Saving Me

Eva put the pictures back in the envelope as she stood up slowly. Drawing everyone’s eyes. “What Eva?” Gabriel said seeing the paleness of her face. “The window…” She murmured to herself. “What about it?” Eva looked up at him and if possible paled further. She turned and raced up the stairs, Gabriel shouted after her and everyone followed. He caught up to her in time to see her jerk back the heavy drapes from his bedroom windows. She bent and breathed against the window, making the glass white with fog. Words appeared, revealed by the condensation. ‘I’m still watching you.’ Eva sank to her knees and Gabriel stared in horror, the murderer had been outside the glass. Inches from them when he wrote the message. “How did you know Eva?” Gabriel asked in a hushed voice.

But it was Evan who answered him. “Martin used to leave messages on Eva’s window just like that. Sweet, puppy love messages that turned into horrible threats and curses.” Eva’s head turned. “How did you know about that?” Her eyes were wide. “It was our secret.” Evan bent his head and rubbed his neck wearily. “Evan, how did you know?” Lucian said from behind him, Evan sighed. “We saw it in a movie, me and Eva, and I told Marty how romantic you thought it was. I’m so sorry Eva.” He murmured guiltily. Eva stood and walked to her brother with a sad smile. “It wasn’t you fault. You were being sweet, trying to make me happy. I never blamed you for anything.”

Gabriel shut the drapes over the horrid message, there was something missing. He looked at all three of them with an uncertain frown. “But he’s dead, right. You told me he died.” Eva nodded. “Oh he most certainly is. I caught him in the tree outside my window. I threw my ice skates at him and he lost his balance. I ran down and told Fran, Evan happened to be in the kitchen. I was frantic and they went out with me to help him. He’d fallen struck his head on a rock and bled out before the paramedics could get there. If I hadn’t thrown the skates he wouldn’t have fallen.”

Evan took Eva’s hand, uniting them, lending her his strength. “Fran ran next door to get Marty’s parents but they weren’t home. Anyway, Martin was still alive when we found him, but barely conscious. The last thing he said was, ‘No matter what I’ll always find you.’ It freaked us out, but Eva stayed with him, trying to stop the bleeding. But the force of his fall had caused too much damage to be fixed.” Lucian put his hands on both Evan and Eva’s shoulders. “Both sets of parents never forgave Eva, my stupid daughter and her even dumber husband couldn’t accept that the son of their good friend was a scoundrel. They believed a dead boy over their own children.” Gabriel looked at the three of them, connected by birth and blood. By grief and love. So strong. He understood then, why skating freed her soul, gave her a sense of peace. She could escape into her world of dreams, where she was the bright and shining fairy princess in an ice palace.

Her parents believed she was responsible for that boy’s death. She’d been told that for so long, no matter what her grandfather or her brother or Francesca had said. She believed it was true. She was imprisoned by her guilt, trapped by it and unable to think otherwise. He thought back to the song, Saving Me. Heaven’s gates won’t open up for me. With these broken wings I’ve fallen and all I see is you.

She had lost a crucial piece of her young heart. The boy she had loved betrayed her, her parents had betrayed her. And she thought she deserved it. Fuck That! He vowed. He realized also that they were looking at him, waiting for him to speak. He held out his hand for Eva’s and she took it. Linking him within the circle of her family. “I know you Eva. There’s not a mean bone in you. Seeing someone you trusted watching you from a tree…I’m surprised you didn’t throw something bigger at him. But it wasn’t your fault. You have to let it go, screw what everyone else thinks you did or didn’t do. You know what happened, your brother knows, and your grandfather knows.” He tipped her chin up and kissed her gently. “It was an accident Eva, a really tragic accident but it happened and you can’t go back. So go forward.” She nodded and Gabriel saw a weight lift from her, a weight that had been crushing her for seven years. He hugged her to him and looked at the two most important men in her life and saw the relief and thanks in their smiles. He nodded once and stroked Eva’s hair as she breathed him in.

Eva knew then that Gabriel was the single most wonderful man in the whole world. Besides Evan and her grandpa. She wasn’t ready to tell him yet that she loved him; she’d wait until this horrible time in their lives passed. “Eva you need to call Marlena and let her know what’s going on.” Lucian said, blinking her out of her thoughts. She turned her face and lay her cheek over Gabriel’s heart. “I want someone put on her too. Whoever this guy is, he saw her with us, with Evan and that means she’s now a part of this. I’m going to close the club until…” Lucian waved his hand. “No need to do that. Marlena can be replaced with one of my staff for a while.” Evan turned pink and coughed. “Yeah um, she can stay with me in New York .” Eva smiled mischievously. “I was hoping you’d like her Evan. She’s smart like you.” He grinned. “I know.” Eva nodded her approval. “Okay, whatever you think is best papa. I’m going to call Bear and have him get here before we go to the Sheriff’s office. We might need a little intimidation to get all the facts.”

