The casino is booming with patrons tonight, and the sounds of the casino are some of my favorite. I feel a tap on my shoulder.  I turn to see Angelle standing there. She leans in and kisses me.

“I didn’t know you were coming tonight, Angelle.”

“I know. I wanted to surprise you, and I see I did. Do you have other plans for tonight?”

“I was going to have dinner with the family.”

She claps her hands together and says, “That’s great. I would love to see everyone again. You don’t mind, do you?”

I think, Yes, yes, I do, but of course, I end up saying, “No, it's fine. I’m sure Mother would love to see you again, too.”

As soon as it’s settled, I see Mom and Fallon come into view. Instead of walking to us, they head straight to the restaurant. Maybe this isn’t the best idea. I take Angelle by the arm and lead us to meet them. When we arrive, I see everyone is already sitting. I ask the waiter for an extra chair. My brothers stand to make room.

“I’m glad to see you could make it, Gabriel. You too, Angelle; however, I wasn’t informed you would be joining us.” Mom is being overly snooty.

Angelle responds, “I surprised Gabriel, but when he said we would be having a family dinner...” She pauses mid-sentence when she notices Fallon sitting there. “Well, I thought this was a family dinner. I didn’t expect to see you here, Fallon. I’m sure it will be fine.”

Zander jumps in and tells her, defensively, “Fallon is family, Angelle. Don’t be rude.”

Catherine smiles and looks straight at Fallon. Then Angelle tries to make excuses for her behavior. “I didn’t mean anything by it, rest assured. I just wasn’t aware Fallon’s status went from friend of the family to now family.”

“Enough. You should get ahold of your date, Gabriel, or I’ll be sure to inform you how she wasn’t originally extended an invitation to our private family gathering,” Mother says, and means it.

I give a look to Angelle to behave, but I know this is not going to go well.

I notice Fallon and Liam are laughing over something Zander said. Fallon’s now making a face to Zander, which I don’t understand because I’m not in on the private joke.

Our food comes without any more discussion, and we eat in silence, which Angelle breaks. “I hear you and Miles have a date planned for later this week. I guess you had no more excuses to give him.”

Fallon looks at her, ready to battle.

“Your brother and I have spoken many times on the phone, but we’ve both been too busy to meet up until this weekend. He did extend an invitation for me to come to the family dinner at your father’s next week. I guess everyone wants me to be part of their families.” She grins at Angelle and continues. “There’s something to be said for having manners and being a pleasant person to be around. As for now, I have only agreed to the festival. We should have a lot of fun, you know, because we’re both so young. You should try it, you know fun. It seems to work a hell of a lot better than Botox.”

Catherine clears her throat, warning Fallon that’s enough, and my brothers snicker. Angelle is frozen. Fallon looks over to Mom, then back at Angelle and says, “I’m sorry for my rude behavior. If you all will excuse me.”

She stands and walks off. “Well, that’s my cue,” Zander says while standing. He excuses himself, and Liam follows.

My mother tells me she has business in the back and excuses herself, too. I stand to pull out her chair for her and give her a kiss. She leaves, and I'm left with a still stunned Angelle.

“Why would you do that, Angelle?”

“Me? Gabriel, you think this is my fault after you sat there and allowed that bitch to talk to me like that.”

Big mistake!

“Angelle, please let me take you to your car. I think I’ve had enough for tonight.”

“You’re picking her side?”

“There was no side to pick until you started, and now you’re making a scene. Let’s just go.”

“Don’t do this, Gabriel.”

“It’s done. I told you it wasn’t going to work, and I’m not trying with someone as nasty as you. You make it a point for people not to like you.”

“You’re saying we’re done? Is that it, Gabriel? You allowed everyone to come between us, like your mother.”

“Watch it, Angelle. I will not allow you to get away with talking shit about my mother. This has nothing to do with her.”

“So, you can just have sex with me, but nothing more?”

“I could have done without the sex, too!”

Stunned into silence, she soon recovers and says, “Go ahead. See if you can find someone better than me. You’ll come back. Your hooker friend and Fallon will never be able to push you to the top.”

I grab her arm tight. “Leave now, Angelle, before this gets ugly.”

“I’ll leave, and I’ll tell Miles and Father how Fallon embarrassed me tonight.”

“Get out! Now!”

She storms off, and I’m left there trying to figure out how the hell I ever got involved with her. I turn and leave the restaurant. Passing back through the casino, I look over to see Zander and Liam dancing with Fallon in the bar. We have a live band playing tonight.

I can’t turn away; I just keep walking towards them. I stand there with my hands in my pockets while my brothers again have fun with Fallon. I can’t move; I’m entranced. She’s marvelous and has every man’s eyes on her. She’s like a magnet, and I’m just as drawn to her as the rest. The song changes and Zander grabs her hand pulling her close to him with his arms around her. They start to grind to an upbeat rhythm.

“What the fuck?!” I’m fuming.

I practically run over to them as I grab Fallon by the arm to pull her out of Zander’s grip. I get up in his face and dare him to bring it. He backs off with his hands in the air, surrendering. I turn, still holding onto Fallon. She starts to protest, yelling at me to let her go. I stop and turn, giving her a look that shuts her up. I turn back and continue on my path. I’m not sure where I’m headed, but I just keep going. I get to a corridor and find a door. I open it and throw her against the wall.

My voice raises. “You were rubbing on Zander like a…”

She cuts me off, “Like a what, Gabriel?”

I grab her face as I throw myself on her. I slam my mouth onto hers and kiss her fiercely. It’s the hottest, most passionate kiss I’ve ever had. I can’t stop. I can feel her heart beating, then she lets out a moan.  I’m suddenly aware of how far this can go if I don’t stop. I end the kiss and look straight into her eyes.

“I can’t,” is all I tell her before I leave the room, slamming the door.

Once back in the corridor, I see Zander standing guard. He looks pissed and asks, “That didn’t take long, brother. Did you get it out of your system?”

I push him against the wall. “I told you not to fucking touch her again.”

“Whoa, Gabriel, you don’t have to worry about me. Fallon’s way too innocent for me to corrupt. I like my women a little bit more experienced.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Zander?”

“First, get your fucking hands off me before I start pushing back. And secondly, innocent as in Fallon is untouched, Gabriel. A virgin.”

I freeze. Zander looks at me like he just ate the fucking canary.

“Oh, I see you didn’t know. This is priceless. My older brother, the great Gabriel, can’t recognize a virgin when he sees one.” He burst out laughing. “Jesus, Gabriel, even Liam knows.”

I turn my head and look back down at the door.

“Just get on with it, Gabriel. Everybody can see how bad you want her, and how bad she wants you. I don’t know why you’re fighting it, but I will tell you this, Gabriel. I like Fallon a lot, and if you hurt her or take the innocence away from her without planning a future with her, I will hurt you in return. Are we clear, brother?”

“Crystal!”

Fallon walks out of the room, and without looking at me she asks Zander if he can bring her home.

I try to reach for her, but she dodges my touch and looks me straight in the eyes.

“No, I got your message loud and clear, Gabriel. I’m done. Zander, please.”

Zander grabs her hand and leads her away.