Chapter 5: Angel in White

It was faint, but Gabriel could definitely hear his friend's irritated voice through his dreamless sleep. Gabriel would have thought since he didn't give River any reaction, the man would get the message and leave. But River wasn't the type to get scared of Gabriel's demonic glare, that was the absolute worst in the mornings.

"Stop barking at me," Gabriel's voice was a low growl.

"Do you know what time it is?" River asked, he was clearly annoyed.

"If you're awake then I'm sure it's still dawn," Gabriel said from under the duvet.

River scoffed. "It's eight o'clock in the morning," he informed his alpha. "I can't believe I'm waking you up, like we're still in high school."

Even if Gabriel tried, he wouldn't be able to fall asleep now. "It was a long night," he knew he gave River a lame excuse but it was true.

The duvet fell and bunched up near Gabriel's waist when he rose from the bed. Through the window next to him, thick beams of golden light spread across the bed and over Gabriel's bare torso making him uncomfortably hot. "Why are you in my room, River?" Gabriel raked his tousled hair out of his drowsy eyes.

River crossed his muscular arms, that bunched up the dark leather jacket he wore; it was tattered from being used so often. Gabriel had bought River that jacket for his birthday a couple years back. He was glad to see it used so often.

"Klaus came to wake you up about a hundred times, but you were sleeping like a corpse," he said. "And I know the only way to wake you up is with more tenacity."

Gabriel rolled the kinks out of his stiff neck. "I told Klaus I was up all night," he mumbled.

Under the light, River's blue eyes appeared silver. "Were you planning on not going to the work today?" River asked.

Gabriel got off the bed and padded away from his friend. "No, I'm going. But I thought I'd go a little late," he said. Gabriel opened the door to his bathroom and took a quick shower; it lasted no longer than five minutes. After he was done, he wrapped a towel around his waist. Droplets of water rolled down his body and soaked into the towel.

River's voice spoke up from the room. "What were you working on that you stayed up all night?"

Gabriel sauntered out of the steamy bathroom and into his closet. "Azura gathered intel on someone I want to get in touch with," he said. "So, I was just reading through it."

River leaned on the wall with a frown creasing his handsome face. "King Vitiello," he presumed.

He smirked at his friend for guessing correctly. "King returned from Italy a couple of days ago," he told River. Gabriel finished buttoning the cuffs on his shirt before he joined his friend in the bedroom.

"What was King doing in Italy?" inquired River.

"Perhaps, he went to soak in the sun," Gabriel jested.

River's brow rose. "I don't think a mob boss does vacation, Gabe," he remarked.

Gabriel hooked his suit's jacket over his arm. "Even a mob boss deserves some time off, River," he said with a grin. "I just hope this time he's returned with more of an open mind."

River faced Gabriel. "Why are you so persistent for this guy?" River's silvery blue gaze narrowed and settled on his alpha calm expression.

"I met him once... and something told me that this man is more than just a Don," Gabriel shared.

A moment later, River rolled his eyes. "You're such a sucker," he left the bedroom shaking his head.

Gabriel briskly followed River down the stairs. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked.

"You always want to help everyone," answered River.

"And that makes me a sucker?" retorted Gabriel.

River stopped and turned on the last step, looking up into Gabriel's eyes. "A big sucker," he mocked.

Gabriel kissed his teeth. "Screw you, River," he bit out. Gabriel walked past his friend who never held back his words, even if he was speaking to his alpha.

They sauntered into the kitchen, which was messy and the remnants of breakfast being served was everywhere. Hunter and Vincent were sitting at the table drinking coffee and eating bowls of cereal and toast.

Klaus as he walked in also dressed for work at the Institute. "I found the Tylenol, Viola," he said.

Gabriel poured himself coffee from the pot. "Viola's still sick," he frowned.

Viola sluggishly sauntered into the kitchen. She was wrapped in a black fleece, which made her skin look paler. "Sadly, yes," she said with a raspy voice.

"I left food in the fridge for you, Viola," said Klaus. "Eat and then take medicine. Don't take it with just coffee alone."

Vincent got up from the table and put his empty mug and bowl in the sink. "I'm telling you right now Viola, you better not pass that cold to me," he said.

Viola pouted. She slumped her head on the kitchen counter. "Only Klaus loves me," she cried.

"You're so dramatic," Hunter remarked making Gabriel smile over the rim of his cup.

Viola glared back at him. "Don't make me cough on you, Hunter Centauri," she threatened, and then, she actually coughed until her rib-cage painted terribly. "Ugh, I feel like there's a boulder on my head. And my body is hurting, everything is hurting."

