"Just for the record, you can go into your room and I will keep you safe, for as long as you need. You can walk away and not kiss me."
"This is a bad idea." She nodded and parted her lips and waited.
"Very," he whispered and then he kissed her. He tasted better than chocolate. Part of her blended in him in a way that made her feel both alive and part of some bigger mystery that she couldn't explain. Her hands curled around the lapel of his suit jacket and hoped this kiss lasted forever.
Chapter 4
The doorbell chimed like a grandfather clock. Megan swayed on her feet while Gable left her side. She couldn't quite think, as Gable's dimples captured her attention. "Dinner has arrived."
Her stomach growled at the same time she steadied herself. She could always stand on her own two feet. She lifted her chin and nodded. "Good. I am hungry."
He walked toward the door and glanced over his shoulder. "Turn on some music. I'll set the table."
She'd help with cleaning after. It was the least she could do. She made her way over to his iPad that was set up on iTunes. "Okay. I'll be right in to help."
While she scrolled through music, her fingers itched to know if anything had happened to her brother. Her heart beat faster. With a click, she was on Safari and searched out the news. Once in there, she found the local news, and her entire body stilled and chilled when she read the headline: Two officers were shot in a sting operation.
"Maddox." She clicked and read about how the police had surrounded his house earlier. "Is he dead?"
“What? Is something happening?” Gable called out from the kitchen and she glanced up to see his strong shoulder that came toward her. "Is everything okay?"
She turned it off and hugged her waist while she stood. "Check your phone."
"You should eat first."
Nausea grew in her stomach while she stared at his pocket and waited. He came up beside her and dug out his phone. Without a word he turned the power on to listen to his voicemail, and she closed her eyes and curled into his arms. "I'm scared."
"We'll find out together." He massaged her neck and listened to his voicemails. His face turned white. A minute later, he hit play and handed her the phone.
The suspect has fled. We have collected more evidence from the house, but your family needs to remain secure until we have arrested Maddox Murdock.
Her stomach churned. He had shot at police officers but escaped without leaving a lead. A headache began to grow. She couldn't handle reality at the moment. She massaged her temples as she stood straighter and stopped leaning on him. "Gabe, tell me something about you. Why did your parents name you Gable. That's not common."
His face twitched for a second, but a moment after he tilted his head and reached out for her hand. "My mother was obsessed with Gone with the Wind. My sister is Scarlett. I'm named after the actor who played Rhett. My other sister is named Olivia."
She stared at his palm like she wasn't sure what he wanted, but a second after she took his offered hand. "If she was obsessed with Gone with the Wind, why isn't your name Rhett then?"
He winked. "My father refused. The actors were a compromise."
At least he had a cool personal reason for his name other than it was a great-grandparent's name which was always the common answer when she asked her mother why her name was Ashley or why Maddox had his name. Tradition was what her mother had always clung to whenever she was scared about a life-changing event. Her headache lessened from thoughts of her mother. "He compromised on all except your sister."
"Yes, and Scarlett is the dramatic one."
At least his sisters still had their brother to depend on. Again, her stomach felt like she’d drunk gasoline. She tried to ignore it and lowered her gaze. The reality of the news and his voicemail collided into a picture where her brother was still alive. She took a deep breath. "I am sorry for what my brother did to them. Do you need to check the hospital?"
He placed his phone on the table in front of them. "Olivia will call. It's her night to be with them."
If her mother was alive, she'd want to spend every second with her. Her eyes misted while she remembered how her own mother used to give her a pain reliever and pet her hair on days she had been sick as a girl. She'd never have her mother back and it was possible her brother had ruined Gabe’s family too. A cold ice pick jabbed up her spine. "You must want to call her and check in. Don't let me being here interfere."
The moment he squeezed her hand, she felt a warmness that soothed her. "I will soon. Let's eat and then find out."
Again her stomach growled. Perhaps if she ate, she might feel better. She nodded and followed him into the kitchen to gather plates. In sync they put their to-go meals on the porcelain and ate in silence.
As she wiped her face with the napkin and swallowed her last bite, Gabe asked, "How is the Greek Feta Wrap?"
"Delicious." She smiled and watched him finish his gyro.
His phone rang. They both craned their necks and stared into the living area. The air singed with questions. "Go. It might be important."
With a nod, he walked away. She picked up the plates and brought them into the kitchen. She turned on the faucet and ran the hot water while she found the soap and sponge. She wouldn’t listen to his conversation so she cleaned the plates and put them in the dishrack until he walked in and leaned against the kitchen door.
Her heart sped up as he stared at her. She finished the last dish, turned off the water and faced him. "I think you need to be prepared to stay here indefinitely."
Her brother. This wasn't good. She glanced at his phone and saw he had a screen open for her. "Why? Let me see."
He swallowed and turned his screen to show her. I know you’re with my traitor of a sister. Neither of you will be safe.
Maddox knew. She leaned against the kitchen cabinet for support and hugged her waist. None of what happened today made any sense. "How did he get away?"
"Check your email." Gabe came toward her and put his hand on her shoulder.
