Chapter 33 - Promises And Conditions

                                    

                                          


                          


                          
The air outside is near freezing and while I barely feel the shift, I'm suddenly very aware of my boobs right now. I mean, my nipples could cut glass right now (no literally, my skin's so tough they're probably sharp enough to shape crystal). Gavriel's amber eyes rake over my exposed skin making me feel utterly gross. In fact, I have to fight the urge to hurl when he reaches my face with a hungry smile that curls over gleaming fangs. 
                          
By appearances, Gavriel looks about six or seven years older then me, but by vampire years, he's a dirty old man. 
                          
"You look delicious, Bea." Gavriel says in a voice smoother than rich caramel. 
                          
"Eat me." I reply flatly.
                          
"Get in the car Beatrice." He orders squaring his body with mine. 
                          
Our bodies are backlit in the headlights of Gavriel's town car projecting ghostly elongated frames against the plane like some low budget puppet show. In my head I'm methodically going through every escape scenario using the seconds of our face-off to assess the situation. If I dart, Gavriel and his guys will give chase, and most likely, they'll kill Gideon or use him to lure me back. If I fight, Gavriel will turn his goons on me and while I could probably take at least three of them, I have no idea if he's got others hiding in the wings. 
                          
"It won't work." Gavriel says with a wicked smile. "Even though I would like to see you try to fight in those heels." 
                          
The tension in my jaw is radiating out into my body, but I can't show it. I can't give Gavriel the satisfaction of my complete fuck-up. He knows he's got me over a barrel. 
                          
With as much dignity as I can with my ass hanging out of this killer dress, I strut over to the car focusing on the hollow staccato of my heels on the tarmac. The smoke from the car is creating an eerie fog that licks at my ankles and tickles the hair follicles on my legs. Inside the vehicle is sleek and covered in black leather, the smell of Gavriel's cologne, a mix of sandalwood and musk hits my nostrils. 
                          
There's no way for a human or an immortal to look graceful when crawling into a car in a tiny skirt. I can feel the icy air creep up my nether regions into every nook and cranny, which only adds to the embarrassment as I fold myself into the back seat. A smug grin is plastered on Gravriel's angular jaw as he joins me.
                          
The low lights in the car cast inky shadows over Gavriel's maniacal features giving him a lethal glow. Chances are, if I fight him, I will lose...and for sure my boobs will pop out of this dress in the process. 
                          
I can only assume we're going back to headquarters. Zombie-Gideon is sitting in front, his eyes staring out into nothing. Gavriel's hand is resting lightly on my thigh making me want to scream. 
                          
"I'm disappointed that things didn't work out quite as I'd planned in Vienna." He remarks with an air of humor. "But then again, I suppose that's my fault. I trained you too well." 
                          
"Oh I'm sure you've got your minions out there searching for a way to correct your mistake." I shoot back.
                          
"You know me too well." He says with a smile as he raises his hand to play with my hair. "Just one of the many things I like about you." 
                          
"If you like me so much, why are you trying to frame me for your mother's murder?" 
                          
Gavriel pauses momentarily to take in my comment letting the words hang between us as his eyes roam my body.
                          
"Do you really need to ask that question?" Gavriel voice is so quiet, it's virtually air as he locks his cat-like eyes on me. 
                          
"No." I concede.