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  Tim was apparently getting his orders. He shut the phone and spoke quietly to the rest of ‘team Gabriel.’ After that he turned to us. “We’re going back.” The men were already getting back into the vans and SUVs. My delegation climbed back into the van, Randy driving this time. Luis had been taken in one of the Gabriel SUVs.

  “Wait,” I said uselessly. “I don’t …” But it didn’t matter. No one listened. Some gift I had. I rolled my eyes and sighed, buckling myself into the back seat. I would have given one of my internal organs for some Advil. Maybe a kidney, I mused as I closed my eyes and we headed back to St. Paul.

  The return trip seemed to go very quickly, probably because I was nervous. Gabriel had sounded truly pissed over the phone, and it made me edgy. What would he do to me? And why had they cuffed Luis? Obviously the mighty Gabriel’s protection was more important than mine. What did they do to people who threatened the beloved Gabriel? Draw and quarter? If my head didn’t hurt so much, I’d bang it against the window. I had been so stupid! I knew that they all loved him, so what did I think would happen if someone threatened him? Would Gabriel believe that I had just been kidding?

  Once back at the Hill House, I was taken directly inside and hustled up to the room where I had met with Gabriel earlier. Two black shirted men, one of whom was Tim the blond, flanked me. I was so scared that I was shaking as they took me inside.

  This time Gabriel was on the phone, although as he saw us, he ended the call quickly. He walked over to me, giving me an unreadable look before dismissing the two ‘guards.’

  I worried at my lower lip as I looked at him. He reached out and lifted my chin, tipping it so he could see my face better. He was looking increasingly angry, and although I wasn’t under his spell completely, I could feel his anger and a large section of me trembled with it.

  He pushed the button on his desk, snapping, “Get Si in here immediately.”

  I said softly, “I wasn’t serious about running you over.”

  He spun and looked at me. “I know. Don’t worry about it.” He looked deep in thought. “This isn’t the first time someone has attacked someone else for what they consider a threat against me. I have to stop it, but I need to do it carefully.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to forfeit all my protection.” He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “I’ve had more death threats than you’d imagine for someone so beloved.”

  He took my arm and urged me to sit on the couch. “You have had death threats? But how?”

  “Some people are threatened by my rise to power and are perhaps trying to protect their own powerbase. I am working to meet with them, which will take care of the problem, but I’m not sure a sniper from a distance wouldn’t be able to kill me before I could, well, change his mind.”

  “Oh,” I said.

  “I’m sorry you were hurt. Although I will figure something out to stop this sort of thing from happening, you might want to watch what you say until I do.” Maybe I was being entranced, but I nodded.

  “Where is Si?” He frowned, looking at the door.

  “Why did you call for him? I mean, if it’s for me, then you don’t have to—”

  “Stop it,” he said, and immediately I stopped. Damn. Was I more susceptible because I was hurt? Or was his pull getting stronger? “You look like hell.”

  “I do?” I asked, surprised.

  “You obviously haven’t seen a mirror. If you want, there’s one in the bathroom, if you feel up to it.” This tentative manner of his was endearing. Oh God. No. I don’t like him, I chanted to myself. He helped me up and held my elbow to get me to the bathroom. As I glanced at myself in the mirror, I understood his concern. I was relatively hideous. Blood had smeared across my cheek, which was coloring almost as I looked, becoming darker by the moment. My eye was swollen, and the shadow of a black eye was blossoming across it. “Wow,” I said, gently touching my cheek, not actually believing the reflection was mine. “I am a fright.”

  “No, but the man who did this is—”

  I turned quickly to face him, ignoring the slight dizziness that the move caused. “It’s not his fault. Like you said, he was just trying to protect you. I don’t want you to do anything to him.”

  Gabriel shook his head, and I was struck anew by his beauty. Grrrr. I don’t like him; I don’t like him. “I’m not really in the habit of doing what other people want.” He said easily, but with a mild edge. “I doubt I’m going to start now.”

  After a knock, Si came in, looking concerned. Gabriel briefly explained what had happened to me and that he wanted Si to make sure I wasn’t damaged. I rolled my eyes and regretted it immediately as my head throbbed.

