Wow, I did it. I told Gabriel, right? Oh shit, I made dinner plans with Liam. At least I think I did. I go downstairs to inform Catherine and the kitchen I will not be dining in tonight, then retreat upstairs as quickly as I can. I don’t want to be hounded by Catherine with questions about my progress with Gabriel. I don’t know what she’d do if she knew I turned him down.

A few hours later, I’m ready for my dinner date with Liam. I’m wearing the prettiest off the shoulder black lace dress, with a flirty pleated skirt, short but classy. Jeffery knocks on my door to let me know Liam is waiting downstairs for me.

I descend the stairs to where I’m greeted with an overly happy Liam.

He whistles. “Well, hello, Ms. Fallon. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

“And might I say, my brother is a loser.”

“What? He told you? Don’t tell Catherine, please.”

“Don’t worry, she’s not here. And I wouldn’t anyway. Are you ready?”

“Yes, thank you, Liam.”

“For what?”

“For not telling Catherine. I mean if she were here.”

“I figure some things, Mom shouldn’t be allowed to interfere in. A proposal is definitely one.”

“A proposal? Is that what he calls it?”

“Afraid so. Shall we go?”

“Lead the way.”

We walk out of the mansion, and Liam has driven a truck, like, a big ass truck.

“Liam, how am I supposed to get in that thing?”

“Oh, you mean my baby? Well, I’ll lift you. I could’ve brought my car, but I figured what would be the fun in that? At least this way when I lift you up, I get to touch you and Gabriel can’t say shit about it. After all, you are a damsel in distress. Right?”

I can’t help laughing. “Well, aren’t you a clever boy. Who says chivalry is dead?”

“Gabriel would still want to kick my ass, but I’m willing if you are.”

He winks at me, and we both laugh.

Once Liam has finished molesting my body trying to get me in his truck with a dress on, in which I am sure some things became exposed, he jumps in like it was nothing.

“Hey, Fallon, nice panties.”

I slap his arm, then wink back at him. He brings out the young girl in me. With Liam, I feel carefree. He’s such a good guy. He’s about three years older than me, and it makes me think. I wish I would’ve fallen for him, but I know I couldn’t; he’s more like a brother to me. I feel like we could get into a lot of trouble together and Catherine would ground us.

Liam gets my attention by saying, “I’ve made a reservation for us at an Italian restaurant. Is that okay?”

“That sounds great. I’m so glad you called. I really needed to get out tonight.”

“I figured. Hey, Fallon, you know you can’t use me against Gabriel, right?”

“Liam, I would never. I promise. We’re friends, and I enjoy our time together, that’s all. Besides, I would use Zander.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“Because I figure Zander likes being used by women and pushing Gabriel’s buttons.”

“Boy, you have us all figured out, huh?”

“Not all, but I like each one of you differently.”

“Well, we like you too. We’re here.”

We obnoxiously pull up to valet parking in this monstrous truck. The valet comes around to open my door and help me down. But, all of a sudden, Liam has him pinned to the side of the truck, telling him he dare not touch me; geez, maybe the arrogance and possessiveness do run in the family bloodline. After Liam finishes groping me again to get me out, we walk into the restaurant. Immediately, Liam is spotted and ushered to a table where the hostess gives me a nasty look. What is it with all these women?

“Liam, that hostess just gave me a look like she wants to scratch my eyes out. You wouldn’t happen to know why, would you?”

“Well, I kind of slept with her a couple of weeks back.”

“Oh, great.”

“If it bothers you, I can explain to her you’re my sister-in-law, then I’m sure she’d be fine.”

“Your what?”

“You know, sister-in-law.”

“Liam, I’m not, and I’m not going to be. I told Gabriel no.”

“OK, whatever, we all know that’s bullshit. It’s already a done deal; you have no choice, just like Gabriel had no choice the minute he saw you. You were both done for.”

“He doesn’t love me, Liam.”

“He doesn’t know if he does. But I know, just like I know you have already fallen in love with him.”

“Love was not supposed to be part of it.”

“Is that what Mother said? Really, Fallon? Do you think my mother would bring you here without testing the waters?”

I think back, and I guess she did; the poker game.

“Gabriel won’t allow himself to care for me. I know you all know why I’m here. He does, and for that reason he won’t give me his heart.”

“That’s right, but he’s wrong. He won’t ever allow you out of his sight now. He has never been this possessive with any other girl before. So, what he would like to portray and what he wants are two different things. He will come around, and if I’m not wrong, he will be around shortly.”

“Liam, what did you do? Did you tell him to come?”

