Guarding Gabi - Kathy Ivan

by Special Forces - Operation Alpha

  Striding to the door, he opened it, and drew in a deep breath. He needed to get out of there—fast—before he did something stupid he’d regret. There was something about the pretty little blonde that got to him in a way he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Not since Emily. He closed his eyes against the familiar pain he got when he thought about his former love.

  Walk away. Tell Carpenter you can’t do this.

  “Dylan, thank you again. If you hadn’t been there—”

  “As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters. See you tonight.”

  Without another word or backward glance, he walked away. Because the reality was, he was already in over his head and sinking fast.

  4

  Gabi stared at the closed door, unsure what had just happened. Moments ago, Dylan rushed away like a fox with his tail on fire. “What in the world?” Shaking her head, she picked up the two coffee cups, and rinsed them in the sink before loading them into the dishwasher.

  She jumped at the sound of her cell phone ringing, and smacked herself in the forehead for being such a numbskull. Because for a split second, she’d thought maybe Dylan was calling. How pathetic was she? He’d barely been gone sixty seconds, for crying out loud. Glancing at the caller ID, she noted her sister-in-law Sarah’s number and picture on the screen.

  “Hey, Sarah, what’s up?”

  “I’m taking a break from the book. Writing sex scenes is exhausting.” Her gentle laughter filled Gabi’s ear.

  “But you do it so well. Congratulations on the latest release, by the way. I read it in one sitting.” Reaching into the upper cabinet, she pulled out the package of shortbread cookies she’d bought while grocery shopping. She didn’t usually indulge, but right now she really needed the sugar rush. All the adrenaline racing through her earlier left her feeling a little lightheaded.

  “Because your brother is usually around for me to practice my moves on.”

  “Too much information, sister of mine. Way, way too much information.”

  She heard Sarah’s laugh, followed by the soft cooing sounds of baby Abigail in the background. Such a precious little darling, she was the light of Gabi’s life, and she adored her brand-new niece. She never thought she’d see the day when her brother, Ranger, became a daddy. He’d always been Mister Navy SEAL, alpha male, military for life. Yet one look at his daughter, and he’d been a goner. Best daddy ever.

  “Anyway, the reason I called—wondered if you were free for lunch? I’ve got the babysitter situation covered, and have a few hours free…”

  “Yes! Your timing is perfect. I could use some help picking out an outfit for tonight.” Heading up the stairs, which contained the living area and bedroom, Gabi mentally cataloged every item in her closet, rejecting each one, and stuffed another cookie in her mouth.

  “Tonight? What’s happening tonight?” Before she could answer, Sarah squealed loud enough Gabi pulled the phone away from her ear. “You’ve got a date? Say yes. Please tell me you’ve got a hot date.”

  Gabi couldn’t stop the laugh springing free at Sarah’s overexuberant enthusiasm. “Ease up there, girlfriend. Yes, I’m having dinner out tonight.”

  “Spill it. You haven’t mentioned anybody in ages. Who is he?”

  “His name is Dylan. I met him this morning.”

  “You only met him today? Pretty fast work there, little sis.”

  “It’s been an eventful day, and it’s not even noon yet.”

  “Speaking of, why aren’t you at the office? I thought you were working at Max and Theresa’s office, but when I called there...”

  “I do, I mean I am working there, but they gave me the afternoon off.” No need to tell Sarah they’d given her the day off after hearing about her near miss with traffic. The Big Easy’s grapevine spread gossip faster than the Black Plague through Europe. “Anyway, can you meet me in half an hour? I’m at the apartment over Theresa’s store. If you meet me here, we can walk down to Chica’s Front Porch. My treat.”

  “Mexican food and gossip? I’m on my way. See you soon. And be ready to spill. I want to hear all about this Dylan guy.”

  “I’ll tell you everything I know. Bye.”

  She leaned against the doorframe to the bedroom, thinking about the morning’s events, retracing each step in her mind. A cold chill ran down her spine. No matter how she tried to deny the evidence, there was no mistaking the facts.

  Somebody had deliberately pushed her. And she didn’t have a clue why.

