Chapter6
The Promise
Naomi
After cleaning ourselves up as much as possible, Gabriel guides me inside the basement of the church through a back door I never knew existed.At this point, I should just ditch my panties.They’re a complete sopping mess.
The door leads to a maze of hallways, one which he picks as if he's been down in the basement of this church before.
"It smells like my grandmama down here," I say, recognizing the classic scent of homemade creole cooking—onions, garlic, bay leaves, and something rich and meaty simmering.
"That's the after-wedding meal you smell.The kitchen is down here."
"So, where are you taking me?"
"Just wait."
At the end of one of the corridors is a space the size of an average living room.It's a chapel, complete with intricate religious paintings and hand-carved wooden benches that look like they've witnessed decades of private prayers and confessions.
"What exactly is this?A church within a church?"
"It's a chapel reserved for certain members to meet with Father Dupre privately."
"Certain members?"I raise an eyebrow, wondering what dubious goings-on have occurred down here over the years.
Gabriel stands in the front of the room at the altar, and when he turns to face me, his expression is unreadable, but his dark eyes burn with something fierce.
My heart stutters.
"What's going on?"My voice comes out breathy, barely above a whisper."What are you doing?"
He takes a step closer."The crucial thing you asked for is what I'm doing."
My pulse flutters wildly when he reaches into his pocket, and for the first time, I notice the slightest tremble in his fingers.Gabriel—the boy who was once bigger than life to me and then my greatest enemy—looks nervous.
I swallow hard.
He exhales, then lifts something between us.
An unadorned gold band.Understated and worn from time, but there's a quiet beauty to it.Simple.Inscribed with something along the inner rim that I can't quite make out from this distance.
I don't even realize I'm holding my breath until he speaks again.
"This isn't an over-the-top diamond ring like most guys would buy, and I can definitely get you one later, but this antique ring belonged to my Grandmama," he says, his voice rough, thick with something I don't think I've ever heard from him before.Genuine emotion."I loved her fiercely, and out of all of her grandchildren, she gave this to me before she passed.Told me to keep it until I found a woman worth handing it down to."
His thumb skims the inside of my wrist, a slow, deliberate stroke that sends a shiver racing up my spine.
"You're that woman, Naomi."
A sharp gasp claws at my throat.
He said my name.
My new name.
I shake my head, a tear spilling free before I can stop it."Gabriel..."
He tightens his grip on my wrist, the warmth of his touch grounding me as his next words settle into my bones.
