Saving Me

Practice was grueling; they were working on her short program and Adrian was a freaking Gestapo Nazi. Eva took a deep breath and let it out giving their assistant coach a smile. Elise shrugged and said something quietly to Adrian he scowled in thought and nodded. “Eva, do a lay back for me.” She built some momentum and arched her back, letting her head fall as her arms lifted in a graceful arch above her. “Perfect, now try that in place of the sit spin.” Eva did as he said and sighed in relief. “That works much better. Oh good, Gabriel’s here. Short program.” He barked. Gabriel glided over to her and saw how tired she looked. “Are you going to make it?” She nodded and panted. “Hope so.” Adrian clapped his hands loudly. “Alright folks, we’re going to hit the short program. This music is very strong, every beat harsh and loud. Elise and I have consulted and we’ve come up with the idea that this song is no Requiem. Its anger, rage in its purest form. So we’re striving for fluidity and power moves together. So pull on whatever makes you really irate. Taxes, speeding tickets…whatever. Kay?” Eva and Gabriel nodded. And Elise stepped forward. “I’m going to play the music and I want you both to come up with a character role.”

Eva and Gabriel listened and each found that anger was closer to the surface that they had expected. “Okay what’ve you got?” Adrian looked to Gabriel first. “It’s like a power struggle. And I’ve taken the power from her.” He nodded to Eva. “Good, Eva?” She nodded. “It works. But there’s that softer side when the choir comes in. Up to then it’s been purely him taking over, dominating but then she…I find his weak spot for beauty and exploit. He’s enthralled but only for a moment. He resists and I try again, but he won’t budge.” Elise nodded with an odd smile on her face. “Good, let’s put that to the test.” Gabriel took Eva’s hand and twirled her. “I’ve got a really good idea for the very last bit. Do you trust me?” She didn’t hesitate. “Of course.” Gabriel looked over her head at Adrian . “I’m going to throw her…into a toe loop.” Eva squawked in shock. “Really?” Adrian said an interested light in his eyes. “Oh yeah. And for those choir bits, I saw this lift the other day, up you go Eva.”

He skated backwards and she followed, bending her knees as he gripped her waist and lifted her over his head. “Eva, raise your arms back behind you.” Elise called. “Lift your feet, yes just like that.” Gabriel turned slowly to a stop. “Okay tricky part baby. I’ll catch you.” Before Eva could reply, his hands turned and she flipped over, falling right into his arms. He caught her with one arm around her waist, and his other hand around her thigh. “Stay like that, don’t move.” Adrian called, he and Elise walking onto the ice both pulling Eva’s arms, rearranging her feet. She ended up with a very swan like pose. The leg Gabriel had a hold of was extended fully, the other bent, with the blade of her skate touching her knee. Her arms were held diagonally, one up the other down. “Now, Gabriel, tilt her head towards the ice. Yea-ah! Love it. We’ll practice that off the ice till you get it down pat. Then we’ll take it back out here. But it’ll work. Moving on.”

She’d been skating since six this morning, it was now ten. Eva was dying, she was tired and having pulled that much anger to fuel their skating had drained her totally. Gabriel was doing better, but marginally. He’d gotten to sleep a little longer, the dirty rat. Eva turned her head when the doors of the rink crashed open. “Eva?” Her name was bellowed and she jerked in surprise. Lucian came into view looking haggard. “Papa?” She said skating to him as he drew nearer. He looked every day of his seventy two years as he stepped onto the ice and hugged her hard. “Papa, what…what’s wrong?” “I got a call this morning Eva. From the Police.” His voice was raw and filled with agony. “Why?” She pulled away from him and looked into his face, she dimly felt Gabriel behind her. “Francesca and her husband Marco didn’t show up at the restaurant this morning, apparently they go in at six to begin on the pastries and bread…But…” He stopped and swallowed. “But what?” Eva’s voice rose and wavered dangerously. “One of the girls that work’s for them went to their home. They were…shot sometime late last night.”