“No, I would never betray you like that. But I know my brother, and I know he has figured out by now where we are. It won’t be too long before he is storming in here, looking for you. So, I hope you don’t mind, but I planned a date with that hostess for later tonight.”

“You didn’t?”

“Oh, yes, I did.”

“Liam, what if you’re wrong? Or what if I don’t want him here?”

“Damn, you kids are going to drive us all crazy. I allowed enough time before my date to take you home. Remember, I’m a gentleman.”

“I don’t know about that anymore, but you are most definitely a Stern, through and through.”

“Well, thank you, Mrs. Future Stern.”

We stare at each other for a minute, both daring the other to blink. Then Liam announces, “Here he is. It’s showtime!”

I turn, and sure enough Gabriel is headed straight for our table.

“Oh, shit!”

Liam speaks first. “Gabriel, it’s so good to see you, but I’m sure you’re aware I’m on a date, so please go away.”

“Ah, Liam, so lovely to see you, too, and with such a beautiful date. How did you ever score this one?”

As he sits at our table, he watches me carefully, like waiting to see if I’m apologetic, which I am not.

Liam laughs and answers, “I simply asked her. Remember, Gabriel: ask, and you shall receive.”

Gabriel’s head turns to face Liam, and I hear a growl. Is he trying to warn Liam off?

“Really, Liam? Ask? OK, I will politely ask you to leave now. I have it from here on out.”

The fucking nerve!

“Gabriel, I believe you are interfering with my date with Liam, so if you would politely leave, that would be great.”

“Not happening, wifey.”

“Do not call me that. I gave you my answer and returned your ring. We have nothing left to discuss. Please leave.”

Liam stands and breaks our staring contest.

“OK, well, that’s my cue to give you two some alone time for a minute. But don’t take too long, and don’t cause a ruckus. I would hate to have to bring my date somewhere else. As much as I like seeing Fallon’s pretty panties, I didn’t think the whole truck thing out.”

Gabriel turns and says, “You brought her here in your truck with a dress on?”

“Yeah, sure did. Fallon thought it was very chivalrous of me to help her in, but we both know, Gabriel, she’s got a great ass.”

Gabriel jumps up out of the chair as fast as lightning and swings at Liam. Liam shifts and Gabriel misses.

“You have to be quicker than that, Gabriel. I was expecting it, and if you wouldn’t have tried, I’d be ashamed of you. I will give you two a minute.”

Once Liam is out of sight, Gabriel turns to me and says, “Grab your purse, and let’s go.”

“No.”

“What the fuck you mean, NO?!”

“I mean no. I’m on a date with Liam. I was enjoying myself before you showed up.”

“OK, Fallon, I am getting tired of this shit. Grab your purse, or I will do it for you. We are leaving right now, together.”

“Gabriel, you are not my friend, not my boyfriend, and not my husband, so I don’t have to obey you.”

Gabriel looks sinister and bends down to whisper to me, “Obey? That sounds good coming out of your mouth. And by the way, I am your husband – even without the priest announcing it – and baby, you will beg to obey me.”

I look up at him and ask, “Cocky much?”

“Yes, yes, I am. Now get your shit! Don’t try me, Fallon. I’ve had enough. Either you get out of that chair and walk, or I will throw you over my shoulder and make a scene.”

“Fine, but I’m hungry, so I guess you’ll have to feed me.”

Gabriel pompously says, “See, you’re already begging.”

He smiles and pulls back my chair. As I stand, I say, “Asshole!”

“Yep, but I’m making your dreams come true, and now I’m your asshole. Walk!”

I tried. I really, really tried not to go. I found out a couple of hours ago where Liam was taking Fallon tonight. I fought it for as long as I could, but I followed anyway. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I even went as far as to try to get laid tonight so I could put it out of my mind. That was an epic failure, as I flirted and sealed the deal with a kiss. I knew what was supposed to follow with the pretty blonde, but during the kiss I couldn’t. It’s not like the girl wasn’t pretty or sexy; just nothing would happen. It’s like my dick went on strike.

It’s Fallon. It’s her fault I crave her like no other, and since I got that stupid note telling me, “NO!”, it’s like she destroyed my ego...maybe that’s it. Maybe my ego was crushed a little – but fuck, I can’t allow her to get away with it. I want to see what happens when I’m around her again. Will the heat I felt for her still be there after her rejection, or will it just be a bad night? Or is it just an excuse to see her again? I don’t know, but I got to get to her now.

I get to the restaurant, and I see them sitting at a table in what seems like a romantic spot. I will not kill my brother, is what I keep repeating in my head over and over as I walk towards them.

Liam spots me first and just smiles, looking like the devil himself, then Fallon turns. I can tell from here the recognition sparks fear in her eyes. She has no idea what she does to me – but then again, does she?

