Gabe slammed Dev’s door shut behind him. His brother was there, behind the desk looking through some paperwork just before dinner on Friday night. “What in the hell does Sabrina know about Emma and Christopher Fitzpatrick?”

Arching a brow, Dev looked up. “That is a very random question.”

“And you know what else is random?” Gabe stalked forward. “Your fiancée bringing up Emma and that bastard earlier.”

A slight frown crossed Dev’s face. “Sabrina shouldn’t know anything about Christopher.”

“Then why would she bring him up?”

“I really don’t have an answer for that.” Dev closed whatever file he was looking over. “Sabrina did know Emma. It’s a good chance she said something to Sabrina.”

“She barely knew Emma. I have no idea if she would’ve told Sabrina what happened to her, but I know damn well she never would’ve told her what happened to Christopher.”

Dev was quiet for a moment. “Sabrina likes to sound like she knows things. I wouldn’t pay any attention to it.”

Gabe wasn’t so sure about that. The way Sabrina had said what she said told Gabe that somehow Sabrina knew that Christopher Fitzpatrick wasn’t simply a missing person.

“Since you’re here—” Dev tossed the closed file across the desk “—you’ll be happy to know that the investigation into our . . . into Lawrence’s death has officially been closed.”

Gabe picked up the file and opened it, flipping through what appeared to be copies of the police report Troy had filed and the autopsy report.

“They now believe that the scratches along his neck came from him possibly changing his mind,” Dev said, sitting back and crossing one leg over the other. “Since there were no wounds or trauma, it has been officially ruled as a suicide.”

Gabe closed the file and dropped it on the desk.

“And the new police chief sends his apologies over the inconvenience of them investigating the death,” Dev continued, smiling slightly. “He’s assured me that the case is truly closed.”

“Even if Stefan continues to push it?”

“If Stefan has any hopes of retaining the Harringtons as donors, then he’ll leave it alone.” Dev glanced at his watch. “It’s nearly time for dinner. Are you joining me?”

He nodded absently, his mind elsewhere. Neither he nor Lucian truly believed that Lawrence de Vincent killed himself and there was a reason they didn’t speak of that suspicion to Dev.

Because there was only one person Gabe believed would’ve killed Lawrence, and it wasn’t their sister Madeline.

Wondering if there was a cold draft in the office, Gabe turned. As he did, he noticed the painting he’d carried upstairs earlier. Dev hadn’t hung it up, but it was propped against the credenza, unwrapped.

It was a painting of Sabrina.

A nude painting.

Jesus.

Nikki couldn’t remember the last time she laughed so much, but her stomach practically ached from doing so and their meal had just arrived.

Her date with Gerald wasn’t going bad at all.

First off, Gerald was definitely as cute as he looked in the pic Rosie had showed her. Come to find out, contrary to Gabe’s smartass mouth, Gerald wasn’t very much older than her. Only six years. Definitely not in Granddad Gerald territory.

He was also funny as hell, and had a knack for telling stories.

And bonus points for the fact he looked nothing like Gabe. Not that she was thinking of Gabe while on her date with Gerald—not at all. Gerald was a blond and his hair was cropped short. He wasn’t as tall or broad as Gabe, but he was taller than her. Well, most people were taller than her, but he would probably only come up to Gabe’s shoulders—

Okay, so she was thinking about Gabe just a little bit.

“So,” he said, picking up his glass. “Rosie was telling me you work for the de Vincents? Like the de Vincents?”

Her eyes widened slightly. Could he read minds? You never knew when it came to the people Rosie hung out with. “Temporarily. My parents have worked for them for years.”

“Man, I bet you guys have seen and heard some stuff.”

She stiffened. “Why do you think that?”

“Because of what they’re called. Their nicknames the magazines use? What are they? Devil? Lucifer. There was one more—damn, I can’t remember.”

“Demon,” she said, sighing. They called Gabe Demon. A weird need to protect them rose. “They really don’t live up to those nicknames the papers give them.”

“They don’t?” He sounded surprised. “That’s kind of disappointing. Sounds sort of badass to be called Lucifer.”

