Page 9 of Gabe's Obsession

Nina winced on behalf of Gabe at Mason's words. His need to bully his way through a negotiation was going to be the death of him one of these days. Either someone would get fed up and do something drastic or all that anger would make him drop dead of a heart attack.

"This is my house," Gabe said. "If you don't want me to be a part of your family, you're always welcome to leave."

Levi stood. "Okay, we all need to take a breath here. This is getting out of hand. Gabe, of course you're part of our family. That's not what Mason meant." He ran his hand over his face before he continued. "Tensions are high. No one's getting enough sleep. The situation sucks. That makes people say things they don't really mean." He turned and faced her. "Nina, no one is accusing you of anything. That bastard got what he deserved and then some. In fact, I wish it could have been me. He cost me my mother. Hell, he cost us all so much. In that respect, death might have been too easy for him."

Nina wanted to cry for Levi and his mother. Her suicide had driven him over the edge and as far away from North Carolina as he could get. They were lucky he'd bothered to return at all.

"I know," she whispered. "That's why this is so hard. If I could remember, I swear I'd tell you. I've tried everything these last few weeks. Meditation, breathing and memory exercises. I’ve even thought about hypnosis."

"What?" Gabe twisted her so she faced him. "Why the hell would you do that? And with who? I thought we talked about this? Are you crazy?"

She sighed. "Apparently so."

He shook his head. "Sorry. Poor choice of words. But what the hell, woman?” He reached up and cupped her cheek. "You have to be careful. You can't just let your guard down with anyone. There could be repercussions.”

Nina gritted her teeth until the urge to sob all over him receded. "That's the problem. Ican'tlet my guard down with anyone." She lowered her voice. "Not even my family."

Chapter Four

Gabe hadto clench his jaw to keep control of his temper. He'd have to have a serious talk with his security team about watching her closer. He'd not heard a word about anyone he didn't know visiting with Nina since he'd brought her home.

"Who were you planning to talk to, Nina?" While Gabe asked the question, he could practically hear the tension vibrating off of Mason. It was a minor miracle he'd not lost it over this little revelation.

Between Nina's incessant need to run and hide from her problems, and Mason's drive to railroad everyone into his way of thinking, they were all walking on a bit of a tightrope at the moment.

"One of my customers at the cafe is a psychotherapist. I've known her for years and I trust her. Plus she's bound by her professional oath to keep everything she learns about her clients private. Maybe she could help."

Mason snorted. "You are way too naive for your own good. And clearly, you need a better keeper. What the hell, Gabe? I thought you had this?"

Gabe was getting close to choking the life out of Mason if he didn't shut the hell up. Boss or no didn't matter when it came to the woman in his arms.

"That's nasty even for you, Mason," Rebecca said.

Gabe smiled at the woman. He didn't know Mason's submissive very well, but at the moment he was damned happy with her. If Mason didn't have someone in his life who would stand up to him when he really needed it, they were all screwed. While his intentions were solid, he'd still try to run roughshod over them all.

Someone had to keep his ass in line. And he was getting tired of that particular game.

"Yes, Mason. That was nasty," Nina choked. "And uncalled for. Where's all the love and support you've promised me all these years? Or does that come only when it's convenient for you?"

"Jesus, Nina." Mason sucked in a breath, a brief flash of pain covering his face. "You make me out like a monster when all I've done is try to help. I don't want to see you punished any more than Savannah. Neither one of you deserve this shit."

"Then don't blame any of this on Gabe. He's done nothing but try to help."

Despite his best effort to school his emotions, Gabe's chest puffed up and a slight smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. He rather enjoyed watching Nina defend him even though he didn't need it. Maybe the new plan of getting her to submit to him that had been forming in his mind over the last couple of days had a chance after all. If she had feelings for him, then maybe he could help her.

Over the years, there had been more than one look across a room or a violently shared kiss in a weak moment that gave him hope. But he'd never gotten past the major roadblock she continued to keep between them.

His sexual preferences.

Hell, who was he kidding? His preference to be in control, or rather to be given control by the woman under his care extended well beyond the bedroom.

These last few weeks of them living together proved that. He'd allowed her a lot of leeway in her grief, but when push came to shove and her health was at risk, he maintained total control.

And she'd responded to it every damn time. In fact, he hadn't thought of it like that until now. But his feisty little house guest might have more submissive tendencies than she realized.

"It's okay, Angel. He can say whatever he needs to. If he crosses a line I don't like, I'll just kick him out of my house."

"You're not supposed to call me that, remember?" she whispered, probably hoping no one heard her. But by the look on all their faces, it was clear they did. And now they were all more curious than ever.

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