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 Three. There will be five parts to this chapter.

July, 2033

GABE

Ruby was quiet for a moment, putting the brush back in the rack, then rubbing Ranger’s neck.

“Then it’s not something you can just walk away from if you become Gabriel Martiniere again. Even if you wanted.”

He put his brush back and unsnapped the crossties. “Not without a lot of agony and trouble. The other piece that you need to know? Whether I stay or go, whether I’m alive or dead, as my girlfriend and the mother of my child, you are entitled to an income from the Martiniere Family Trust.”

“Gabe, it’s not about the money.”

He shook his head. “You’re entitled to it,” he repeated. “But you’ll get a lot more as my wife. My personal income as well as a bigger share from the Trust. And as the Martiniere-in-waiting’s wife, you’ll get even more.”

“Those deposits you’ve been making into the ranch accounts that you call gambling wins. Where have they been coming from?”

“My personal income. Small payouts, not enough to attract attention from Philip.”

Gabe led Ranger to one of the corrals by the barn and turned him loose. He and Ruby leaned on the fence, watching as the gelding sniffed around, then lowered himself to the ground. Ranger rolled, then rose and shook himself before wandering over to the water trough.

They turned to face each other.

“So what do we do now?” Ruby asked. “I don’t want you to go, Gabe. If that means you have to become Gabriel Martiniere again, if that means I have to deal with everything that brings—so be it. It was one thing when you were a broke ranch hand on the run from bounty hunters. I could accept the fact that you needed to disappear, and hope that at some point I’d see you again. But this—” her jaw stiffened in that stubborn manner that meant I’m not changing my mind. “I want to be at your side. Because this is one hell of a lot bigger than dealing with the threat of indenture.”

“Will you be there as my wife?”

She bit her lip. “I’ll be honest. I’m scared about the prospect of the Martinieres. I don’t know if I’m in the same league as you. That I’ll be seen by your family as a hick hayseed. That I’ll hold you back. I’ll be there, but if you have to marry someone more acceptable to your family, I’ll understand.”

God, no, Ruby! I won’t do that to you.

“Bullshit. You are my brilliant, beautiful Ruby. Your college advisor thought you had a lot of promise, and he has the reputation to convince my family—not that you need his endorsement. Your ideas for biobot design will make my cousin Artie salivate.”

“Artie?”

“Arthur Martiniere. Director of the Martiniere Labs in France.”

“The Arthur Martiniere?” Her voice quavered. “He’s your cousin?”

“Yes. Not a first cousin, but close enough. And his son Charles as well. I have many weird and powerful cousins.” He stroked her cheek. “I love you. I don’t give a shit what gossips think about you, and I’ll kick the ass of anyone who says anything bad about you. You are my heart, my love, and thinking about having to leave you has been tearing me apart over the past few weeks, ever since that damn show started running those trailers.” He dropped to his knees, careless of the dust and muck, and took her hands in his. “Ruby Marie Barkley, will you marry me? As Gabriel Marcus Martiniere, not Gabe Ramirez?”

“Oh Gabe. Yes. It scares me, but yes.”

Gabe rested his head on her hands for a moment. “My first promise to you as your fiancé and as Gabriel Martiniere. I will move heaven and earth to see your biobots in production once I have access to the money to do it. You design them, and I will make them happen. Whatever it takes, even if I have to finance every bit of it myself.”

“Gabe, I—“ She gulped. “That’s expensive. It’ll take a lab, and supplies, and—”

“You’re worth it. Your ideas are worth it. And, damn it, if I’m going to become Gabriel Martiniere again, then I have more than enough money to put your biobots into production. I believe in you, darling.”

“Oh Gabe.”

He rose, brushing off his knees before taking Ruby into his arms and kissing her. Then he sighed and pulled her to his side. “All right, then. Let’s go to the house and tell your grandfather. There’s a lot we need to do to make everything happen.”

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