‘You don't need to thank me. You work tonight right?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I'll call you after okay?’
‘Okay. I'm off at 12 a.m., clean up puts us out at a little before 1. You sure it's not too late?’
‘Won't be able to sleep anyway. Worried about you. Is Ali home?’
‘I don't think so. Why?’
‘Fill her in if you can. Gotta get back to work. Call if you need to.’
‘Thanks. Will talk to you later.’
‘Be safe Ami. Promise to be careful.’
‘I will.’
‘Bye Ami.’
‘Bye Nick.’
She shut her phone and stared some more at the box on the table. It might as well have been a bomb for as much as she wanted to touch it. Finally she opened it. There was a very expensive looking necklace inside. She remembered what Angela had told her and wondered if he had a bunch of them at home stashed in his underwear drawer.
She almost laughed then. She was close to panicking, wondering if Gabe would ever let her go.
She was tempted to call Angela and ask her if anything he'd sent her had said 'yours forever'. There was a folded over piece of paper in the jewelry box. She picked it up and read 'Only You.'
She dropped the note like it was a snake and felt sick to her stomach. Maybe she wouldn't go back to work at all. But Rick and Candy needed her. Even when it was just steady, the work was too much for one person. And maybe in two weeks Gabe would have found his next victim.
She wanted to run to Nick and hide out in his apartment, never come out again.
It was a little after one when she went back downstairs, after having checked to make sure there was no sign of Gabe. She was carrying the flowers and the necklace was shoved in her pocket.
The flowers she took straight to the dumpster. Ali and Carson were outside when she walked by. Ali gave her a strange look and said "You okay?"
Ami shook her head and continued to the dumpster. She couldn’t speak. She was having a hard time concentrating. She was wrapped up in a nightmare that reminded her all too much of Corin.
When she was back to where they were standing, Alicia said "Ami. What's going on? Who were the flowers from?"
"Gabe sent them." She pulled the note that had been in the flowers and the necklace out of her pocket and handed it to Alicia. "With these."
Alicia frowned when she opened the box. Carson whistled. She gave him a dirty look.
"What? That thing must have cost $20,000."
It was worse than she'd thought then Ami thought. She'd figured the necklace was worth about $5000.
Alicia bit her lip. "It does look expensive."
"Jenny wanted me to buy her one kinda like that once. It was a knock off but it was still way too much money. I told her hell no."
Alicia shot him another look but then her eyes were on the notes. She locked eyes with Ami. "Did you tell Nick?"
"Yeah. Right after they came. I'm giving Gabe my two weeks' tonight, going to work at the bowling alley."
Ali breathed a little bit easier. "Good. Are you moving in with him?"
"No. Hopefully me quitting will be enough for Gabe to decide he needs to find another plaything."
Carson picked up the notes, reading them aloud. "Yours forever. Only you. Fuckin' fruit loop."
"He was here. Across the street. Last night when I got home. Today when I came down to see if you guys were around. He didn't leave until the guy brought the flowers."
"Great," Alicia said.
"He comes back; me and Nick will take care of him."
Knowing that what Carson meant was probably violent Ami said “You can’t do that.”
"Don't you dare," Alicia said at the same time.
"I was talking about busting up his truck a little, not taking a two-by-four to his face.”
"What men think of as logic." Alicia shook her head. "Babe, if you and Nick smash up his expensive truck for sending Ami flowers you'll end up in jail or with a hell of a fine. You two will be the ones the cops look at as dangerous, not Gabe."
“He’s the one that won’t leave her alone. Gabe can afford to buy a new truck anyway. Hey, why don't you marry Nick when me and Ali get married on Sunday? Then he'll leave you alone."
"I'm sure Nick would love that," Ami said. “Besides that, I have a son.”
Carson shrugged. "Nick likes kids. Makes sense to me. Nick wants a ring on your finger anyway. Why not put it there sooner rather than later?"