Lucian nodded and seemed to realize where they were. He looked around with his lips pursed. “You’ve got good taste Gabriel.” Then turned and left the room. Evan rolled his eyes and they all followed the old man downstairs. Lucian was already on the phone, speaking in a quiet commanding voice. Eva gave her brother Lena ’s phone number and had him call her, while she called Bear. The gruff man picked up the phone on the first ring. “Lo’?”
“Bear? It’s Eva. Do you have a minute?” She could hear him smile.
“For you baby? I’ve got all day. What’s up?” Eva was comforted by the familiar teasing.
“I’m in trouble and I need your help.” She counted, one, two before she heard him snarl in fury.
“Is it that guy you were with? If his put his hands on you he’s a dead man. Just tell me where and I’ll bring the shovel.” And he was dead serious.
“No Bear, he didn’t do anything. It’s bigger than that.” She told him about the dead rat on her locker, the picture of her and Gabriel outside the coffee shop. And lastly, about Franny.
“Do you remember that time I brought my friend Francesca down?” Her voice wavered over the beloved woman’s name.
“Sure baby, she brought me food. How could I forget?” Eva nodded even though he couldn’t see her.
“Somebody shot her and her husband last night. The police found more pictures at the crime scene. Of me and Gabriel in his house, in my house, in my freaking bedroom. My grandfather wants to put a security detail on us, but I’d really rather have someone I know.”
“I’m there, when and where honey?” He said instantly and Eva almost sobbed with relief.
”As soon as you can get here.”
“Be there in twenty.” He said and Eva could hear him moving around as he packed.
“Bear it takes nearly an hour to get here.” She said calmly and she could see the shit eating grin that was clearly heard in his voice.
“Not the way I drive. Twenty minutes tops.”
“Thank you Bear. You don’t know how much this means to Me. ”
”Eva, you gave me a chance when nobody else would. I’d do anything for you.” His voice was dead serious. Eva’s eyes filled and she sniffled.
“Don’t you dare go cryin’ on me now sugar. I’ll be there soon.” Eva nodded again.
”Okay, bye.”

She hung up the phone and nodded at Gabriel. “He’s coming.” Gabriel smiled and tilted his head. “I gathered. Are you hungry?” Eva shook her head. “No, I’m afraid if I eat something I might be sick. I’m that freaked out.” Gabriel nodded and put his arm around her shoulder. “I hear you.” “ Lena ’s not happy about this, but she’s coming with me.” Evan said as he threw himself down on the couch in disgust. “Great way to start a relationship.”
Exactly twenty minutes later, Bear roared up in his shiny blue jeep. Eva opened the door for him and smiled when he picked her up in a no pun intended, bear hug. “I’m sorry about Francesca honey. She was a good woman.” He said gently. Eva nodded as he put her down. “Thanks.” She frowned at the lumpy bag. “What’s in there?” Bear grinned and jerked his head in greeting at Gabriel. “Some toys from the old days. There’s more in the jeep. Don’t worry about a thing sugar, Bear’ll take good care of you and your boy toy there.” Eva raised her brows at him. “Boy toy? Bear…Are you jealous?” Bear scoffed. “Of course I am. I saw you first. But I’m willing to back down because obviously he makes you happy.” His face was straight, but she sensed he was teasing her. “That’s big of you Bear. I appreciate it.” Gabriel approached and shook Bear’s hand. “Thanks for getting here so quick.” Bear shrugged. “No sweat, I’ve been dying to test out some new toys. Where do I bunk down?” Gabriel led him to the back of the house and Eva returned to the living room. Fifteen minuet’s passed and there was another knock on the door. Eva opened it and there was Lena . She was in her customary huge high heels and though tasteful, very form fitting stylish clothes.

