Saving Me

Gabriel and Eva skated their long program for the visitors. And he was sure that Eva’s feet barely touched the ice she was so happy. The shock of yesterday competely fading from her mind. Each movement flowed seamlessly into the next, their lifts executed perfectly. From the sidelines Evan, Adrian and Lucian watched in a trance unable to look away. “My God.” Lucian murmured. He watched, realizing how much his darling baby girl had changed. The song was meant to be about a man, but he knew she’d chosen it. Knew that she still felt the betrayal of her parents keenly. She still thought it was her fault they weren’t proud of her like they were of Evan. His poor, poor baby girl. They finished, their lips a breath away from each other’s and Lucian felt his heart stutter and then fill with satisfaction. He recognized the way that young man was looking down at Eva. It was the way he himself had looked at his wife. With his heart and soul in his eyes. He couldn’t see Eva’s face but he was willing to bet his entire empire that she was looking at Gabriel the same way. Lucian hoped, prayed that the boy was strong enough to love her the way she needed. A love without conditions. They parted and took their bows. Evan was hollering like a frat boy and Adrian was beaming like a proud father. The two skaters approached and Lucian balled his fists triumphantly. “Gold here we come.” Eva rolled her eyes. But Lucian pulled her into a hug. “Your grandmother would be so proud of you.”

Eva’s eyes welled with tears. “I hope so.” Lucian pulled back and tilted her face up to place a loving kiss on her brow. “I know so.” Evan shook Gabriel’s hand and said quietly. “I don’t have to tell you to be good to her do I?” Gabriel grinned and replied just as quiet. “No, I’ve already been threatened with castration if I’m not.” Evan winced. “Franny?” Gabriel nodded. “With my own ice skates.” “God she’s a damn sadist.” Adrian sighed. “Well I say enough for today; that was perfect. No comments or criticisms needed.” Eva looked at him like he’d growna tail and turned pink. “Really?” Adrian nodded. “Really.” Lucian grinned. “We’ll go to lunch, my treat. Adrian you too.”

Lunch was a classy affair, at Bellisima. Francesca was absolutely beside herself to have all of them. And much to Eva’s gratitude, she kept mum about Eva staying with Gabriel. Lucian and Evan regaled Gabriel with Eva’s childhood laughing and teasing her until her face was as red as her hair. “Alright enough, new subject. Evan got a girl yet?” Eva said nibbling on a piece of bread. Evan grinned and puffed up. “No, I’ve got four. One for each week.” Eva’s mouth fell and she tossed her bread at him. “You jerk!” She said around a laugh. He shrugged. “What can I say, when you got it you got it.” Eva narrowed her eyes. “You don’t got it little brother.” Evan sighed. “Your right, I don’t. I was kidding. I’m too swamped with my internship in the ER to chase any of the girls.” Eva’s smile softened and she leaned over the table to kiss him. “Poor baby. Thank you for coming.” Evan blushed. “You’re my sister, where else would I be?” Eva’s face lit up and she glowed from within. Talking resumed and Gabriel found himself accepted with out question into their little family. It touched him deeply, another cord that tied him more securely to Eva. “Hey lets go dancing tonight.” Eva said excitedly. Gabriel was game to be anywhere Eva was. And Evan shrugged. “Why not, haven’t gone out in ages. Might as well enjoy my emergency leave.” Lucian sighed. “I’ll bow out from that. I’ve got some calls to make and my bones are too old to keep up with you young people.” Eva gave him an adoring gaze and argued with him about his old bones.

Eva took the time to curl her hair, put on make up and choose her clothes with care. She dug through her underwear drawer looking for…ah yeah there they were. Purple boy shorts of the softest lace and the matching bra. She slid on cutoff jeans that rode very low on her hips. She pulled on a pair of velvet, knee high black boots; a fitted peasant shirt that was scrolled with a gold Russian design around the bottom. The top left her shoulders bare and she sprayed that perfume over them and in her hair. The final touch was a pair of dangling gold earrings. She looked in the mirror and decided she looked like a gypsy. She smiled as she heard the knock on her door; she grabbed a jacket, some cash and her ID before opening the door. Gabriel stood behind Evan and she saw his jaw tense with lust. “I’m sorry must have the wrong house. Looking for my sister?” Evan said in shock. “Goofball.” Eva said as she shut her door behind her. “Let’s go already.”