"He'd never go along with it. He wants everything to be right. Oh Ali, what am I going to do?"
“We are going to help you through this Ami. Don’t worry.” Alicia reached out and squeezed Ami’s hand.
"Uh uh," Carson said. "Your pretty little pregnant butt is stayin’ out of this shit."
"Carson, Ami is my closest friend. I'm not going to sit back and let Gabe harass her.”
"If that asshole hurts you or the baby, I will kill him. It's not up for discussion. That son of a bitch is crazy. Nick and I will take care of it. Leave the man's work to the men."
Alicia rolled her eyes. "How very sexist of you."
"Babe, I can't lose you. We have no idea what the hell that psycho is going to do. If someone's going to get hurt, it's going to be me or Nick. Not you, or the baby or Ami. “
“We are grown women Carson.” Ali said.
“Yeah, and he is a grown up fruit loop. No more hanging out outside either. And if you need to go someplace, you're going to have to wait until Nick or I can go with you."
"How am I supposed to get to work?" Ami said.
Carson frowned. "I guess you'll have to drive yourself but Nick will call you to make sure you get home okay. He goes in later than I do. If either of us have a day off while you're still working there we will take you there and pick you up. Well, if I'm off I can take you and Nick will pick you up. You make sure that someone walks with you to your car, okay? It'll be a lot better when you're working with Rick since even Gabe's not dumb enough to pull anything when that big mother fucker is around."
Ami was thinking that he was going overboard but was more afraid that he wasn't. The things Gabe was doing now were things she had always imagined Corin doing if he found her. Why was it that just when she’d found out Corin was dead, she’d somehow managed to invite another psycho into her life she wondered?
Carson was talking again. "The two weeks you got left at the bar are going to be the hardest. At least when you're at the alley Nick can keep an eye on you at work and I can keep an eye on you when you're at home. Hopefully that sack of shit will get the picture and you leave you the hell alone."
"I hope so," Ami said. Oh, did she hope so she thought.
Ali reached out and squeezed her hand. "It's gonna be okay, Ami."
"Thank you guys so much." She was overwhelmed by their kindness.
"It's what friends are for girl."
"I guess I'd better go get ready for work.” This was not a night she was looking forward to she thought.
"Have you told him you're quitting?" Alicia asked.
"No. That's what I have to do tonight. If he doesn't come in, I'll call him or text him."
"If you have any trouble you know who to call."
Ami nodded. "I will. I promise."
"Be safe honey," Ali said.
"I will. See you guys later."
They both waited until she was up the stairs before going inside. She went into the bathroom, and stared at herself in the mirror. She looked like shit she thought.
She shoved the necklace into the back of her underwear drawer and grabbed her stuff. She dreaded the conversation she was going to have with Gabe but it had to be done.
His truck wasn't in the lot when she got there. There were only a few cars besides Eric's and Rick's. She almost wanted to tell Rick what was going on because she knew he would protect her. It wasn't in him not to protect a woman that felt as helpless as she did, but she was embarrassed about the whole thing and wan
ted as few people involved as possible.
The night seemed to drag. The customers were few and far between and most of them seemed to be women who were a lot more interested in chatting up Rick than being served a drink by Ami.
Around seven she told Rick she was taking her break and went outside for a cigarette. She was afraid that she'd find Gabe sitting in the parking lot, but she didn't see his truck.
Her hand was shaking as she typed out the message 'I'm giving you my two weeks’ notice.'
His response was immediate. She could almost feel the chill behind his words 'Why is that?'
'This is too much for me Gabe.'
'You didn't like my gifts?'
'I’m going back to my boyfriend.’
Her words may have been a lie, but she didn't care.
'Don't lie to me Ami.'
'I'm not.'
'You fucked Nick Allison two nights ago and now you're going back to your boyfriend?'
How the hell did he know she thought? Or had he been following her again and seen her leave Nick's apartment? Seen her car parked there over night. She had to be careful with what she said.
