Gabe (The Love Family Series Book 7) (4 page)

“I’m sorry. I know I promised this was a non-date. I shouldn’t have…”

She tossed her sandwich to the side and wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing her lips to his. He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss. Tasting her on his tongue. A moan escaped her lips as she leaned farther into his touch and slowly pushed him back onto the blanket. Half of her body rested on him as he ran his hands up her back into her hair and tilted her head. The kiss turned carnal matching his in passion and desire. His jeans tightened in response, and if he didn’t stop it soon, he’d flip her over and take her right there. His fingers moved to her side, and he felt the edge of the bandage beneath her shirt. He slid his fingers away. He had to stop them both before they made a mistake they might later regret.

He loosed his hold and nipped at her bottom lip with his teeth, and then he soothed it with his lips before he broke the kiss. Her eyes stayed closed, and her heartbeat matched his as they both tried to catch their breaths.

“I’m sorry.” His words were a whisper against her lips. “I kissed you when I told you I wouldn’t.”

Her eyes slid open. Her gaze searched his as she licked her lips, tempting him to take her again. “We’re even. I kissed you back.”

“About that real date…”

She hesitated. “You don’t know me.”

“I’m trying to fix that.”

Her eyes searched his.
What am I doing? What am I doing?
This isn’t fair to him. I’m so selfish for wanting to have one night of normalcy.

She nodded and pushed up from his body. She let out a shaky breath and gathered the sandwich, wrapping it back up. “I think we should go. I have to work tomorrow. One date might be possible.” She glanced over at him as if nervously waiting for his response.

“How does Thursday sound? I know you work the weekends.”

“Sounds great,” she answered, helping him fold the blanket and put the stuff back into the saddlebags. She paused before mounting Milly. “Gabe.”

He glanced at her. “Yeah?”

“I need to be upfront with you.”

“Okay.”

It’s not fair to let him think I’m going to stay. There’s going to come a time when I have to leave. It’s inevitable.
“I’m not sure how long I plan to stay on the island. I—”

“One day at a time.” He nodded. “I understand.”

And if that wasn’t the kicker. He did understand. She didn’t want to start something if she had to run. The thought saddened him, knowing she didn’t feel safe enough to confide in him yet. But he held the hope that, maybe in time, she might tell him what was really going on.  

Chapter
6

Brooklyn spent the next three days thinking about Gabe and their shared kiss. She blushed every time he came in for lunch. He’d watch her work, and when she wasn’t busy, she spent time talking to him. She was acting like a schoolgirl with a crush. She’d come to her own conclusion that Gabe was a good guy. More than she could have ever wished for with what she’d dealt with prior.

He showed up right on time at her apartment and knocked on the door. She glanced in the mirror one last time before grabbing her clutch and opening the door, not yet ready to let him inside to see how little she owned. She stepped out, locking the door behind her.

“You’re stunning.” He handed her a rose and placed a kiss on her cheek.

“You clean up nice yourself.” She smiled and took his elbow, letting him lead her to his car.

He pulled up at the hotel and parked in front of La Amour. She’d heard about this place. It had the best food on the island. “Nice. You weren’t kidding about that wine. I heard this place is hard to get into.”

“My aunt and uncle own it,” he admitted before getting out and coming around to her side. He held out his hand, and she slipped her fingers through his. “Don’t worry.” He leaned into her ear and whispered, “Neither of them is working tonight, so there’s no pressure of meeting the family.”

Her smile widened at his words. Gabe Love was worried for her. The thought warmed her soul and melted her heart. It was a far cry from where she’d come from, and just another reminder that her leaving had been the right choice.

They were seated instantly after walking in the door. Other diners sat around them. Their glasses clinked. The crystal sparkled on the chandelier. Sunburned couples sat nearby joking and talking about their day’s adventures. This was a lovely place. Close to what she’d had at home, only without the people who made it a hundred percent better.

“This is lovely.”

Gabe grinned and took the menu from the waiter. “Benjamin, I’ll have a beer, and I believe the lady would like some wine.”

“Sauvignon Blanc, please, if you have it.”

“Of course.” Benjamin nodded and left them to look at the menu.

