (11 page)

Chapter 18

Gauge was standing in Monroe’s office
scowling at the CEO.

“Have you gotten my answers?”
Monroe demanded.

Gauge was explaining himself when he stopped talking.  He recognized when the glazed look entered Monroe’s eyes indicating he was communicating to another Skin Walker through the mist.  When Monroe finally blinked ending the contact, Gauge ground out in agitation, “As I was saying, if you’d give me more time…”

He didn’t get to finish when Monroe cut him off.
  “Time is a luxury you can’t afford, Gauge.  Marko’s just contacted me from the Estate’s main gate.  Ella is there.  She’s attempted to flee with her child.”

Gauge felt the room spin violently around him.  She was running?  From him?  Shock hit hard followed by shame and then anger.
  He turned and headed for the door without a word.  His pace was slow at first, a lethal stalk that picked up in tempo until he barreled out of Monroe’s reception area and threw himself off the balcony of the third floor.  The wings of his hawk form caught him as he dropped to the main floor and shifted in rapid succession.  As his feet touched they morphed from long talons to fur covered feet.  In mountain lion form, he snarled as he launched himself out the double front doors and barreled toward the main gate at a break-neck pace.

He shifted back to human form as he reached the main gate and took in the sight of Ella pleading with Marko.

“Please, I don’t understand.  I’ve worked here for months.  Why can’t I leave?”

Marko’s eyes left Ella’s and locked with Gauge’s as he approached.  Marko nodded and stepped back.  When Ella turned to face Gauge, she was pale.  She began shaking her head, “Gauge…”

“You run from me?” he snarled viciously. 

“No!” she held up her hands.  “It’s not…”

“SILENCE!” he boomed and caused Ella to flinch back.  He took in a deep calming breath and spoke more quietly, “Get in the car, Ella.”

She looked frantically from him to Marko before ducking her head and doing as he commanded.

Gauge spoke briefly with Marko, only to let his temper cool.  He didn’t want to frighten Alysa with his show of rage.  A few minutes later, he climbed into the driver’s seat of his own car, and was instantly grateful that Alysa slept soundly in the back seat.

“Gauge,” Ella began but he cut her off.

“Don’t!”

They rode in silence back to the manor and Gauge didn’t bother with the parking garage.
  He parked in front of the manor and exited the vehicle without a word and as Ella sat unmoving in the passenger side.  He opened the back door and lifted Alysa out of the car before walking with her into the manor.

Ella followed behind and made it inside the elevator just as the doors were closing.  She peeked up at Gauge and felt ashamed of her actions when she saw the anger still etched in the lines of his handsome face.

“I-I wasn’t running from
you
,” she whispered with her head down.

He didn’t respond and she bit the inside of her lip to keep from rambling on. 

The elevator doors slid open and she followed wordlessly behind Gauge and Alysa.  He led them to his suite and she didn’t protest when he entered and carried Alysa to his large bedroom.  Ella followed and watched as he carefully removed the child’s coat and shoes before tucking her beneath the blankets and brushing a gentle kiss against her forehead.

The scene was so tender that
she felt guilt bite hard when she realized that Gauge genuinely cared for Alysa too.

He approached and she stepped back to allow him to close the door.  Once it shut, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to the other end of the suite.  Taking her through a doorway that she
knew led to the guest room he’d been staying in.

He didn’t release her after closing the door firmly behind them, and when he spun on her his angry eyes were a full matte black.

“How dare you run from me!”

“I-I didn’t…”

“LIE!” he snarled, stepping toward her and forcing her up against the wall where he placed straining arms against the wall on either side of her head, caging her in.  “Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?  To
Alysa
?”

Ella was shaking as tears slipped free, “No, I didn’t…”

“No,” he cut in, “you didn’t!”  He leaned in closer and she had to tilt her head far back to look up at him, “I should take her from you.”

Ella
sobered then, trying to control her crying and begged, “
No
!  Please, Gauge.”  She licked her lips and reached a hand to lay it flat against his stomach, “I’ll do anything, her hand slid lower.”

D
esire flared to life in his eyes and dueled with the anger that still simmered there.  He knew what she was offering.  “Now?” He demanded, “You offer this
now
?”

Ella dropped her eyes from his and whispered helplessly, “I have nothing else to give.”

A thought struck and fury tore through him as he clenched his hands into tight fists and his muscles bunched.  “How many other men have you whored yourself to in order to keep that child safe?”

Ella’s head snapped up and her mouth hung open
.  All the color had drained from her face as if she’d just been slapped.  Only a moment passed before she jerked her knee up and hit him just where she’d intended.

Air was sucked into
Gauge’s lungs as he nearly swallowed his tongue.  He hit the floor hard, cupping his manhood and rolling to the side as Ella stepped over him.

