"And I want you to remember that, every time you see me like this, and know that it's because you weren't good enough," Claudia said, gleefully planting that little worm of doubt in Gabriel's mind. Perhaps he hadn't wanted her, or had wanted to give her up. It didn't matter to her, but it clearly mattered to Gabriel.

Finally, she straddled his shoulders, smiling down at him. "I don't have to tell you what to do, now, do I?"