Eva felt the blood leave her, wind rushing through her ears. And then she felt strong loving arms come around her. Gabriel. “Easy A gara, I have you.” Eva felt tears falling. “There’s something else.” Lucian said wearily. “The police found photos, Polaroid’s of the two of you.” Lucian looked at Gabriel and his arms tightened around Eva. “They were taken from outside your home Eva. And Gabriel’s.” She reeled and if Gabriel hadn’t been holding her she would have fallen. Evan’s face crossed her vision and terror took hold of her. “Where’s Evan, he stayed at the club last night. Did you hear from him?” She said in a panicked rush. Lucian shook his head. “He isn’t answering his phone.” “Damnit!”

Eva burst out of Gabriel’s arms and flew across the ice to where her bag was. She scrambled for her phone and dialed. Pleading with the phone to pick up. “Hello?” “ Lena ? Did you see Evan leave last night?” Her voice was frantic. “Um yeah, he’s here with me.” Eva let her head drop to her knees. “Eva, what’s going on? What happened” “I need to talk to Evan. I need to hear his voice.” “Okay, hold on honey he’s in the shower.” She held back until she heard her brother’s voice on the other end of the line. “Eva?” She broke down and sobbed in relief. Lucian took the phone from her and let Gabriel wrap her back in his arms as she cried. “A amhain, A gara. I’m so sorry.” He rocked her gently as she clutched at him. “Eva, Evan’s coming back now.” Lucian said gently, kneeling down in front of her. “We should go somewhere to meet him.” Gabriel pressed his lips to her hair. “I’ll take you home.” She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to go to my house.” Gabriel realized his mistake and smiled gently. “No baby, my house.” Eva sniffled and nodded; Lucian put the phone back to his ear and told Evan where to go. Quietly Adrian knelt at Eva’s feet, and began to unlace her skates. “Do you want me to call anyone for you?” Eva shook her head. “No. God, why is this happening? What did I do?” Her horrified whisper was said against Gabriel’s shoulder.

Rage whipped up inside Gabriel, but gently he forced her to look at him. He pinned her with his eyes, dying inside that some sick freak was torturing her like this “Eva you listen to me and listen good. This is NOT your fault. Hear me?” She nodded and let him kiss her. “Come on. Let’s go home.” He took off his skates and shoved his feet into his shoes before picking her up. Cradling her to him like a baby. “I can walk Gabe.” She murmured even as her arms came around him. “I know you can, but you aren’t going to.” Lucian caught his eye as they moved past. Even though they were streaked with fatigue, they held approval and respect. Silently the right of being Eva’s protector passed to Gabriel. He nodded and kept walking.

Gabriel took her upstairs and laid her down gently on his bed. “Gabriel, close the curtains. Please.” She whimpered. The grief of loosing Francesca was clear on her face, but there was terror in her eyes, heavy in her voice. “Okay just lay down.” He rose and pulled the heavy drapes closed and checked his closet and bathroom just in case someone might be hiding within. But they were both empty. He went back to the bed and sat beside Eva. “Try and sleep for a while Eva, I’m going to go downstairs and wait for Evan okay?” He pulled the covers around her and tucked her in like a child. “I don’t feel safe anywhere, every where we go. That…thing is following us and taking pictures. And now Fran.” He kissed her cheek, took her lips tenderly. “I know honey, but you are safe here. With me. I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear.” He kissed her eyes shut. “Sleep, I’ll bring Evan up when he gets here alright.” Eva nodded wearily and was asleep before he even stood up. He raked his fingers through his hair and quietly went downstairs.

Lucian was sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. With a sniff he raised his head and leaned back. “Eva?” Gabriel nodded. “She’s asleep.” Lucian stood and paced with his hands in his pockets. “I’m going to call a friend of mine. He’ll be a security detail for both of you while we sort this out. I know neither of you will appreciate it, but there will be no argument. I am not questioning your ability to protect Eva, I know you will. But two is always better than one. Understood?” Lucian’s voice was terse and businesslike, but Gabriel could clearly hear the love and concern he had for Eva. “Yes sir.” “I understand if you don’t want to continue with the skating…” Gabriel held up his hand. “Eva needs it Mr. Page. Francesca wouldn’t want us to quit, if we do it would be telling the murder that he has the control. And I refuse to give it to him.”