Evan gave Gabriel a nod as Eva walked to him. “Let’s take separate cars in case I get lucky enough to bring a girl back with me.” Evan said flippantly. Eva laughed at him and shrugged. “Whatever, Gabe you wanna drive?” She held up her keys and he snatched them with a grin. “Oh man, she likes you. I don’t ever get to drive that car and I’m her brother.” Gabriel grinned at the younger man. “That’s cause I got it.” He joked and wrapped his arm around Eva’s waist. His nostrils flared and he dipped his head to sniff her throat. “Delectable.” “Ugh! Eva you sure you want to go out?” Evan said in disgust. “Of course I want to go out, quit being such a prude Doctor Page.”

They drove into the city and Eva had Gabriel park in an exclusive garage. They walked down a dimly lit street that had Gabriel tense and ready for a shadow to become a threat. But Eva seemed unconcerned which worried him all the more. “Do you come down her often Eva?” He asked dreading her answer. “Sure.” “By yourself?” “Yes.” His chest seized in horror. “My God.” Eva smiled at him. “You aren’t worried are you?” Gabriel shared a manly look with Evan. “Damn right I am. Eva this is definitely not safe.” Eva patted his chest patronizingly. “I’ll protect you.” His arch look gave proof to his disbelief in her skills. “I’m not wearing these shoes just for the sole purpose of driving you nuts. They are deadly weapons when applied to the correct body parts.” He scoffed and grabbed her from behind. “What if you couldn’t reach said parts?” Eva looked at Evan who was smirking. “I’d watch it Gabe, Eva’s taken more self defense classes than a body guard. She’ll flip you over on your ass before you can blink. I know, she’s done it to me.”

Gabriel sighed and let go of Eva. “Huh.” He stated. Eva smiled coyly and batted her eyelashes at him. “I appreciate the manly concern though.” She led them around a corner and suddenly they were standing on a heavily crowded street lined on either side with clubs, pubs and bars. “Wow, this is amazing.” Gabriel said followed by a whistle. Eva smiled and took his hand, hooking her other arm through her brother’s. “Come on boys lets cause mayhem.” She took them to a stair case between two buildings and led the way down. Gabriel found himself standing in the foyer of what looked like a London Salon. The bouncer’s face softened. “Hey trouble.” His warm tone suggested that he knew Eva. She walked up to him and gave him a hug. The man was very good looking, as tall as Gabriel and built with thick intimidating muscle. His skin was a deep golden brown, his hair rolled into dreadlocks. His face was very Egyptian like, smooth Adonis like features with deep whiskey colored eyes that tilted at the corners. “Hi Bear, how are you?” The man patted her butt casually as his lips lifted in a sensual smile. “Can’t complain sugar, got you some friends tonight.” Eva nodded. “I do indeed. Bear this is my brother Evan.” Bear shook his hand, his ebony brows shooting up. “No shit, twins. How are ya?” Evan smiled. “Fine thanks.” “And this is Gabriel.” Bear gave him an assessing glance that actually worried him. They shook hands. “Hello.” Bear said threateningly low. Eva swatted his melon sized bicep. “Back of Bear. Mine.” Bear sighed in a harassed manner. “Great. Well boy-o’s welcome to Hell.”

Gabriel and Evan both jerked when Bear pushed open the doors. Sound exploded and strobe lights flickered orange and red flames across the floor. Fog rolled over the black tiles dramatically. “Have a good night.” Bear said and they followed Eva inside. The club was done in red, gold and black brocade. The dance floor was sunk in the floor and people gyrated to the new age music. A huge writhing mass of bodies that pulled his eyes unerringly. There was also an empty stage that was cast with an unholy red light. The steel and the silk of the place really did make him think of a circle of hell. The place was gigantic, black balconies three stories of them that circled the whole club. Eva took his hand and led their little trio up to the first balcony; she handed her coat to the woman behind the bar and leaned over to give the rather attractive blonde a kiss on the cheek. Gabriel eyed her prone backside with an evil thought. He couldn’t hear what Eva was saying over the music but the woman laughed and nodded. Eva turned and put her lips to his ear. “Do you want a drink?” “Not yet.” She nodded and asked Evan the same thing. “Yeah what kind of whiskey do they have?” Eva shrugged and leaned back over the bar. This time the bartender looked over Evan appreciatively. She nodded and went about her task.