  Dr. English felt gently across my cheek, asked questions, shined a light into my eyes, and manipulated my jaw and nose. Eventually he turned to Gabriel, who was watching silently. “I don’t think anything is broken. Her cheekbone might be cracked, but there isn’t really anything I could do for that anyway. I could certainly take her and x-ray it if you wish.”

  “No,” Gabriel said. “She’s in pain. Can you safely give her something for that?”

  “Certainly.” Dr. Si looked in the bag he had brought and took out a bottle of pills. Before he gave me one, he quizzed me about drug reactions, allergies, and asked my weight. I answered a little dully, wanting to just grab the little pill and toss it in my mouth. I’m not all that great with pain.

  Finally he was satisfied, and he gave me two white pills to take. I went back into the bathroom that adjoined the office and closed the door, taking the pills with water. I came out to see that Dr. English had left.

  There were three black shirted men in the room now with Gabriel. One of them was Tim. The other two I didn’t know. Gabriel pointed to me. “See that woman? I don’t want anyone else to put his or her hands on her again. I don’t care what she says or does, she is not to be hurt.” He looked at me. “Would you still like to return to Catfish now, or stay and go back tomorrow?”

  I really, really wanted to go home, but I kept my voice relaxed. “I’d rather head back today, thanks.”

  “In this I will accede to your wishes.”

  That reminded me of Luis. I had to talk Gabriel out of hurting him or punishing him in any way, assuming he hadn’t already done something. I felt sick at the thought. “Can I talk to you privately?” I asked meaningfully.

  He nodded to the men, telling them to wait for me outside. Gabriel crossed his arms across his chest, going back to the desk and leaning against it, his legs crossed at the ankle. He was the picture of ease. “What is it you want to talk to me about?”

  I took a deep breath. “Please don’t do anything to Luis,” I said in a rush. “Well, actually maybe you could tell him I don’t really want to kill you and not to hit me again for that,” I added lamely.

  He considered me. “Why?”

  “Well, because I think being hit once is enough,” I said, deliberately misunderstanding him.

  He knew I was stalling. He didn’t say anything, just waited.

  “Because I feel responsible for him,” I said finally.

  Suddenly he asked, “Is he your boyfriend?”

  He was using the tone that seemed to work with me, and again, I responded immediately and without thought. “No.”

  He didn’t seem sure if I had been truthful or not. I was absurdly glad he didn’t realize how he could get to me. “He’s a nice person, though, or he was until he fell under your sway.”

  “How badly do you want this?” he asked nonchalantly.

  “What? I don’t understand what you’re asking,” I said carefully, sensing a trap.

  “I am willing to do this for you, but you’ll owe me.” He smiled, and I felt the twin emotions of anger and fascination for him. I thought I might just split apart eventually.

  “What exactly will I owe?” I asked as coldly as I could.

  “I don’t know yet. I’ll let you know when I decide,” he said.

  I glowered at him. “Are you really telli
ng me I have to bargain for you to leave Luis alone?”

  “Yes,” he said.

  “Why are you doing this to me?” I asked, somewhat bewildered.

  He smiled, but didn’t answer. “What is your decision?”

  I had no choice, and I knew it. Part of me suspected that he had never meant to hurt Luis, but when I asked him to spare him, he had taken advantage of it. It went against the grain to have a favor to this man out there hanging over my head, but now, if I said no, he’d hurt Luis for sure. Or would he? Was he bluffing?

  He glanced at his watch deliberately, and I knew I had to decide. I couldn’t take the chance that he was decent. I nodded. “I’ll owe you.”

  “In the meantime, Luis will remain as my guest,” he said.

  “What? That wasn’t part of the—”

  “I won’t hurt him. I want to talk to him, however.” He saw I was going to argue, and spoke before I could. “It might help me decide how I can stop this from happening again in the future to others.”

  I grudgingly agreed.