Hailey rushed into the kitchen with her heels in her hand and ready for the day, like the rest of them. "Why are you out of bed? You need to sleep this off, Viola." she disciplined but it was with affection. "I told you I'd handle all your classes at the Institute. So, you don't need to come today." Hailey went and sat by her mate.

"This sucks so much," Viola sniffled her nose. "I swear I'm never going near that stupid lake again."

Gabriel shook his head and put his empty mug in the sink, when Ryder walked into the house as well.

"Good morning, everybody," he smiled broadly, unlike his twin who always had a scowl. Ryder's blue eyes landed on Viola. "Damn, you look terrible, Viola."

Viola's mouth dropped open and so did everyone else's. "Thank you for such kind words this morning," Viola gritted her teeth.

"My bad," Ryder raised his hands in truce. "It just came out."

Vincent shoved a coffee mug in Ryder's hand. "Drink and shut up before you get killed," he advised.

"Seems like we all woke up late this morning," said Hailey.

"Busy night for you too?" asked Gabriel.

Hailey frowned over the rim of her cup. "No, I've just been really tired lately," she shared with them.

"It's probably the summer heat," said Klaus.

Hunter frowned. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked Hailey softly. "Are you getting sick too?"

"I don't think so," she said. "I feel fine, just tired."

Vincent shrugged on a light jacket. "Make sure to go to the doctor's, Viola," he instructed. "We don't want you making everyone sick."

"Yeah, okay," Viola said. "Are you sure you're alright, Hailey?"

Hailey waved her hand and got up from the chair. "It's nothing to worry about," she smiled. "We should get going, Klaus."

Klaus nodded and followed Hailey to the front door. Gabriel, River and the rest of them went outside as well.

"Have a great day, guys," Viola wished as she stood alone in the house about to close the door.

Last to leave, Gabriel stopped the door from closing with his firm hand. "Eat and then get some rest," he told his sister.

Viola smiled sweetly. "Will do."

Gabriel and River got into his car. Hunter had left to join Azura for work around the property and Vincent was with Ryder to help their beta. The two men drove off the property and out the gates making their way towards Centauri Enterprise. It had been a full week since the party, and since he had dropped Sabrina off at her house. As River drove down the streets, Gabriel wondered what he was going to do about his eccentric mate. There was no opportunity for him to visit her, and she hadn't contacted him either.

Gabriel and River arrived at the massive skyscraper, that was already bustling with people.

Gabriel strolled through the spinning doors of his company where he was greeted by his employees, that were punctual and always ready for the busy day ahead of them. Especially, Cassie Monroe who was a short, young woman with brown hair and hazel eyes. She was Gabriel assistant for the longest time.

Already waiting at the doors for his arrival. "Good morning, sir," she said politely.

"Good morning, Cassie," said Gabriel. "Any messages?"

"More than we can count," she remarked. "I'll send up all the logs and who you need to call back first."

Gabriel curtly nodded. "Thanks," he said. River and Gabriel entered the private elevator taking them to the top floor of the skyscraper.

The long, and as always, busy day had just begun for the CEO of Centauri Enterprise. Before Gabriel even stepped foot in his office, he was swarmed with papers to sign and phone calls to answer. Cassie had covered the things that could be handled later. She easily passed Gabriel all of the documents that needed his immediate attention. The day ran smoothly and Gabriel didn't even realize how much time had passed.

Gabriel and River walked out of the second meeting today. Cassie had her Bluetooth piece in her ear at all times. She was handling her team to make sure that everything was ready for the next meeting. She grabbed the file from Gabriel and passed him the one for the next conference.

"That girl needs a raise," said River.

Gabriel remembered he hired Cassie when she was still in grad-school. The interviews had ended and she had arrived late. Gabriel usually wouldn't have given anyone who arrived late a chance. But Cassie had pledged something to him that day he just couldn't ignore. She promised that she would work twice as hard as all the other ten candidates combined. To this day, she has lived up to her word. It left him wondering... maybe Gabriel was a sucker for giving in to people who had a fire in their eyes.

"How about it, Cassie. Do you want a raise?" Gabriel asked as they walked over to the meeting room next to his main office.

Cassie looked up from her notebook. "No, thank you, sir," she replied. "Although, instead of a raise, I would like to take a vacation to our resort in Paris."

Gabriel's brows shot up as he stared down at the girl who barely reached his shoulder. "Vacation. That's what you want?" he inquired.

"Paid vacation," she added firmly.

