Angels & Whiskey

by Kimberly Knight

  He didn’t speak.

  I didn’t speak.

  But my mind was going a million miles an hour.

  How could I trust a stranger? Part of me felt as if Gabe was planted by Rich to find out what was going on. But then I remembered how we met. Then I remembered that it was still possible for Gabe to be a spy. Then I remembered how angry Rich was when he found out I even talked to Gabe. If Rich planted him, then I was certain he would try to manipulate me into telling him about Gabe, not walk into the house yelling and screaming.

  I had to be right. Rich would kill me if I were wrong and Gabe was working for him.

  When I woke up this morning, I’d never thought my lips would have touched Gabe’s. I woke up thinking I needed to talk to him—that I needed to tell him what was going on because something told me that he wouldn’t let it go that I had bruises.

  And … I was right.

  For days, I couldn’t get him out of my head. I’d never thought he’d feel the same way. I was married for Christ sake. But Gabe … Well, Gabe obviously didn’t care.

  Now, I stared at him under the florescent lights of the racquetball court. I could hear rubber balls being hit against the walls in the next court over and I just stood there, running my fingers along my lips. His kiss felt nice—like really fucking nice, and I had to fight everything in me not to let it continue until I couldn’t breathe.

  If things were different …

  If I had already left Rich, then I wouldn’t hesitate. But at the end of the day, I was married. Married to an evil man; a man I was certain would kill anyone who touched me, especially with his lips.

  Did that prove Gabe wasn’t working for Rich or was it part of his plan?

  “Angel, say something,” Gabe pleaded.

  He’d said it wouldn’t happen again and to make sure of that, I had to leave.

  Turning, I ran toward the door. Before I could open it, Gabe’s hand slapped against it, holding it shut.

  “Don’t run. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I want to help you, Autumn, and you can’t run for that to happen.”

  “He’ll kill you,” I whispered, looking down at the floor. I couldn’t look up to meet his eyes because I knew I would stare at his lips, wanting them on mine again.

  “He can try. But if I can survive Afghanistan, I can survive your asshole of a husband.”

  I took a deep breath, still not looking up. Before I could speak, Gabe spoke again. “Let’s just be friends. We can be friends, right? I’ll keep my distance in public and when I need to talk to you, we’ll come here.” He motioned to the enclosed space with no windows.

  I finally glanced up at him. I was already pushing the envelope so to speak with Rich and if I weren’t doing anything wrong, he couldn’t tell me who I could and couldn’t be friends with.

  “Okay.” I nodded. “Friends.”

  “Friends who sometimes kiss.”

  He smiled and I wanted to smile back. I knew he was joking, but I wanted to agree. I loved the way his lips felt against mine. His kiss was tender and I hadn’t had a tender kiss in a very long time. His lips were soft, and he used the perfect amount of tongue to give me a tease of what it could do on other parts of my body. If things were different, I wouldn’t have stopped.

  “Gabe—”

  “I’m just kidding. I’ll bide my time until we can get you away from him, then I can’t make any promises.”

  Damn his smile! I had to look away, nodding again. “I better go. If you happen to show up at Starbucks, I’ll see you there.” I looked up at him after I stopped talking.

  “It’s a date.” He smirked.

  I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Just go, Autumn. I’ll see you there.”

  Going to Starbucks when I had my weekly date with Brandi used to be my favorite day of the week. Now—I had other reasons to look forward to the coffee shop and it wasn’t just one day a week.

  As I sat in my usual chair, looking out the window, I replayed the morning at the gym. Did Gabe say he was going to wait for me? Did he say he wanted to be with me? Like actually be with me? We didn’t know anything about each other. How could he say such a thing? If I didn’t know better, I’d think he had women crawling all over him. He was gorgeous and strong and fuck that smile…

  Before I could finish my thought, Gabe and Paul walked in. Gabe met my eyes and smiled and I smiled back. I felt my face flame and I looked down at my coffee cup. I felt like a girl with a secret crush—well, I was. Gabe brought out my flirtatious side. The side that had been hidden for three years. I’d thought it was because I was married and that part of me had died because I didn’t need to rope them in anymore. Maybe that was true. But the more Rich punished me, the more I wanted to fight back.

  I pretended I wasn’t waiting for Gabe and Paul to sit at the table in front of me. My focus was down on the table, reading Better When He’s Bad by Jay Crownover on my Kindle, when a folded piece of paper was placed on top of the screen.

  Looking up, I noticed Gabe was still sitting at the table next to me. He motioned with his head for me to read the note.

  A,

  Since we can’t talk in public, I decided that we should pass notes. Paul jokes that I’m still in junior high when it comes to you, so I might as well live it up. So tell me, what kind of coffee do you order?

  Patiently Waiting,

  Gabe

  I smiled as I read his note then reached into my purse for a pen to write him back on the same paper.

  G,

  I didn’t even know they still made paper these days. I like your idea though. I always get a non-fat vanilla latte. You? Where’d you move from?

  Patiently Waiting to Leave Him,

  A

  We passed a few notes back and forth while Paul laughed and shook his head at us. From an outsider’s perspective you’d think that he was only talking to Gabe.