  He smiled and walked closer to me. “So now you owe me. I’ll have to consider what form I would like that to take,” he taunted. He was too close, but I refused to back up. On the other hand, I kept my eyes on his chin, refusing to meet his eyes in case I lost myself. He noticed, apparently. “Madde. I didn’t think you were such a coward.”

  Without meaning to, I looked up at him, my expression hard. This time, however, he was the one to look dazed. He blinked a couple of times. His hand came up and almost took hold of my chin, but then he frowned and stilled, his hand still one inch from my face. He swallowed and deliberately stepped away from me. He gave me an appraising look, and I resisted the urge to taunt him.

  “You know, if you weren’t hurt, I would …” He cut himself off. He took another step back. “Go, Madde. Right now. Go.”

  I found myself on the other side of the closed door before I realized he had bewitched me again. Damn that man.

  Chapter 12: Homecoming

  The second trip home to Catfish was much quieter than the first. The three men, including Tim, were to be my new bodyguards. I hadn’t realized that until we got there and they informed me of it. I tried to tell them to go back with the others, but they refused, and I knew I wouldn’t talk them into it. Whatever persuasive power I had, it paled next to Gabriel’s.

  It was late when we got back, but that didn’t stop the others in the delegation from singing Gabriel’s praises to anyone who would listen. It was as if they had found religion, only Gabriel was their god. I stayed quiet and in the back. Tucker was the first one to come to me and ask what I thought of Gabriel with a resigned look in his eyes. He assumed I would be saying the same thing. Instead, I pulled him a little aside, trying to get out of earshot of Tim, who was taking the first shift on guard duty.

  “He’s a difficult man to dislike,” I said carefully, fully aware that if I said too much, I’d be putting Tucker in line for a good brainwashing. “We can talk later.” Then, a little louder, I said, “I think it would be to our benefit to join with him, while still retaining our independence. He says he’d honor that, and I think that’s the best deal we’re going to get.”

  Tucker was looking at me carefully, trying to read beyond what I was saying. It was obvious that he saw what had happened to the others. He finally smiled and nodded, apparently taking me at my word. He reached out and gently touched my cheek, which I had forgotten about. It wasn’t hurting all that much anymore, and the medication had pretty much taken care of the headache. He asked, “How did this happen?”

  I knew he was just concerned, but for a moment I wished he would let it go. I doubted it, though. “I—it was a misunderstanding. It’s all taken care of.”

  Tucker looked over at the man whose alert attention to me and everyone who was near me screamed ‘bodyguard.’ “Does this misunderstanding have anything to do with your protective new friend? I assume he’s guarding you, and not making sure you behave.”

  I hadn’t thought that maybe Gabriel was using the bodyguards to keep an eye on me. I was such a trusting fool sometimes. “Uh, maybe both,” I mouthed almost silently.

  Tucker nodded seriously. “We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”

  It was late, and I really was tired. “Okay.” I smiled at him. What would I do without Tucker? “Thanks.”

  He leaned in to hug me, and Tim lunged over like a bullet from a gun and pushed him away from me. We both stared at Tim. “What was that?” I asked finally.

  “His instructions were explicit. No one touches you,” Tim said.

  “Oh my God!” I exclaimed. “This is over the top.” I pointed at Tim. “In the morning we’re calling him and clearing this up.” Tim didn’t say anything, and I gave Tucker an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, but Tim and the rest of them get a little literal sometimes.”

  Tucker was looking at Tim. “Hmm. Maybe. Or maybe you have a very powerful admirer.”

  Could that be true? I wondered briefly, but then shook my head. “No, I think he just used the wrong words.”

  “And his orders are followed that completely?” Tucker asked softly.

  “Yes,” I said, trying to convey how dangerous Gabriel was without risking Tucker’s independence.

  “And Luis decided of his own accord to stay there?” Tucker asked.

  I sighed, eyeing Tim. “Tomorrow, Tucker. I’m too tired to be very smart tonight.”

  “I’m sorry, yes, tomorrow,” Tucker agreed, his eyes going to Tim as well.

  I went to bed almost directly afterwards, pleading tiredness to everyone who wanted to talk to me. I slept like a log, and Meri had to wake me in the morning to tell me that Tucker wanted to talk to me.

