“Because of our names, you mean?” Stone hovered near the desk Vale had been assigned in Humphrey’s office.
“Jeez, Stone!” Again, Vale’s dry laughter stuttered out. “What else would you have in common with a place like that?”
“And that’s why you left this and please don’t lie-” Stone urged when Vale moved to respond, “Zach was going to my office when he saw you leaving it.”
“Of course he was.”
Stone smiled, but the gesture was far from amused. “Did Hump make you do it?”
Vale grinned. “Sorry Stone, he hasn’t made paper routes part of my duties yet.”
“I don’t guess he would. He’s got more important things for you to do, like spying and reporting back.”
“Spying?” Vale’s laughter was more like a wheeze. “On who? You? Why? Doesn’t look like I’m too good at it, else I would've known what you were gonna lay on Dad the other day.”
Stone sneered down at his little brother. “My guess is you’re looking to deliver bigger news or maybe deliver is the wrong word. Maybe you’ll just hold onto it and only hint at delivering it,” the jadestone stare narrowed with barely concealed rage. “Well Vay? It works better for you that way, right?”
“Be careful Stone.”
In reaction, Stone bent closer to Vale. “You should be careful and take a good look at your idol before you’re blinded by all that light you think follows Hump wherever he goes.”
Vale surged from the small desk. He took the paper with him and dropped it in the trash.
“Can’t you see Hump’s using you?” Stone asked, perching on a corner of the desk when Vale returned.
“And you’re here to save me?”
“No. I don’t think you want saving, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share a little advice. You think you’re Hump’s ace, his treasured golden boy? Truth is, he cares for you the least because you try so hard. Gabe’s the one he loves, he’s the treasure. It’s been that way since the day Ma brought him home from the hospital. He’ll keep you close to do his dirty work and run his errands, Vay, but it’s Gabe he loves. Gabe, he wants under his wing.” Stone snapped his fingers as if an idea had emerged.
“Maybe...maybe...you could find a way to make that happen? Who knows, Hump may love you best of all for that alone.”
Stone left the office with his laughter following him out into the hall, while Vale fumed.
~38~
Gabriel and Giselle walked hand in hand toward the library’s main entrance. They took the sidewell stairs to the main marble hall. Strolling down the massive case, they were the total opposite of the dozens moving through the grand lobby en route to one of the many elaborate research rooms the building housed.
On occasion, they captured the approving eye of a passing scholar. Women were quite obviously draw to Gabriel’s darkly beautiful looks offset by the brilliant blue of his eyes. Men were clearly drawn to Giselle’s glowing features, the mass of golden blonde framing her perfect oval of a face. Like her escort; on whom she lavished a look of pure adoration, her silvery blue eyes were just as brilliant.
Gabriel couldn’t resist kissing her when they reached the bottom of the long staircase.
“Gabe,” Giselle gasped, when the kiss took a blatantly lusty turn.
“Afraid we’ll be thrown out?” Gabriel put his forehead to hers.
She laughed. “I don’t think that’s possible when you’ve already charmed half the librarians here.”
Gabriel didn’t seem pleased. “Only half?” he inquired.
“Yes,” she blurted out with laughter. “The rest are either in love with Humphrey or Aaron.”
“Hump and his research,” Gabriel sighed amusedly. “Guess that’s okay, but if I see either of them having lunch in the staff areas, I’m gonna have a word with Corinne.”
Giselle shook her head, smiling over her boyfriend’s mention of the senior librarian in charge of her section.
Corinne Summers had been instantly charmed by Gabriel. At first, Giselle figured it was his last name that had awarded him carte blanche status behind the scenes of the library headquarters. Then, she accepted the obvious. It was the man himself.
“And I’m sure Corinne will be well and truly charmed,” she leaned into him heavily, “same as me,” she crooned, stiffening when she saw a fierce light glint in his stare. “What?” She murmured.
Gabriel drew Giselle into a mildly remote corner of the lobby. His eyes wandered her face in helpless fascination. “I don’t want you to be charmed by me, Giselle. Charm...it’s a...ploy- a trick to gain trust, affection...a girl in my bed.” He put a hard kiss to the back of her hand when it tensed inside his. “I want you to like me because you find something in me that’s worth your affection.”
“Gabe,” she shifted closer, “I do see that in you. It scares me how much of that I see.”
“I don’t want you to be afraid of me, Giselle. Are you afraid of me?” He asked when she tensed again.
“No, I-” Quickly, she shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you, it’s just th-things are happening so fast.”
He blinked. “I’m coming on too strong? Do you want to stop seeing-”
She put her fingertips to his mouth. “Shh...no. It’s just that I- I’ve dated other guys before who just-they wanted to get serious very quickly.”
Gabriel’s back stiffened. “How many other guys?”
“Gabe!” His name expelled on a giggle. “It was only dating and it never lasted long,” she lost some of her easy demeanor. “I always cut things off when they got too serious.”
“I see.”
She heard the accusation in his tone. “No Gabe, that’s not the case this time.”
