The Forced Wife

Chapter Three

Lucian walked around the side and into the restaurant Kade following him, that manager had better of kept it empty he thought, if not he wouldn’t be happy. 

As they entered, he saw the girl again, she was helping the little boy take his jacket off and it clicked to Lucian that she was like a mum to him. He felt something watching her play such a role, her background check had shown she had lost her mum when she was little and now her brother had such a fate, the little boy was smiling up at her and she was saying something to him, she had finally convinced him to put the ipad down on the table and was ruffling his hair. The kid ducked away laughing and he liked that, seeing his nephew laugh and smile made him feel happy. he watched her help the kid onto a chair then sit herself down, tossing her dark hair back again, she looked down at her menu. 

Gabrielle POV 

She was so nervous, she wanted to make a good impression. She had told Daniel no ipad at the tabe when his uncle arrived, Timo had left them at the enterence and all the men stood around like they were guarding the restaurant. She was young but old enough to consider this family very strange already. 

She heard foodsteps approach as she read her menu, it was full of things she had never tried before like fois gras and consommé whatever the hell that was. She was already feeling nervous and now she was going to feel embaressed, she was also worried what Daniel was going to eat, they were all more of a pizza and garlic bread family. The most international they got was a Chinese or a curry on a birthday. She bite her bottom lick and looked up to see who was approaching.  

Two men walked towards them and she could see their resemblance to Clare immediately. Both were in their early twenties, and both were taller, muscular and dangerous looking. But they had her soft brown eyes, dark floppy hair and strong jaw, where her step mother had been delicate these men were hard. But the resemblance was undeniable.

Lucian had watched her looking at the menu like she was worried, maybe she was used to better food? Or maybe she was worried about the price. He had seen her bank account, and it was low. Too low to look after his nephew properly. It was like slow motion when she looked up and met his eyes, her eyes were sparkling, curious and beautiful. A dark green, like a gemstone and full of questions. He nearly stopped in his tracks, he could see her taking him and Kade in, he wondered if she liked what she saw. No, he thought to himself he would have to get that out of his head. 

Gabrielle rose and smiled at the both, and they stopped. Both Kade and Lucian caught their breathe when she smiled, and it made her feel self-conscious. Wonder what’s up with them she thought. 

 ‘You must be Gabrielle’, Kade spoke, he was friendlier with new people and Lucian had told him to take the lead. Although both brothers were big even Lucian had to admit he looked intimidating. He didn’t want the girl or Daniel to be frighten of him. 

Kade gave Daniel a big smile, ‘but who is this? We were told little Daniel was only small, you are far too big to be my nephew, tell me where have you hidden him?’ he joked and was rewarded with a shy smile from Daniel, ‘I am Daniel’ he said proudly. 

He was clinging to his sisters’ arm and Kade crouched down to his level, ‘no really? Well then, I can’t call you little Daniel, can I? You are far too big, maybe Dan the Man?’ he winked up at Gabrielleas he spoke and received another shy smile from her. Something roared in Lucian, he didn’t like her smiling at Kade. 

Uncle Jack shook their hands and Kade and Lucian both greeted him pleasantly, Jack however remained reserved about the two men. Sitting down the manager hurried over, bringing bottles of water both sparkling and flat and taking drink orders. 

‘Just water for me,’ Gabrielle said, her voice was quiet like a whisper and up close Lucian and Kade could both see that her file photos did her no justice. She was really beautiful, her little nose and full lips would alone of made her face if it wasn’t for those eyes. Her dark thick hair framed her heart-shaped pale face and a permanent flush stayed on her cheeks, she wore no make-up but didn’t need it.  

Something in Lucan and Kade both twitched, ‘You know’ Kade said leaning forward with a conspirator grin, ‘they have a really delicious strawberry mocktail here, it’s sweet and light, goes perfectly with any meal right boss’ he said hitting the managers arm gently, the manager nodded vigorously, ‘it really is madam if you would like that, everyone raves about it, it would be our treat, on the house of course for you and your brother’ he seemed really eager to please Gabrielleand she didn’t want to disappoint him so she smiled again, ‘that would be lovely’. 

 Uncle Jack ordered a beer as did the two men, ‘how do you like the menu?’ Kade asked Daniel, he shrugged in reply. ‘All a bit fancy if you ask me,’ Jack said, and Gabrielle shrank down in her seat. Lucian frowned; he wasn’t liking this Jack character at all. ‘not at all’ Kade said shaking his head, he was so relaxed already in their company Lucian envied him, ‘I will tell you a secret Dan the Man, because you are family. This restaurant makes the best burgers you will ever eat.’ Daniel looked up at him, ‘really?’ he asked. 