'I didn't sleep with Nick.'
'Am I stupid? Of course you did. I will forgive you. If you come to your senses.'
'I can't do this Gabe. I don't want to be with you.'
'You wanted me Saturday. You practically begged me for it.'
'It was a mistake.'
'You know it wasn't. Fine. I will let you go. Two weeks from now, you no longer work for me.'
'Thank you.'
'But don't think that it's over between us.'
'It never started Gabe.'
'Didn't it? I don't like to be toyed with.'
'I'm not playing games. I made a mistake. I'm sorry.'
'You're sorry? I don’t accept your apology.’
'Please just leave me alone.'
'I can't leave you alone.'
'You can. Forget it happened.'
'I will never forget you Ami Collins. You are mine.'
'I'm not yours. I never was and I never will be.'
'We are tied. Deny it but it won't go away.'
'Gabe please listen to what you’re saying.'
'I am. I know what I need. You are the one that is fooling yourself.'
'I'm not. I have to go back in. Rick needs my help.'
'The bar is dead.'
'It's not that dead. Two cars just pulled into the lot. My break's over.'
'A love like mine will never die. We are not over. Have a good rest of your night love.'
Not knowing what else to say she wrote back 'You, too.'
She shoved her phone back in her purse and went back inside.
Rick had already served the couples from the cars that had pulled in. He gave her a concerned look. "You okay?"
She was far from okay but she nodded. "Yeah. I'm sorry I took so long."
He winked at her. "No problem. I won't tell Gabe if you don't."
She felt almost sick at the sound of his name but she gave Rick a weak smile.
The rest of the night went faster. She was glad when it was finally over. She was counting the days until her last day. She told Rick that she was quitting when they were cleaning up and. He wanted to know why.
"I don't think I'm doing a very good job. I'm going to work at the bowling alley."
"You're doing fine. We'll be sorry to see you go. But Bobby's good people. He takes good care of his employees."
She nodded and let it go. She had a feeling Rick knew something else was going on, but he didn't press her.
He walked her to her car. When they parted ways she looked around, making sure she didn't see Gabe's truck before she pulled out. Rick looked concerned again, but she gave him a wave and pulled out of the parking lot.
Nick's call came at almost exactly the same time as it had the night before. She pulled up to the same stop sign. "Hello."
"Hey. Everything okay?"
"Not exactly. Can you call me back in like five minutes? I'm driving." She thought that she was much too nervous tonight to drive and talk at the same time.
"No problem. Talk to you in a bit."
She hung up the phone and made her way home. When she got out of her car, she glanced across the street. Gabe's truck was nowhere to be seen. Ali's light was off. She breathed a sigh of relief and headed towards the stairs.
When she was halfway there, a flash of headlights caught her eye. She turned slightly, knowing what she would see before she saw it. He was back. His shiny maroon SUV was back in the place it had been before. Her heart pounded and she had to stop herself from running up the stairs.
When she was inside her apartment, she peeked back out the window. He was still there.
What the hell was she going to do she thought?
She fought tears as she waited for Nick to call. Finally her phone rang. She swallowed hard and said "Hello."
"You don't sound okay.”
"He's across the street again."
"Stay put and keep your door locked. I'm on my way. I'll be there in five minutes."
Nick was gone so she hung up the phone. She went back to the window. Gabe was still there. Would he leave when Nick showed up she wondered?
She hoped so. She found herself pacing, glancing out the window every thirty seconds or so.
Of course he was still there every time she looked.
Nick pulled in, tires squealing. He looked at Gabe when he got out of his car. There was a staring contest between the two men for almost a minute. Ami was starting to fear Nick confronting him. Finally he turned and headed up the stairs.
When she opened the door he said "Get back inside."
But she didn't miss what Gabe did. He waved at her and blew her a kiss before his headlights came on and he pulled away.