  5

  Dylan stared at the phone in his hand, reading the text response to the one he’d sent.

  STICK CLOSE TO GABI. THINGS ARE ESCALATING. DON’T LET HER OUT OF YOUR SIGHT.

  Looks like Carpenter is going to be a pain in my ass.

  Of course, he didn’t blame the guy. He’d messaged the other man as soon as he’d left Gabi’s apartment, telling him about the incident earlier that morning. Although he’d only been a few feet away, he’d almost been too late.

  He’d followed Gabi Boudreau all morning. Trailed her from her apartment to Lamoreaux Investigations’ office. Couldn’t get a clear view, since the office was on the second floor, but he stayed vigilant to nearby foot traffic, and kept his eyes on the building’s front door, checking every person who entered or exited the building.

  She walked out after two hours, headed to the mailbox place, then made a stop at the coffee shop on the corner. He’d noticed the two women who’d bumped into her, immediately moving closer, anticipating anything.

  Regret ate at his gut with the realization he’d almost been too late. Remembered the acrid burn of fear in the back of his throat when he’d realized how close she’d come to stumbling into the path of oncoming traffic still left a bad taste in his mouth. He should have been more vigilant. Paid closer attention. Instead, he’d been focused on watching the sway of her hips as she walked a few feet in front of him. His inattention could have gotten her killed.

  Had somebody pushed her?

  There were several people around her at the time she’d gone stumbling head-first toward the street. Closing his eyes, he reconstructed the scene from memory. Two women about a foot, maybe a foot and a half away from Gabi. One carried a mesh bag filled with fruits and vegetables. The other pushed a stroller, a sleeping toddler nestled within.

  A male teen, maybe fourteen or fifteen, wearing a black hoodie and carrying a skateboard. Why isn’t he in school where he belongs? Hell, for all Dylan knew, maybe there weren’t classes today in New Orleans. The stuff he didn’t know about the city could fill volumes.

  Then there were the three men, all within a couple of feet of Gabi. One dude in a suit and tie talking on a cell phone. Roughly five foot ten, one eighty. Brown and brown. Looked soft and out of shape. Businessman most likely, since he carried coffee in one hand and his phone in the other. Another male in jeans and a hoodie with the hood down. Stringy dark hair. Couldn’t see his eyes, but he’d had a couple days of unshaved facial hair. Empty hands.

  The last guy wore a button front light blue shirt and pressed jeans. Lighter hair though not blond, blue eyes. Six feet, one ninety. Muscular, but in a gym rat type of build, not somebody who gained muscle through hard work. Clean shaven, but didn’t give off a businessman-type vibe like the other guy.

  There was no reason for him to even warrant more than a second glance, but something about him didn’t sit right with Dylan. Had he moved closer to Gabi while waiting for the light to change? He couldn’t be sure, because he’d been focused on Gabi, so it could have been any of the people around her.

  Tucking the phone back in his pocket, he began walking toward the scene of the morning’s near accident. He made a scoffing sound. Right, accident. At this point, he’d convinced himself there wasn’t a bloody thing accidental about Gabi’s near miss. If it had been the first time something happened to Gabi, he might let it slide, agreeing she’d tripped.

  But in his gut, he knew better. The whole reason Carpenter called him, requested he fly
all the way to New Orleans, was tied up in protecting Gabi Boudreau.

  It didn’t take long to reach the intersection where Gabi’d had her near miss. Standing on the corner, he checked the traffic flow from all directions, studying the traffic light patterns and the crosswalk signals. Everything seemed to be working normally. A quick survey of the ground showed there weren’t any chunks of sidewalk or uneven pavement which might be a tripping hazard. Unless she’d stumbled over her own two feet, Gabi’s near blunder into traffic hadn’t been caused by anything tangible.

  She’d been pushed.

  “Looking for something in particular, or do you always stand around staring at the sidewalk?”

  Sebastian Boudreau stood about a foot away, a goofy smile on his face. Dylan shook his head, smiling back. He hadn’t seen the other man since Costa Rica, but the short time they’d spent had helped cement a friendship which continued, albeit long distance. He’d talked to the other guy a few times, and knew he’d met the love of his life not long ago and according to him, Bas was ‘deliriously happy’.”