She felt paralyzed and her throat felt like it squeezed together. Gabe let her go and walked away. She placed her palm on the nearby counter to hold her. A second later, he came back with a laptop and motioned for her to join him near the kitchen island. Her knees felt like they trembled, but she stumbled forward and hoped she walked normal. Finally she leaned forward as he pushed the screen toward her. She looked at the screen and at him with her eyes narrowed until the colors of her email login page blurred together. "Why?"
He placed his hand on her back. "If he's contacted you in any way, we have to know right away."
Exactly what she didn't want to know, but with a sigh she nodded and stared at the screen that asked for her password. "The police will probably suspect me."
Then his fingers tapped against her skin and her body felt slightly warmer. She logged in and the screen changed to the list of her new emails, so she looked away. "You were with me."
"I don't think he'd email..." Her brother's handle was on the screen on a list of unread messages. Her heart beat faster. "Wait." The threat was also directed at her. She turned the screen toward him. "He knows it was me."
His voice message to her had been the same as what he wrote. There was nothing new. Gabe leaned closer and shut the screen, irritated. "He won't harm you."
She imagined for a second them on a deserted island, but she blinked the dream away. "How can you be sure?"
"My home is more secure than the White House."
It wasn't his security that made her feel anything. She swallowed as she peeked at his lips until she looked away. "I can't stay here forever. I have a job."
"Call in sick."
Depending even for a second on Gabe was a bad idea even if this was what she wanted. Strength meant she was supposed to survive on her own, but she smelled the scent of a home she had never truly had. But this was impossible, so she licked her lips and made an excuse. "I used my time when my mother died."
"Then lose yo
ur job. I'm sure there is something you can do for Hawke Inc."
The image of seeing him every day in a business setting when she was this attracted to him would be a recipe for disaster. She stood straighter and stepped out of his arms. She tugged her ear and tried to think of something to say. In silence, she walked toward the living room and the massive windows that overlooked the evening ocean. "Is it strange to hear your last name as incorporated or does that give you a sense of power?"
His footsteps echoed on the floor during the seconds he came toward her. "What? I thought we were talking about your sick time."
He wanted to protect her. She stared at the ocean and knew there were waves down below. The ebb and flow of the current made her think she too would survive. She turned and realized he was right behind her. "I'm over it. I'll call in and hope I don't lose my job."
"That's good."
Earlier his kiss set her off course. Her lips tingled, again, as she stared at him. "Yeah, I don't want to die by going back to my place, but I do want my cat. Maddox knows I care about Anakin and that he's all I have."
He crossed his arms and braced his legs wider. "So what do you want me to do?"
If she had to, she'd have to go home and hope her brother was too nervous, but her cat deserved to be with her now. "Can you get one of your security guards to go get him? I have the key. Once he's here, I'll sleep better."
“Sorry.” His body became lax. "I wish you thought of it before."
She swallowed. "I thought I'd be home in the morning and that he'd be in jail."
"I don't know if the building allows cats."
She'd have to go and be scared, alone. "Seriously?"
"Okay. We won't worry about it. Give me a minute."
So he'd get Anakin. Perfect. She lowered her shoulders that she hadn't known were stiff and nodded. She turned toward the ocean to get a handle on herself. Nothing made sense in her life. "Thanks."
"Give me the key." Right. She walked away and went toward the door to her huge pocketbook. As she dug into the side pocket, she wrapped her fingers around the keys.
She handed the set to him.
"Anakin will be here in an hour."
“Great.” Perhaps space was a good thing. Space would let her stop imagining what it would be to wake up next to Gabe. Her face felt hot as she shook her head. "Maybe we should go there? I would like a few clothes."
"No."
"Huh?" She stopped moving but felt her eyes widen.
"I can have clothes delivered. We don't want your brother tracking you here."
Tracking. Emails. Gabe ran a tech company. She narrowed her gaze. "Aren't you tracking that email?"
"How did you know?"
Right. At least her logic wasn't entirely gone near him. She licked her lips and tried to ignore the tingles. "You're Hawke Inc. The only thing I know about your company is that you do computer-based stuff. So how did someone like you serve in the military?"
"My parents own an oil company, but in family tradition, the sons always serve. I grew up in New York, but my parents had me understand what was expected of me since birth.”
Her mother had been dirt poor in comparison, but they always said middle class. "So it was a rich man’s way to prove himself to the world. Got it."
A small laugh escaped his lips. He reached out and hugged her. His arms around her gave her a sense of safety. He pulled away and straightened his spine. "Speaking of, I want to call my sister to check on my parents."
"Of course." She stepped away. His family mattered. She said a silent prayer that he heard good news.
He reached into his pocket and dialed. She returned to the sink and finished with the dishes.
"They're what?"
She dried the plates.
"That's amazing."
As she put it back on the rack, he smiled at her. "Be right there."
A second later she returned to his side and waited. He clearly had good news. Without warning, he hugged her and she swayed with her, like he wanted to dance. "My father is out of the coma. My mother is responding to his voice. I have to go.”
