Page 3 of Gabriel

“Leaving so soon,preciosa?”

Gabriel Santos stepped into view like he’d been waiting all along.

I was half tempted to knock him out cold, but I knew better than to let my real self slip. Especially since he was Anya’s brother. The last thing I needed was my roommates catching even a glimpse of what I was capable of. That side of me didn’t exactly fit in with late-night study sessions and campus parties.

Not that I feared what they’d do to me. I was more worried for them, because my siblings wouldn’t take kindly to rumors of my friends not accepting me.

“Of course, my personal sweet-talking stalker,” I drawled, rolling my eyes.

Somehow, I wasn’t surprised he was here. Running into this man seemed to be a constant occurrence from the moment I joined D’Arc. Of course, he was miles ahead in his studies, already holding a master’s degree and even serving as faculty. I supposed being the heir to the Santos Cartel, with one foot in academia and the other deep in business, made him an expert in more ways than one.

“Look who’s calling me sweet,” he purred.

I scoffed and crossed my arms. “How convenient that you left out the stalker part.”

He was dressed in a black suit with faint white stripes. It was almost as if he’d walked off a designer runway and straight into a Hollywood crime thriller. A few buttons of his crisp shirt were undone, hinting at a gold chain and darker skin beneath.

The man was undeniably attractive, and it made remaining annoyed with him all the more difficult.

He cocked a brow, and I realized I’d been staring.

I forced myself not to blush and moved to sidestep him when his voice stopped me.

“Didn’t take you for the sneaking-off type,” he said, leaning casually against the opposite wall in a move that blocked my path to the hallway. If I made my escape, I’d be forced to brush past him—to touch him.

“I wasn’t sneaking off.”

“Sure looked like it from where I was standing.” He gave me a once-over, and I instinctively pulled at the hem of my dress. “What are you doing here anyway? Looking to scratch an itch?”he asked, voice low and eyes gleaming with a turbulence that set me on edge.

“Move, Gabriel.”

“Why would I do that?” He pushed off the wall, crowding my space. “You haven’t even said hello. Or complimented my suit. This one’s Versace, if you didn’t know. Colombian-tailored.”

“I’m thrilled for you,” I snapped. “Now get out of my way.”

He chuckled, slow and deep, like I was his favorite part of the evening. “Careful, Amara. You keep looking at me like that and I might think you missed me. You and your siblings are quite something.”

That did it.

I stepped forward, fury crackling through me. Between Jetmir slipping through my fingers and Gabriel—always Gabriel—making his unwanted presence seem like some charming little detour, I was done.

“Firstly, I would sooner miss a wart on my face than you,” I said, voice sharp. “Secondly, Jet and Elira are none of your concern. I’d advise you to watch your tongue or risk losing it.”

He flashed me a full smile, his white teeth gleaming in the low light. “Ahhh, I’m sure a wart would look so cute on you.”

I wrinkled my nose. “You’re gross.”

The fact that he didn’t comment on the latter part of my sentence didn’t escape me.

“But you still like me a bit,” he drawled, his smile more shark-like than charming.

“In your dreams,” I bit out, then continued because he wasn’t entirely wrong and I was frustrated. “You know what, Gabriel? If I had to choose between letting you touch me or joining a convent, I’d start shopping for rosaries. I’d rather take a vow of eternal celibacy than stand here and listen to you speak for five more seconds.”

Gabriel blinked and feigned mock-offense. “Ay, Dios mío. You wound me, but I admire your spirit. Very Santa Teresa meets Ice Princess. But you know me and challenges…”

I groaned and shoved past him, resisting the urge to slap the stupid smirk off his face.

“No, I don’t. And I pray that never changes.” As I rounded the corner, ready to rejoin Skye, I glanced over my shoulder and found him watching me, his expression somber and… something else I couldn’t decipher. I shook my head and found my resolve, needing to get my point across. “Besides, I’m not a challenge. I’m a fucking warning.”