  “Bas! Good to see you.”

  “Whatcha doing in New Orleans, man? I’d have met you at the airport if I knew you were coming. Where are you staying? I’ve got an extra room if you—”

  Dylan held up a hand, laughing at the onslaught of words coming from Bas. “Whoa, slow your roll. Got in last night, and yes, I have a place to stay. Thanks for the offer.”

  “Cool. I just got back myself. Finished up a case in Texas. Worked out of the Carpenter Security office in Austin. They needed somebody with my specialized skill set.” He brushed his knuckles against his shoulder at his words, and Dylan’s eyes rolled.

  “They needed somebody with EDP?”

  “EDP?”

  “Extra douche perception, ‘cause you’ve got that covered, bro.”

  “Ha ha. Very funny. Anyway, you didn’t answer my question. What brings you to my fair city?”

  Was it possible Bas didn’t know what was going on with Gabi? She was his sister, but maybe Carpenter hadn’t wanted Bas involved. Might be why he’d been sent to the Austin office, to keep him out of the mix. Still, all the other Boudreaus had been in on his meeting with Carpenter the night before. Come to think of it, he remembered Etienne mentioning Bas being out of town. Seemed a little odd they hadn’t brought the other man up to speed.

  “Just doing a favor for a friend.”

  “Must be some favor to drag your sorry ass all the way from the jungle.”

  Dylan turned and took a couple of steps back in the direction he’d come from, heading toward Gabi’s place. Bas fell into step beside him, and Dylan tried to decide if maybe he shouldn’t say anything until he checked with Carpenter. Except he knew Bas loved Gabi. She was his sister, after all. Damn, the man had spent hours talking about her while they’d worked the rescue op. Dylan had gotten the impression Bas wouldn’t mind if Dylan hooked up with his baby sister.

  “Listen up. I can’t say much, but you need to talk to Carpenter about why I’m here. Or your brothers. That’s all I can say.”

  Bas step in front of him, forcing him to stop walking, and held up his hand. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, man. Can the B.S. and tell me what the hell is going on.” All trace of the happy-go-lucky man from moments before were gone, replaced by an alpha predator, intent on obtaining information.

  “Talk to Carpenter.”

  Bas’ eyes narrowed, and Dylan could almost see the wheels spinning in his head, trying to figure out what hadn’t been said. “You can’t tell me—or you won’t?”

  “Can’t.”

  Dylan stepped around Bas, still frozen in place, and kept walking. He’d only been gone for half an hour or so, but there was a persistent buzz in the back of his head telling him he needed to get to Gabi’s place. Fast.

  “Hold up, man.” Bas darted in front of him, causing Dylan to stop. “Carpenter knew I’d be back today.” He narrowed his eyes, studying Dylan. “You’re not here to do the whole tourist thing, are you?”

  “No.” Dylan knew his one-word response would piss off Bas, but the man really needed to talk to Carpenter, get briefed on the situation with his sister. Besides, his instincts screamed trouble with a capital T headed his way, and he needed to be ready.

  “Damn it, did Carpenter call you in?”

  Dylan sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes. Bas, go see Carpenter. He’ll explain everything.”

  He watched a myriad of emotions cross Bas’ face, before his posture relaxed. “I’m headed there now, and he’d better have answers. I don’t like being out of the loop.”

  “I get it. Call me later, once you’ve been briefed. Right now, I’ve got someplace I need to be. You cool?”

  Bas scrubbed a hand over his face. “Yeah. Later, dude.” He strode back in the direction they’d just come from. Dylan didn’t envy Carpenter when Bas got there, because beneath his calm demeanor, he knew the other man was pissed. And things weren’t going to get any easier when he knew the truth. Gabi was his baby sister, and Dylan figured Bas Boudreau tended to be an overprotective big brother.

  Within minutes, he stood outside the front door of the New Age shop. The intense feeling of urgency from earlier dissipated, but he still surveyed his surroundings, taking note of everyone close to the shop. Moving a few feet away, he studied each person walking by, any who lingered a little too long, yet nobody rang any alarm bells in his head.

