Page 23 of Plunge into Obsession

“Mr. Cadorna, I can explain.”

“Then do it. And make sure it’s good. Because I sure as hell can’t think of a good enough reason for you to have disobeyed a direct order from me.”

Direct order?

What did that mean?

Corey’s mouth opened, and it might have been because of the position he had put me in, but I didn’t think I had ever seen a more unattractive man. He stuttered his words. “Y-yes, but that was before.”

“Before what?” Gabriel asked calmly, coldly.

There was something about his voice that sent a sliver of fear through me.

I shivered, and he turned those brown eyes my way once more, conflicted.

Like he didn’t want to scare me.

I offered a small smile and watched as his big shoulders relaxed a little before he turned back to Corey.

“Why was she up on stage?”

Gabriel didn’t yell the words. He didn’t have to.

His voice was loud and clear. And it seemed to have had the intended effect. Corey flinched, his legs shaking.

“Please, Mr. Cadorna. I’m sorry. I saw the way you were looking at her. And with what happened the other night in the hall, I thought this would be a treat—”

Corey shut his mouth when Gabriel took a step closer to him. “A treat?”

There was no mistaking the menace in his voice.

“A-a treat.”

I shifted a little on my feet, suddenly feeling sorry for Corey. I didn’t like him, but seeing a grown man cry was something else entirely. It wasn’t like Gabriel was going to kill him. The worst he could do was fire Corey.

I looked off to the side, wondering if I could just leave. Gabriel had told me not to leave, but what did he want me here for? To witness Corey’s humiliation?

I cleared my throat, and Raphael turned to me, his light-colored eyes taking on a dark shadow I couldn’t comprehend.

“Gabriel, maybe you should deal with Corey at another time,” Raphael said. “I’m sure tonight has been quite eventful for Bianca, and she wants to get home.”

“What?” Gabriel asked, turning sharply to the other man before his eyes connected with mine. He seemed to be holding on by a thin thread, and I didn’t know what it was about seeing me on stage that made him react so strongly.

Gabriel closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they seemed clearer. He nodded to Johnny. “Get him out of here. I’ll deal with him later.”

Corey cried harder, and I frowned at the sight. Something didn’t look right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Cadorna—” Corey’s voice was cut off when Johnny pulled the man away, turning the corner and disappearing.

I watched the spot Corey had been until Gabriel came up to me and cupped my cheek.

I flinched, and his jaw clenched as he took his hand back.

I wanted to tell him the reason for my flinch wasn’t because he had touched me but because I was surprised.

He spoke before I could. “Come on. Let me drive you home.”

I could only nod. It never even crossed my mind to refuse him. I should have, for my own sanity and the safety of my heart, but I—

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