Page 150 of Dark Angel
“I’m so angry about what happened to you Halston, but I’m happy Teddy and I can help.” Sydney hugged Halston
“Love you, sorellina,” Gabriel said.Love you, little sis.
“Love you too.” Sydney shut the door behind her.
Relief and gratitude had Halston wrapping her arms around Gabriel and pulling him close. “If I live to be one hundred, I will never be able to repay you for what you did. You saved me from that monster. Gabriel, I love you. I am so grateful for you.”
He held her tight, stroked her back.
“I love you too, Halston. Those rings were the riskiest gift I’ve ever given anyone, but they were the smartest.”
She held up her right hand. “I will never, ever take this off.”
“Same,” he replied, “but not for the same reason.”
Despite the ordeal, her heart overflowed with love and gratitude. In a comfortable silence, they brushed their teeth, left the room.
In the bedroom, she said, “I can’t sleep in all these clothes.”
Gabriel found one of Teddy’s T-shirts in the guest closet. He helped her out of Sydney’s clothes. She pulled on the oversized cotton shirt. He stripped down naked.
Together, they got under the covers, he folded her into his arms. She breathed him in. Her thoughts of the evening were clear until they became jumbled. Now wasn’t the time to relive the horror, so she snuggled closer.
“I’m right here,” he said, “and I’m not going anywhere. If you can’t sleep, wake me.” He kissed the top of her head.
She leaned up, kissed him. “You risked so much for me.”
“I meant it when I said I will keep you safe.”
“You’re a man of your word, Gabriel.”
“Yes, I am. My word is my bond, and you will always be safe with me, Halston… always.”
GABRIEL
Gabriel layawake for a long time thinking about what Halston had been through. He had no idea if she’d have nightmares or experience PTSD. He didn’t know what might come of her ordeal, but he would give her his support and his love.
One step at a time.
He didn’t give a fuck about the ambassador or this Dmitri Petrov, and he sure as hell didn’t care about the Russians he took out at the club. He felt relief eliminating his long-time enemy—Pavel Donskoy.
His primary concern was Halston. His secondary problem?
If Teddy couldn’t delete the videos of him, the target on his back would become much, much larger.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING,the kitchen was a flurry of activity. Coffee, cereal, yogurt, granola, and so many varieties of berries.
After a quick bowl of cereal, Halston thanked their hosts again.
“If you decide to stay tonight, we’d love it,” Sydney said.
“G,” Teddy began, “I can’t do anything about deleting the traffic cam videos after the fact?—”
Gabriel chuffed out a laugh. “After the fact. What are you, eighty?”
Teddy laughed. “It’s a saying. It means?—”
“I got it.” Gabriel finished his coffee, put his mug in the dishwasher.
