Chapter 2: The First Step
Gabriel didn't rush. That was the thing about him I had almost forgotten during the long months of hiding. When the rest of the world panicked, Gabriel slowed down until time itself seemed to wait for his permission. He stepped closer to the white bed, his leather-soled shoes making no sound now that he walked on the thin braided rug.
"Claire," he murmured, the name slipping out like a secret he was afraid to drop.
My gaze shifted up to meet his. His eyes were bloodshot, circled by dark shadows that spoke of endless flights, sleepless nights, and a relentless hunt across state lines. He didn't touch me yet. Instead, his dark suit brushed against the iron bedpost as he leaned in, his gaze dropping immediately to the small bundle against my chest. Eli shifted in her sleep, letting out a soft, whistling sigh that caused Gabriel’s jaw to tighten even further.
Mason shifted his weight by the door, the leather of his holster creaking softly. "The perimeter is locked, Mr. Vance. No one comes up this access road without tripping the wire."
"Good," Gabriel said without turning around. His voice was low, carrying that smooth, patrician cadence that always commanded obedience in boardrooms, though now it sounded like gravel ground under a heavy boot. "And the local patrol?"
"Bought off or blind. Take your pick," Mason replied, touching his bruised cheek with two fingers. "They think we're a domestic disturbance case hiding out from an abusive ex. Standard small-town routine. Nobody's looking for a high-profile corporate heir and his missing wife."
Gabriel finally reached out. His hand, large and calloused, hovered an inch above the white bedsheets before moving toward Eli. His fingers were steady, though I could see the fine tremor in his wrist—the only sign of the terror that must have gripped him when he found the empty nursery back in Boston. He didn't touch the baby directly; instead, his thumb gently brushed a stray lock of blond hair away from my forehead. His skin was warm, contrasting sharply against the winter chill radiating off the frosted glass.
"You're safe now," Gabriel whispered, though his eyes told me he was trying just as hard to convince himself as he was to convince me. "Both of you."
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I swallowed hard, my voice finally finding its way past my dry lips. "They know where the cabin is, Gabriel. It's only a matter of time."
Gabriel's hand paused on the bedsheet. His dark eyes locked onto mine, holding me in place with an intensity that defied argument. "Let them try."
