: Marked Territory
Diane murmured softly to herself as she pulled her hair into a loose braid.
Her fingers were quick, but her brain wasn't going to let her mind rest, making it race faster.
Tomorrow was the big day—her first day working at her father's company.
It was a fresh start, an opportunity to be more than just someone's wife or daughter.
She couldn't sleep; the excitement was too overwhelming.
She decided a cup of tea might calm her nerves.
Pulling on her short silk nightdress, she stepped into the quiet hallway.
The hem brushed against her thighs as her bare feet padded across the wooden floor.
She didn't bother with slippers or a robe; she wasn't expecting company this late.
The soft sound of pages turning caught her attention as she reached the living room.
Riot was there, seated on the couch with a book in hand.
His strict facial features like jaw and cheekbones were softened by the glow of a nearby lamp.
Diane smiled, surprised but pleased by his presence.
"Couldn't sleep either?" she asked him warmly.
Riot looked up from his book, meeting her eyes.
He gave her a small smile and closed the book.
"Something like that. What about you?"
"Too excited," she admitted with a laugh. "I thought tea might help. Would you like some?"
He nodded. "Sure."
Diane moved to the kitchen, and Riot followed a few steps behind, leaning against the doorframe as she boiled water and prepared the tea.
She handed him a cup and took her own, sitting at the kitchen island.
As they sipped their tea, Riot's eyes remained on her for a moment longer than usual.
Her nightdress clung to her in the dim light, the silk traced every curve.
The thin straps left her shoulders bare, and he couldn't help but notice the way it fell just above her thighs.
He cleared his throat, forcing his eyes back to his tea.
"Diane," Riot began, slowly, "can you really trust your father?"
Diane blinked at the sudden question. "Of course I can. He's my father. He loves me."
Riot lifted his head, looking at her.
"Love can be complicated, especially for someone like him. Are you sure he's not just using you for his own gain?"
She frowned, her fingers tightened around her mug.
"He's not perfect, Riot, but he's my dad. He's done everything he can to protect me."
Riot didn't respond immediately, his eyes suddenly drifted to the faint scars visible on her collarbone.
The sight of them always sent a sharp electrical wave through his chest.
Before he could say anything more, the sound of footsteps came through the hall.
Gabriel had returned…
He entered the kitchen, his coat slung over his arm, his jaw hardened the moment he saw Riot with Diane.
His eyes flew to her nightdress, then to Riot's tense posture.
Something in Gabriel's body shifted, he was becoming colder, sharper.
"What's going on here?" Gabriel asked, smoothly but clearly irritated.
Diane smiled. "I couldn't sleep, so I made tea. Riot was just keeping me company."
Gabriel stared at Riot, his lips curved into a subtle smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
"How considerate of him."
Riot's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond.
Gabriel placed his coat on a nearby chair and walked over to Diane, overwhelming her somehow with his presence.
He leaned against the counter, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Diane, why didn't you tell me you were Leon Hoffman's daughter?"
Diane paused, her eyes widened.
She hadn't expected this question, not now.
She set her mug down carefully.
"I... I didn't think it mattered. I didn't even know until recently. I was kidnapped as a child, Gabriel. I lost a lot of memories."
Gabriel's smirk returned, but it was sharper now, it looked almost predatory.
He stepped closer to her, never leaving her eyes.
"Interesting," he murmured to himself.
He already knew the situation, but was testing her to see how much she was willing to tell him.
Before Diane could respond, Gabriel's hand shot out, grabbing her arm and spinning her gently but firmly around.
She gasped, her back was now facing him.
His eyes dropped to the scars on her skin, his fingers traced them with slowness.
"What are you doing?" Riot demanded, raising and hardening his tone.
Gabriel didn't look at him. "Stay out of this," he said coldly.
Diane glanced over her shoulder, uncertain. "It's fine, Riot. I'm fine."
Riot's fists clenched at his sides, but he stayed where he was.
Gabriel continued tracing her scars, his touch felt light but intentional.
"These," he said softly, almost to himself, "are reminders of what you've endured. Of what you've survived."
He leaned closer, his breath brushed against her ear.
"You've been marked by the past, Diane. And now..." His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer. "Now you're mine."
Riot shot to his feet, his chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Gabriel finally turned to him, widening his smirk.
"Sit down, Riot."
Diane nodded quickly, her voice sounded softer. "Please, Riot. It's okay."
Riot hesitated, his body was trembling from the tension, but he sat back down, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might crack.
Gabriel turned his attention back to Diane, lifting her effortlessly and setting her on the kitchen island.
She gasped, her hands gripped the edge of the counter for balance.
He tilted her chin up with his finger, locking his green eyes onto hers.
"Do you want to sleep with me, Diane?" he asked, lowly and commanding.
Diane blinked, her cheeks flushed immediately.
The question caught her off guard, but she forced herself to answer.
"Yes," she said quietly.
One thing she wanted to do was to sleep with Gabriel in this life…not to lose her first time to Adrian or Richard, but to him.
The man she stole everything from.
Riot's fists curled so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He looked like he was barely holding himself back.
Gabriel glanced at Riot, his smirk returned with an edge.
He placed a hand on Diane's thigh, his hold felt strong, but not painful.
He leaned in, his lips groomed against hers.
Diane didn't resist.
She kissed him back, her hands clutched the edge of the counter as if grounding herself.
Gabriel's eyes opened mid-kiss, he stared at Riot…it was like a clear challenge in his expression.
When he pulled back, he kept his hand on Diane's thigh, his thumb traced lazy circles against her skin.
"Do you see this, Riot?" Gabriel said, casually but with possessiveness.
"She's mine now. Completely."
Riot didn't respond, but the burning in his eyes was unmistakable.
Diane looked between the two men, her heart beated faster in her chest.
She didn't understand Gabriel's intentions or the war between him and Riot.
All she knew was that something had shifted tonight, something she couldn't quite put into words.
Gabriel's hand slid from her thigh to her waist, pulling her closer.
"You're stronger than you think, Diane," he murmured. "But strength doesn't mean you're invulnerable. Remember that."
With that, he helped her off the counter and stepped back.
"Goodnight, Diane," Gabriel said, with his smirk returning before he left the kitchen.
Diane was left standing there for a moment.
When she finally turned to Riot, she saw the frustration running through his face.
The wrinkles, the frowning, jaw that was ready to break any minute.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Riot nodded once, still tightening his shoulders.
"I'm fine. But are you?"
Diane hesitated before nodding. "I think so."
Riot didn't look convinced, but he didn't push further.
Diane realised that the lines between protection, possession, and power were becoming increasingly blurred.
And she wasn't sure where she stood in the middle of it all.
"Riot, he's my husband, and he's allowed to-"
"Please, I'm not your boyfriend. You don't need to explain anything to me. But next time you decide to seduce your husband, give me a day off. It's disgusting to look at this."
He walked off.
"Riot-"