Page 96 of Touched By Destiny

Gabriel shifted so he could cup Eric’s cheek. “You’re so fucking courageous. You’re right. It was all Alden. How did none of us guess what shit he was up to?”

“Because he’d isolated himself from the family for over two decades. Poor Mari. She so badly wanted her father in her life.”

“She was his last gift from Nariko, and he squandered it. Not once did he ever care about Maribeth or her well-being. Your parents tried so hard to be considerate of his feelings. But in hindsight, they should’ve fought him for Maribeth.”

Eric nodded, and their noses bumped again. “Yeah, she deserved to have two parents loving her unconditionally and a solid home. Instead, she was constantly pining for an unobtainable dream.”

“And her fucking father was a madman.”

“That’s exactly what I thought after he came in to talk to me that first time in LA,” Eric confided, his eyes haunted by what he’d endured. Gabriel snuggled him closer and wished he could take away every moment of pain and fear. “He believed so strongly in his theories. He’d convinced himself of their truth. Yet it made no sense. My parents couldn’t have wished an illness onto Nariko.”

“Alden’s own mother was destiny-touched. If he hated you, then he had to have hated her too. Just another layer of how fucked up this whole thing is.”

“I thought of you the entire time. It helped me stay strong. I stayed as calm as I could. That’s what you would’ve done. I wasn’t waiting for a rescue either. Mari broke into the room before I could try my own ideas. The crystal thing would’ve worked for sure. It would’ve gotten me out of the shackles but not out of the house. I guess I could’ve thrown it through a window, but I didn’t know which direction to run or where to find help.”

“I love that you thought of me, but Eric, it wasyourstrength that got you through it,” Gabriel said, pressing kisses to either side of Eric’s beautiful mouth. “It was your braverythat helped you endure it. If we’d never met, you still would’ve courageously persevered through it. I know that because I know you.”

“I don’t really want to think about never meeting you.”

“Trust me, I hate the idea too.”

“And whether you choose to believe it or not, I’m convinced your love helped me. I could focus on that when I was fucking terrified. It helped me stay focused. To remain as calm as I could.”

“That you were even attempting escape shows your resourcefulness and mettle. You’re incredible. I won’t hear any arguments about that.”

Eric chuckled. “Gabriel has spoken.”

“Indeed. Are you sure you don’t want to eat something?”

“I just want to be with you right now. All I want is some hardcore cuddling. Then I want to strip you out of those pajamas and feel you deep inside me.”

“That’s enough dirty talk out of you,” Gabriel teased, stroking his thumb across the dark shadow beneath one of Eric’s beautiful eyes. “You need rest and fuel. It’ll help you start to heal. There’s a lot going on in your head right now. Today is about recovery, okay?”

“It’s also about not allowing Alden to take anything else from me. I want to be with the man I love. To be joined with you. I’m surrounded by love right now, but I need to feel desire too. To become one with you. Something I would’ve lost forever if Alden had changed his aim.”

Gabriel didn’t want to think about losing Eric, nor would he deny him something they both wanted. Comfort came in many forms, and they would likely both benefit from pushing the world away. To shut everything out but the love that now fueled them both.

“I probably couldn’t fight you off even if I wanted to.”

The lightness in Eric’s laughter was a welcome balm to Gabriel’s frazzled nerves. It would take time, but Eric was a survivor. A brave man who would not allow the madness of his uncle to dictate his future.

“You certainly failed at that those nights in the club.”

“Hmm, I still remember how delicious you looked. Then again, you’re always hot as fuck.”

“So are you.”

When Eric wiggled in his arms and Gabriel felt his hardening cock, he narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to eat something before we break out the lube.”

“Fine, we’ll go have…” Eric shifted to peer around Gabriel’s shoulder to see the clock. “Dinner, I guess, with everyone. Then I want you all to myself.”

“You have me, Eric. You have me forever.”

Chapter 39

“How’s Mari?” was the first question Eric asked as he emerged from his bedroom with Gabriel at his side. He’d opted to take a quick shower and drag a comb through his curls. Then he’d tugged on a fresh pair of pajamas from the luggage Gabriel had brought for him. Thank goodness his safety-conscious soulmate insisted on having emergency supplies everywhere.

Although Eric wished for the comfort of his own home, the hotel was gorgeous, and he was content to stay as long as it took for Maribeth to feel well enough to board a plane.

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