She wasn’t so sure she agreed with that. “It’s funny how the newspapers always focus on rumors and stupid stuff, but never on how much work they do for charities and the millions of dollars they donate.”

“Well, people would rather read about scandals than good deeds.”

Sad but true.

“And the de Vincents have had their fair share of scandal.” He took a drink. “The thing with their father recently? Such a damn shame.”

“It was,” she murmured, wanting to change the subject. “So, you were telling me about Rosie wanting to investigate where you work or something?”

“Ah, yes.” He laughed. “Rosie once convinced me to let her investigate the office building I work in.”

“Oh, no.” She grinned as she cut into her steak. Crescent City Steaks was packed on a Saturday night, with the waiters rushing back and forth between the tables. “I’m sure that didn’t end well.”

“It didn’t. She brought this medium with her. Someone named Princess Silvermoon—”

“No way,” gasped Nikki. “That was not her name.”

He placed his hand to his chest. “Scouts’ honor. That was her name. Princess Silvermoon.”

Laughing, she took a drink of her wine. Scouts’ honor. She liked that. It was cute. Everything about him was cute. He was actually perfect, but . . .

Nikki’s smile faded.

But from the point they met outside, while they waited for their table, ordered the appetizers, and the main course, she waited for that spark. That undeniable attraction that wasn’t just physical, but went beyond that.

The spark hadn’t happened.

Yet.

“So, Princess Silvermoon walked through the first floor and did a reading of the place. She immediately said that there was a young girl there who died of one of the flu outbreaks. The girl ghost was looking for her—”

Her phone rang from inside her purse. Since everyone who would need to get ahold of her knew she was on a date, a kernel of concern blossomed.

“I’m sorry.” She reached for her purse. “Do you mind if I see who this is? My mother has been sick and I just want to make sure it’s not an emergency.”

“It’s okay,” he replied. “Totally fine.”

Smiling, she reached inside her bag and tugged her phone out of its little pocket. Turning it over, she saw that it was a local number, but she didn’t recognize it.

“Is it your family?”

She shook her head as she placed her phone back in her bag, draping the strap over the back of the chair. “No. I actually don’t recognize the number. Must be a wrong number. So back to the ghost girl. What did she want?”

He smiled as he picked up his glass of water. “She was apparently looking for someone to play with.”

“That’s kind of sad.” Nikki heard her phone beep like it received a text or voicemail, but she ignored it.

“It is, but then things got really weird when Silvermoon went upstairs. She claimed that the back office, the one where my boss works, was haunted by a ‘woman of the night.’”

Her lips twitched. “A prostitute?”

“Yep. And apparently, she was a vengeful spirit, having been murdered by one of her customers.”

As Gerald talked, Nikki finished off her steak and found herself looking for the waiter. She could really use another glass of wine. Maybe that would help find the missing spark.

At least temporarily.

Nikki sat back, folding an arm in her lap as she toyed with the stem of her glass. He was really cute. Had a nice smile.

“. . . Then Rosie decided that we just had to do a séance. I don’t even know why I agreed to it. I really shouldn’t have, because my boss walked in about fifteen minutes—”

A shadow fell over their table, and Gerald trailed off. Thinking it was their waiter, she twisted in her seat. The first thing she caught was the fresh, crisp scent of cologne. Warning bells went off as she lifted her chin.

“What in the hell?”

Her jaw hit the floor as she looked up, seeing Gabe standing there. She had to be hallucinating, so she blinked once and then twice. Nope, he was still there.

He was staring—no, glaring at Gerald like he was five seconds from yanking him out of his chair.

“Gabe?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Gabe demanded.

Nikki jolted as her gaze swung toward Gerald. She didn’t understand his reaction. “What are you doing here, Gabe?”

“Is this the guy you said you were going out on a date with?” he asked instead of answering her question. “Gerald?”

“Gabe, what are—?”

Gerald leaned back in his chair. “Wasn’t expecting to see you tonight, Gabriel.”

Nikki turned to Gerald, her stomach twisting with unease. “You know Gabe?” There was no way. When he talked about the de Vincents, he didn’t speak of them as if he was on a first-name basis.