Lucian looked at Gabriel his respect for the man growing with every moment. “Good man.” It was clear that Eva’s distress was taking a serious toll on Gabriel. His heart aching because hers was. Certainly he felt the loss of Francesca as a friend. But he felt it so much more because she had mattered to Eva. “I’m glad Eva has you Gabriel. She needs a good man.” Gabriel stood straighter. “No sir, she deserves it. And you have it backwards, Eva doesn’t need me. I need Eva.” Lucian nodded once and harrumped around the tears that suddenly gathered in his eyes. “I expect no less that three grand babies from you.” Gabriel grinned in a wolfish manner. “I’ll do my best.”

Gabriel whirled when the front door flew open. Breathing a sigh of relief when Evan strode in, with a new comer hot on his heels. “Where’s my sister?” Gabriel motioned with his hand. “Upstairs.” A portly man in a really bad suit puffed up and strutted into their midst. He reminded Gabriel of a rat. A very fat rat with beady little eyes and a tuft of hair that he supposed was a mustache. “Bring Miss. Page down. I need to talk to her.” Evan drew himself up to his full height. “And you are?” He said, ice dripping from his tone, his glacial blue eyes narrowing to slits. Man with power, his stance declared. “I’m Detective Ross, Lee Ross. Who are you?” The cop said flipping his badge in a manner that made Gabriel smile. The man had probably practiced that subtle art in front of a mirror. “Doctor Page. Doctor Evan Page. Eva is my sister.” Evan said in a snide manner. “Well, would one of you get her please. I have questions for her.”

Gabriel did not like the way the man was referring to Eva. His tone suggested something that made him see red. “Well Detective, I'm afraid Eva is sleeping at the moment.” Gabriel said in what he hoped was a bland voice. “I’m afraid I don’t care. Bring her down here.” Gabriel gritted his teeth. “No.” Ross blinked incredulously. “Excuse me?” Lucian finally spoke, and the room dropped in temperature. Gabriel prayed someday he would learn how the Page family did that.. “He said no. Quite clearly.” Ross swallowed visibly but amazingly kept his ground. Mustache quivering with frustration. “You are impeding a murder investigation. That’s a serious crime you know. And I take murder very seriously.” Gabriel’s lips lifted in a mockery of a smile. “I should hope so. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Detective, you happen to be trespassing on private property. Which is also a crime. When Eva is ready I’ll bring her to you myself.” Seeing he was outnumbered, Ross sucked in an outraged breath and jerked his head in a nod. “Fine. Here are some copies of the photos. Have her look at them when she wakes up.” He gave Gabriel a cruel smile and tossed him a package. Then turned on his heel and stumped his way out the door. Slamming it behind him.

Lucian rocked up and down on his heels, his hands harmlessly tucked into his pockets. “I have half a mind to take that man’s badge.” He said tonelessly. Gabriel turned his head with wide eyes. “Can you do that?” Lucian’s lips twitched in a conspiratorial smile. “My boy, when you have as much money as I do. And as much love from the people who have benefited from the research my facility has provided. You can pretty much do what you want.” His smiled turned rather sinister. “I’ve got friends in very high places.” Gabriel nodded loftily, his brows shooting up into his hair line. “Good to know.” His voice sounded higher than normal. Lucian tapped the side of his nose. “Very good to know.” Evan sighed heavily. “Come on Pop; don’t go scaring the man before he marries Eva.” Gabriel blinked. “Am I that obvious?” he asked in a disgusted tone. Evan and Lucian looked at each other and then nodded. “’Fraid so. But don’t worry Eva’s clueless.”

Gabriel looked up at the ceiling when he heard the water running through the pipes. “And she’s awake. Go on up Evan, she wanted to see you when you got here. I’ll put on the kettle.” “Eva hates tea.” Gabriel smiled. “I know, I have a good Scot’s recipe. Don’t fret.” A while later, Evan and Eva came in, hand in hand. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. She gave everyone a watery smile and sat beside Evan on the couch. Curling into his arms. Gabriel came in with four steaming mugs and passed them around. He smiled when Eva took a sip and spluttered. “Jesus Gabe, what is that?” “Secret recipe my mum gave me.” Eva’s brow lifted. “I think there’s enough whiskey in here to knock out an elephant.” Gabriel winked at sat at her feet. “A very small elephant, maybe. And it’s scotch. Not whiskey.” Lucian and Evan sipped their dosed coffee with smiles on their faces. There was a comfortable silence. “Who slammed the door?” Eva asked quietly. Evan coughed politely, and shrugged. “A very stupid police detective.” Eva grimaced. “Don’t take his badge yet papa; let him try to recover first.” Her voice was weary and low.