She’d been looking down at her menu when she heard a familiar voice behind her that made her heart stutter.

“Lucy,” the woman called out as she approached. Brooklyn closed her eyes and let out a resigned breath. “I thought it was you, but I wasn’t sure with that blonde hair.”

Margaret Vandermill placed a well-manicured, tanned hand on Brooklyn’s shoulder.

“Margaret,” Brooklyn said, rising from her seat. She gave air kisses on both cheeks as she’d done at every party her parents had ever thrown. “It’s nice to see you. What brings you to the island?”

“I could ask you the same thing. I thought you were still on your honeymoon.” She glanced between Lucy and Gabe before holding out her hand to Gabe. “Margaret Vandermill.”

Oh hell. Margaret sure has a big mouth.
Gabe rose and shook her hand. “Gabe Love. It’s a pleasure.”

“Where’s Warren? Is he around here too?” Margaret asked, glancing around the room.

“Oh, you know Warren?”
The sleaze ball.
“He’s probably at the office screwing his secretary while she’s bent over his desk.”

Margaret gasped and lifted her hand to her chest. “Well, now that explains the eye candy and your vacation.”
Could this get any worse?

She touched Brooklyn’s arm and winked. “I’m in room 501 at the hotel. Call me and we’ll do lunch.” She smiled at Gabe and winked. “Take care of her.” She held her hand around the side of her mouth as if trying to whisper. “I hear she likes to take charge in the bedroom.”
It got worse.

“She hasn’t complained yet. Isn’t that right, Lucy?”

I’ve got to go.
Her time here had gotten cut short and all because of Margaret. She’d remembered when she heard the voice of exactly why Love Island had seemed like the best place to hide. She’d heard Margaret talking about her vacations.
Shit and double damn
. Lucy’s eyes widened, and Gabe’s brow lifted in challenge. She could tell by the look on his face that she was going to have some explaining to do if he didn’t just get right up and leave her at the restaurant. A small part of her almost wished that he would so she didn’t have to explain what the hell was going on. 

As soon as Margaret left, Gabe took her hand and pulled her to the bar. He asked for a bottle of the wine she’d ordered and then led her to the back door. Butterflies danced in her stomach. What was he going to do? Take her out and let her swim with the fishes? He led her past the pool and down the stairs to the sand. He set the bottle on the step before reaching for her shoes and sliding them off her feet. Picking up the bottle and dangling her shoes by the same fingers, he clutched her other hand in his and led her down toward a secluded section near the rocks.

“I can explain,” she started.

He shook his head and glanced back over his shoulder. He moved around the rocks, making them step into the water before he led her into a small dark alcove. It would have been secluded and romantic if he’d not been mad.
He’s going to kill me and leave my body.

“I’d never hurt you,” he said plainly, his voice thick. He took off his coat and draped it over one of the flatter rocks and gestured for her to sit.

Dropping her shoes, he popped the cork on the bottle of wine and handed it to her.

Her brows dipped as she took it from his fingers.

“I promised you wine. Now drink.”

She took a small sip and handed it back. Gabe took a longer pull and handed it back to her before pacing the small area while running his fingers through his hair. “Lucy?”

“Lucy Brook Lynn Pate-Abbott,” she said, answering his unasked question.

He shook his head and squeezed his neck. “And is it true what she said? Are you married?”

“Technically, yes.”

“Damn it.” He lifted his head to the sky. “Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you let me kiss you? Cripes.”

Lucy felt the pressure in her chest. It felt as though her heart was in a vise grip and someone was slowly closing the clamps. “I married him before I realized what he was trying to do. We were packing for our honeymoon when I overheard him on the phone in the kitchen.”

Gabe took the bottle and took another swig.

“We’d planned a cruise. I overheard him say to whoever he was talking to that he planned to drug me and throw me overboard.”

Gabe leaned over and rested his hands on his knees as tears from the memory gathered in her eyes. “I confronted him in the kitchen, told him I was going to get the marriage annulled and demanded to know why.”

“And?” Gabe stood up straight, holding her gaze.

