Chapter 16

GABRIEL

I spent most of the evening and into the night thinking about her and trying to put the pieces together. That scene I walked up on was still bothering me, but unless I showed my hand and started asking questions, I wouldn't find any answers. I guess I'll have to wait until I see her again, though going by our first meeting, it'll take at least a month to get a full sentence out of her.

For the first time in way too long to remember when it started, I laid across my bed thinking long into the night about something other than revenge. I'm a little annoyed, truth be told, that she'd infiltrated so deeply, so soon. In five years, nothing has been able to take me off course. I've kept everyone out and at arm's length, except Lancelot, of course, because I know it's a waste of time forming binding relationships when I don't plan on being here that long.

Even my family, as much as I love them, have not been allowed beneath my guard for that same reason. "Gianna…" I almost