Page 83 of The Huntress
He rose to circle his arms around Callie, burying his face in her neck.
She patted his arm, distracted.
Grinning, he nuzzled her hair. “You should talk to Leo. It looks like he might have information to share.” She blinked, twisting to kiss his cheek. “I’m taking George shopping. See you later?”
“Have fun.”
She jolted and spun in his arms to bless him with a hot and spicy kiss. “Hurry back,” she said, a little breathless. “But enjoy this time with George.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
A THEORY
GabrielandGeorgearrivedhome carrying many packages. Some held food items, but most were things that had brought a bright smile to George’s face. Was he spoiling her? Yes, he was, and loving every minute of it. He did explain she received leniencies now because he and Callie had never had a daughter. That they would learn how to be a family together.
George was silent for the trip home.
He shot glances at her, trying to assess her mood from her stern expressions. After she clambered out of the parked car, she wrapped her arms around his legs. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
The little minx had wheedled her way into his hardened heart without trying. He chuckled, bending to press a kiss on her head.
The scene that greeted him arched his brow. Sprawled on the rug, along with Callie’s files, was Dimitri, Leo, and Mike. George darted around, bouncing with joy and laughter, blessing everyone with hugs.
“What did you get?” Callie asked as she walked through the kitchen door with a coffee in hand. It held cream and sugar, the way she liked it.
Their daughter burst across the room to throw her arms around Callie’s legs.
“Gabe is wonderful!” George squealed, her enthusiasm drawing a smile from Callie, who ruffled her hair, even as she dragged a lustful gaze over Gabe’s body.
“I know.” She flashed him a meaningful look.
He huffed, scanning their guests and George’s happy smile. It still wasn’t the time for declarations. He needed to reveal how he felt, but circumstances thwarted his every attempt.
“Why don’t you show me what you bought, George?” Callie leaned against his chest and brushed her lips across his. Then with a deep sigh, gathered the bags out of his hands and disappeared into the kitchen with a chattering George.
He rubbed the warm spot on his chest, gazing at the closed door with longing. Mike rose to speak with him, hovering at his side until he faced him. He gestured to outside. Gabriel led the way, curious as to why they needed privacy.
“It’s a yes, if the offer still stands.” Mike cleared his throat, awaiting Gabriel’s response.
He nodded, having anticipated his choice. “I’ll have Leo organize a suitable sire. You’d better not die on me. She’ll kill me if she finds out that I offered.”
“I’ll try.” Mike’s chuckle sounded forced, but Gabriel ignored it as they slipped back inside.
Whatever led Mike to choose a life of a vampire must have torn the detective apart. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but his conversion would be more enjoyable than Gabriel’s had been. They used civilized techniques, blurring the pain with lust. Not like the violence he’d endured for decades until he could stand on his own.
After dropping into a leather chair, he studied the strewn files with unseeing eyes. Mike took the chair alongside him, his stubby fingers plucking at the stitched leather.
“Anything new?” Gabriel gestured to the scribblings marring Callie’s case files.
“Yes.” Mike beamed with excitement. Gone was his earlier reticence. “We’ve linked Duhamel and Carter, but more than this—”
“Stavros is behind the cure.” Dimitri’s Russian accent sliced through Mike’s enthusiasm, and he quieted, leaning forward in the chair lest he miss a word.
“Stavros?” Gabriel frowned, once again wishing he’d killed the man. This and all the death staining his hands were on Gabriel’s shoulders. He thought he’d loved Abigail, that sparing Stavros’s life was what she would have wanted.
“Stavros owns Floges, a silent partner, but the CEO, Hawkins, is clean. We haven’t told Callie yet,” Mike whispered.
Gabriel chuckled, then whispered back, “She can hear you.”
