Dangerous for You by Anna Antonia Page B

ever-so-slightly, she felt the same.
    “I assume you’re here with friends, Lucas?” Gabriel’s clipped tone barely edged this side of polite.
    Lucas’s silver stare settled back on us. He looked at me once and then flicked away. “I’m here with a party—as you already know.”
    Gabriel nodded, his blinding smile making me ache with sadness. “Don’t let us hold you up then.”
    “It’s no holdup, Gabriel, but you are right. I’m here with the Milfords. You remember them, don’t you?”
    Embry’s family.
    My lover replied smoothly, “How could I forget?”
    “I don’t know, son. You tell me.”
    It was now beyond obvious that Lucas’s loyalty lay with Embry. Logically, it made perfect sense. She was beautiful and carried a large fortune along with her good name.
    “Gabriel, Emma, and I have had the best time tonight. I couldn’t ask for a better pair of companions, Lucas.”
    “Is that so?” his voice lost its edge, becoming gentle and perhaps even sweeter.
    “Yes. Emma and I will have already made plans to see more shows this year, haven’t we?”
    With a handful of softly spoken words, Marie staked claim on approving of my relationship with her son in direct defiance to her brother-in-law. I could kiss her for being so supportive. Instead, I let my genuine smile speak for me. “I can hardly wait. Just name the date and I’ll be here.”
    Before Lucas could comment, Gabriel gave him our backs. The mask disappeared as he asked gently, “Mother, would you like me to call for refreshments? Emma and I will be stretching our legs for the rest of intermission.”
    Marie shook her head, eyes wide and as watchful as my own. “Thank you, sweetheart, but I’m not thirsty.”
    “Uncle.” Gabriel inclined his head slightly before turning around with me in tow. Our sedate pace belied the itch to run plaguing my legs. Lucas’s stare speared us like a physical threat.
    “It was a pleasure meeting you, Emma,” Lucas called out pleasantly false. “I look forward to seeing you again. Truly.”
    Gabriel didn’t slow our leisurely progress, but I felt the hardness in his body seep into mine. While I would’ve preferred to have ignored the man entirely, I looked over my shoulder. Our gazes clashed again.
    “Goodbye, Mr. Gordon.”
    The door closed behind me but the cold sensation of enmity remained.
    Why is Lucas so hostile towards me? Is it just about Embry or something more? What exactly does he know about me?
    Gabriel’s feet picked up speed. He nodded to the few people we passed, calling out a friendly greeting to those he knew but not stopping to chat. Like a faithful shadow, I made sure to keep up with him even though I didn’t know where exactly we were going.
    It became apparent my lover’s direction had a purpose. Soon we slipped out from the main hall and into a dimly-lit cordoned corridor. Gabriel stopped at a door and then slipped something out of his pants pocket. A jingle of metal and then the lock unlatched.
    “Gabriel, did we just break in?”
    “Yep.”
    “Aren’t you afraid we’ll get caught?”
    He slanted a look over pursed lips. “Afraid? Never.” Gabriel pulled me inside and promptly closed and locked the door. Looking around, I could barely make out the shadowed shelves but it looked like we were in a utility closet.
    “Do you have your purse with you?”
    I held up my wrist to show the tiny rectangle.
    “Good.” Gabriel bared his teeth in a wolfish grin. “That makes things much easier for me.”
    Backing up, I swallowed and whispered, “What do you plan on doing?”
    “Why you, of course.”
    “No. Seriously?”
    Gabriel closed the distance between us. A ruthless cast took hold of his beautiful face. I was prey and he was my predator. Excitement skated across my spine as I took one step back for every one he stepped forward.
    “Where are you going, Emma? Are you trying to get away from me?” he asked with a throaty growl. “You won’t, you know. Not now. Not