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 one of Chapter Four. There will be five parts to this chapter.

July, 2033

RUBY

What the fuck?

Ruby stared at her phone. “How did she get my number?”

Gabe eased the phone from her fingers. “Must have kept it from when you were working at the barn and she was riding there. Justine knew we were together then. Put it on speaker.”

And that news was a revelation. How did Justine know they were a couple, four years ago?

Ruby accepted the call as Gabe guided her back to the table. “Hello?”

“Ruby—is Gabriel with you? Serg said he would call right away but he hasn’t, so we were getting worried—”

“Why the hell do we have paperwork saying that Gabe is Philip’s son?” Ruby blurted before Gabe could speak.

“Wha-what?” Justine sounded shocked.

“She probably doesn’t know. Is Piotr there?” Gabe snapped.

“Da, Gabriel—” an unfamiliar male voice answered.

Gabe growled something in Russian. The other voice responded. Justine interceded, also in Russian, along with another woman speaking in a Scots accent and a man with a French accent but before long it was a blur of yelling and screaming in a language she didn’t know, the tones made Ruby feel buzzy and weird, and damn it, from Gabe’s expression it wasn’t good—

“QUI-I-I-T!” Ruby snarled in her harshest horse training voice, the one she would use to halt a reactive horse across the arena or corral from her. “Speak English, NOW.”

Silence. Gabe gave her a startled, wide-eyed gaze. Gramps hid a smile.

Then, surprisingly, Justine chuckled. “I’d forgotten about Ruby’s horse trainer voice. I should have remembered it from lessons.”

“You have not been giving her the mind control training, have you, Gabriel?” said the first man, the one who had started the arguing in Russian.

“No, Piotr, I haven’t. Nor would I.” Gabe’s hand snaked out and took Ruby’s. “As Justine said, Ruby is a horse trainer. She uses her voice to control her horses. And I think that even without mind control training, she could stop me cold using my words in that tone. She now knows my words.”

“Is that wise?” Piotr asked.

“She’s my fiancée. I’d hope to hell I can trust her.”

“Congratulations, Gabie and Ruby.” Justine’s voice went softer.

“Who exactly is with you, Tine? Piotr, of course. I heard Kendra and Gerard. Is Donald there as well?”

“Yes, Gabe,” a different man answered.

“I need control of my accounts as soon as possible.”

“So you are returning to your identity.” This male voice was the French-accented one.

“Reluctantly, Gerard. I don’t have a choice.”

“We need to talk.” Gerard’s words carried a weight that resonated over the phone. It made Gabe flinch and Ruby felt buzzing through her body once again. “Not like this. Face-to-face. In a secure location. Can you come here?”

“Well—” Gabe glanced at her, then Gramps. “I can’t leave where I am. My fiancée is here, along with her grandfather, and I have ranch responsibilities. I won’t leave them undefended, and I haven’t had the time or the money to hire people to cover for us. I have nothing to hide from those closest to me. Can you come here?”

“Gabie, what’s the nearest airport capable of handling a corporate jet?” Justine asked.

“Thunder County State Airport, in Lakeside, Oregon. It’s fifteen miles from where I am at, but there’s no public transport, Tine. Not even taxis.”

“Figured as much.” Justine’s tone was lighter. “Serg is bringing enough security to cover us as well as you so it will just be me, Donald, Uncle Gerry, Kendra, Scott, and Piotr, no extras. I’ll check with Serg about arrangements. Donald, what needs to happen so that Gabie can access his funds?”

“I have some papers he needs to sign—”

“All right, then.” Her speech was firm, decisive. “Financial arrangements will be part of our face-to-face meeting. Gabie, Ruby, and—your grandfather’s name is Ron, correct?”

“Correct,” Gabe said.

“There’s a lot we need to straighten out here—” her voice sharpened momentarily. “Especially with what Ruby said. I want to know what the fuck is going on, and get some answers to my satisfaction tonight. Will tomorrow morning around ten work for the three of you?”

Gabe glanced again at her and Gramps. Ruby nodded, then Gramps.

“Then we shall see you tomorrow at ten. Text me when Serg gets there so that I know you’re safe.” Justine shifted from professional to a softer, more personal note. “And Gabie—if this is true, and you’re my brother?”

“Yes?” His voice quavered a little and his grip tightened on Ruby’s hand.

“I am so fucking glad that I have a good brother.”

That brought a smile that softened Gabe’s expression but not his grip. “Thanks, Tine.”

“I plan to give you the biggest hug ever when I see you two tomorrow.”

“Looking forward to it, Tine.”

“Same here.” She hung up.

Gabe exhaled and finally released Ruby’s hand, rubbing his face.

“You all right?” she asked. That expression when she snapped and managed to shut everyone up, especially when Gabe ended up being quizzed down about her receiving mind control training—what the hell was that all about? Somehow, even though she hadn’t used Gabe’s words, she had triggered something, and not just in Gabe.

He gave her a quick smile. “You didn’t use my control words, thank God. But you didn’t just affect me, you shut down Gerard, Piotr and Justine. Over the phone. Without using their control words. That—for someone without mind control training—” Another smile, one that lasted. “Philip is in for a huge surprise when he meets you, Rubes. And—this may be weird, but knowing you can affect Family members with your voice over the phone makes me feel much, much better. That is not a common ability, even for those of us who have had the conditioning and training.”

“Will I have to meet Philip?” Ruby swallowed back the unexpected anger rising in her. “I want to slap him silly for everything he’s done to you.”

“At some point, yes.” Gabe exhaled. “And as for the slapping, we shall see. My cousin Joey might be a better choice—and that situation is one I would whole-heartedly endorse.”

“He’s a worse shit than Philip?”

“Unquestionably. Philip has legitimate goals and reasons for what he does, at least. Joey—it’s all about what’s in it for him.” Gabe rubbed his race. “Well. That’s it for tonight. Not much more we can do.”

“We’ve done plenty,” Gramps said. “I know I’ve had enough for the evening. Ruby, I’ll call when I need help.”

“All right, Gramps.”

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