  Before I knew it, I needed to head home and wait for Rich’s call.

  When I arrived home, I walked through the house, making a mental note of all the cameras throughout. I didn’t know where the feed was being monitored from because I didn’t see any room with a computer in it. That had led me to believe that Rich was monitoring my movements from his office.

  After Rich’s call, I checked the roast I was cooking in the crockpot and piddled around the house. I was bored to death. I hated feeling like a caged animal. I supposed some women would love to be a housewife where they were able to go to the gym every day, and get their hair and nails done as needed.

  But I wanted to be able to come and go as I pleased.

  Rich and I needed to have a talk. I was still going to leave him no matter what happened, but at least I could say I fought back.

  Then a thought dawned on me. Rich assumed I hated him leaving bruises on my arms. Of course I did, but I never stood up for myself. Like I told him the night before, I’d never done anything for him not to trust me—

  Except today when Gabe’s lips happened to come into contact with mine …

  But that wasn’t my fault.

  I needed to start fighting back. Maybe not yell, scream and kick, but something that could be seen on the security cameras. Of course, Rich could just delete the footage, but it was worth a shot. It would show I was strong; strong enough to leave him. The more he let me have slack, the more I could put my plan into motion to leave him. He was being nice Rich right now, but mean Rich was bound to come out—soon.

  Before I could text him that I was going to go shopping for a dress for his party, Lea knocked on the door.

  “Hey, I have the invitations. We should get these out before five.”

  I glanced at the clock on the wall. We had three hours to get them done. “Wow, that was fast. Sure, come in.” A part of me told myself I should text Rich and tell him Lea stopped by. But then I wanted to verify my suspicions that he was monitoring the security camera feed from his office. “Rich didn’t tell me you were coming.”

  “I just got the
m in the mail and knew we were on a deadline, so I rushed over. I’m sorry if I’m intruding.”

  “No, not at all. I’m just sitting here reading.” I shrugged while I led her to the kitchen. “Would you like something to drink?”

  “Water, thank you.” She sat down at the dining room table. “What are you cooking? It smells delicious.”

  “Oh, thank you. It’s roast with potatoes and carrots.”

  “Rich is a lucky guy, coming home to a home cooked meal every night.”

  I fought the urge to laugh. If she only knew the consequences I’d face if I didn’t have the meal ready. “It’s no big deal. I have time to do it.” I waved off her comment and grabbed her a bottle of water from the fridge before we got to work inviting people to Rich’s party.

  “Have you got your dress yet?” she asked, stuffing an envelope.

  “Not yet. Haven’t had time to go. Have you?”

  “No, but most nights this time of year are nice nights to have a party. I’ll probably have a sleeveless dress so I don’t get too hot from running around.”

  “That’s a good idea.” I smiled. I wanted to wear a sleeveless dress or at least one with capped sleeves, but I could only do that if Rich didn’t touch me again before the party. I needed time for my current bruises to heal. “I’m not sure what style I want yet. I’ve never been married to a mayor before,” I joked.

  She laughed. “Me, either.”

  Two and half hours later, all two hundred and forty-four envelopes were addressed. We could only fit approximately two hundred people on our property, but Rich wanted it full, so we invited more, knowing people wouldn’t be able to make it.

  After Lea had left, I waited for Rich to come home.

  And waited …

  And waited …

  I woke on the couch, the morning sun shining through the glass windows that overlooked the golf course in the distance. I ran to the bedroom. The bed was still made like I had made it the morning before. I ran to my cell phone; no missed call from him.

  I dialed his number and after five rings, it went to voice mail. I began to worry. I still loved him, but—if something happened to him … No, I couldn’t think like that. A few minutes later, I heard the garage open and I ran to the door, opening it.

  Rich stepped out of his car. “Morning, princess.”

  “Morning? What the fuck, Rich? Where were you?”

  “Obviously you didn’t care enough to call me to find out,” he hissed, walking passed me and into the kitchen.

  “I was waiting for you and I just woke up on the couch.”

  “I know,” he murmured.

  “What? How do you know?”

  “Autumn, I’m too tired for this conversation. I’m going to bed.”

  “But where were you?” I pressed.

  “At work where I always am.”

  “Overnight?”

  “Yes, overnight, Autumn! Don’t question my actions.”

  “Fine, I won’t.” I stormed off toward our bedroom, but Rich grabbed my elbow, halting me.

  “Are you talking back to me?” he hissed.

  I stood still, his fingers biting into my skin. “No,” I whispered. “I just don’t like sleeping alone,” I lied.

  His grip didn’t loosen. “I’m the man of this house, Autumn. I can come and go as I please.”

  “Okay.” I shook my head. “It’s time for me to go to the gym.”

  “Good,” he grumbled, letting me go and loosening his tie—a navy blue one …not the purple one I’d picked out.

  Not wanting to press my luck even more, I changed, made myself a protein shake, and headed toward Club 24 hoping I’d see Gabe—someone who appreciated me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gabe

  No woman had ever captivated me as quickly as Autumn had.

  I’d known her for only four days and I was already addicted to her. I was addicted to a married woman. Of all the women in the world … Even if she left her husband, there would be a lot of baggage we’d have to deal with.