“Christ where’s the party?” She joked even as she hugged Eva. “I’m so glad you’re here Lena .” Eva said sincerely. Lena stepped back and gave Eva a watery smile. “Well I’m not so sure I agree about that. But I’ll settle for the whole living part. And you’re brother in the whole mix is a nice bribe.” Eva grinned and threw her arm around her friend. Leading her into the living room. “So glad you’ve seen the light. I expected you to have more bags.” Eva said with a tiny frown. Lena looked up at her and then down at her huge purse. “Honey this is my purse. My stuff is in my car.” Lena waved at Bear and slid into Evan’s lap. “Hi.” She purred. Evan put his arms around her and grinned charmingly. “Hi.” Lucian cleared his throat. And Lena gave him a dazzling smile. “Hello again Mr. Page. You look classy as usual.”

Gabriel saw Lucian’s ears turn pink and his lips twitch. “Thank you Marlena. Now we’re all here, let’s get to business. The twins have filled you in…” He looked from Lena to Bear and they nodded. “Good. After Francesca and Marco’s funeral, we will be taking a commercial flight to the Bahamas . Anyone looking will be able to track us easily. What they won’t be able to track is us taking my private jet from the Bahamas to New York . Eva I’ve already arranged a flight with Adrian and Mrs. London. They are going to meet us at my jet. No one is to tell the police anything about the flight. They’ll find out soon enough. Any questions?” There was shocked silence. “You sound like you’ve done this before Pops.” Evan said lightly. Lucian smiled innocently. “I watch lots of cop shows.”

His eyes turned to where Eva was circled in Gabriel’s arms. “Eva, the police will be very cruel in their questioning, answer only what they ask you and give no appearance that they upset you. Can you do that?” Eva nodded. “Yes.” “Gabriel,” Those glacial blue eyes gripped him next. “They will ask you extremely personal questions about your relationship with Eva. As a rule Detectives like Ross are stupid and follow old storylines and fit their theories to whomever they think fits a certain type. They’ll wave the photos in your face and insinuate that you have orchestrated the whole thing to get closer to Eva and her money. We all know that’s not true, but they will question it none the less. You must not rise to their bait, Bear will be your advocate and I will go with Eva. Do you understand?” Gabriel did understand, very well. “I do.” Lucian nodded. “Good, let’s get this over with. Evan you and Marlena may remain here if you wish.” Lena stood and planted her hands on her curvy hips. “Begging your pardon Mr. Page, but the hell we will.” Lucian’s face split into a grin. “Good girl.”

The police station was cluttered and smelled like stale coffee. Eva had been here only once before and in seven years the place had not changed a bit. Only the people were different. As expected Gabriel and Lena were swept into different interrogation rooms almost immediately. Detective Ross banged a chair down in front of Gabriel and threw himself in the chair in what he supposed was a threatening manner. “I like you for this whole thing Hunter.” Ross said at once, and Gabriel smiled indulgently crossing his arms over his chest. “Really? Why ever for?” Ross threw down the pictures of him and Eva. Bear thumbed through them casually. “You’ve been here for what, a month and you’ve already wormed your way into Evangelin Page’s bed?” The question made Gabriel want to reach over and punch the pig. “Two months actually.” “Hey man,” Bear said with a naughty grin. “I like this one. You ought to frame that”

Gabriel looked over and nodded approvingly. “I like that one too. Bugs me though that someone had to climb the fucking tree to shoot that. And as you can see Detective, that is in fact me with Eva.” Ross scowled at his cavalier attitude. “You could have hired someone to take those photos, put that rat on her locker.” Gabriel nodded. “I could have, but to what end?” “To make Eva come running into your arms from some comfort.” Again he nodded and leaned back in his chair. He was going to let Lucian take this man’s badge away from him. “I could have, sure. Little risky to scare her seeing how she’s surrounded by friends who love her, her brother. Too many people that she could run to for comfort.” Bear grinned demonically and leaned his elbow on the table. “He’s got a point there dude.” Ross turned a livid shade of red. “Detective, not dude.” Bear shrugged. “Whatever man. But tell me this, why would he continue to have someone follow Eva, taking pictures of her when he’s already got her.” Bear held up the photo of him and Eva in bed sleeping and waved it. He wore a look that said, ‘Duh you idiot.’ “To keep her there.” “Does it look like she’s fighting him?” He waved the photo again and Ross fell silent. Glowering, and turning purple with the effort. “Fine, but don’t leave town.” He said in typical cop speech. He stomped out of the room and Gabriel was about to let loose a string of curses but Bear shook his head and moved his eyes towards the mirror that spanned the far wall. Gabriel sighed instead and stood up. “That cop’s not a very happy person is he?” He said stuffing his hands in his jeans as he casually stood. “Nope, needs to get laid.” Bear said following him out of the room.