Her voice was thick with tears, “Fuck you!” 

Terrified at his reaction when the pain subsided, Ella hurried out of the room and to his master suite.  Yanking the covers off Alysa, she had the girl up and in her arms and was halfway to the bedroom door when Gauge’s massive frame blocked her exit.  She’d never seen fury like that which was currently burning in his eyes.  Fear for herself was overridden by her fear for Alysa.

“Wait!” she whispered as she backed up slowly.  “Just let me put her down,” her voice trembled and her limbs shook.  She put Alysa back on the bed and covered her up.  Righting herself she inched forward.  “
Please
!”  She turned to look over her shoulder at Alysa before facing Gauge with her hands up.  “Please don’t!  Not in front of her.  Let’s take this to the other room.”

She watched emotions flit across Gauge’s face.  Fury was swept away by shock, and then just as quickly replaced by horror.  He dropped his arms from the door frame.  “You actually believe that I’d harm you?”

Ella faced him with borrowed courage.  How could she tell him that she didn’t know what to expect from him.  He was an enigma.  One moment he was tender and doting, the next he was harsh and commanding.  In her experience men with strength liked to flex it to show their dominance.  How could she know if Gauge would be any different? 

Because
he is!
part of her whispered.  She knew in her heart of hearts that Gauge Alexander would cut off his own fists and do it with a smile before ever using them against her in anger, the realization made her feel like an idiot.

The look of hurt that flashed in his eyes had Ella
lifting both hands to cover her mouth as she quickly shook her head.  Seeing him this way wounded her and she didn’t know how to fix it.

Gauge rose to his full height, his expression going blank.  “Get some sleep, Ella.  We’ll talk in the morning when cooler heads have prevailed.”  Without another word he pulled the door closed and left Ella alone with her guilt.

***

Gauge paced his
room.  Plowing an angry hand into his hair, he didn’t even try to restrain the angry growl that snarled from his lips. 
Whore?  You called her a whore!
 

He was disgusted with himself and knew he’d earned the knee to the nuts, but his words didn’t change her actions. 
She’d run from him.  After all he’d done. 

After all I’ve done,
he scoffed.  What had he done? 
Nothing!
 

He’d promised to keep her secret safe and once she’d revealed it, he’d left her to speak to Monroe.  He hadn’t even given her assurances that he’d keep his word or
his vow to protect them.  He’d been a fucking fool, and her running was a direct result of his failure as a Walker…hell, as a
man!
 

Choose wisely
, he’d told her.  He’d basically left her with a threat and now he had the audacity to question her flight.  Reaching down he massaged his tender sac and couldn’t help but grin. 
Note to self, no more calling my mate names. 
His smile vanished. 
My mate?
  He lifted his hand to the band of his halo.  There was no affliction he realized with regret.  Ella Garret was not his, but damn if his gut didn’t tell him otherwise. 

Chapter 19

Ella startled awake to light tapping on the door.  Her gaze jerked around the
room that had surprisingly grown very familiar and felt like her safe haven.  She turned to Alysa and calmed some at finding the babe still asleep.

The light knocking
rapped again and she swallowed hard at the prospect of facing Gauge. Easing from the bed, she attempted to finger comb her hair as she silently walked to the bedroom door.  She cracked it open and was surprised to find an unknown female beaming at her.

“Hi,” the
statuesque blonde whispered, “Ella?  Nice to meet you,” she shoved her hand out, “I’m Brooklyn Ami, Events Coordinator for the Estate.”

Ella shook the woman’s hand with one of her own while the other pulled the door closed behind her.  “Sorry,” she eyed the suite, “who are you?  And where is Gauge?”

Brooklyn smiled with bright red lips.  “Uhh, Brooklyn, Events Coordinator.  Mr. Alexander sent me, he’s in a meeting this morning, but wanted me to get you and Alysa’s sizes so I could get you fitted for the party.”

None of what the woman was saying cleared anything up.  In fact, Ella now had more questions.  “Sorry, what party?”

“It’s our annual Christmas celebration,” Brooklyn beamed with pride.  “This’ll be the first year it’s held at the Estate and it’s going to be magnificent,” her red tipped fingers slashed through the air.  “We’re having dinner and dancing.  Santa will even be there for the little ones.”

Ella held up a hand, “Wait!  What does this have to do with me?”

“Oh!” Brooklyn’s eyes rounded as she remembered her purpose.  “I need your sizes to get you fitted for dresses.  Mr. Alexander said you wouldn’t have the time, and with the party being this weekend.”

“You must be mistaken,” Ella’s brows hiked.  “Gauge isn’t taking
us
to the party.”

“Well,” Brooklyn made a show of checking her e-tablet.  “You’re Ella aren’t you?  Your daughter is Alysa?”