  Shit, I was already thinking long term. Who does that? I needed to step the fuck back and really take this friend thing to heart. I couldn’t fall for someone in only four days, especially when I hadn’t fallen for anyone in almost five years.

  “Are we going to the gym?” Jackson asked, pouring a cup of coffee.

  “You know you don’t have to keep coming with me, right?”

  “I know.” He shrugged. “I like going together. It reminds me of the old days.”

  During the army, we were almost inseparable. We made sure each other stayed in shape, and going to Club 24 together brought back memories. When we lived in the L.A. area, we didn’t live close enough to each other to hang out every day. Plus we were both busy with clients, so it was nice hanging out together again.

  “I need to take a step back from Autumn. I’m falling for her too fast,” I confessed.

  He paused mid-stir of his coffee. “If you were any of my other friends, I’d laugh at you. I’d tell you that you’re fucking right, that you’re being a sappy motherfucker. But given your past, Cap—”

  “How does that make any sense?”

  “Because you’re finally opening up and living again.”

  “But she’s married—”

  “Not for long.”

  “And I barely know her.”

  “Let’s be clear, you don’t want to marry this chick, right? You just want to have more of a connection than sticking your dick in her.”

  I stared at him for a few seconds, thinking about what he was saying and what I wanted. Of course you couldn’t know if you wanted to marry someone in only four days—that was crazy. What if meeting Autumn was supposed to help me start living again? I’d help her leave her husband and she’d help me heal the pain in my heart. “Right,” I agreed.

  “So step back. Stop flirting with her and just be a friend. Let’s get her away from her husband.”

  “How are we even going to do that?”

  I’d promised Autumn I’d help her, and I would. But I wanted to be like a barbarian and run in there and rescue her; not wait around while she put her ducks in order. Waiting around would lead to more bruises, and more bruises would lead to more anger from me.

  “I’ve been thinking about this. I think she should do what a normal person would do and divorce him. She can’t run off, especially since she said he’s ‘powerful’ and will find her.” He put air quotes around powerful implying her husband wasn’t. I had to agree. I mean, did he run a mob or some shit?

  “And where does she go until the divorce is over and she can leave town?” I finished the last of my coffee then walked to the sink to rinse out the cup and put it in the dishwasher.

  “With her friend we met the other day. She was worried about her, so I’m sure she’ll take her in.” He shrugged.

  “And we can be with her twenty-four/seven to protect her?” I asked, finishing his thought.

  “Exactly. We’ll pick her up at her place and take her to the gym and Starbucks, then back home where they can have a security system installed if they don’t already have one.”

  “And if she wants to go to more than just three places a day?”

  “Then one of us will be with her.” He shrugged again as if the plan would work. Theoretically, it would … but could it be that simple?

  “Like bodyguards?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

  “Yes!” He snapped and pointed his finger at me in agreement. “Exactly. I’ve always wanted to be a bodyguard.” Shaking his head, he said, “Autumn’s not getting shot on our watch, Cap.” My eyes widened and he quickly sputtered, “Oh shit!”

  “Right,” I sighed with a slight nod.

  “Cap—”

  “It’s okay.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “I know.”

  I did know. I knew Jackson was just fucking around. It had been five years since Alyssa was shot on our watch, but I was determined to neve
r let it happen again. I needed to teach Autumn how to shoot her gun properly.

  “Autumn bought a gun,” I said, changing the subject.

  “No shit?”

  “Let’s teach her how to use it properly.”

  “I like your thinking. I’ve been dying to shoot something.”

  “Me, too,” I agreed.

  When I was a kid, I’d visit my grandparents in Tennessee at their ranch, and my grandpa would take me into the backyard to shoot cans. I never thought that I’d want to fire a gun again after leaving the army.

  But shooting was in my blood.

  I hadn’t been this happy in a very long time. Sure I was fighting with myself to hold back my feelings for Autumn. She was married and I’d only known her for four days. And I knew there was no way in hell she’d be okay with my profession.

  Just like the day before, I found Autumn running on the treadmill when Paul and I arrived at Club 24.

  “Hey,” I greeted her, stepping onto the treadmill beside her.

  “Hey.” She frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, increasing the speed to a brisk walk.

  She looked around the gym, probably searching for the so-called spies. “Meet me in our spot in a few minutes. If it’s taken, I’ll find an empty one.” She stopped the treadmill and then started to walk toward the racquetball courts.

  Out of habit, I looked around the massive gym wondering if I could spot the “spies”. I didn’t see anyone who looked as if they could kick my ass and I didn’t see anyone who I recognized from being at both Club 24 and Starbucks—not that I was looking before. I made a mental note to start looking. After all, I was about to become a bodyguard for Autumn.

  A few minutes later, I stopped my treadmill and went to find Autumn. I found her in a different court than the day before. She was sitting on the floor on the right side with her legs bent and her arms wrapped around them as she lay her head on her knees.

  “What’s the matter, angel? Did he hit you again?” I asked, sitting next to her.

  She looked at me barely lifting her head. “He doesn’t hit me, he just grabs me and … no.”