Gabriel realized that Eva must frequent this club because bouncer after bouncer came up to her and cast their hands at her. She set them down with a sweet quip and returned to his side again and again. She sipped her drink a green sour apple martini and eventually he got a beer. She waved bye to the blonde woman who was still eyeing her brother and moved up to the second balcony. It was a decibel quieter here and Gabriel could actually hear himself think. They sat on a plush red leather couch, Eva smiling as she put her legs up over his lap. “What do you think of my club?” She asked with a smug smile. Gabriel frowned. “Your club?” Eva nodded and Evan leaned towards her. “This is the club you bought?” Eva smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulder. “No this is the club I designed and am silent partner in.” She said proudly. Gabriel stroked his hand up and down her thigh. “I like it a lot. It’s a different side of you I didn’t expect.” Evan said. Eva smiled mischievously. “You mean the sultry, wanton, evil side of me that’s never seen the light of day?” Gabriel laughed at the notion. She was very much wanton and sultry in the light of day. Evil was out though. Evan leaned back and perused the club with a keener eye. “Well our parents were right about one thing Eva.” Eva frowned. “What?” She said suspiciously. “You certainly did go to hell in a hand basket.” Eva burst out laughing and nodded. “I did didn’t I?”

Gabriel’s head turned when Eva’s name was cried out frantically. A short leggy brunette rushed over and Eva stood with a frown on her face. “ Lena ? What’s wrong?” The brunette was striking, just as voluptuous as Eva if not more so. And showed off her body proudly. She wore a tight black dress that was very Marilyn-esq. Leopard print heels that boosted her up nearer to Eva’s height. The two women embraced and Gabriel could see that these women knew each other well. “The proverbial shit has hit the fan. Corrine twisted her ankle and can’t dance and we can’t get a hold of Malory in time. We don’t have anyone to dance!” She said frantically her mahogany curls bouncing in agitation and she was looking at Eva hopefully. “Oh no, no way Marlena. I’m the silent partner, emphasis on silent.” Marlena clasped her hands together. “Please, please! There isn’t anyone else and you choreographed it no one else knows it better than you. Come on!”


Eva looked back at Gabriel, obviously torn but he smiled and shrugged. “Don’t worry about the boys. I’ll come back and keep them entertained.” Eva picked up her martini and drained it. “Damn it.” She leaned down and kissed Gabriel apologetically. “I’ll be back in a while. Do you mind?” Gabriel shook his head. “No, what are you going to do?” She sighed and kissed him again. “You’ll see.” She stood and pointed a finger at Evan. “You breathe a word about this to Grandpa and I’ll kill you.” With a toss of her fiery curls she stalked off, Lena trailing after her gushing her thanks.

Gabriel looked at Evan. “What’s going on?” Evan shrugged and sipped his whiskey. “No clue. But there was dancing mentioned. And some choreographing. I imagine Eva put together some kind of show or something.” Fifteen minutes later, Lena came waltzing back up to them with a smile of relief on her face. “So you’re the cute brother Eva’s always trying to hook me up with.” She sat on the arm of Evan’s chair and looked down at him with a hungry smile. “Um, guess so. Only brother she has. I’m Evan.” He offered her his hand and she shook it. “I’m Eva’s partner. Marlena. Lena for short. And you’re the new boyfriend.” She said turning her dancing brown eyes to Gabriel. “Did she say that?” He said, inwardly pleased that she’s told her friends about him. “She did, and you skate together?” Gabriel nodded around his beer. “Yeah, we’ll be competing soon.” She leaned forward and pinned him with a glare promising wrath and before she could speak Gabriel sighed and held up a finger. “Yes I’ve been warned, no I won’t hurt her and yes she’s a really good woman.” Lena sat back surprise evident on her face. “Good.” The music stopped and the lights on the stage and dance floor went black. A cheer rose from the pit and Lena stood. “Better come watch.” She leaned up against the railing and pointed down to the stage. A disembodied voice floated in a sinister growl across the club. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to welcome you to another night of sin and debauchery. For your viewing pleasure Hell proudly gives you the Fallen.”