‘But burgers aren’t on the menu’ Gabriellesaid, she sounded worried. ‘Don’t worry about menus Gabrielle, the chef will make whatever we want’ Kade responded kindly. ‘sounds like you two are used to getting what you want’ Jack said, not so kindly. 

Lucian gave him a cold smile, the manage bought the drinks over and Gabriellenoticed the place was empty. She took a sip of her strawberry mocktail, it was just as delicious as Kade had said it would be. ‘Burgers for everyone I think’ Kade said looking around the table, the manager nodded, ‘not for me, I’ll have the lobster’ Jack said setting his menu down. The manager looked at Lucian hesitantly, but he nodded and smiled. 

Gabrielle felt embarrassed by her uncle’s hostile behaviour, ‘it’s quiet in here’ she said looking around, ‘we booked the whole restaurant, wouldn’t want to be disturbed’ Lucian said. It was the first time he had said anything. Gabrielle looked at him in surprise. 

Her lips parted as if she was going to say something, but she changed her mind, ‘this drink is delicious, Daniel you should try it’. Daniel had been playing with Kade and followed his sister’s advice. Gabriellecould feel Lucian watching her as Daniel played with his new uncle. She was wondering what he was thinking, probably disappointed at how messy they all looked, and annoyed that they didn’t want this fois gras or lobster. 

She looked up at him and was supposed when he didn’t look away. His eyes were colder than his brothers, and she studied his face, he was tanned and his jaw was chiselled, the kind of guy you’d imagine when reading a book. She smiled nervously and looked down, he wished she had stayed looking at him, he wanted to study her face for longer. Take in every detail. 

The food arrived quickly and it was the best burger they had ever had, Kade was right. Daniel at a lot, he had hardly eaten since losing his parents and Gabrielle

had been the same. She was pleased he was eating now, talking to Kade about the games he had played on the new ipad and game console, telling him excitedly about his flight and their home. he had stopped looking up at Gabriellenow for reassurance, feeling comfortable in the company of his new uncles. 

When it came to dessert they were all full, Daniels burger had been smaller but he still hadn’t managed to finish it. ‘Ice cream?’ he asked cheekily. ‘Maybe later, I don’t think we need a sugar rush right now,’ Gabrielle smiled. 

Daniel looked at Kade, already having him wrapped around his finger, ‘well it is a special day, not every day do we get to meet our wonderful nephew, and you said he was very good on the flight’ he looked to Gabrielleas if for permission. ‘Well Gabriellesaid no’ Jack replied annoyed. ‘Well I’m his uncle and I think he should have some’ Lucian took over, his voice held a hint of threat in it, daring Jack to argue. He opened his mouth like he was going to but Gabrielle stepped in, ‘if it’s just a scoop, no more,’ she said trying to appease everyone. 

Lucian smiled to himself, she didn’t like confrontation. A people pleaser, and protective of Daniel. His initial assessment of her had been correct. He nodded his approval at her words, ‘good call Gabrielle’ he said, earning himself a glance from her. Jack looked surly and annoyed, but the manage came bringing ice cream anyway. 

After they finished eating the asked for the bill, Gabrielle reached for her handbag and Lucian put his hand on her arm to stop her. It was the first time he had touched her, and she flinched as if he had shocker her. Her skin was soft, too soft, and smooth, too smooth, it felt warm under his hand and he didn’t want to let go. He wanted to run his fingers gently up her arm, stroking her and making her shiver underneath his touch. 

He wanted to keep touching, to stroke her face and run his hand through her soft hair, to tuck it back behind her ear so she couldn’t hide her face from him. He wanted them to be alone, and to stand her up and kiss her, he wanted to clear the table and push her down on it, to peel off her tight jeans and lift off that tight white polo top, to see that lacy underwear he was sure she had on and slowly pull it down. He wanted to tease her, as he removed it slowly, oh so slowly from her. Carefully pull it down her legs and then kiss her, start kissing her from her ankles and make his way up to the top of her legs. He wanted her to bite her lip, to grab the back of his head and pull him into her, for her body to beg him and suddenly he was aware that everyone was looking at him staring at her and the fantasy stopped.  

He was stunned, never before had he had such graphic thoughts about someone so quickly, he swallowed, ‘it’s my treat of course’. Jack was glaring at him, Kade looked surprised and even Daniel looked confused, Gabrielle though, she looked like she had felt exactly the same things as him. Her eyes were practically begging him to do everything and more to her.