“Well, apparently neither can Abel,” Angelina adds humorously. “I guess you could have your pick of the Maddox men.”
Abel scowls at Angelina, and both of us burst into laughter as Gabriel returns.
“What’s so funny?” he muses.
“Just how Abel hasn’t stopped eyeballing your woman all night,” Angelina replies.
Gabriel smirks as he walks behind me, wrapping his arms around me protectively. “Sorry, Abel, but she’s all mine. Now quit fucking staring at her.”
Angelina checks her watch and frowns. “I guess we should get going huh?”
Gabriel nods and I stand, wondering why they’re leaving so soon. They haven’t even been here for thirty minutes.
“She really is beautiful, Gabriel.” Angelina gushes as she looks over my dress. “I would die for that figure of yours.”
“Well, we all have our own ways of punishing mom,” Abel retorts, his voice laced with sarcasm.
I can’t hide the confusion on my face as Angelina smacks him in the arm.
“Yes, and mine is by eating too much, apparently. Forever reminding her of the society could-have-been.”
“Nonsense.” Gabriel leans down, kissing Angelina on the cheek. “You are beautiful, baby sister.”
I feel my heart warm at the endearment. This Gabriel is so unlike any I’ve ever seen before. He’s bringing me into his life, introducing me to his family, and showing me a whole new side of him.
“Alright,” Abel grumbles. “Let’s go, please. I want to get this shit over with.”
Gabriel nods and grabs me by the hand, pulling me towards the elevator. “Um, are we going somewhere?”
“Yes.” He grins. “I’m dragging you along to one of my parents boring dinner parties. We’re all going.”
Chapter Twelve
Victoria
In the back of the limo, I curl into Gabriel, listening as he bickers with Angelina. They are making bets about who will piss their mother off first, which isn’t inspiring much confidence about our little trip.
I have no idea what to expect tonight. I can’t even remember the last time I met a boyfriend’s parents. But from everything Gabriel’s told me about his family, I feel like it’s important that I be there for him tonight.
The car pulls into the circular entryway of the Maddox home, and I stare in shock. Home is too loose of a word, really. It’s definitely a mansion. Large and over the top with luxurious gardens and fountains out front.
“Ready or not, here we go,” Gabriel whispers in my ear.
We’re greeted at the door by a servant dressed in a black tuxedo. He gives us a stiff greeting and leads us down a long hallway in silence. Abruptly, Gabriel comes to a halt beside me as a tall, thin blonde woman comes screeching down the hall.
“There you are!” she whines, exasperated. “You know how important this is, couldn’t you at least have been on time for once!”
Her voice is shrill, and the way that Gabriel rolls his eyes immediately tells me this is his mother.
“Mother, we’re here, aren’t we? Quit nagging please, and don’t be rude. I brought a guest as you can see.”
“Fine.” She throws her hands up in defeat, glancing in my direction. “You must be Victoria,” she says sourly.
“Yes, hello Mrs. Maddox it’s nice to meet….”
She cuts me off with an exaggerated wave. “Come on, we don’t have time for this. Everybody is waiting.”
My mouth slams shut in shock as Gabriel gives me an apologetic smile. He’s definitely brought me into the lion’s den. We follow Mrs. Maddox down the hall and into a large sitting area filled with other guests.
Angelina and Abel make a beeline for the bar on the other side of the room, and Gabriel wraps his arm around my waist protectively. I glance around, noticing several other couples who aren’t paying us any notice. But when I see a familiar face glowering back at me, I freeze. Anya Petrovski is here, whispering something into Mrs. Maddox’s ear. They both glance in our direction before sauntering our way.
My heart kicks against my chest in protest, my palms growing clammy in her presence. I don’t know what it is about this woman that I find so intimidating, but I don’t want to be anywhere near her.
Gabriel glances down at me, concern marring his brow. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head, unable to speak.
“Gabriel, darling!” Anya purrs as she leans in and kisses his cheek with a wicked grin.
My head is spinning, and I hate that mischievous gleam in her eye. I try to pull away from Gabriel, to excuse myself to the powder room, but his grip tightens around me like steel.
“Anya,” he says coolly, shooting his mother a disapproving look. “I didn’t know you would be here tonight. This is my girlfriend, Victoria.”
My heart lurches at his choice of word, and Mrs. Maddox laughs nervously.
“Oh, I completely forgot you were bringing a friend, Gabriel. I invited Anya to keep you company, silly me.”