Monday — December 17

Gael woke up at the sound of his phone's buzzing on the nightstand. He squinted as he checked the time. It was seven in the morning, and he had a few texts from his uncle. He carefully pulled his arm from under Angela's head and rolled to the side to read the messages.

[ Giovanni: I just landed. I'm heading over to your house. ]

[ Giovanni: I'm here. ]

[ Giovanni: Where the hell are you? ]

He cursed under his breath. Giovanni wasn't supposed to be here until days later.

[ Gael: Parklane Shores. ]

[ Giovanni: I'm at your house. We need to talk. ]

Exhaling a long sigh, Gael closed his eyes. Whatever they needed to talk about was always important.

Angela stirred as if she'd notice his tension. She turned to him and sleepily asked, "Who is it? Something important?"

He set his phone back down and faced her, his expression swiftly turned into a small satisfied smile like he hadn't been just summoned by his uncle.

"Nothing important. How was your sleep?" He brushed his thumb on her cheek, her eyes still tempted to close again.

"Best sleep ever. I don't want to keep you from work...or whatever you need to do. You need to leave, huh?"

Gael stared at her, keeping his face impassive. He knew she didn't want to hold him up, but the thought of leaving her alone made his stomach heavy. If only it were possible, he'd build a fort around this place and stay with her 24/7. The security was tight in her new apartment, but even so, he'd only feel at ease if he's around.

"Why do you look like you don't want to leave me here?" She narrowed her gaze. "I'm fine… I can take care of myself, you know. I'm a big girl."

She was perceptive. And despite her assurance, he still didn't like leaving her on her own. Ever since he arrived in Mayne and found her, he'd kept one of his men around to watch her occasionally. It wasn't anything intrusive and only to make sure that she was safe. So when she said she'd move yesterday and he wasn't aware, he panicked. He hadn't had the time to learn about this new building yet as he only found out last night after dinner. He had to ask his men to scout around the area and revise their security measures. So leaving her today made him feel uneasy.

Instead of answering her question, he asked, "What are your plans today?"

Angela yawned as she rolled out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. He followed her, and she began to brush her teeth while searching for something in the cabinet under the sink, then she gave him a new toothbrush. He received it and brushed his teeth, their eyes looking at each other through the reflection in the mirror. She washed her face afterward and he did the same—he would have also done the same if he was at home, but this felt like he was imitating her moves. He really wasn't. But it was interesting.

She patted her face dry and turned to face him as he ran his fingers through his hair, sweeping his hair back. She watched his every move. "I have Krav Maga at nine today. I'll meet Nina at the gym and then we'll come back here after the session. I have boxes of toys arriving this morning. We'll be wrapping up presents for the kids the whole day."

Gael nodded, taking in her brightened mood. She looked perkier than she was a minute ago. Speaking of perky—his gaze dipped below her neck and found two perky nubs pointing at him. He tore his eyes away and headed back out before his dick got angrier. 'Down, boy.'

"I need to go home." He picked up his clothes that were draped over a chair.

"Is everything okay?"

"My uncle just arrived. We need to talk."

"The one I saw one morning?"

He nodded, reaching over his head to grab a fistful of fabric below his nape and stripping off his shirt. He caught her swallow and bite her bottom lip, her eyes roaming over his bare chest, the script tattoo he had on the side of his rib and then down towards his V. He loved it whenever she watched him like he was the most fascinating creature she'd ever seen.

He was going to make a teasing remark when the doorbell rang. Their heads turned and he stopped her before she could walk out of her bedroom dressed in her nightwear. He handed her a robe that was hung in the closet—no way was he going to let her answer the door in her braless state.

They got to the door and found that the delivery Angela was expecting arrived early. Gael—who was wearing nothing but joggers—watched as men entered the apartment, dropping boxes in her living room. He kept her by his side the entire time, his eyes carefully observing them. Five big boxes were deposited inside.

Once they were alone again, he quickly changed his clothes. The faster he could deal with Giovanni, the faster he could come back here to Angela. She saw him out the door where he was reluctant to leave, but his phone buzzed again, indicating another text message from Giovanni. He clenched his jaw.

"Is it okay if I come by later? I'll bring food." He smiled.

She crossed her arms as she leaned against the door frame, her eyes scrutinizing him as she said, "I would say no, but the food is tempting. You're not coming in if you don't bring something delicious."

"Done." He chuckled, stepping in briefly and kissing her forehead before he left.

…

Gael took a deep breath as he faced Giovanni. He arrived back at his house a few minutes ago and they were currently having coffee in the kitchen.

"The meeting with the Morellis will be soon. Are you ready to face them?" asked Giovanni, peering over the rim of his cup before he took a sip.

"I'm always ready. Where's the location?"

"I have yet to find out. We'll know in the morning on the day of... It'll be held here in Esmea."

Gael drew his brows together, confused as to why they'd have the meeting here. He didn't like it. "Why here?"

"It's the safest place for both parties. We can't go to their turf and neither could they come to ours. It only makes sense as we can't have one outpower the other. This is the only state all of us can't touch."

"Still… Won't that alert the Parks?"

"It's the holidays. Those pedigrees are occupied with whatever upper-class social events they have." Giovanni leaned back and rolled his neck from side to side, the scale of his dragon tattoo peeking from under his shirt. "Besides, we're not here to make trouble. We're only passing by." His uncle gave him a look.

Gael ignored the way Giovanni's gaze was directed at him. Even if he didn't say it, he knew what was in the other's head. Anyone from their family—or any of the six family syndicates for that matter—was only supposed to be a visitor of this state. Giovanni's sharp stare was like a reminder to keep his head down and not draw attention. And him having a house in Mayne was like waving a red flag to a raging bull.