The two FBI agents walked away, stopping for a minute to observe Sally instruct a dom on the proper way to use a switch.

Marcus sank down into his chair, reading her words again. When he looked up, the others had resumed their seats. “This doesn’t make sense. How can she write everything off?”

“Kari did mention… Ah, she’s seen you with Gabrielle, and thought you two… Anyway, she asked me… Hell.” Dan ran his hands through his hair and scowled. “Okay, it’s like this: last Saturday Kari overheard that sub you date—”

“Celine?”

“That’s the one. Celine told Gabi that doms don’t like bratty subs, and she was surprised you didn’t throw her out of the trainees.”

Marcus closed his eyes. “Oh wonderful.”

“It gets better. Celine apparently said you’re her master, and you love her because she never gives you any trouble.”

“She’s—” Anger flared through him so fast and hot it was a wonder the letter didn’t burn. Did Gabi actually believe Celine’s bullcrap? That he’d make love with her if he was involved with someone else? “It’s bullshit. I’ve never been her master, never come close to being in love with her. I told her that.”

Jessica cleared her throat. “All the subs believe… Um, Celine told everyone you’re together.”

Marcus sighed. “Well, that explains part of the problem.” He noticed Jessica wringing her hands and cleared his throat. “Best you tell me what else I’m missing, sugar.”

She hesitated a second. “Did she lie about you hating disobedient subs too? Even though your ex-wife…” She flushed, and her jaw firmed. “Everybody knows you hate brats, Master Marcus. Don’t you?”

He might have gotten riled, except the little blonde had tears in her eyes. Why? “No, darlin’. Not anymore.” He smiled slightly. “I didn’t think I liked sassy behavior until I met Gabi. But I like the challenge. And I like her honesty. When she does submit, it’s…” The sweetest thing in the world. “I was wrong.”

“You really want Gabrielle?”

Marcus sighed. “Yes, Jessica, I do. I intend to do my best to convince her of that.” He had enough contacts in law enforcement that he’d locate her eventually.

Jessica studied him, then turned to Z.

“Truth,” Z said softly.

Taking a stand in front of Marcus, she crossed her arms over her chest. “If you break her heart, I’m going to hurt you.”

Startled, Marcus glanced at Z.

Z gave him a faint smile. “Please recall why the kidnappers targeted our two submissives.”

Marcus closed his eyes and shook his head before looking at the diminutive blonde. “I will do my best not to hurt her, Jessica.”

“Okay.” Jessica smiled. “I’d love to see her face when you show up.” When her eyes lit with mischief, Marcus saw how she’d captured Z. “Gabrielle is staying with her parents in Orlando until Monday. Her father is a lawyer at Thompson and Dunn International.” She frowned again. “I guess they’re really conservative and don’t approve of her. When she mentioned them, she sounded…unhappy. Like when she talked about you.”

A well-placed stab, especially since she was being honest. But he remembered Gabi had told him much the same thing about her parents. And she’d run away from them as a teenager. “Little Miss Sassy, did your parents have a problem with your behavior?”

“Nah. They always wanted me to stand on my own feet.” She grinned. “I spent a fair amount in time-out as a kid, but”—her smile faded—“but my family likes who I am.”

Marcus nodded. Gabi thought Marcus didn’t approve of her. That he was conservative. Stuffy. He remembered her surprise at seeing him in jeans. When he’d thrown her into the ocean. To top it off, he was a lawyer like her father. Well, he had his work cut out for him, didn’t he? “I think I get the picture, Jessica. Thank you.”

He could easily track down her father’s address, and now he had an idea of what he was up against: Celine’s lies. Thinking he hated brats. Being too much like her parents. She had a lot to learn. He glanced at the other Masters and smiled slowly. “It’s a good thing I’ve had a lot of practice in instructing little subs, isn’t it.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

After church, Gabi changed into jeans and a green peasant top and stayed in her room, trying to regain her equilibrium. Besides, it gave her a chance to play with her bored cats. Being shut up in the bedroom annoyed the hell out of them. “Soon, guys. Tomorrow we leave.” And I’ll be back with my friends. Will have lots to do.

