"If I do this," Niles explained, settling his hands on Gabe's thighs, "It'll be something Nolan could never do. I'll return her sister to her. Once I do that, Nolan will be nothing but a distant memory."

Why couldn't Gabe understand how big this was? It wasn't about just claiming the former mayor for himself anymore. She understood him. In a way that was different than Gabe. She wasn't there, and yet she still accepted him for who and what he was. The may disagree but she'd never judge him. And her touch was so soft, so gentle.

Gabe didn't know. Niles hadn't told him that part, yet. He feared saying it, feared another wave of that terrifying anger. If Gabe knew...what would he do?

"She's...she's our last link to Connor," he admitted. "They were engaged. With him god, we...we could almost be like we were."