Once I’ve been greeted, words are exchanged; nothing I want to deal with. I just watch Fallon until my brother mentions his truck and having to help her in. He adds that she has a great ass. The bastard knew that would send me off the deep end, but he still pushed. I couldn’t take anymore, and I swung at Liam. Not something that would ever occur for me to do, but again, this is Fallon we’re talking about. One way or another, she always has me off my game.

Once she finally listens to me and gets her ass off the fucking chair, I take her out of there as fast as I can. I don’t even wait for the valet driver; I continue with my hand on her elbow, leading her to my car.

I open the door and tell her to get in the car. She looks at me with hate in her eyes.

“No!”

“Fallon, don’t make me –”

She cuts me off. “Ask me nicely.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, be a gentleman, like Liam. Ask me to get in the car.”

This girl is driving me crazy. I stare at her to see how far she is willing to pull this shit, then I realize very fast she is dead serious.

“Fallon, would you please let me take you somewhere for a nice dinner?”

“Why, yes, Gabriel, I would love to have dinner with you. All you had to do was ask.”

She sits in the car and waits for me to close the door. I do, then go around to my side, thinking if I hear about this asking shit one more time, I’m going to explode.

I drive us silently to another restaurant. We say nothing to each other on the drive. When we arrive, I excuse the valet driver and go around to open Fallon’s door. I take her hand and lead her inside. I’m instantly recognized; the owner, Gio, comes to greet me at the entrance. He apologizes for not having a table ready. I tell him I understand, because I hadn’t made a reservation. Bringing Fallon here was not part of the plan, but she wanted to eat, and I want to watch her handle herself in this kind of situation. See, I brought her to a restaurant that isn’t advertised and no one can enter unless invited in. This building holds some of New Orleans’ best and worst criminals. Men who gather to relax and possibly discuss business; this should be interesting. I have never brought a woman here. Never. But if Fallon wants in my life, I’m going to give her a taste of it right now.  

As I lead Fallon to the bar to wait for a table, I’m waved over by an old family friend who over the years has sort of been a father figure to all of us. His name is Theodore Trahan, and he’s the boss over most of the parishes in and outside of New Orleans. He has a lot of reach, and he’s perfect to start with. Fallon should be able to tell he’s not a man who is led by a pretty face. Maybe I should be worried about having her here, but I’m not. Even though I’m not a boss of any so-called organization, no one will ever fuck with me. They know not to, so I know she’ll be safe, but she doesn’t know that. Plus, even though they’re bosses, they all in some way answer to my mother and very soon me.

I put a hand on Fallon’s lower back and lead her to Theo’s table.

I lean in to shake hands with him. “Hello, Theo.”

“Hello, Gabriel. Who is this lovely woman you have here?”

“Fallon, this is Theodore Trahan. He is an important man here in New Orleans and the surrounding areas. Theodore, this is my fiancée, Fallon St. Martin.”

“Boy, you’re shitting me!”

He breaks out into a full laugh until Fallon interrupts him by saying, “Mr. Trahan, I guarantee you he is indeed shitting you. I am not his fiancée. In fact, I was his brother’s date for the evening until he rudely intruded and stole me away.”

He stares at her, baffled and thrown off. I then realize I’m not the only one she can surprise with her wit. Damn. She has him; I can tell. He breaks into a full laugh again and asks us to join him and his friends at their table. Before I can respond, he stands and pulls out a chair for Fallon right beside his chair.

She smiles at him and says, “Thank you, Mr. Trahan. We would love to join you. It’s very polite of you to offer.”

“Fallon, please call me Theo. All my friends do, and I hope we can become great friends.”

Shit, he’s a goner.

I tell him, “Theo, we’d love to join you until our table is ready. Fallon and I have lots to discuss.”

Fallon giggles a little and says, “Yes, Mr. Theo, I’m so happy to join you. I am sure you’ve saved me at least an hour of boredom.”

“Fallon tsk, tsk. Please, no Mister; just Theo, OK?”

He then looks up at me, laughing, and says, “Gabriel, I do believe you have your hands full with this one.”

I roll my eyes and answer, “You have no idea.”

Fallon lays her hand on Theo’s arm and says, “He has his hands full of nothing when it comes to me.”

Now she has the whole table erupting into laughter.

“Fallon, this is my son Teddy, and some of my other friends, Ernest and Forrest,” he informs her of all the men around the table but doesn’t introduce the two women sitting on the laps of his friends.  

She surprises me again by saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you, but isn’t it rude not to introduce these lovely women?”

