You are MINE (closed)

[Asa]

It is like a crusade for her. Find the abusive and people who hold power and wield it for their own dark and abusive desires and... Break them of those habits. Your Lance we suspect t is one of those. Someone has approached her or she has heard of his abuse of power for carnal pleasure. You did not know his from her file?

The old man raised a brow.

 

[susurrus]

Greg listened to what Alexi said and nodded. "The reports were rather vague. It now makes sense, though. So, she went after Lance and got me instead. She torments Lance every chance she gets. The kinds of outfits she wears, while I love them, have to just drive him up the wall. She's the first employee of his who's refused him and still is there and working. My guess is that Lance expects some day he'll get his chance.

"Should I talk to Braddock at all, or should I leave him alone and let him come to conclusions on his own?"

 

[Asa]

She will talk to her brothers. Any other questions about her brothers? Or our reaction to someone so bluntly attempting to claim our Gabriella?

The old man laughed as be waited for any questions.

 

[susurrus]

"That was just a reaction to Ram smacking her ass. It was the simplest way of getting my point across. I have to admit, I was kind of surprised at the reaction to what I said. What was that all about?

"As far as other questions, I hope I'll be allowed to ask later if other questions come to mind?"

 

[Asa]

Our Gabriella is not one to take someone making claims like that... She has had... Difficult past... That is why you surprise us... She has never really let many in like that for her it is always the job. Never too close no pain or suffering... With you... She... Is different.

The old man shrugged.

She has past with Ram and his brother but always kept light no commitment no expectations.

Alexi nodded.

Ask any of them or me anything you think of.

 

[susurrus]

Greg told Alexi, " I didn't mean my warning to come out quite so neanderthal. It was the first thing that popped onto my mind and it just came out. I understand Gabriella and Ram have history. Her history's with me for now. I guess the question I have for Ram is: how would he feel if I laid hands on his girlfriend?

"Gabriella and I had a moment before we started this way. I don't know where it will go, but it was huge. It meant a lot.

"I appreciate the openness you're offering. You've been very kind to me. Thank you for welcoming me as you have."

Alexi made Greg feel comfortable. He had little doubt that the files were wrong about the man, but they didn't tell the complete story. He was far more than the monster the police would have him be.

 

[Asa]

Alexi nodded as they joined the other.

You make our Gabriella happy. We are happy.

He smiled seeing Braddock calmer and Caleb actually drinking and laughing.

See zhe knows how to work with her brothers.

 

[susurrus]

"I manage to displease her plenty, trust me, but I like to think the happy times outweigh the ones where I screw up. I know she makes me happy, that's for sure." Gabriella and the boys were talking and laughing across the room. "She's so much more beautiful when she smiles like that. She doesn't bring it out much, but I'm proud to say I've seen it several times in the last few weeks."

 

[Asa]

She is so rarely truly happy outside of her work. It is good to see and I am not getting any younger so to know she has a happiness like you in her life is good.

He smiled and walked back over.

Now you and I shoot pool Greg. Make bet on game with old man?

Gabriella shook her head no but smiled.

 

[susurrus]

Greg glanced at Gabriella, who subtly shook her head no at the idea of betting with the man. The smile on her face said she liked that he and Alexi were getting along, though.

"I'm being counseled against betting with you, but to humor an old man, this poor cop can spare ten bucks. Nothing more, nothing else.

"Whattya say, Alexi? It's ten bucks, or it's just a game between friends. I'm good either way."

 

[Asa]

Alexi laughed.

Ten is fine... Gabriella think I would hustle someone she love... Such distrusting daughter.

Ram and Bastien laughed.

We got ten each in the cop winning.

 

[susurrus]

Alexi seemed delighted by the wager. Greg was sure if he'd have left it up to the older man, the bet would more than likely have been well more than ten times his frugal ten dollar bill. The thing he didn't want was for the bet to be for anything more than money. He wasn't sure Alexi would do that to him, given his relationship with Gabriella, but he didn't want to take the chance of being put in that situation. It could have been he'd seem far too many gangster movies, but it was likely a lot of those things were based in fact.

At Ram's comment about betting on him to win, he returned, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys." He'd given thought to letting the older man win, but now that there were bettors on his side, he owed it to them not to throw the game just to stroke the old man's ego. Besides, Alexi didn't seem the type of man who would appreciate Greg playing at anything but his best. This was a test as much as any of the rest of this visit had been for him.