  A quick jog down the alleyway brought him to the back door of the shop, the one he knew led to Gabi’s apartment. He studied the ground intently, as he had when he’d left here less than an hour ago, and didn’t note anything out of the ordinary. He knew he couldn’t linger back here too long without attracting attention. Lots of people used the back entrances to the surrounding stores, and he didn’t want to draw notice.

  Walking back around to the front, he found a comfortable place across the street, where he could keep an eye on the shop and the alleyway. Pulling out his phone, he took several photos of both, noting weakness and secondary entrance points he’d have to monitor.

  Leaning against the wall, he settled in to watch. He’d keep her safe until their date tonight. A sense of anticipation filled him, and he wondered if it was from the excitement of the case—or the chance to get to know the beautiful Gabi Boudreau better.

  6

  “We need to talk.”

  Gabi stared at Dylan, noting the serious look on his face. They’d had a lovely dinner, and she’d been fascinated with his stories about his time with the Navy SEALs. She’d barely restrained from peppering him with questions, her deeply ingrained reporter’s instinct and natural curiosity dying to dig deeper into his psyche, and find out all the events shaping him into an intriguing man. But having grown up with brothers who were all ex-military, including Navy SEALs, she knew he couldn’t give her the kind of details she craved. Military secrets and their brand of if I tell you I’ll have to kill you B.S.

  “I thought that’s what we’ve been doing,” she teased.

  The deep blue of his eyes darkened for a moment, and he glanced past her, toward the front of the restaurant. With a sigh, he tossed his napkin on the table and stood.

  “Be right back.” Without another word, he strode away, and Gabi craned around, her gaze following him. Within seconds, she noted Etienne and Bas standing in the lobby. What in the world is going on? When Dylan stopped and spoke with them, alarm bells blared inside her head.

  How does he know my brothers?

  After what seemed an eternity, all three headed toward her table. Their expressions gave nothing away, although their nonchalant postures didn’t fool her. Etienne strode forward at the front of their little trio, his back ramrod straight, his military background shining through. Bas’ body language mimicked his older brother’s, while Dylan ran a hand through his hair, a resigned expression on his handsome face.

  Uh oh, here comes trouble.

  “Hey, guys. What’s going on?”

  Pulling
up two additional chairs from an adjacent table, the three men formed a semicircle facing her. A shiver raced up her spine, the tingles making her think of the old saying her granny used to use. Somebody just walked across your grave. Such a morbid thought, but she couldn’t help flashing back to earlier that morning, when she’d felt the hand in the center of her back, pushing her toward the street.

  “Gabi, what I started to tell you, before Heckle and Jeckle showed up, is my meeting you this morning wasn’t an accident.”

  Her gaze swept across each man, and she clasped her hands in her lap, tight enough her knuckles turned white. She definitely didn’t like the direction this conversation seemed headed. “I don’t understand.”

  “I’ve been hired to protect you. Make sure nothing happened to you.” A self-deprecating laugh followed his words. “Kinda fell down on the job there, didn’t I?”

  She leaned back in her chair, a sense of numbness filling her soul, and watched her brothers’ heads bob in agreement. An ugly picture began forming in her head.

  “Hired? Exactly who hired you? These two knuckleheads?” She jerked her thumb toward her brothers.

  “No. Samuel Carpenter hired me.”

  What on earth…why would Samuel think she needed a babysitter?

  “Explain.” She barely got the word out through gritted teeth. The picture slowly emerging pissed her off. She really couldn’t wait to hear his explanation.

  “Gabi, we just thought—”

  “Not you,” she cut off Etienne before he could get started with some longwinded, convoluted reason for putting what was essentially a bodyguard on her ass. She loved her brothers, knew they meant well, but sometimes they were a royal pain in the backside. It didn’t matter she hadn’t lived at home since she was eighteen, she was always going to be their helpless baby sister.

  I guess I should feel lucky Dad is out of the country, or he’d be here too. Hell, what am I thinking? Dad would have me out in the middle of the bayou without a soul around, thinking he’s protecting me.