"Thank God,” she shouted and hugged him. Her brother had failed. On impulse, she kissed his cheek. "I'm so happy for you."
He let go of her. "I want you to come with me to the hospital."
A tremble rushed through her and her face heated. "I don't think I should."
"I don't want to leave you here alone."
Now coldness returned and she straightened. "Don't trust me with your tapestries?"
"I want you with me. I'm slightly nervous."
Want? Goosebumps grew on her arms. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
With security all around them, there was no way her brother would find them at the crowded hospital. She nodded. "Okay, let's go."
She lowered her head, until he brushed the skin of her cheek and his lips met hers for another mind numbing, needing more of him kiss. Though it was brief, she was now fueled with energy. If his parents were alive, anything was possible, including the two of them dating.
Chapter 5
Gabe held Megan's hand while they rushed through the hallways. Orderlies pushed patients on beds in front of him in a line for a CT scan, but with luck the crowd dispersed the moment they tried to maneuver around them. He held Megan closer and guided her past the security people he’d placed near their private wing.
As they made it to the entry, Gabe nodded to two other men he served with overseas, Conner and Harrison, who each took a job in helping him protect his family. His sister, Olivia, walked out of the room and wiped her eyes. She took a deep breath and motioned for him to go.
Gabe took a step forward, but held Megan's hand and refused to let go. He held the door for her but his gaze immediately fell on his mother and next to his father who sat beside her sipping a small water cup. He let go of Megan's hand and hugged his mother. "Mom. Dad. I'm so happy."
As his mother's wrinkled arms wrapped around his neck, he felt like he could breathe. These two days had been horrible, but now that they were awake and responsive, he could live again. They seemed healthy. He let go of his mother and walked around the bed to hug his father. From behind him, his sister said, "Mom’s doctor said the infection is over its worst and she’s responding to medication and Dad woke up thirsty and demanding water, now."
Now was a word his father enjoyed saying. The moment his father let him go from the hug, Gabe stood taller and asked his burning question. "Mom, why were you both wearing bulletproof vests that day?"
Megan's face went white as she leaned against the wall.
His mother glanced at Megan who she stared at quizzically and answered, "Your father told me to."
He turned toward his father and asked, "Why, Dad?"
He sat straighter and nodded. "We had anonymous letters. I refused to let anything happen to your mother."
"Well you were still unconscious for days." His lips curled and he crossed his arms. Weeks earlier, Maddox had sent them warning before he tried to kill them. This behavior was a tell. He had threatened Megan too.
His father tried to end the questioning. "Neither of us are spring chickens anymore, kiddo."
Megan stepped forward but kept her head down. "You were wearing bulletproof vests?"
"Yeah." His mother stared with a quizzical look in her eye.
"Oh thank goodness." Megan swallowed and she sucked in her breath.
His mother turned toward him and asked, "Who is this young lady?"
Right. He expected the question sooner, but Olivia had been too preoccupied. He glanced at his parents and sister and let how healthy they looked sink in. A second later, he motioned for Megan to join him. She hugged her waist and followed him to the center of the room. Once he had his hand on her back, he hoped she relaxed. "Mom. Dad. This is Megan Murdock. I served with her brother during the war."
His mother gave her the 'welcome smile' as best she could in a hospital bed. "Nice to meet you."
Megan
stared at him and her face went white. He then said, “Megan’s in danger too for telling us who fired at you and I’m trying to keep her safe.”
“How did you know?” His mother asked and stared at Megan.
“I found my brother’s confession.” Megan backed into him. " The second I found out, I contacted Gabe and the police."
“Mom, Megan’s scared too and she’s been more than helpful. I intend to keep her safe.” So the cat was out of the bag. He had texted James, Conner and Harrison everything he knew about Maddox to protect his family, but he hadn't told his sisters, not yet.
His father stared at him and asked, "Why would he...?"
"He blames me for being captured and getting tortured, Dad." Gabe interrupted while the memory of a gun pointed at him blazed through his mind. His head throbbed until he met his friend's gaze. "It was in the desert."
A nurse entered the room with her traveling kit to check on both of his parents. His mother clenched her heart as his father shook his head and said, "I never wanted you to join."
No one said anything until the nurse left. Once the door closed, Megan added, "My brother has not been well in a long time. I'm so sorry."
"You seem lost, Megan." His father stared at her but briefly glanced at him. A second later, he lowered his head on his pillow and seemed tired, though he softened his gaze and asked, "Did he hurt you?"
His entire body froze. He looked away from Harrison and gazed at the first woman who had made him crave for more than anyone else in years, if he told himself the truth. He hadn't asked Megan if she was ever hurt by her brother.
Then her face turned red. "No, but he's not the same guy he was before he left."
Traitor. At least he hadn't said that out loud. The silence in the room was palpable. No one said anything, and the sound of hospital equipment filled the silence. "Give me one second to talk to Harrison and Conner."
Conner and his sister Olivia shared a look and the three of them walked toward the window. Gabe kept his voice low. "Did Maddox point a gun at me the day we almost lost Colt?"
Tempting Gabe (The Hawke Fortune) Page 3
