Page 87 of Touched By Destiny

“Have you ever thought of minding your own business?” Gabriel asked Clark.

“No,” Clark emphatically replied. “I love you both, and I want you happy. I’ve been married longer than either of you has been alive, and Rosalind is my world.”

Blowing out a breath, Gabriel gave up any pretense of being distracted by the stack of papers resting on his lap. “I’ve thought about marriage. In fact, I’ve started looking at rings. I’d like to give Eric an engagement one. But I want it to be special. I’m not sure yet how to plan it.”

“That’s wonderful. If you want help, I’m always here for you,” Clark offered. “Can’t you move into the house officially while you’re making your plans?”

“I guess I have some latent traditional streak because I thought I’d wait to do that until after we’re engaged,” Gabriel replied, glowing a little inside at the thought of Eric wearing hisring. There was no question he wanted to be with him forever. Eric held his heart, and Gabriel had come so far from the man who refused to even consider himself an inspirit—let alone a Marwood. “And I’ll take you up on the offer to do this ring shopping stuff. I’ve looked online and couldn’t narrow it down.”

“We’ll get the best fucking jewelers in Vegas to put together a selection of rings,” Clark promised. “And I respect your traditional side. Hopefully that information will be enough to keep Rosalind from driving you nuts about it until you’re engaged. Okay, Rhonda. Your turn. I know it’s a complicated situation because Tasha is human, but she’s obviously in love with you.”

Rhonda’s brows drew together. “I’m so scared. What if learning the truth about me changes her feelings?”

“A gamble I’m afraid you’ll have no choice but to take someday,” Gabriel said.

“I know,” Rhonda replied. “Clark, the first thing she said to me when we got home that night after meeting everyone was how good you and Rosalind look for a couple who have grown children.”

Clark grimaced. “Yeah, I think we’re going to have to change things around here soon. Refer to the kids as family and no longer as our children. Too many humans are going to start noticing that. Our inspirits can be trusted to hide the truth.”

“What did you tell her when she made that remark?” Gabriel asked.

Biting her lip, Rhonda chuckled. “I told her they have money and probably spend plenty of it to keep themselves looking young.”

“Gee, thanks,” Clark said. “There’s nothing wrong with making use of what’s available, but imagine Rosalind and I trying to look as young as our kids.”

“I don’t know, you’re probably vain enough to do it,” Gabriel teased. “Rosalind would age gracefully and just get enough done to stay looking refreshed.”

“A little nip and tuck here and there…maybe some fillers or Botox for Rosalind,” Rhonda commented. “But you’re right. Clark would have his face so lifted his eyebrows would probably reach his hairline.”

“You’re both hilarious,” Clark deadpanned as Gabriel and Rhonda laughed.

In his pocket, Gabriel’s phone rang, and he immediately recognized the tone he’d assigned to every Marwood but Eric. The smile fell from his face as he yanked it out and saw Rosalind’s name on the screen. It had to be something important if she was calling him directly instead of her soulmate.

“What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked without preamble.

“Gabriel,” Rosalind squeaked. It took only that single word to tell him she was crying. “Come home, please. Please come home.”

“Rosalind,” Gabriel stated firmly. Whether it was the tenor of fear in his voice or his resolute tone meant to reassure Rosalind, Clark and Rhonda both quickly figured out something was wrong, and they stood almost in tandem. Rhonda’s paperwork fluttered to the floor, but Gabriel’s complete focus was on Rosalind. “Take a breath. Take a deep breath, and tell me what’s wrong.”

“Oh, Gabriel, they took Eric.”

Everything came to a halt. Gabriel’s lungs seized. He swore his heart even stopped beating for a moment.

“Who?” Gabriel asked, his voice wavering. His hand trembled so violently he nearly dropped the phone despite the death grip he had on it. “Whotook Eric?”

“Human police. Human police came and arrested him. Murder. They said he killed Weston Arwynn. Who is that, Gabriel? The father? The one we can’t find anything about?”

“Yes, yes, the name sounds familiar,” Gabriel replied absently, choking back tears. He had to be strong. He had to think clearly. His soulmate was in danger. It was Gabriel’s job to protect him. Something he’d already failed to do that night. “I’m on my way, okay? I’m on my way.”

“Hurry,” Rosalind ordered, then disconnected the call.

As calmly and precisely as he could, Gabriel explained to Clark and Rhonda what Rosalind had told him. He wasn’t even finished talking before Clark was around the desk and halfway out the door. Gabriel was a mere step behind him. With Rhonda on Gabriel’s heels, they ran down the hall to get to the car. They had to find Eric as quickly as possible.

Too far from him when Eric needed him most, Gabriel was determined not to let his soulmate down again. He couldn’t bear the thought of Eric’s fear and worry. They had to rescue him. Eric hadn’t hurt anyone. He could never hurt anyone. And Gabriel would be damned if his soulmate spent one more minute frightened and imprisoned by humans.

Chapter 35

At the Marwood mansion, Clark was on the phone making calls while Rosalind clung to her soulmate. Richard had left his office the second he heard the news, and Douglas had driven him home. The inspirit Richard had resurrected insisted on staying at his side, which was no surprise to Gabriel. As Gabriel held on to what was left of his wits and ignored his overwhelming guilt for not being at the house when Eric had required a bodyguard, Douglas and Rhonda talked, and Richard paced.

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