First Episode

The Cost of Power is set in an alternative universe from the main Martiniere Legacy series. In this book, I take a closer look at the mind control technology and…the relationship between Gabe and his father Philip ends up being different.

Additionally, Gabe tells Ruby who he really is much, much earlier than in the main Martiniere Legacy series.

Most of all, I’m freeforming this story. I somewhat know where it’s going to go, but how it unfolds depend on what happens with Gabe, Philip, Ruby, and Justine once they get on a roll in this particular setting.

Enjoy! This is part three of Chapter Two. There will be three parts to this chapter.

July, 2033

RUBY

Gabe slipped out of the house to go for a long ride on his horse, Ranger, just before the show started, saying he just needed to think. Ruby suspected that he didn’t want to be around when Criminal Injustice came on. She didn’t blame Gabe for that, given what she knew about him.

But that conversation with Remy kept haunting her. The name coincidence. Gabe had said that he and Gabriel used to play identity games with people who didn’t know them very well, when they were in military school. That there was a close physical resemblance, especially for people who only saw their brown skin.

And yet—

The case fascinated Ruby as she watched. She had known Gabriel’s cousin Justine in college, when Justine owned a high-end jumper at the hunter-jumper barn where Ruby worked. She hadn’t realized the degree to which Gabriel had apparently protected Justine from her father Philip’s rages.

No wonder they did a show about the case. The Martiniere family dynamics are weird.

Gramps watched grimly, his lips tight, focusing more intently on the screen than he usually did.

And then the show switched to actual trial footage.

Ruby gasped when Gabriel Martiniere walked into the courtroom, flanked by Federal marshals. She pressed both fists to her face to keep from crying out.

That was her Gabe.

A little heavier. Better dressed than she had ever seen him, in neatly fitting suit. But the way he moved, the way he scanned the courtroom before swearing his oath, his voice—that was her Gabe.

Gramps patted her shoulder. “Hang in there, Ruby-girl. I thought this was the situation.”

“You suspected?” she gulped.

“Ever since he first came with you to the ranch. Patterns of behavior. And while the Gabe Ramirez/Gabriel Martiniere roommate story holds up, I’ve wondered.”

“Why didn’t he trust us? Trust me?”

“Wait. Watch.”

Just as Gramps spoke, the Martiniere Group attorney said something, abruptly cut off by the judge.

Gabe paled. He grabbed the sides of the witness box, quivering.

“Mr. Martiniere. Mr. Martiniere. Are you all right?” the judge asked, several times.

“No. I’m. Not,” Gabe finally responded—and convulsed. Violently. He fell out of the witness box, inhuman cries escaping him as spasms wracked his body.

Too much. Too much.

Ruby fled the living room, choking back dry heaves. Her focus narrowed and she couldn’t think about trying to find the downstairs bathroom, retreating to the kitchen and leaning over the kitchen sink instead.

She didn’t realize that Gramps had followed her until his hand rested on her shoulder again. “Take it easy, Ruby-girl.”

“Why didn’t he tell us?” she moaned, still gasping, her gut roiling.

“You have to ask after watching that?” Gramps snorted. “Don’t you think Gabe has a damn good reason for keeping quiet? What happened to him in that trial was Philip Martiniere’s doing. Gabe’s been honest about worrying what someone would do to us if we knew more about his past, just not mentioning names. Otherwise, I’d have thrown him off the place years ago. I suspected, but—that footage has been locked down ever since the trial. Until now. That’s why I wanted to watch this show. To see if my suspicions were correct.”

“Oh God.” Ruby shook her head. “But he didn’t tell me—after four years—”

“Have you told him the details of your parents’ deaths? Who was responsible for killing Tony Barkley after he killed your mother? What happened to you in high school?”

“No.” She swallowed hard.

“Then don’t blame him for keeping quiet. You’ve both had your reasons for keeping secrets. Now might be a damn good time to talk it out—everything.”

Ruby shuddered. “Gramps, I think—I might be pregnant.”

“Tell him that. Tell him everything. Because this—” Gramps gestured back toward the living room. “Might be enough to spook him away, in order to protect us. If you love the man, then talk to him. Tonight. We’ll figure something out to keep all of us safe. But there can’t be any more secrets. On either side.” Gramps’s lips tightened. “Especially since we’re likely to see Nathan Bonham and Jesse Rivers cruising out here in the next day or so to pester him, armed with this. Damn good thing Vickie and Mike are organizing that Home Guard. We may need their help.”

“All right,” she whispered. She glanced out the window to see Gabe riding Ranger into the barnyard. “He’s back.”

“Go to him. Now. Before he runs. I’ll load our guns and have them ready. Just in case we need them for protection. Tell him that.”

“I will, Gramps.” Ruby splashed water on her face.

Then she headed out the back door.

The walk to the barn had never seemed this long before now.

She broke into a run.

What if Gabe decides to take off before saying goodbye?

Previous episode |

Share

Leave a comment