There was a hush, an odd silence that was rife with anticipation. A flickering red glow pulsed weakly at the very lip of the stage and there was a crash of thunder. The sound of rain and the chiming of a clock. With every chime the red lights pulsed and grew brighter. Thirteen chimes and a wicked guitar, followed by a bloodcurdling scream. The beat changed and it was a different song; one by one a red spotlight revealed twelve men dressed in black. Black pants, black billowing pirate shirts open to the waist and a red sash around their hips. They moved low then stood and pulsed down again. They all turned and formed a circle shoulder to shoulder, backs facing inwards. Their arms shot up and there was a bang and a flash of light, they dropped to one knee and there was his Eva. His jaw dropped in shock and he heard Lena laugh beside him.

She wore a tiny little skirt with a red sash around her hips and a little top that covered her from throat to ribs. Her hair was in wild disarray like she’d been roused from a wild bout of sex. She threw her hands up and one of the men turned, walking around her like a wolf. He grabbed her and spun her in a tight circle, her arms still above her head the man pulled her back against him and ran his hands down her sides. Gabe saw that the shirt was backless and tied low in the middle of her smooth back. She brought her hands down as another dancer rose and took her wrist. Eva’s head whipped around to him, her palm spread as she was pulled tight into his chest. She turned her face away quickly and the man brushed his face from her shoulder up to her ear. She shoved him back and spun into the arms of another dancer. Over and over she was passed around to all the dancers, each holding her and leaning in to touch her neck in a different manner. Running their hands over her enticingly.
Then he heard the lyrics and his blood pounded with need.

‘You let me violate you, you let me desecrate you, you let me penetrate you. You let me complicate you. I’ve got no soul to sell the only thing that works for me, help me get away. I wanna fuck you I wanna taste you, I wanna be you. Just like an animal.

Closer to God by Nine Inch Nails. That shameful hussy. He thought with a grin.

Eva danced with each man in turn, and Gabriel realized she was playing the bait for a group of hungry ‘vampires’. One man picked her up and tossed her to another and he lifted Eva above his head in a way that sparked Gabriel’s interest. They could probably do that on the ice. She was flipped down into waiting arms and spun around by another. Until finally Eva chose one of the men and danced solely with him. She teased and flirted with him with her body, never saying a word. The others just mimicked the moves until the song turned evil. The men crowed Eva and she pretended to be afraid, spinning away from them only to be captured and pulled back into the throng of dancers. There was laughter, a scream that made Eva’s back arch as her chosen dancer buried his lips to her throat. She looked up at Gabriel and pinned him motionless with her scalding gaze. She collapsed into the dancer’s arms and he picked her up bride style and turned with her, cradled limply in his arms. Her hair brushed the floor and her arms were gracefully hung down as he spun, showing his prize off to the other men on stage. He threw his head back and laughed along with the demonic singer. The stage went black and the crowd erupted in applause.

Gabriel realized he was holding his breath and gasped for air. “She’s amazing isn’t she?” Lena was looking at him strangely. “Yeah she is.” He murmured realizing he was suffering from one hell of a hard on. He regulated his breathing and waited for the blood to return to it appropriate places. Eva joined them, back in her own clothes and smiling broadly. “Whew, what a rush.” She slid into Gabriel’s waiting arms and looked up at him with an uncertain smile. “That was…” He leaned down and murmured into her ear. “Sexy. I’d show you how much but we are inconveniently in public.” Eva laughed and kissed him hungrily. “I need another drink.”

Evan and Lena looked at each other, clearly seeing the depth of the affection Eva and Gabriel shared. “How late are you working Lena ? I’d like to buy you breakfast.” Lena smiled at Evan and tilted her head. “I’m working real late.” Evan shrugged. “I don’t mind waiting.”