a liar.” William opened his mouth but clamped it shut when the Alpha lioness narrowed her razor-sharp gaze at him. “We should head back home. We’ve caused enough of a disturbance.”
“I’ll have our lawyers call yours,” Gemma added.
“You bastard!” Vicky railed at Gabriel. “How dare you!”
“Excuse me?” he said.
“I should have gotten rid of her myself.” Vicky’s face twisted into an expression of hate. “Instead of leaving it to incompetent males!”
“Vicky, pumpkin,” William said nervously, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s—”
“No!” She whirled around. “You said you’d take care of her! That that ex-boyfriend of hers would drag her back to whatever hellhole—”
“What?” White-hot rage coursed through Gabriel as he focused his gaze on father and daughter. “What the hell is she saying?” His tone was dead serious.
“Nothing,” William gulped.
Gabriel lunged forward, grabbing the old man by his collar. “You have two seconds to tell me the truth, old man.”
“Gabriel!”
He ignored Gen’s warning shout. “Tell me!”
William turned pale. “V-Vicky told me about your-your human, and so I had her followed and investigated. My PI found Mr. Morello and … persuaded him to come here so he could convince Miss Pettigrew to leave Blackstone.”
Gabriel could guess how Tony was ‘persuaded.’ “You motherfucker. He could have hurt her!”
“He was an idiot druggie who only wanted money,” Vicky spat. “When he failed the first time, he kept coming back around, promising he’d take care of her, one way or another. He hasn’t stopped harassing me, and he’s been blowing up my father’s phone all day, messaging him that ‘today was the day,’ and we better have his cash ready.”
Vicky’s words suddenly made the blood freeze in Gabriel’s brain and his lion’s hackles rose. He suddenly remembered his encounter with Temperance’s ex last week and the desperation in the other man’s eyes. “Fuck!”
“What’s wrong?” Ginny asked. “Hey! Where are you—”
Gabriel rushed back out to the patio, his eyes scanning the guests.
He didn’t know why, but he felt … something was wrong. Like he could feel fear and anxiety coming from somewhere, but he couldn’t say where.
Please, oh please, oh please let that feeling be wrong.
His stomach turned to lead as he realized that Temperance was nowhere in sight. The last time he saw her was when she danced with Damon, but he saw his friend was now sitting at the sweethearts’ table with his new wife. “Damn it!”
Panic and terror tore through him. He knew, he just knew she was in trouble. Like he was feeling what she was feeling.
He rounded the castle, heading out to the front. Cars lined the driveway, but there was no one else there. Where could he have taken her?
When the smell of gasoline hit his nose, he let out an enraged roar.
Chapter Twelve
Temperance had been enjoying herself at the reception immensely, much more than she thought she would. While she had been nervous all week about attending the wedding, J.D. and Anna Victoria had helped make her feel welcome into their little group. Of course, spending time with Gabriel and having him assure her of his love and support the whole time had also boosted her confidence. She wanted for him to be proud of her, and also, she thought maybe it was time to stop hiding herself—and her scars. A few people had stared at her cheek and hands, and though it still bothered her, she didn’t feel as self-conscious as before.
And now here she was, dancing with the groom in front of everyone. But she was eager to go back to her mate. As soon as the song ended, Temperance glanced around. “Huh, I don’t see Gabriel.”
“I’m sure he’s around somewhere,” Damon said as he released her hand. “Why don’t I keep you company while you wait for him to come back?”
“Don’t be silly, Damon.” She pointed her chin toward the sweethearts’ table where Anna Victoria was sitting by herself. “Your bride needs you. Now, scoot,” she gave him a gentle push, though he didn’t need any more encouragement to join his mate.
Glancing around her and seeing that Gabriel was still nowhere in sight, she decided to head to the ladies’ room to freshen up. Signs and solar-powered torches had been put up that led to the pool area off to the side of the great lawn, which had been set up to accommodate guests. As she walked the makeshift path, a stiff breeze made her shiver. Rubbing her hands on her arms, she felt something else, and it wasn’t just the crisp spring air.
“Tempe.”
Gooseflesh