Gabriel tried to hide his laugh confirming Eva’s exasperated comment. “He demanded to talk to you. Was rather cheeky if I do say so.” Evan said primly. “But you were sleeping and Gabriel put his foot down.” Eva stroked her fingers through Gabriel’s hair. “My hero.” She murmured, her eyes filling again. “Did he say anything about…” She swallowed. “No baby, but he brought copies of the pictures.” Gabriel said gravely. Eva gulped back a sob. “Pictures? More than one?” Gabriel shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know, we haven’t looked at them yet.” He handed the envelope to Eva; she held it like a writhing snake. Gabriel took her half empty mug from her and set it on the floor, moving to sit next to her. She took a fortifying breath and opened the package. She pulled out the enlarged copies and gasped at the first one. It was her and Gabriel asleep in her bed, thankfully covered by the sheets. The next one, they were standing in the doorway of Gabriel’s house, waving good bye to Francesca. Eva trailed her fingers over the little woman’s smiling face. Tears streaked down her cheeks and Gabriel pulled her into his lap. “She was more of a mother to me than anyone. I remember she used to chase me and Evan around the kitchen with her big wood spoon if she caught us in the cookie jar before dinner.” Evan smiled too. “But then she would hug us and tell us we may be the very limbs of Satan, but she loved us anyway.” Eva nodded and turned to the next photo.

Luckily her brother and grandfather weren’t able to see, but she was horrified. It was of Gabriel’s back as he pressed her against the wall. Her legs hooked around his back and his head bent to her chest. It was level with the window. “He was in the fucking tree.” Gabriel growled. Eva’s head whipped up and stared at Evan who had turned white as a sheet. The next was of her, standing in the second story window looking out at the street. She had just put her sports bra on and Gabriel would have been coming up behind her. She rushed to the next one and sobbed, her hands shaking at the ugly words scraped across the smiling face of Gabriel. “Say good bye.” It had been taken at her club; he was leaning over the balcony and would have been watching her dance. “No, no, no.” She clutched the pictures and rolled in Gabriel’s arms hanging on to at him for dear life.

Shaken Gabriel tried to sooth Eva but she was shivering so violently he was afraid she would make herself sick. “Eva, I’m going to put a security detail on you and Gabriel. At all times. I think it would be best if you packed in your team and moved to a different location. Anywhere you want until we can figure this out.” Lucian’s voice was low and comforting. Gabriel was relieved when Eva’s shudders eased a little. She nodded and looked at Gabriel with wild tear filled eyes. “I can’t loose you. I won’t.” She whispered. “Easy A amhain, you aren’t going to. I think Lucian is right. We need to go away where this can’t touch us.” Eva nodded and looked up at her Grandfather. “I have a friend, Bear, he used to be a cop and then joined the Navy Seals. He…” Lucian nodded. “I know him. He’s the bouncer at your club right?” Eva’s eyes went wide. “You know about my club?” She whispered in mortification. Lucian gave her an amused smile. “Since Hell opened sweetheart. Very nice place by the way and your partner is very bright for her age.” Eva grimaced. “Then you aren’t mad?” Lucian’s brows shot up. “Of course not lil’ bit. It’s a good investment for the future. I’m proud to see you’ve inherited my entrepreneurial skills along with your grams’ good looks.”

Eva smiled tremulously. “Thank you.” Then her smile faltered and she looked at Evan. “What about you, you can’t be by yourself while this freak is running around.” Evan opened his mouth but Lucian interrupted him gruffly. “Evan will be taking an extended leave of absence. I realize that your internship is important son, but I value your life far more.” Evan grinned. “I was going to say that Pop’s. I’ll hang around with you, no place safer.”