"Why the resort in Paris?" asked River.

Cassie had a smirk only she knew the meaning behind it. "Is it a deal?" she asked Gabriel.

"Sure," Gabriel bemused. "I'll pay for your vacation at my resort."

"Alright, thank you," she said. "And the reason I chose that resort, is because that was the resort I helped you build when I was first hired here. I never got to see it and I've been working with you for five years now. Thank you again, sir." Cassie walked into the meeting room after getting once-in-a-lifetime deal from her infamous boss.

Gabriel looked at his friend grimly. "I think I am a sucker," he astonished.

River grinned. "Told you."

Suddenly, a dark forest pine scent mixed with roses came from down the hallway. Gabriel's wolf reacted first, before his own body stiffened and grew rigid under his Armani suit. Gabriel's gaze moved from River over to the end of the hall. Before Gabriel saw anything, he heard the faint clinking of heels. He knew exactly who had arrived from just the scent that awakened his sleeping wolf.

Pearly white platform heels lead to long legs that walked with confident strides. Sabrina Sinclair was glowing in an off-shoulder white dress, that was molding to the curves of her body, it stopped just below her knees. Her chocolate brown hair wasn't styled like the night at the party, instead she left it more tousled to do what it wanted, and of course it was perfect. Gabriel bit back his urge to run his fingers through her the heavy waves.

Sabrina clearly noticed him staring intensely. Her plump rose lips lifted into a grin, which grew into a smile, showing off her dimples when she came and stood right in front of him. "Hi," she broke the silence.

Gabriel's eyes shifted from her pretty dimples to her minty green eyes. "Sabrina," saying her name alone unnerved him completely.

"Hi, River," she titled her head and shot River a smile who was just as staggered.

River composed his stumped expression. "Hey," he said. "What brings you by today, Sabrina?"

"I had some business to discuss with your alpha over here," she said looking at Gabriel who was still caught off guard by her presence.

"The meeting's about to start-" Cassie's words fell and her eyes popped open when she saw who was in front of them. "Are you for real?" she astonished.

Sabrina giggled. "I think so," she said.

Cassie stuttered for the first time in a long time. "Er- I'm sorry, I just never expected to be meeting you in person."

Sabrina stuck her hand out. "You're sweet," she said and they shook hands. "Sabrina."

"I know," Cassie was definitely fawning from what Gabriel could see and he couldn't blame her. "I'm Cassie and you probably hear this a lot, but I love you."

Gabriel gaped at his assistant who was so blunt with her words. "Cassie!"

Sabrina chuckled. "It's okay," she told Gabriel. "Thank you for loving me."

Cassie nodded and then moved to compose herself. "Sir, the meeting room is ready for you," she said but then looked at Sabrina and him. "Unless, you'd like me to delay it?"

"Just give me a few moments, Cassie," instructed Gabriel.

"Yes, of course," Cassie went back into the room with her further orders.

Sabrina frowned. "Did I come at a bad time?"

Gabriel shook his head. "No," he said. "I'm glad you came-" Sabrina's smile turned shy when he held her gaze to his own- "I'll just cancel the meeting and we can talk in my office."

"If the meeting's not going to take long, I can wait," she offered instead. "I did come unannounced and I don't want to come in the way of your work."

"No, it's fine," said Gabriel.

She laid her hand on his arm. "Go to meeting first, Gabriel," she said firmly. "Besides, I think you should clear your schedule before you talk with me."

"And why would I need to do that?" Gabriel asked with pleasure written all over his face. He was sure it was clear to her, and River, and anyone else, that decided to pop in.

Sabrina's eyes winked with charm that made his heart slip. "I have some important business to discuss with you," she said. "And I would very much like it if you were free for me."

Gabriel's straightened to his full height. "River will keep you company in my office," he said sternly. "I'll be with you in ten minutes."

Sabrina nodded. "Take your time," she said.

Gabriel opened the door to his office for her and she sauntered inside. The door closed and he turned towards River, his calm composure fell. "Whatever you do, don't scare her off," he warned his friend.

River's brow raised. "I'm not going to bite her head off, Gabriel," he retorted.

"I don't know with you," Gabriel countered. "Just make sure you don't act like your usual self."

River was definitely offended now. "Then what should I act like?" he asked his alpha cynically.

"How the hell would I know," said Gabriel. "Just be nice and smile for once."

River's glower deepened into a glare. "Just go to the goddamn meeting," he said, before he walked off mumbling a bunch of curses under his breath.

Gabriel never moved faster. 

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