We exchanged a smile and then lapsed into silence, watching the sunrise.
--
We were about to leave when James phoned.
"I'm going to answer," I said. "Otherwise, he'll keep calling." I picked up with a warm "Hey, there," which earned me a full five seconds of silence.
Then James said, "I take it you haven't spoken to Richard."
"Ricky? Sure. Thanks for letting me know about Gabriel. He'd have been in that cell until morning if you hadn't called."
More silence. Then, "I'm guessing that's sarcasm."
"Irony, actually, but close enough. I am glad I got the heads-up to bail him out, though I'm not nearly so impressed that you put him in there in the first place."
"That I put him in there? The man put me in the hospital."
"A punch to the stomach for a right hook to the jaw. You reap what you sow. I hope you're okay, but I'm not going to pretend it isn't your fault."
Another five seconds of silence. "W
hat has happened to you, Liv? Is this his influence?"
"Yes. Completely, because I was such a sweet little doormat before."
"I'm concerned about you, Liv."
"You don't need to be. Now--"
"There are people out there who are very worried about Gabriel Walsh and his influence on you."
I gripped the phone. "Who?"
"It's not important. I'm calling because I regret what happened, and I want to make amends. I'd like to drop the charges."
"I would appreciate that."
"Good. Then you'll join me for dinner?"
"Um, no. It's over, James, and as much as I regret how that happened--"
"Do you want those charges dropped, Olivia?"
It was a few moments before I could reply. "That sounds like extortion."
Gabriel's head whipped my way, his eyes narrowing.
"Of course not," James said. "I'm just saying--"
"That you'll drop the charges if I go to dinner with you."
"No," Gabriel said. "Absolutely not."
"Is that--?" James began.
"Of course it is," I snapped. "You called at two in the morning to tell me he was in jail. Do you think I'm just going to bail him out and take off? If this is about getting me away from Gabriel, it was a dumb-ass move, wasn't it? The more you threaten him, the closer I'll stick to watch out for him."
"And the same for threatening you," Gabriel rumbled. "Tell him I don't want the charges dropped."