“Y
es.”

“Great,” the beaming smile was back. 
Brooklyn set her e-pad on a small side table and pulled a tape measure from her purse and looked at Ella expectantly.  “Would you mind holding your arms straight out to the side?”

Ella’s eyes darted from side to side before she finally turned and did as Brooklyn asked. 
She’d straighten the matter out later.  For now, it’d be easier to simply comply rather than explain herself to this stranger.

“This is soooo exciting,” Brooklyn
exclaimed.

“Umm, you do know that Christmas isn’t for
another three weeks?”

“I know,” Brooklyn’s tone soun
ded a little deflated, “but it was impossible to pin down a date closer to the holiday.  Mr. StoneCrow has so many appointments and he’s apparently got foreign dignitaries coming to the Estate.  He didn’t want to compromise security by having two huge events at once.”  She took a moment to write measurements onto her e-pad then tucked one end of the tape under Ella’s arm and extended it down to her ankle.

The bedroom
door clicked open and a sleepy-eyed Alysa stepped out using one little fist to rub at her eye as she yawned.

“Morning, baby.”  Ella left Brooklyn to pick up her daughter and smooch her on the cheek.

“I’m hungry.”

Ella smiled, “Well, this nice lady is going to measure you and then we’ll get something to eat, okay?”

Alysa opened her eyes fully to frown at Brooklyn.  “Okay.”

“What a beautiful little girl,” Brooklyn
sing-songed as Ella set the child down and Brooklyn set about the task of getting measurements.  “I’m going to get you a pretty princess dress.  Would you like that?”

Al
ysa smiled wide and nodded, her eyes suddenly opening fully.

“What color would you like it to be?”

Ella smiled knowing the answer before it was given.

“Pink!” Alysa exclaimed.

“Pink it is!”  Brooklyn stood and took more notes on her e-pad.  “Thanks so much for your time this morning.  I hope to have the dresses to you by Thursday so we have time for any needed alterations.”

Ella simply nodded, knowing that she and Alysa wouldn’t be attending any party. 
She felt a little guilty at Brooklyn’s wasted effort. 

“Well, before you do anything, I’d double check with Gauge to make sure you’ve got the facts right.”  She looked apologetic, “I haven’t heard anything about a party and I’m pretty sure you’ve got the wrong people here.”  She waved a hand
between herself and Alysa. 

Brooklyn simply smiled.  “Well, if I know one thing about Mr. Alexander it’s that he always does the math and if he sent me to get your measurements,
then that’s what he wants.”

Ella shrugged negligently, “Okay.”  She escorted Brooklyn to the door and bid farewell before setting upon the task of searching Gauge’s kitchen to
put a breakfast together for Alysa.

Fifteen minutes later, she had Alysa settled at the table with a cheese omelet,
jelly toast, and orange juice.  With her nerves shot, she settled on just coffee for herself.  She was pacing the sitting room while Alysa ate when Gauge returned.

His eyes touched briefly on Ella’s and she felt her heart constrict, then he beamed a warm smile at Alysa, “Good morning, pretty girl.”

The child looked up with jelly smeared lips.  “Wanna bite?”

To her surprise, Ella watched as Gauge tossed his suit coat on a table near the door before he crossed to the kitchen and pulled out a chair next to Alysa.  “Yes, please.”  When she held her toast up to him, he took a bite and grinned as he chewed.  “Mmmm.”

“Momma cooks good!”

Gauge swallowed and turned serious eyes on Ella. “I bet she does.”  He eyed the table and then twisted to look in the sink before addressing Ella.  “You aren’t eating?”

She shook her head once, “Not hungry.”

“Momma never eats!”

Gauge stood and unbuttoned his sleeves before rolling them to his elbows, “Maybe that’s ‘cause no one ever cooks for
her.
  Shall we make momma breakfast?”

Alysa stared at her toast and nodded excitedly.

“That’s not necessary,” Ella held up a hand.

“As long as you’re in my home, you will be cared for.”
Warm hazel eyes sought her out.

Ella was relieved that his anger from the night before had dissipated, yet she was still unsure
about her and Alysa’s future. 

“There was a woman here when we woke up.”

“Brooklyn,” Gauge supplied without looking up from his task of cracking an egg into a bowl. 

“Yes, Brooklyn.  I think she was confused, she…”

Gauge looked up, “She took your measurements correct?”

“Yes, but
what for?”

He didn’t look up as he continued to work.  “It’s the annual Christmas celebration.”

“I haven’t agreed to stay, Gauge.”

His tone carried a hint of impatience, “And you can’t leave.”  He stopped working to stare pointedly at Alysa before turning to frown at Ella, conveying without words that Ella wouldn’t be put at risk.

Chewing her bottom lip, Ella decided to let him win the battle…for now.