You can tell it surprises Theo, too, because he answers, “I’m sorry, Fallon, but I’m afraid these are not the kind of women I should introduce to a lady. They are simply the hired help.”

Fallon’s back stiffens as she stands to reach over the table to shake the women’s hands, asking their names and introducing herself to them. She then looks at Theo and says, “I’m sure, Theo, to a lot of ladies you would be a dangerous man to be introduced to as well. As you can see, I am not most ladies. A working girl is simply handling her business, just like you gentlemen handle yours.”

Theo is taken aback. I can’t tell if he is trying to figure out if it is an act of defiance or if she is just that polite or stupid. Either way, he chooses to ignore it. I, on the other hand, am extremely impressed. I can’t seem to stop looking at her until I hear Teddy ask, “So, Gabriel, which is it? Is Fallon your fiancée or not?”

“She is.”           

“I am not!”

We answer both at the same time.

I inform them, “Looks like this will be our main discussion tonight, boys.”

They all start laughing, then I notice Teddy is now looking at Fallon with desire in his eyes. I grip her hand under the table, and she turns to look at me with a questioning glance.

Theo takes notice of his son’s glaring eyes and shuts it down quick with, “Son, kindly take your eyes off Gabriel’s woman. If he doesn’t kill you tonight for the way you’re looking at her, then Catherine will have both our balls in a vise. And son, I still have a use for my balls.” He then returns his eyes to me. “Gabriel, how is your beautiful mother? That woman never ages.”

I answer, “Mother is well. I will tell her you asked about her; she will be glad to hear it.”

“Ah, you know Catherine?” Fallon asks.

“Fallon, I think the whole world knows Catherine Stern. That woman is to be adored and feared. I would have married that woman if Gabriel’s father hadn't locked her down so quick. I never did see what she saw in him. Sorry, Gabriel, no offense.”

“None taken.”

He looks as if he is taken back in time, and I know that look too well. Men have always hungered for mother. I’m starting to realize that’s the way men look at Fallon, including myself.

Theo clears his throat and says, “Gabriel, I would like to discuss a little business, if you don’t mind, before your table is ready.”

The hired girls stand and walk off. Fallon notices, and she also goes to stand, but I squeeze her hand and refuse to let go.

“Stay,” I tell her. Then I tell them, “She stays.”

Fallon relaxes, my hand softens its hold, but I feel hers’ tighten.

“Are you sure, Gabriel?” Theo asks.

“Yes, she’s to be my wife. There will be no need for her to leave.”

Theo nods. “We seem to have a problem locating a business associate of ours. He could be a problem for me and my friends, if you understand my meaning. We would like you to have Zander locate him for us. I’ll have Teddy call you tomorrow with all the information we have on him. The deal will be on the same terms as always. I hope this will be a speedy recovery.”

“Theo, as always, I will do my best. I’ll wait for Teddy’s call and keep you updated.”

Theo goes on, “One more thing, I have a money issue with your neighboring casino. I loaned him a great deal of money, and I’m now having an issue collecting it. I was wondering, since it is your field of expertise, if you could suggest something. It seems like our friend is dying, and well, what do I do?”

“I understand your issue; we have a similar problem. I’m working on things on my end, but as you said, he’s dying. I’m not sure what can be done. He’s been a loyal friend over the years to Mom, so for now we are going to do nothing.”

Fallon clears her throat. She looks like she is about to explode.

“Excuse me, but I was thinking, if Gabriel can’t send Zander out for this particular job, then maybe Gabriel would be willing to purchase your loan. Of course, at a discounted percentage. That would leave you happy, recouping some of your money, and it leaves you with one less problem.”

“Gabriel, son, would you be willing to buy my loan and then handle the problem yourself?”

I look at Fallon...what is she up to?

“Send the information through Teddy tomorrow, and I’ll consider it.” He looks at Fallon and asks, “So, little lady, how is this beneficial to the Stern family?”

“The way I see it, Gabriel will be doing you a great favor, which in return can one day be very beneficial to us. Presently, you have no interest in the casino business; it’s not the type of business a man like you should be involved in, too much publicity. However, for us, it gives us the advantage to take over a competitor.  Overall it’s a win-win.”

He cracks up laughing again. “Gabriel, if you don’t marry this one, I will let Teddy pursue her. She reminds me so much of your mother. It would be a shame to let this one pass through your fingers.”

Right when I’m about to speak and tell Theo to go to hell, Gio walks up and announces that our table is ready. I stand to shake hands with Theo, then do the same with the rest. I pull Fallon’s chair out for her to stand. All the men now stand. Theo grabs Fallon’s hand and pulls her in for a kiss on the cheek, and I notice he whispers in her ear.

I then lead her away.