It seemed like he'd been separated from Gabriella for far too long, so Greg stepped over to her, placed his hands on her hips and placed a kiss on her lips. "Hi. I've missed you," he said before turning and telling Alexi, "You go ahead and break. I'll be over here for a little bit."

 

[Asa]

Alexi nodded as he broke and sank three more shots.

Your shot Greg.

Gabriella curled close as they kissed hugging him gently.

 

[susurrus]

As he stood with his arm around Gabriella, Greg watched Alexi pocket four balls, and for a second he was afraid the older man would just clear the table and he wouldn't even get a chance. However, Alexi managed to miss his fifth and graciously offered Greg the table.

Placing another quick kiss on her lips, he said, "Wish me luck, beautiful," then stepped up to the table.

The first one was easy. It was the ball that'd fouled Alexi's attempted shot. He then managed to hit the pockets with two more before he hit a cushion wrong and missed.

"Take it easy on me," Greg laughed as he stepped away, giving Alexi space. He didn't go back to Gabriella, he just stood back from where he'd shot last, which put him within a couple feet of Braddock.

 

[Asa]

Braddock simply watched the game. Calmer around Greg as she smiled a little watching Alexi sink two then again miss.

Gabriella uncle may not let you take this one back home. Seems be has found someone who can really play against him.

 

[susurrus]

Greg had never been so evenly matched while playing pool. Then again, his opponents were typically the drunks at Lance's, out to put one over on the police in the only way they could come up with, sitting there in the bar. All those games over the years had made him a damn decent player. He wasn't world class by any means, but it'd been a while since he'd paid for his own drinks on the nights he was challenged to play.

The tone in the room was a lot more relaxed now than it had been when Greg arrived. Apparently Alexi's evident acceptance of him had helped a little. Greg held no illusions that he still trod some potentially fine ice. Gabriella's feelings for him, plus the fact he was trying to just act like any old guy was helping a lot.

Even as calm as things seemed, everybody appesred fairly intent on this particular game of pool. It was then that Greg realized this was another test. If he'd decided to throw the game to make Alexi look good, it could have been interpreted that he thought the old man was weak. If he'd have mopped the floor with the guy - something that wouldn't happen given Alexi's ability with a cue - it could be interpreted that he was trying to embarrass him, and that would have bern no good, either. The decision to simply play the best game he was capable of playing had been the right one.

Alexi sank his next two, leaving one ball on the table. Greg was feeling the pressure, as giving the big man one more shot at the table would more than likely give him the game.

As Greg stepped toward the table for his turn, he heard Braddock compliment his playing, in a flat, nearly-emotionless tone that Greg was discovering was his normal speaking voice. Hearing the young man say something positive about him, given what Greg had learned about the man, was a good step.

Greg's best first shot wasn't an easy one. The eight ball was treacherously close to the hole, but he managed to sneak his ball in behind it.

The next was a relatively easy drop into the side, but Alexi's remaining ball seemed strategically placed to make his next two shots exceptionally tricky.

Greg analyzed the table a little and finally decided on a long two-cushion that put his next-to-last ball in the corner opposite the eight. That left one more ball of his to take care of, sink the eight, and the game would be over.

The trouble was, once again, Alexi's ball was in the way. It was a peculiar arrangment, for thst single ball to be such a nuisance, but like with practically anything in life, the bizarre happens when you least expect or desire it to.

Then, he saw his opening. It would be close. It'd be necessary to send his ball past Alexi's with no room to spare. A fraction to one side and he'd miss his ball completely. A fraction to the other, and he ran the risk of dropping Alexi's ball instead.

Greg aimed. He contacted the cue ball. It brushed past Alexi's ball and with a quiet click his last ball started moving. It wasn't moving quickly, but this had been a finesse shot, not a power one. The ball crept toward the pocket, losing momemtum the closer it got. It looked like he'd made the shot and he started to straighten with a sigh of relief, when it stopped, right on the edge of the hole. His sigh of relief turned into a groan of frustration. The only plus side was the pocket he now blocked was Alexi's most logical shot.

"Your're up," he told Alexi. Greg was enjoying this. He hadn't played a.game of pool this close in ages. He went back to Gabriella and slipped his arm around her waist. "I don't know how he put that one ball where he did, but it sure made things tough for me. This"ll probably be the game."

 

[Asa]

She smiled.

Uncle has been playing since he could see over the table.