“His name isn’t Gerald,” snapped Gabe, his eyes burning. People at nearby tables were starting to pay attention.

“What?” she whispered, beyond confused. “That’s not your name?”

“It’s my middle name,” Gerald replied, plucking his napkin out of his lap and tossing it on the table. “I’m not lying about my name.”

“Oh, so it’s convenient that you forgot to mention your name is Ross Haid?”

That name meant nothing to Nikki, but she had a really bad feeling about this. “Ross?”

“Ross Gerald Haid.” Gerald slash Ross smiled faintly.

“And you forgot to mention you’re a journalist for the Advocate?”

Everything in Nikki stilled. “A journalist? You told me you were a writer. That’s what Rosie said.”

“A journalist is a writer,” Ross said.

Gabe placed a hand on the back of her chair. “Yeah, a writer for the Advocate, who’s been working on a story about my family.”

Shock splashed through her. “You’re doing a story on them?”

“I am.” His gaze flicked to Gabe. “But that’s not why I wanted to go out with you, Nikki.”

“Bullshit,” Gabe said, voice low. “You’ve been slithering around like a snake these last couple of months. You found out that Nikki was working for us and then you went after her.”

Oh my God.

Nikki sat back in her seat, dumbfounded. There was no way Rosie would’ve known this. No way. She hadn’t been set up on a date. She’d been set up. That was why he started talking about the de Vincents. It wasn’t the normal curiosity one would expect. He’d gone through Rosie to get to her to get to the de Vincents. . . .

Embarrassment washed over her as everything clicked into place. This date—her first get-out-there-and-be-a-normal-woman date—was a freaking disaster in the most unbelievable way.

“You son of a bitch.” Gabe leaned forward, placing his other hand on the table. “You go near Nikki again . . .”

“And what?” There was no mistaking the eagerness in Ross’s tone. “You’re afraid that Nikki might tell me something I can use?”

Something I can use?

Oh hell no.

“You don’t even want to know what will happen,” Gabe warned.

“Are you threatening me?” Ross asked.

“Use that imagination of yours to figure out what it is.”

In the back of her mind, she realized she’d never heard Gabe speak like that, but she was too far beyond pissed for that to truly register.

“Hold up.” Her shoulders squared as she stared across the table. “You asked me out so that you could hopefully glean information out of me on the de Vincents?”

“I wouldn’t say that was the only reason.” His gaze shifted to her.

Gabe made a sound that reminded her an awful lot of an actual growl. She gripped his arm as she rose from her chair. She snatched up her purse and then she extended her middle finger right in Ross’s face. “Fuck you, dude.”

“Hey.” The smile slipped from Ross’s face. “I was being serious. I wasn’t asking you out just because—”

“Shut up,” Gabe growled.

He wasn’t budging, so Nikki tugged on his arm. “Let it go,” she said. “It’s not worth it. He’s not worth it.”

“Oh, I think it would be worth it.” Gabe stared down at Ross. “Way worth it.”

While Nikki sort of wanted to see Ross knocked the hell out, if he really was a reporter, this wouldn’t end well for Gabe. She needed to get him out of here before he did something stupid. “Let’s go,” she whispered. “Please.”

Gabe’s gaze swung to hers and then he pushed off the table, rattling the glasses. “I mean it, Ross. You can have a hard-on for my family, but you stay the fuck away from Nikki. Do you understand me?”

Her heart skipped over itself as Ross bit out, “Oh, I understand perfectly.”

She really had no idea if he did, but Gabe turned and took her hand. Wholly aware of the stares, she kept her gaze glued to Gabe’s back and her mouth shut as he led her around the packed tables and out into the cooler night air.

Once they were outside, Nikki pulled her hand free. She didn’t even know what to say as she turned to look up at Gabe. “That was so embarrassing.”

“Nic—”

“He was using me to get gossip on your family!” She turned, staring back at the entrance, half tempted to storm back in there and smack Ross or whatever his name was across the face. Then she gasped and she whirled back to Gabe. “I didn’t tell him anything. Nothing about—”

“I know.” His jaw softened. “I know you wouldn’t. I didn’t think that for one second, and don’t feel embarrassed. You didn’t know who he was. You did nothing wrong.”