"Sick fuck," Nick said. He'd seen it, too.
"I guess you came here for nothing." She was suddenly very, very tired.
"Just because he's gone now doesn't mean he won't come back. I don't have to work tomorrow. You're stuck with me tonight."
"Thank you.” Her voice was weak and her legs felt shaky. She wanted him to hold her.
"Let me make up the couch. Though I doubt I'll sleep much."
"I'm not trying to put any kind of pressure on you but will you hold me? At least until I fall asleep?"
"He really got to you didn't he? Bastard. I'd like to wring his neck. Ali's upset, because she's worried for you. Carson's pissed because when Ali's as upset as she is right now, it puts the baby at risk."
"I didn't mean to upset anyone." She suddenly felt very small. She wanted her father.
"Oh honey. It's not your fault." He pulled her into his arms.
She didn't know she was crying until he handed her a tissue. Her eyes were closed and she was enjoying being in his arms.
"You need to get some rest babe."
She let him lead her to her bedroom. She didn't bother to turn around when she undressed because she didn't care. Nick watched her, but all she saw in his eyes was concern.
He was already in his pajamas. She figured he must have looked a little funny driving over, but she knew he didn't care.
He kissed her once, very softly. She didn't have the strength to push for more. He lay her down on the bed and reached for the light, even though it was on her side of the bed.
The light was off and she was nestled in his arms. For the first time since she'd known him, he was this close to her and she wasn't thinking about sex. She just needed the comfort he offered.
It took her a long time to fall asleep that night. She kept thinking she heard noises outside and whenever she moved, Nick moved. She was beginning to think that she was the only one in the room that wasn't thinking about sex.
Exhaustion finally won out. Before she fell asleep she wanted to ask him to stay with her all night but she didn't.
Chapter 14
When she woke up Nick was gone. She wondered how long he'd stayed with her. Sun
light was streaming through her window. Her clock said that it was twenty minutes after nine.
She got up and used the bathroom. She thought that she still looked like crap but she didn't really care.
She went out to the living room. Nick was in the kitchen, drinking coffee and eating a bowl of cereal. He gave her a sheepish smile. "I hope you don't mind. You sure do have a lot of breakfast food for someone that doesn't eat breakfast."
"It's okay. Thank you for staying with me."
Nick nodded. There weren't any blankets or a pillow on the couch so she figured he'd stayed with her all night. She appreciated it, but knew he couldn't stay with her every night.
How long would it take for her to feel safe again she wondered? It didn’t seem fair that when she’d finally gotten rid of Corin, she now had yet another stalker to worry about.
"You're off today too, aren't you?" Nick said.
"Yeah. I'm off until Saturday. At least Gabe's letting me go. I mean letting me go from the bar anyway. He said pretty much what Angela told me about the rest of it. That it's not over until he says it's over."
"That guy is scum. I think he gets off on making women feel weak. You mind if I look at what he said to you?"
She dug her phone out, handing it to him. His eyes were on her briefly as she poured herself a cup of coffee but they quickly returned to the phone.
It was quiet for a few minutes as he read through the messages. Once he was finished he said "He's got a serious screw loose. How many times do you have to tell him that you don't want anything to do with him? Can you send a copy of all of those messages to your e-mail? And copy it to mine if you don't mind.”
She took the phone back from Nick, and sent every text from Gabe to her e-mail. It took quite a while. By the time she was finished, Nick was pacing back and forth between the living room and the kitchen. She caught his eye and he said "Sorry. It helps me think."
"It's okay."
In truth he was driving her half nuts but any useful thought they could come up with right now she welcomed. She didn't know what was bothering her more, distracting herself by looking at his butt every time it crossed her vision or his returning to the window every time he crossed back to the living room, making sure that Gabe wasn't there. Her hormones had come alive again at least, though she didn't know if that was a bad or a good thing.
Misty Reigenborn Romance Boxed Set Page 87
