Chapter 6 #2
If these were Monica’s keys, it would explain how Gabriel got into Connor’s apartment. But would he be stupid enough to carry such damaging evidence around with him? She needed to find out, but the wave of nausea rolling around her gut wouldn’t make it possible.
“What are you doing?”
Evelyn’s head snapped up and her heart stalled. The hard lines around Gabriel’s mouth betrayed his amused tone.
Lacey stood behind him, her wide eyes and pained expression mirroring Evelyn’s emotions. But she couldn’t let Gabriel see her sweat, especially if what she suspected about the key ring was true.
Bending at the waist, she gripped the back of Gabriel’s chair, and the coarse fabric of his jacket bent the ends of her French-tipped nails.
Swallowing hard, she said, “I’m so sorry.
I got really lightheaded all of a sudden and needed to rush to the restroom.
As soon as I stood, my knees buckled and I grabbed your chair to steady myself.
Your jacket slipped off, and your keys fell from your pocket.
I was about to pick them up but was hit again by this dizziness. I hope I haven’t caught a bug.”
It wasn’t a complete lie, she did feel sick. But it wasn’t a virus affecting her, but the brutal truth smacking her in the face.
Concern etched fine lines in the thin skin around Gabriel eyes, even as his pupils dilated. “Do you want me to take you home? My car’s not far. It would be much faster than grabbing a cab or taking the train all the way back to Queens.”
Alarm tightened her muscles. How could she refuse his offer without alerting him to her reservations...if he wasn’t already aware?
“Evelyn, how weird to see you and Gabriel both here. It’s been years.
” Lacey oozed excitement and rushed over to grip her in a fierce hug.
“I’m sorry you don’t feel well, but I’d love to catch up.
What if I get you home, and we can chat a little on the way?
A little girl talk for old time’s sake would be amazing. ”
Relief lifted the corners of Evelyn’s lips. “That would be wonderful. I’m sorry to ruin the evening, Gabriel, but I wouldn’t be able to discuss our business tonight. Can I get a rain check?”
The waiter strode by with a short, clear glass filled to the top with amber liquid. He shifted his puzzled gaze from one face to the other. “Sir, did you still want your scotch?”
Gabriel tucked in his lips and nodded. “Sure.” He waited for the waiter to set down his drink then continued, “Certainly, we can get together another time. I hope you feel better soon. I’ll call you later.”
Evelyn reached for the purse on the side of her chair, and Gabriel leaned forward to place his lips on her cheek. His hot breath slid against her face, and she shuddered. He skimmed his hand over her bare shoulder, pressing his long fingers against her bicep just enough to become uncomfortable.
She fumbled with her purse strap and sidestepped to keep from meeting his gaze. She’d always been a horrible poker player, and this was one lie she couldn’t be caught telling. “Good night.”
With her gaze on the cherry-red polish of her big toe, she started for the door with Lacey at her side. “I have to call Detective Mitchel. He needs to know what I saw.” She spoke in a whisper, even though Gabriel couldn’t possibly hear her.
But his presence clung to her like a burr.
She glanced over her shoulder just as the crowd shifted.
He stood beside the table with the keychain dangling from his fist and his gaze locked on her.
The edges of his mouth tipped up at the corners, but his eyes were narrowed. Fear grabbed hold of her throat.
Gabriel Wilson was a bad man, but there’s no way she could walk away now. She needed to help find Monica.
Gabriel tightened his fist around the stupid plastic keychain until the cheap material splintered. Sharp shards pierced his skin, but he relished the pain.
Pain was good.
Pain brought pleasure.
What he didn’t like was a dumb bitch who thought she was smarter than him. He’d done his research. Lacey Pierson lived with Evelyn. Their whole charade about bumping into each other was laughable. Did they really think they could play him?
No, he was the one who played the game. Evelyn was the little mouse he couldn’t wait to play with.
As the two women left the restaurant, he sat.
He lifted his glass and swirled, clinking the ice together as a grin spread across his face.
The game had already begun, and Evelyn didn’t even realize it.
He brought his glass to his lips and tilted his head back, swallowing the liquor in one gulp. The scotch burned all the way to the pit of his stomach, its heat combining with the fire lit by his desire to see this little game through. A game of cat and mouse.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and laughed.
The mouse might be outside of his reach at the moment, but his kitty waited for him.
He slammed the glass down, threw a few bills on the table, and stood to leave as desire raged inside him.
Excitement tickled his nerve endings. His evening with Evelyn might have been cut short, but the night was young. Hours of playtime waited for him.
But first, he needed to wait for Evelyn to follow the breadcrumbs he’d laid at her feet and run to her fucking cop. They’d come for him tonight, and he had to make sure to set the stage.