Page 80 of Merciless King

I taste blood in my mouth. Gabriel advances on me, his fists clenched at his sides. I scramble backward, my heart in my throat.

"I'm sorry." I hold up a hand to ward him off. "Please, Gabriel. Don't do this."

But he's beyond reason, lost in a haze of alcohol and rage. He reaches down, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking me to my feet. I cry out, my scalp burning as he drags me up. "I'll show you. I'll show you what happens when you cross me."

Terror seizes me, cold and paralyzing. I know what he's capable of, the brutality he can inflict. And Elysse is watching, helpless and afraid…

I take a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Gabriel, please," I say softly. "I know you're upset. I’m sorry."

He blinks down at me, his eyes still glazed with alcohol and anger, but there's a flicker of uncertainty there too.

I press on, choosing my words carefully. "I'm sorry things have been so hard lately. I never meant to hurt you or turn Elysse against you."

Gabriel's jaw clenches, but he doesn't lash out.

I take it as a sign to continue. "I know you love her in your own way. And I know you want what's best for her."

He nods slowly, his grip on my hair loosening further. "I do. I just want us to be a family again."

My heart twists at the misplaced regret in his voice. I know it's a lie, a manipulation tactic he's used countless times before. But I have to play along.

"I want that too." I force a small smile. "I want us to be happy."

Gabriel's brow furrows, and for a moment I think he might argue. But then he sighs, his shoulders slumping in defeat as he lets go of me. "I know. I fucked up. I hurt you and Elysse. I'm sorry."

The words ring hollow, but I nod anyway. "I appreciate your saying that." I move closer to Elysse, hoping to be in a better position to protect her.

He nods, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I will. I'll do better, I promise. Just come back home, and we can start over."

I hesitate, knowing it's a trap. But I need to keep him talking, to buy more time for Elio to get here.

“Maybe we can just forget about everything that’s happened with Elio. We can start over.”

Elysse looks at me like I’ve betrayed her. I hate that she’s too young to understand what I’m doing.

Gabriel's face darkens, and for a moment I think he might lash out again. But then he looks away, his expression almost sheepish. "I never actually contacted a lawyer. I was just trying to scare you into coming back."

Relief washes over me. He was bluffing. Just like Elio said. It means there is no threat of Elio going to prison for beating up Gabriel. It also means that I've fallen for Gabriel's plan. Because I didn't listen to Elio, Elysse is in danger again. Guilt and regret grow.

I can't think about that. I need to keep a level head until I can get Elysse safe. Now that things are calm, I keep talking, keeping Gabriel calm, keeping him distracted.

Until help arrives.

“Let me serve us dinner.” I turn back to the stove when there’s a knock on the door. I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. Gabriel's head snaps up, his eyes narrowing.

"Who the fuck is that?" he growls, his hand inching toward the knife on the table.

I shake my head. "I don't know. I swear." I turn off the stove hoping it looks normal, nonchalant.

Gabriel stalks over to Elysse, grabbing her roughly by the arm and hauling her to her feet. She cries out in pain and fear, but he ignores her as he stands in the opening of the kitchen, looking toward the front door.

"Open it," he orders me, his voice low and dangerous. He positions Elysse in front of him like a human shield. "And if you try anything stupid, I'll snap her neck like a twig."

I nod frantically. "I won't. I promise."

With shaking hands, I reach for the doorknob, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure Gabriel can hear it. I pray that it's Elio on the other side, that he's found a way to save us.

I pull open the door with trembling hands. There stands Elio, his face a mask of barely contained fury. A gun is clutched in his hand, the metal gleaming dully in the dim light of the entryway.