Page 205 of Dark Angel
“Do you trust her?”
“Yes. I know she loves me. I believe her when she says it. She asks about me. She’s interested in me. She isn’t looking for somethingfromme.”
“Do you like her parents?”
“I haven’t met them, but I met her brother.”
“And?”
“He’s standoffish, very protective of her. I thought he was someone she was seeing, so I wasn’t my friendliest.”
Elsa smiled. “I wouldn’t expect that from you. You’re always guarded. That’s a good way to be. Relationships take time. Are you in a rush to marry her?”
“No.”
“At some point, are you returning to Italy?”
Sadness filled his soul. For the first time, leaving his family left him feeling alone… and lonely, especially since losing Angelo. “I have businesses that I love, that I started from nothing. My empire is there.”
“Would she go with you?”
“I haven’t asked her. The relationship is too new.”
“What about children? Do you want them? Does she?”
“Isn’t it a little soon?—”
“Would you want to find out she wants them—or doesn’t—after you’ve been together for years and you’re even more in love with her?”
Elsa had a point.
“Love makes us vulnerable.” She patted his hand. “That is something you are not. As you get to know her?—”
“She’s the one. I know it in my gut.”
Elsa’s warm smile lit up her eyes. “I look forward to meeting her, Gabriel.”
“Thank you for helping me sort through that.”
“You didn’t need my help, but I’m happy we get to spend time together.”
“Anch'io, nonna. Anch'io.”Me, too, grandmother. Me too.
HALSTON
Still blindfolded,Halston tried keeping track of the turns Natasha took, but she had no idea where they were headed. All she knew was that Natasha was driving west, away from the sun.
The ALPHA tracker in her neck was a bust. Her spyware glasses were tucked in her crossbody, strapped across her chest.She was wearing the ring tracker, but it hinged on Gabriel looking for her.
While shecouldmake small talk with Natasha, she wasn’t going to. Yes, she’d been trained to get to know her abductor, to humanize the experience so they might release her, but Halston was staying silent… for now.
She’d been taken for a specific purpose that would reveal itself upon their arrival.
Unless they know I’m a double agent and they’re driving me to my death.
A chill ran down her spine, her hands grew clammy. If she started second guessing, it would only make the situation worse.
Calm. You’re Minka. Play along.
