Page 194 of Gabriel
The pieces fall into place, the truth hitting me like a sucker punch to the gut.
Gabriel’s betrayal cuts deeper than any physical wound. “You had no right,” I choke out. “I told you not to fight my battles, and you went behind my back, anyway. Even after I asked you to let it go?”
I push away from him, anger and betrayal coursing through me like a raging inferno.
This is why we don’t work. This is why I had to push him away to begin with. Why can Gabriel never leave well enough alone?
“I trusted you,” I whisper, my voice raw. “You promised you’d back off. But you lied to me.”
Gabriel reaches for me, his eyes pleading. “Baby, I know. I fucked up and I’m sorry,” he says, his voice cracking with desperation. “I thought I was doing what was best for you. I never meant for shit to blow up like this. For you to get hurt.”
Shaking my head, I back further away from him, clutching the towel tighter against my chest.
His words ring hollow. The damage is already done.
“You don’t get to decide what’s best for me,” I say, my voice trembling with anger. “You don’t get to play the hero and expect me to be grateful when you’re the reason I was in harm’s way in the first place.”
I push past him, my heart suddenly heavy. “I can’t be here right now,” I tell him. I’m so pissed. This— I shake my head. I didn’t deserve this.
“Cecilia, baby. Wait.”
I grab the clothes he set out for me and hastily throw them on, shoving my legs into the sweatpants and pulling on one of Gabriel's oversized shirts.
Voices can be heard downstairs, the guys just now making it home.
I step into the hallway and jog down the stairs.
“Cecilia—”
I don’t slow my steps. My head is a mess. My heart is even more twisted and confused. After last night and then this morning, I thought things were different. In a good way, I think.We were moving in a different direction. Toward something more. But how do we move forward from this?
I can’t even look at him right now.
I told Gabriel not to fight my battles. He wasn’t helping. And every time he pissed off Austin, he made things worse.
I could have died today. Austin very well may have killed me. And for what? Because Gabriel needed to deliver some twisted brand of justice on my behalf? A justice I never even asked for?
“Can you drive me home?” I ask Julio as soon as I step into the living room. He looks past me to Gabriel, who’s made up ground and stands close behind me.
“You sure you don’t want to stay?” he asks. “Just for tonight?” The question is directed toward me, but his eyes stay locked on Gabriel’s, almost like he’s asking permission.
Folding my arms over my chest, I keep my voice firm. “I want to go home,” I tell him. “You can take me or I’ll find another way.”
Gabriel clears his throat behind me.“Cecilia, just let me explain. Please.”
I ignore him and walk toward the door.
“Are you coming?” I ask Julio.
His eyes flick between us before he curses. “I’m sorry,” he says, and for a second, I think he’s talking to Gabriel, but then he levels apologetic eyes on me. “You’re upset and that’s understandable but I don’t think you should be alone after what just happened. Whatever is going on with you two, talk it out. Let Gabriel be there for you.”
He swipes his keys from the entryway table and dips his head toward Deacon and Felix who cautiously loiter near the living room, looking everywhere but at us. “We’ll go grab some food and give you two some privacy to work things out.”
With that, all three of them leave, filing out one after the other. I’m tempted to follow them and force my way into Julio’scar, but I don’t have it in me. I can’t keep fighting like this. I’m tired. So fucking tired. I just need all of this to end.
CHAPTER 59
GABRIEL