Alexi finished off his shots and the old lady who had arrived earlier walked over

Dinner ready you all come to diner... Now. Have to make sure these boys eat and make sure Gabriella new love a good eater too.

 

[susurrus]

Greg smiled at Gabriella. "It shows. He's one hell of a player."

As suspected, Alexi sank his last ball, even with the easy shot blocked, then dropped the eight with no effort whatsoever. Greg walked over, held out his right hand; in his left was a ten-dollar bill.

"Great pool shooting, my friend. It was an honor playing with you." Turning to the boys who'd bet on him, he shrugged. "Sorry guys. Balls didn't land in my favor." The looks on the brothers' faces said they weren't angry he'd lost. In fact, it appeared he'd passed some test he'd suspected he was undergoing from the beginning.

Just then, Serena, Alexi's sweetheart, stepped from the back and announced dinner. Greg went over to Gabriella and placed his hands on her hips. "Well, I tried.

"Are we going to eat?"

 

[Asa]

I warn you now she cooks enough the army and expects all of us to eat most of it.

Gabriella smiled staring into his eyes. Braddock walked over to them.

Sorry if I seemed distrusting and on edge. Uncle told me he explained to you why.

He held his hand out to Greg. Gabriella just smiled to her baby brother.

 

[susurrus]

To Gabriella, Greg said, "I'll do my part. Whether it'll be enough, I can't say, but I'll soldier on through." He looked back into her smile and wanted to take her right there on the pool table, but he didn't figure her family would take too kindly to that.

They started walking toward the dining area when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. When Greg turned, there was Braddock, his stony gaze not giving away anything. Greg was once again afraid he might start something. Instead, he bowed his head in shame, saying with more emotion than Greg knew he could muster, "Sorry if I seemed distrusting and on edge. Uncle told me he explained why."

The younger man then lifted his face once more and held his hand out. Greg shot a glance to Gabriella, who simply grinned with pride. That was enough for Greg and grasped the offered hand. "Indeed he did. I'm truly sorry for your loss, and doubly sorry for how it happened. Trust me when I say nothing of the sort will happen between me and your sister." He leaned in to Braddock and said in a half-whisper, pretending a confidence, even though Gabriella would be able to hear easily, "Besides, I might be bigger and stronger than she is, but she could probably still kick my ass."

 

[Asa]

With all Ram taught her about fighting I have little doubt. She can beat him.

Braddock laughed a little as they moved to the table and all the food for carried out and ready for everyone.

 

[susurrus]

Greg laughed with Braddock regarding Gabriella's ability to whip the man who taught her to fight. It felt good to laugh, when for so much of the time since he'd arrived, Greg had felt like he should say as little as possible, for fear of turning this goodwill he'd been shown into hostility. He still felt the need to censor himself, because some of the comments that kept coming to mind could very easily be misconstrued as criticism of how these people operated. He'd seen how mentioning cop stuff set them on edge, so he was trying not to speak as he might normally about certain subjects.

The look he got when he did the chivalrous thing and held Gabriella's chair for her didn't say she thought he'd pull it out from under her as she sat. No, the look she gave him said no one had ever done such a thing for her and she didn't know exactly how to respond to it.

Serena saw, though, and saw Gabriella's look. "Thank the boy and sit, 'Ella."

 

[Asa]

Gabriella nodded and thanked Greg and smiled sitting down. She looked around at the bowls and bowls of food and smiled. Serena nodded to them

Go on eat!

 

[susurrus]

God, when was the last time Greg had had the opportunity to be a gentleman? He was amused that Serena had to coax Gabriella into how to react. Apparently, for all her positive reviews of the boys, none of them apparently had a gallant thought while she lived with them.

He pushed her chair in, then sat down beside her. The food smelled incredible, even the stuff he had no clue what it was. Up until that moment, Greg hadn't realized how hungry he was. They hadn't stopped on the way there for a bite, and he'd been so nervous about this meeting that his gut had been half on edge most of the visit. Now that he was getting more comfortable, though, his belly was finally letting him know it wanted filling.

Not knowing the protocols with this bunch regarding food, he waited for someone else to make the first move...

 

[Asa]

Alexi said grace and they all began to eat. It truly was like a family. Business talk was never done o er a meal. They all sat down and ate and relaxed. Braddock spoke up a little.

Sis isn't used to normal interactions being so formal with her just... Outsiders.