“He grabbed me and started hitting me. He said he’d have to get rid of me some other way because he couldn’t stand one more minute around me. We struggled, and I didn’t win. He punched me in the face, knocking me to the ground.” She let out a deep breath. “I saw the downswing of the knife and turned, but it was too late. The blade pierced my side.”

She lowered her gaze.

“How did you get away?” Gabe asked, moving to stand in front of her. He placed his finger beneath her chin and raised her gaze to meet his. “How?”

“He reached down to pull the knife free so he could do it again; I used the vase that had fallen on the floor in our struggle. I hit him over the head with it, and I left. I didn’t wait around to see if he woke up.”

Gabe pulled her up and into his arms. Wrapping her in his warmth, he held her close, whispering into her hair. “You could have told me. I would have helped you. We’ll all help you.”

She was unable to stop the sobs that ripped free from her throat. She clutched his shirt between her fingers and held on to the lifeline he offered.

“Shh.” He stroked her hair. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”

She shook her head in his chest, unable to say it wasn’t. Nothing would be okay. She was married to a monster that wanted her dead. Nothing was ever going to be okay again.

“Yes, it will,” he whispered in hair. “I never welsh on a promise.” He kissed her hair and held her tighter. “Unless that promise is not kissing you.”   

Chapter
7

The drive back to her place was in silence, his mind going in a hundred different directions and none of the scenarios had them getting through this unscathed. She’d hit her husband in self-defense. She had the wound to prove it, even if it was her husband’s word against hers. Gabe glanced over at her as she looked out the side window, her sad eyes never straying from the waves crashing on the beach. Lucy, he reminded himself. What the hell was he going to do with this new knowledge? He shook his head and turned down her road to park in front of her townhouse. He killed the engine. Neither one of them made a move to get out.

“You’re going to run again, aren’t you?” he asked, breaking their silence.

“I have no choice,” she whispered back, slowly turning to look at him. “Margaret’s husband is friends with Warren. He’s probably already called him. I’m so sorry I dragged you into this.”

Gabe laid his head back on the seat rest and closed his eyes. He wasn’t ready for her to leave. Not when things had yet to begin. She was a married woman, no matter how much he wished she wasn’t. He turned his head to look at her. A tear slipped down her cheek. “Will you trust me to help you?”

“Why would you help me?”

“Because I finally found someone worth pursuing. Do you trust me?”

She nodded, and he turned to face her. “There are going to be some things you won’t understand. Some things that might not make sense, but trust me when I say that I’d never let anything happen to you.”

“I trust you, Gabe.” 

He waited for any telling thoughts that contradicted her words. Nothing.

He opened his car door. With a pulse-pounding certainty, he resolved to help her straighten out her past. “Let’s go pack your bag. I’ve got to make some phone calls and arrangements.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked, getting out of the car. She approached him on the sidewalk. “Where are we going to go?”

He cupped her cheek and refrained from lowering his lips to hers. She was married, damn it, and Gabe was many things, but he wouldn’t be the cause of any more turmoil. “Trust me.”

She nodded. Her eyes glittered as she stared up at him. “Go.” He gestured to her house. “Do you have a lot of stuff?”

“No. Just my clothes.”

“Grab everything you own. Don’t leave a trace.”

She hurried up the sidewalk as Gabe pulled out his phone and dialed. His sister picked up on the first ring. “Alexis, I have a situation.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain when I get there, and I’m bringing company. Is it okay if we use a guest room?”

“Of course. Is that all you need?” she asked with concern evident in her voice.

“No. I’m going to need Reed, Avery, Landon, and Declan. Can you make the call for them to meet us there? Oh, and one more thing, please see if Mia is available and if she can bring her doctor bag.”

“Are you hurt?” she screeched, and thunder crackled above.

“No. It’s just a precaution.”

“Okay, whoa. I thought I was going to have to fry someone’s ass.” She let out a relieved breath, and the thunder disappeared before any rain could fall. “I’m not sure if Avery and Landon are back yet, but if not, I’ll have them stop by in the morning. They were having issues on their assignment, and I think they were on their way back in to regroup with Reed.” 

“Thanks. I’m going to owe you big time.”

“No, you won’t. That’s what family is for. I’ll see you soon.”

