Page 80 of De-Witched

“Not here.” Without waiting, Kole stalked to a deserted corner. Gabriel followed at a stroll calculated to annoy. He wanted to annoy Kole, a petty fact that should’ve shamed him, might shame him later, when his temper wasn’t simmering.

They squared off, two men in tuxedos with tension a crackle in the air around them.

Kole didn’t waste time. “You need to back off from Leah.”

Gabriel kept his face expressionless. “I wasn’t aware you spoke for her.”

“I watch out for her. I want what’s best for her. And you’re not it.”

That dug in deep, splintering off to Gabriel’s nerves. “I’m a Goodnight,” he returned. “A legacy.”

“I wouldn’t care if you were from the High Family itself.” Kole gritted his teeth. “You aren’t right for her.”

“And you know me?”

“I know you’re a cold son of a bitch. I know you care more about your family crest than its members.”

“Fascinating how you read me like a book, considering I can’t think of one instance we’ve spent time together.” Gabriel lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly, too used to society drawing their own conclusions to care. “And you’re one to talk about caring for family when you left Emmaline alone for so many years with your mother.”

His dart was well aimed. Kole’s eyes flashed. “Listen, you arrogant dick. This isn’t about me.”

“Isn’t it?” Gabriel stepped closer, body locked so he wouldn’t betray the emotion humming through him. “Because it looks to me like you’re having a tantrum about my spending time with your toy.”

“She isn’t a toy.”

“Exactly,” Gabriel shot back, angry on Leah’s behalf. “She’s a woman who makes her own decisions. But you’re treating her like a toy. She isn’t yours to put down and pick up when you come back. She isn’t yours, period.”

“And you think she could be yours?” A laugh carved out of Kole’s mouth, jagged, threatening to slice Gabriel. “It might’ve escaped you in this game you’re playing, but there are higher stakes here than just breaking her heart.” Magic sparked and sizzled around Kole before he pulled it back with visible effort. “If she finds out about witches, she could be seriously hurt.”

Gabriel’s jaw grated from clenching so hard. “I would never hurt Leah.”

“You hurt her by being near her. If you really cared, and that’s stretching it, you wouldn’t endanger her by getting involved.”

He had no answer for that, not that he needed one as Kole stormed off with one final warning.

Left alone, Gabriel slumped, mind whirling. It was true. Getting involved with Leah was dangerous, reckless and decidedly un-sensible. And yet...

She wanted him. He wanted her. All the rest was just noise.

She’d asked him to respect her—he did, enough to trust she could make her own decisions, just as he’d told Bluewater. They could do this.

If he could be bold enough to grab happiness for just a little while.

The night stretched on. Every time Leah tried to get close to Gabriel to finish their conversation, something whirled them away from each other. Even the absolute stunned joy of her mom appearing with George, beckoned there on Gabriel’s decree apparently, hadn’t blocked the raging impatience that hummed under her skin. So, she’d played hostess and danced with her mom, posed for photos and pretended that every second wasn’t a century.

Two hours after she’d appeared, Leah’s mom hugged her by the idling town car. Her grip was firm, loving, and she smelled of soft roses and expensive perfume. Leah drew it in as something in her settled. “Thank you for coming,” she mumbled into her neck.

Joyce Miller née Turner drew away, sparkling in an elegant silver gown and matching chandelier earrings. Her blond hair had been tamed into a classic updo that framed her regal, still-beautiful face. The eyes might have a few lines, but they shone the same blue as Leah’s as she surveyed her daughter.

George was already in the waiting car, having said his goodbyes. They were headed straight to O’Hare, back to their honeymoon, but Leah couldn’t bring herself to feel too sad. They’d shown up for her. That meant more than anything.

“We wouldn’t have been anywhere else. I’m sorry we have to leave tonight.” Disappointment shadowed her mother’s face. “But we’ve arranged a wine tasting and a day out in—”

Leah shook her head, interrupting. “Mom, it’s fine. I’m just glad you could make it.”

“Me, too.” Joyce squeezed their joined hands before her gaze slid past Leah. From the appreciative gleam, Leah could guess who she was looking at.

“Your Gabriel,” she began, confirming Leah’s assumption.

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