Some of the tension crept out of her shoulders, but she still felt like a flaming idiot. “And there’s no way Rosie knew what he really intended. She would’ve never fixed me up with him if she knew.”

“I believe you.”

Nikki exhaled roughly. That was . . . that was a relief.

“You look absolutely beautiful, by the way.” Gabe faced her, and even in the low light from the restaurant, she could see his gaze sweeping over her. “That dress . . . the hair. Those shoes. Jesus. He really didn’t fucking deserve all of that.”

She flushed as she glanced down at herself. She’d taken time getting ready for tonight. The dress was a sexy one—a simple LBD. A little black dress that hugged her breasts and stomach before flaring out slightly at the hips. The skirt of the dress was loose around her thighs. She’d done her hair, using a wand until the strands fell in loose waves around her face. And she knew her makeup was on point, because she took the time to perfect the smoky eye look and the red pout.

She cleared her throat. “Um, thanks. What happened—?”

“I want you to know that,” he interrupted her. “You look beautiful, Nikki. Too beautiful for Ross, even if he weren’t who he was.”

She didn’t know what to say to that, so she decided it was time to change the subject. “How did you know it was him?”

“I didn’t. Not until I saw him.”

“But why did you come to the restaurant?” she asked.

“I’d tried to call you.”

That was his number? How did he get her phone—wait. He would have her number from her employment papers for tax purposes and all that jazz.

Gabe started walking. “So, you’re probably going to be mad at first but then you’ll thank me later.”

“What?” She caught up to him, which was a feat in the heels she was wearing.

“I had no idea that Gerald was Ross. I was going to interrupt your date and tell you there was an emergency,” he said, glancing down at her. A half grin appeared. “Thought I’d do you a solid and swoop in and save you.”

For the umpteenth time, her mouth dropped open. “You’re joking, right?”

“Nope.”

“You’re telling me you would’ve interrupted my date for no good reason?”

“Well, it turned out to be a damn good reason.”

“But you didn’t know who he was. What if he wasn’t a reporter—”

“What-ifs are stupid, Nic.”

“No they’re not, you asshole.” Someone passing them by shot them a look, but Nikki was beyond caring. “You have got to be kidding me.”

He was grinning—actually grinning at her. “I’m not kidding. Let’s pretend that wasn’t Ross, the dirtbag reporter who just wanted to use you. What if he was just Gerald? He’s lame as fuck and you look way too hot to be sitting in there with him.”

Nikki stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, spun, and smacked his arm—smacked it hard.

“Ouch.” He laughed, and he really laughed. Tipping his head back and letting loose. “Told you. Said you were going to be angry at first.”

“I’m pissed,” she seethed. “What is wrong with you?”

“Did you drive yourself?” he asked, not even fazed.

“No. I took an Uber. I hate driving anywhere in the city on a Saturday night.”

“Awesome.” He started walking again, leading her toward Toulouse Street. “I’ll take you home.”

“You’re not taking me anywhere.” She reached for her purse. “I can’t believe you. I honestly—”

“What are you doing?”

“Ordering a car.” She stopped.

“No, you’re not.”

“Oh, yes I am,” she snapped, digging around in her purse. It didn’t matter that her date was a front for a damn reporter. Gabe had come there to ruin her date, not save her.

“If you don’t start walking, I will throw you over my shoulder and carry you to where I’m parked in a garage.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

He stared down at her. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

As much as it annoyed her, he didn’t. “No.”

“That’s what I thought.” He sounded so, so smug. “If you behave and don’t try to hit me, I’ll stop and get you a smoothie.”

“If I behave?” She glared daggers at him. “I’m not a child, Gabe.”

“I know you’re not a child.” He slowed his steps to match hers. “And telling you to behave does not mean what you think it does.”

She didn’t even know what he meant by that. “I’m going to ninja kick you in the back of the head.”

He laughed as they came to an intersection. “You couldn’t even reach the back of my head.”

