Alanna shoots a desperate glance at Gabriel, panic seeping into her features. He walks up behind me and cups my shoulders in his strong hands, managing to soothe me with even the slightest of touches.
“Victoria, I’m going to help you,” he insists. “And you will let me. We both care about you, and nobody is going to let you leave here by yourself. You don’t have to do this anymore. I can protect you.”
“No, you can’t!” I raise my voice in frustration. “You just don’t get it. She will kill you, Gabriel. She’ll kill Alanna, and anyone else who’s in her way. I cannot involve either of you. It’s not fair, but that’s the way it has to be.”
“I want you and Alanna to come stay with me,” he says softly. “You’ll be safe at my apartment.”
Alanna glances at me, her eyes imploring me to take up his offer.
“I don’t know,” I say, knowing full well that isn’t going to happen. “I need to think about this first. Everything’s moving too fast.”
Gabriel sighs, probably expecting nothing less from me. “Fine. You have two days to wrap your head around it, but you will be coming with me. I won’t give in on this Victoria. But in the meantime, I need you and Alanna to come with me this afternoon because I’m teaching you both how to shoot.”
***
We spend the afternoon at the shooting range, Gabriel patiently teaching us the ins and outs of handguns. He insists on us keeping a small handgun in the apartment for protection until I agree to stay with him. I don’t shy away from the gun because I’ve grown up around them. I already know how to shoot rifles, but I feel more confident knowing I can protect myself if I need to. Alanna takes a bit more practice considering she’s never shot a gun in her life.
Gabriel drops us both back off at our apartment later that evening. He tries to stay, hovering over me, but I regretfully tell him to go home and catch up on work. I need some time to figure all of this out. I still don’t want him getting involved, but after this morning’s bombshell about Alanna, I don’t know how much choice I have. I’m afraid if I leave Alanna here, Eleanore could still come after her. She knows we’re friends. She knows we’ve been running together for years. And I’m sure Eleanore is certain it would be one of the quickest ways to bring me to my knees. Going after someone that I love.
Chapter Two
Victoria
The next afternoon, Nathan picks Alanna up for the evening on the assumption that I’ll probably be busy with Gabriel. I haven’t heard from him yet today, and I don’t know if he plans on seeing me tonight or not. The thought of being without him, or Alanna for that matter, fills me with sadness.
This is what my life will be like again if I run. Completely alone. I’ve been mulling over Gabriel’s offer to stay with him though I’m not sure why I’m even considering it. I know he’s trying to be protective, and it’s a really nice offer, but deep down I don’t want it to happen under these circumstances. I love Gabriel, and our relationship has progressed further than I ever thought it could. The idea of having something real with him is torturous because I know it’s just an illusion.
Just as I’m contemplating my options, there’s a knock at the door, followed by the voice of the familiar delivery man. I open up and he hands over another gold box with a note card tucked carefully on top. When I sit down and take off the lid, I find a dozen red roses tucked inside.
Victoria,
Your favorite color is red, and you look beautiful in it.
My house 7:00 pm tonight.
Please wear the dress I gave you, I’m dying to see you in it.
Bring your camera.
And don’t worry, there will be no paparazzi… just you and me
Gabriel
My heart gallops inside my chest, wondering what he has planned for tonight. I completely forgot about the red dress stashed in my bedroom closet, and suddenly, I can’t wait to wear it for him.
The rest of the day drags on. I toy with the notion of exploring the city and taking some more photos. But Gabriel is still being stubborn about the whole safety issue. He even went as far as suggesting a bodyguard when he’s not around. The idea is absolutely ridiculous, and I told him as much. Eleanore isn’t stupid by any stretch of the imagination, and one man wouldn’t stop her from accomplishing what she sets out to anyway. I managed to convince Gabriel to hold off for just a couple more days while I consider the idea. When I pointed out that I haven’t even been in New York that long, and there’s no way she could have traced me here yet, he reluctantly agreed.