  Tim was off—sleeping or spying, I assumed, and one of the other men watched over me. I was able to talk this one into staying at one end of the great room and letting us have a little meeting at the other end, just Meri, Phil, Tucker, Fred, and myself. Pewter was off somewhere; otherwise I would have wanted her there as well.

  Meri said quietly. “Okay, what sort of creatures did he put in their brains? They are like pod people.”

  Fred shook his head. “I know you’re joking, but I have to say that except when it comes to Gabriel, they seem the same.”

  Tucker nodded, his eyes on me. “And how do you feel about Gabriel? You were there. Can we trust you?”

  I gaped at him. “What? I haven’t gone on and on about his greatness.” Even though I could understand his caution, it didn’t stop me from being offended.

  Tucker didn’t seem convinced. “How are we supposed to know that you won’t tell him anything we say here?”

  “Nice,” I snapped. “Tell me, Tucker, when did paranoia become part of your make up?”

  He snapped back, “The minute everyone came back looking brainwashed.”

  I glared at him. “I don’t—”

  But Phil cut me off, her hand suddenly appearing between us, drawing our eyes to her. “She’s okay, mostly,” she said, squinting at me.

  “What do you mean, mostly?” I countered, still heated.

  Phil said in her soft voice, “Oh, well, the others who went with you are gold coated now. Not completely, but they have golden mixed in.” She frowned as she tried to explain. “It’s sort of like the difference between gray and silver, or between brown and bronze. Their colors have taken on a golden sheen.”

  Tucker accepted this immediately, while I still wanted to roll my eyes. It was dumb of me to doubt her. Hadn’t I seen stranger things?

  Phil gestured to me. “Madde’s colors have become more vibrant, but changed slightly, as if the gold has mixed in with her own color and strengthened it.”

  Fred was the one least used to Phil and said with a frown, “Uh, could you put that in a way that doesn’t sound like a fortune cookie?”

  I resisted the urge to giggle.

  Phil looked over at Fred. “A fortune cookie?” She smiled, and I could see some of the old Phil in that s
mile. Fred smiled back. Hmm, what had been happening during my absence? Phil said slowly, “The others have it over them. They are still themselves, but it covers everything. Madde has incorporated it somehow, although it has changed her too, just not the same way.”

  Tucker eyed me. “So can she be trusted?”

  “Look, I’m not going to beg for your trust. If you want me out of this meeting right now, I’ll go. My goal is to keep Catfish Lake as independent as is possible considering Gabriel’s uh, pull.”

  Meri gave Tucker an angry look. “Tucker didn’t mean that. We trust you.”

  I looked over at Tucker, and he finally nodded.

  “Okay, here’s the deal. If we fall into line, we get to keep our independence somewhat. I think we only got this because I’m somewhat … resistant to his allure.” I hoped I wasn’t saying too much, but I had to say something.

  “And if we tell him to go screw himself?”

  “Tucker, you’ve made your position clear,” I said. “If, however, we tell him that, then he comes to visit. And you all get …” Crap. I knew I couldn’t say brainwashed or I was breaking my word. I finally settled on, “a gold covering.”

  Fred said, “So if we want to keep our colors clear,” he glanced at Phil, who smiled at him and nodded, “then we need to stay away from him?”

  I looked uneasy. “See, if I tell you everything I believe and suspect, he will know, and he’ll come down here.”

  “How would he know?” Tucker asked.

  “I’m not completely immune to him, okay? Sometimes things just come flying out of my mouth.” I sighed gustily. “You know, Tucker, you shouldn’t tell me anything you absolutely don’t want him to know. I’m not exactly sure what he could get out of me. So I guess I’m not so trustworthy after all.”

  Tucker backpedaled. “I trust you. I just don’t like any of this.”

  I was starting to get annoyed. “Want to feel better? Go pay him a call. Everything will become clear.”

  Tucker started to reply, but Meri cut him off, nearly whispering. “How does he do it? He just uses his voice? Or do you have to be within a certain distance to him? Or is it drug related?”