“See you soon,” he replied and hung up.

Gabe scrolled through his contacts as Lucy walked out the door, locking it behind her. The lock wouldn’t stop someone bent on killing her. It wouldn’t keep her past from becoming her present. He hit Send and popped his trunk so she could put the two bags she owned inside.

“Tony, hi; it’s Gabe. I’m sorry to call so late, but I need a favor.” Gabe shut the trunk and moved around to the passenger door and held it open for her. “I need you to burn Brooklyn’s employee file and call me if anyone comes asking about her.”

Lucy frowned. “That’s my only source of income right now. I need that job.”

“She’s in some kind of trouble, isn’t she?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, she is and she’ll be with me if you need her.”

“You got it, Doc.”

“Thanks, Tony.”

Gabe hung up.

“Didn’t you hear me? I need that job. I can’t access my accounts or Warren will find me.”

“Lucy, trust me.”

She slipped into the car. Her lips tilted down at the corners, and Gabe wanted nothing more than to kiss her frown away. She didn’t deserve what she was going through, and he wouldn’t add to that confusion.

****

Trust. Had Lucy lost her mind? She wanted to trust Gabe, to believe there were honorable people in the world and that there was really something he could do to help, but she wasn’t naive. Not anymore.

Gabe drove around a lake she’d never seen and turned down a long drive to a huge two-story house nestled along the lake’s shoreline. Cars littered the driveway, and she twisted her fingers together. The butterflies in her belly multiplied as her nerves caught hold.

“Who do these cars belong to?”

Gabe pulled up beside one of the SUVs and killed the ignition. “You know how I said you didn’t have to meet the family?”

She nodded and whipped her gaze back to the house.

“Well…things changed after your story, and I’m afraid you’ll have to meet most of them now.”

“Why?” Her voice trembled.

“Because you trust me, and I trust them.” He opened the door, walked around to her side, pulled hers open, and held out his hand. She slipped her fingers into the warm embrace of his. He rubbed his palms up and down her arms. “My family is unique. It’s hard to explain everything all at once but…well, I’ll just explain as we go.”

She nodded as he took her hand and led her to the open door, where his sister stood waiting, with a gentle smile on her face.

Gabe led her into the house toward the sound of voices, straight to the living room where everyone was assembled. She recognized the people in the room. All Love’s that Tony had pointed out over the last few weeks. Alexis’ husband, Cole, the island’s fire chief and Gabe’s brother-in-law stood by the fireplace talking to Declan, Reed, and Jackson.

Mia was seated on the couch riffling through her doctor’s bag. Alexis followed them into the room, and the conversation died.

“Thank you all for coming,” Gabe announced, running his hand through his hair. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet Lucy Brook Lynn Pate-Abbott. Lucy, these are only a handful of the Loves, but these are the ones that I think will be able to help us get you out of this mess.”

“Mess?” Declan asked, his gaze locked on Lucy.

Gabe squeezed Lucy’s hand. “You okay?”

She nodded.

“Wow, I don’t know where to start.”

“At the beginning,” Declan ordered.

“Well, Lucy is on the run from her husband, who tried to kill her, and I need all of you to help me…help us…figure out what to do next.”

Reed stepped closer and held out his hand to stop the conversation. His eyes never left hers. “Is your husband named Warren?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

Reed shook his head. His eyes glazed as he looked around her. “There’s video proof from her home security feed. She was in the kitchen when he tried to stab her.”  He held up his hand glancing around her head. “Oh, this isn’t good.” He blinked rapidly and pulled out his phone. “Sorry, I need to make a call and use the computer.” He rolled his hand for them to continue the conversation as he left the room.

“Uh, was that normal?” She glanced at Gabe.

“I’ll explain in a little bit,” he reassured her.

Mia rose from her spot on the couch and grabbed her bag. “First things first. Come with me and let me get a good look at what he did to you. Gabe can fill them in on everything else until you get back.”

“I’ll start the coffee,” Alexis announced, and she placed her hand on Gabe’s arm. “You did the right thing bringing her here.”

God, he hoped she was right.

Mia took Lucy’s hand and pulled her out of the room.