Ugh.

That was true.

But that didn’t mean she didn’t want to try.

Nikki was torn between being beyond confused by his appearance and furious as they crossed the road. “Why did you do this?” she asked, glancing up at him. “If you didn’t know who Gerald really was, then why did you do this?”

The street lamps cast a soft glow along his cheekbones. He was quiet for a moment. “I was at the workshop and I was sitting there, thinking about what you said on Friday about why you wanted to go out on a date. About how you weren’t looking for a relationship, but you’d be interested in a hookup if that was what happened.”

Nikki’s brows pulled together as she frowned. “I’m pretty sure that’s not exactly what I said.”

“But that’s what you meant.”

Her hand tightened on the strap of her purse. “And?”

“And I didn’t like it.”

She was absolutely dumbfounded. So much so that she didn’t speak as they walked into the silent, shadowy parking garage. Because Gabe must’ve made a deal with the devil, somehow he’d gotten a parking space on the first level.

Her heels clicked on the cement, echoing around them. “I don’t understand this—understand you at all.”

His steps slowed. “I think you do. You just don’t want to acknowledge it.”

“No,” she said. “I honestly do not understand this.”

He didn’t speak until they reached his car at the very back of the parking garage. “Are we going to pretend that nothing happened between us at the workshop? Is that what we’re going to do?”

She stopped as he opened up the passenger door for her. “I . . . I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re lying.” He took her purse from her and placed it on the seat.

Nikki was, because she was comfortable with pretending like that didn’t happen. It was safe.

He turned to her. “I know you felt how into you I was standing behind you.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she thanked God that it was too dark in there for him to see her blush. “You’re a guy. You all get turned on if the wind hits you the right way.”

Gabe laughed. “I wish that was true, but it isn’t. And you know that—you knew exactly what I was feeling, because you were feeling the same.”

Her heart stuttered in her chest. There was no way she could admit that. It didn’t matter what they mutually had been feeling. “I’m not interested in you anymore.”

“Bullshit.”

Nikki gasped. “Your arrogance really has no limit.”

“It’s not arrogance.” He stepped into her, forcing her to step back until she bumped into the side of his car. “And it has nothing to do with what happened between us before you left for college.”

“Everything has to do with that,” she snapped. “Everything.”

He stared down at her. “Okay. Let’s say it does. Even so, it doesn’t change one fact.”

“And what is that?”

“You went out with that guy when you’d rather have been with me.”

Her eyes just about popped out of her head. A thousand denials rose to the tip of her tongue, but Gabe moved so fast that it wasn’t until he had her turned around, her back pressed to his front, that she realized what he was up to.

“What are you doing?” she asked as he curled an arm around her waist.

“Proving what I just said.”

Her wild gaze darted around the parking garage. “You do not need to prove anything.”

“Oh, I think I do.” His hips brushed her rear, and yep, she felt him. No denying that. “You still want me. You probably never stopped wanting me.”

“Are you drunk?” she gasped.

“I haven’t had a single drink all day. It’s not like that night.”

The implications of what he said made her shudder. So did the hand that coursed over her hip. “Gabe.”

“You tell me to stop and I will.”

Her lips parted. She needed to tell him to stop, because she knew that whatever was happening right now was going to change everything between them, and she knew this time there wouldn’t be any repairing the damage it would wreak on their friendship . . . and possibly her life.

This blurred too many lines for her, and especially after learning what had happened to Emma, this wasn’t smart at all. Because no matter what, his heart belonged to someone else, and what did that leave her with?

Just this, whatever this was.

She still didn’t tell him to stop.

His breath danced over her temple. “You have no idea what I wanted to do when you said you had a date. Well, maybe you’re getting a good idea of what that was now.” His fingers reached the hem of her skirt. “And maybe this is crazy. I don’t care.”

“You should care,” she whispered, her heart thundering.

“Then tell me to stop.” His lips brushed her temple, causing her to gasp. “You still haven’t.”

Nikki hadn’t.

She had no idea how she started off her evening with one guy and was now getting pleasantly fondled by Gabe de Vincent in a parking garage.