When she felt poised again, she walked out to the great room. Only ten o’clock and the morning had already got off to a rocky start. Dressed appropriately in a demure dress, heels, and hose despite the heat, she’d attended church service with her parents, hoping to please them. Major mistake.

When they’d introduced her around afterward, their oh-so-polite friends couldn’t look away from the ugly marks and yellowing bruises on her face. Since the news had reported only a shoot-out at the Clearwater Docks, Gabi couldn’t explain her battered appearance, and everyone plainly assumed she had an abusive boyfriend. Her parents had grown more and more distant. Oh look, Gabi, you’ve embarrassed them again.

One more day and then home.

Finding her parents in the room, discussing the sermon, Gabi stopped in the doorway. “I’m going to make some coffee. Anyone want one?”

“I’d like a latte,” her mother said. “Thank you, Gabrielle.”

Gabi had just finished making the coffee when the doorbell rang. Great. More stuffy, parental friends. Well, she’d hand off the latte and retreat back to her room. She carried the two cups out of the kitchen as her mother entered the great room, followed by Marcus.

Marcus? Here? Not in the club? Here. Her brain shut down as if someone had flipped a switch.

He walked up to her. “Easy, sugar.” He carefully took the two cups from her before she spilled them on her mother’s white carpet, then set them on the coffee table.

“Do you remember Marcus Atherton, Gabrielle?” her mother asked, giving his dark gray suit an approving look. When Gabi didn’t answer, she added, “He says you met on a special assignment in Tampa.”

“Um. Yes, I remember him.” What is he doing here? Her chest hurt as if her heart had shriveled and died. She glanced at the hallway that led to her bedroom and escape, but Mother would be horrified. No hope for it; she had to act politely.

She dropped down on the couch, ignoring her mother’s wince at her lack of grace. “What brings you to Orlando, Marcus?” And how did you find out my location? Didn’t you get my letter?

Walking right past an empty chair, he joined her on the couch, sitting close enough she could feel the warmth of his thigh against hers—close enough to make it obvious they were more than just friends. Her mother’s eyebrows rose.

“I came over to take you out for lunch, sugar.” He took her hand, then smiled at her parents. “I do apologize for the discourtesy of calling unannounced.”

Gabi tried to pull her hand away without her parents noticing, and amusement lit his eyes. She glowered at him. “Didn’t you see Vance and Galen?”

His grip flexed in a way that reminded her of how incongruously strong he was. “I did. They gave me your note and told me how much you looked forward to seeing me again.”

They did not. They wouldn’t. Would they? She remembered Galen’s expression when she’d said she didn’t want to talk to Marcus. “He deserves more than that,” he’d said.

This isn’t fair.

Marcus watched his little sub’s face flush a vivid pink. The big brown eyes had lit with joy when she’d seen him and now shot sparks at him. Smothering a laugh, he turned back to her parents. How had such a cold couple created someone as bright and warm as Gabi? He knew others like the Renards; his old law firm had been filled with their type. He hadn’t realized how much he’d enjoyed being away from pompous assholes until now.

He studied Gabi for a moment, having to suppress his rage at the sight of the bruising on her forehead, her cheek, her jaw. Her mangled wrists—he’d have to avoid hurting them. Yet just the sight of her filled him with pleasure.

“Mr. Renard.” He stood to shake hands with her father. “I believe someone said you work for Thompson and Dunn? In law?”

The man’s chest puffed slightly. “I specialize in corporate law, yes.”

“An intriguing field.” Marcus smiled and added, “I’m an assistant district attorney in Tampa.”

“Why how nice,” her mother said. The approving look Gabi got from her parents warmed Marcus’s heart and probably shot his chances with her to hell. “Can I get you something to drink, Mr. Atherton?”

“No. But thank you.” He smiled. “I didn’t mean to disturb your morning.” As he watched Gabi’s parents, their body language and expressions, Marcus could clearly see their attitude toward their daughter, that of two snooty Siamese cats faced with a bouncy puppy. His heart broke for her. As warm and perceptive as Gabi was… Had they been as disapproving of her when she’d been a child? No wonder she’d run away. He’d have joined her.