Page 78 of Touched By Destiny

“I know, Gabriel, I live there,” Clark answered dryly.

“You should offer him Gabe’s house when he moves out so he doesn’t have to commute from his condo,” Rhonda suggested, her brown gaze alight with laughter.

“That’s not a bad idea,” Clark replied. “I’ll mention it to Rosalind. I’m sure she’ll agree.”

“He’ll have a blank slate to decorate,” Gabriel confided. “I’ve done little more than throw a couch and a bed in there.”

“Was that our Gabe hinting that he’s moving out soon?” Rhonda asked.

“You’re annoying,” Gabriel told her with a grin.

“I know, but I’m cool with it. Clark, have we learned anything more about Arwynn and whether he’s connected to this shit with Eric being followed?”

“No, I can’t find any evidence yet to connect him,” Clark said. “All I have is my gut feelings, and I can’t ignore the timing of his meeting. It was too close to that car outside the house and the subsequent sightings when Eric was ghost-hunting.”

“What if they’re not after Eric?” Rhonda asked. “Could it be Gabe they’re interested in?”

“What? Why would they be following me?”

“Recruit you maybe?” Rhonda suggested. “He was supportive of inspirits. Wolfebrier came up at the meeting; your past is known to everyone. Maybe he wants your help to protect the destiny-touched or he believes you could be a useful tool to hunt them down.”

“I don’t live in the house they surveyed that night,” Gabriel argued. “I don’t think it’s me. I didn’t know the Wolfebrier thing was so notorious; I haven’t been approached by any necromancer in the past thirty-three years. Why now?”

“I don’t know,” Rhonda replied. “It just crossed my mind, so I wanted to share it with you both. The last thing I want us to do is jump to conclusions. We know so little about other necro families that we can’t say what they want. Obviously, our priority is to protect Eric. But you’re also rarely alone. It’d be hard to find an opportunity to discuss something like that with you.”

“Hmm, she’s right. You’re an intrinsic part of the Marwoods. Your evenings are spent…well, not alone anymore, but on the estate, we’ll say. Even if Eric’s not with you, you use a driver, as you should. And the only place you go is work.”

“He has everything—even his toothpaste—shipped so he doesn’t even have to dash out for anything,” Rhonda added.

“It’s more convenient to order it. I’m busy,” Gabriel argued, thinking over Rhonda’s suggestion. “Okay, okay, listen. I spent a week by myself in California.”

“In a Marwood house, and that was before our meeting with Arwynn. Maybe he didn’t decide to pursue you until after he came to Vegas,” Rhonda said.

“He is new as the head of the family. Maybe he didn’t discover there was a Wolfebrier working for me until he took over and had the chance to do some investigating while he was in Vegas,” Clark suggested.

Gabriel shrugged. “Honestly, it’d be a relief if he’s pursuing me. That means Eric’s not in any more danger than usual, and obviously, whatever Arwynn may want, I’m not interested. However, if I find out he’s trying to recruit me to hunt the destiny-touched, that changes things significantly.”

“Maybe you should check in with Arwynn, do a little follow-up call on behalf of the Marwoods,” Clark said. “Perhaps suggest another meeting or something like that.”

“Not a bad idea to make myself available. The last thing I want is for anyone to watch Eric long enough to find out what he is,” Gabriel responded.

“Agreed. You’ll keep him safe no matter what. Should we discuss casino security now?” Clark asked. Clark’s profound belief that Gabriel would keep Eric protected was an extension of the trust and faith he had in him, and he refused to let the Marwoods down again.

“Absolutely,” Gabriel replied and wished he’d had enough time that morning to go through all the logs taken over the holidays. Thankfully, Clark would insist the three of them do it together anyway, and he’d be caught up. Then he’d make two phone calls—one to the head of the Arwynn family, and the other to the beautiful man who held his heart.

Chapter 32

Only barely awake, Eric snuggled closer to the man next to him. The musky scent of his soulmate filled his senses, and Eric smiled. Waking up next to Gabriel had grown into one of his favorite things. It’d been a fun surprise to learn Gabriel preferred to sleep on his stomach, and Eric didn’t mind one bit. With Gabriel sprawled on the mattress, Eric had a warm, comfortable, real live body pillow to cuddle.

In the past two weeks, they’d yet to spend a night apart, and Eric planned to keep it that way. Although Gabriel hadn’t officially moved in, most of his scant belongings were already in the guest room Eric’s mother had decorated for the inspirit. It was odd that they never went into Eric’s suite together, but that mattered little.

Eric didn’t care where they were as long as they were together. Since they’d made their relationship public, their souls had moved closer to being one, and Eric no longer feared the day when everyone with magic or created by it would be able to easily detect their bond. But the most important part was that Eric knew he had Gabriel’s heart, and he loved him so dearly in return.

Since Gabriel was a light sleeper, Eric couldn’t give in to his desire to kiss and caress him, because that would wake Gabriel up. It was Saturday, and Eric wanted his soulmate to enjoy his day off—not that Gabriel wouldn’t check in at the casinos or squeeze in a couple of hours of work. The man was supremely dedicated to his job.

Beneath him, Gabriel shifted slightly, and Eric pressed his lips to the inspirit’s shoulder.

“Hmm, morning,” Gabriel said, his husky voice roughened by the last vestiges of his slumber.

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