Other than once this past week, she hadn’t even dared to let herself fantasize something like this.

His chuckle was deep and rumbled through her. “That’s because you don’t want me to, but Ross? Even if he wasn’t a fucking dick?”

She couldn’t breathe as his hand slipped under the skirt of her dress and ran up her thigh. The calluses on his hand drove her crazy.

“He wouldn’t even have gotten this far with you.” Those fingers trailed up to the thin slip of material curving over her hip. “Would he?”

No, he wouldn’t have.

“Answer me, Nic.” He hooked a finger around the side of her thong.

She drew in a stuttered breath. “No. He wouldn’t have.”

His lips brushed the lobe of her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. “And why is that?”

Her throat was dry. “There was no spark.”

“Why?” He tugged hard on her thong and her hips jerked as he snapped each side.

Holy shit.

Gabe pulled the material away, and she had no idea what he did with her ruined undies at that point. “Why was there no spark, Nic?”

She could barely think as his hand slid across her lower belly and then dipped, coming so, so close to where she throbbed. “It just wasn’t there.”

“Now, that’s not the reason.” His fingers stilled. “Tell me why there wasn’t a spark and I’ll show you what a spark is.”

Her chest was heaving as she swallowed hard. “He wasn’t . . . he wasn’t you.”

“That’s my girl.” His fingers slipped between her thighs, wringing a gasp out of her.

Oh God, this was really happening. Gabe was touching her and they were in the middle of a parking garage. Anyone could walk up on them, but she didn’t even care. The only thing she could focus on was Gabe, on the heated sensations he was building in her and the swelling in her chest.

She had wanted him for so long.

Always wanted him.

“Fuck, you’re so wet,” he growled.

Her knees felt weak as she started to press her legs together.

“Don’t. Don’t do that.” He nipped at her ear, causing her to gasp. “I love it.”

She kept her legs open.

“Do you know what I wanted to do the night in the shop? It’s all I’ve been thinking about.” He dragged his finger through the wetness, teasing her. “I wanted to bend you over and fuck you so hard you wouldn’t even think about going out on a date with another man.”

Oh God.

“Can’t do that, though.” His finger circled her clit. “But you know what we can do?”

“What?” she whispered, her eyes darting around the garage.

He leaned away from her and she felt his hand at his waist. She heard his zipper coming down, and then he pressed into her.

Nikki’s body quivered—actually quivered. She felt him against her rear, hard and thick and bare. A seed of panic took root. “Condom—”

“We’re not having sex, Nic.” His hips moved against her ass. “Trust me.”

And with that, he sunk his finger into her.

Nikki’s entire body arched as he went as deep as he could. It was nothing like when she did it. Oh hell no, this was something else entirely.

His curse was a heated breath against her as he twisted the rough skin of his palm against the most sensitive part of her. He moved his hips behind her, dragging his cock up and down her ass as he added another finger, stretching her. She jerked in response, eyes widening.

Gabe’s fingers stilled. “Am I hurting you?”

“No,” she gasped. “It’s just . . . it’s been a while.”

“I can tell.”

Could he really? But that thought disappeared as his fingers started moving again. She was completely at his will as she curled one hand over his arm, digging her nails into his skin as she planted her other hand against the side of his Porsche.

Her thoughts were spinning. Her body was coiling tight. There was no holding herself back. She was moving against him, riding his hand just like she’d fantasized.

“That’s it.” His voice was almost guttural, a tone she’d never heard from him before. “Fuck my fingers.”

His words scorched her skin, and maybe tomorrow she’d be embarrassed by them, but tonight, those words turned her on. Her blood turned to lava and every point of her body seemed to be tightening all at once. His fingers pumped inside her as he thrust against her ass. He must’ve felt her start to come and known she wasn’t going to be able to be quiet. His hand folded over her mouth, muffling her cries as she came.

Ripples of pleasure were still coursing throughout her as Gabe made this deep sound that came from the back of his throat. He ground against her, stilling as his entire body shuddered. She felt him then, pulsing against the cheek of her ass as she rested her head on his chest.

All Nikki knew was that they both were out of their minds.