He shook his head. “No, we’re still running tests.”
“So he wasn’t shot or something obvious?”
“No, we’re still reviewing the footage from the video cameras in your house.”
I scrunched my eyebrows. “Where? I don’t even know where that’s kept.”
“Your husband had an app on his phone that can play back live footage and anything within twenty-four hours.”
“I always suspected he had the feed in his office at his work.”
“We haven’t checked there yet. If you could give me the address that would speed up this process.”
I gave the detective Rich’s work address. “Who found him?” I asked.
“His campaign manager Trista.”
“When?”
“This morning. When he didn’t show for their meeting, she drove to your house and found him.”
“What about Remo?”
“Mr. Romero was found with him.”
“Dead?” I whispered.
I didn’t know if I should feel relieved Rich was dead or sad. Even though I hated him for what he did and said to me over the years, I’d never wish for someone to die.
I walked out of the tiny room and into the hall after the detective asked me every question under the sun. I didn’t think I was a suspect, but he told me not to leave town. If they didn’t find anything on the footage they retrieved from the saved feed, then I was sure they’d have more questions for me since I had motive.
“You okay, angel?” Gabe asked as soon as he saw me round the corner.
I gave a weak smile and nodded. “Yeah. I just want to go home … Your home,” I clarified. “They said they’d let me know when I could go back inside my house.”
“Of course.”
“So they told you?” I asked as soon as we shut the doors to his Yukon.
“About Rich?”
“Yeah.” I nodded.
He sighed. “They did.”
“Paul didn’t have anything to do with it, right?”
He scrunched his eyebrows. “Um … no.”
“I know we didn’t have anything to do with it since we were together,” I motioned between us, “but Paul left and you said he was on a date.”
“He was.”
I stared into his green eyes before he turned to look back at the road as he drove. “Sorry.” I sighed. “Everything’s running through my head.”
“I get it, but I know for sure that Paul had nothing to do with it.”
“What if he did and you just don’t know?”
“Because we’re soldiers. If he killed Major Dick, it would have been by a gunshot.”
I let out a long breath and stared out the passenger side window. “Right.”
“You sure you’re doing okay?” Gabe reached over and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers and then brought it to his mouth to kiss the back of my hand.
I answered, not able to look at him. “As good as I can be knowing my husband’s dead.”
“Okay. If you need to let it out, you know I won’t care right?”
I turned my gaze to his. “Don’t think it’s hit me yet. I’m still trying to process how this happened.”
“Let the cops do their job, it’s not for you to worry about, angel.”
Gabe was right, but my brain wouldn’t shut up. We drove not speaking again with Ed Sheeran serenading us. By Gabe’s last question, he probably thought I’d be a bubbling mess. After everything that had gone on, I was surprised I wasn’t. Knowing I’d never see Rich again was almost bittersweet. He could never hurt me again. I didn’t have to hide anymore. I was free. Unless…
“What if he’s not really dead?”
Gabe grunted. “What?”
“What if he paid those cops to say he was dead so we put our guards down and then he attacks?”
“I know last night we were watching a rerun of Law and Order, but that’s just TV.”
“But we didn’t see his body.”
“They said they’re running a tox screen. They’ll contact you when it’s time to bury him.”
I groaned. “I know. It’s surreal, you know?”
Gabe gave a tight smile. “Actually, I do. Why don’t you call your parents and tell them they can go home and we’ll meet them there and tell them everything?” Gabe quickly changed the subject and I didn’t think anything of it.
“Can we go by my house first? If it is a crime scene, it should look like one, right?”
“Yeah, angel. We can do whatever you want.”
I called my parents on the way to my house. Of course, my dad questioned everything, but I’d convinced him I would fill him in once we met them there. I also needed to reassure myself Rich was really dead.
When we rounded the corner onto my street, I immediately saw the yellow tape. A lump started to form in my throat again and my eyes started to sting. My breathing increased as I tried to keep my tears at bay.
“Angel—”
“Stop the car.”
Gabe drove slowly in front of my house and stopped. I got out and walked to the sidewalk toward the yellow tape that blocked anyone from stepping onto my property. There were no police cars, no medical examiners—nothing. I didn’t know how long it would take the police to collect all the evidence they needed, but it was getting late so they’d probably gone home for the day.
I ducked under the caution tape and took a few steps on the grass toward the front door. I didn’t make it past the middle of the yard before I collapsed, the weight of everything beating down on me. The tears I was trying so hard to fight started to run down my cheeks. My body shook as I closed my eyes and let the tears try to do their job.
I felt Gabe sit down next to me and wrap me in his arms. “It’s okay. Let it out.”
“I don’t know why I’m crying,” I admitted.
“Because you loved him. Even though he treated you like you didn’t matter, he mattered to you.”
“But I didn’t cry when I left him. Why am I crying now?”
“Crying doesn’t always show weakness, angel. You were strong for so long maybe you feel relief that it’s over?”
I nodded against his chest. “It is over, isn’t it?”
“The living in fear part is over. Once they determine how he died, you’ll need to deal with everything else, but I’ll be here with you.”
I nodded again as I wiped the tears from my eyes. Rich put me through hell and I despised him, but in the end, he’d made me stronger. I always thought I’d resent him, but the more he pushed, the stronger I got. He made me learn. He made my skin thicker. He made me—me. I was a fighter. And now that he was gone …
I would no longer be the victim.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Gabe
I groaned as I checked my back office. Fuck, I had a date tonight. For the last few days, all my thoughts were of Autumn and what she was going through. I had no idea how I was going to slip away and go on this date.
“Is it okay if I go to coffee and dinner with Brandi?” Autumn asked as we cuddled on the couch.
“You don’t need to ask permission.” I laughed, but then stopped when I saw the expression on her face.
“Sorry. Habit.” She shrugged.
I kissed the top of her head. “Go have fun. I have stuff I need to take care of.”
She sat up and smiled. “Work stuff?”
I stared into her hazel eyes, contemplating if I should tell her the truth. I knew I should, but I didn’t want to drop the bomb on her when she was finally in a good mood and not crying. Before I met with my client, I would tell my boss it would be my last date. After that, I’d finally explain to Autumn why I was an escort.
“Actually, yeah. I need to do some work.”
“And what is it that you do?”
“We don’t have time to get into all of that. I’ll tell you tonight. Go enjoy your time with Brandi.” I kissed her lips before she stood, then texted my boss and told him I wanted to meet with him before m
y date.
I arrived at S&R an hour before I had to pick up my date. I was to meet Liz for an early dinner next door to her ex-boyfriend’s workplace. We never questioned why a client wanted to have a date a certain way. Usually with jealousy dates, the ex-boyfriends got one look at us and didn’t do anything because most of the time we were bigger than them and much stronger.
After the date, the ex-boyfriends typically came crawling back because they realized what they had with the woman was something another man would want—and they didn’t do well with having it flaunted in their faces.
“Gabe, what can I do for you?” Mark asked as I entered his office.
I sat in the oversized, plush black chair in front of his desk, crossing my leg over my other knee. “I know you transferred me because you needed more guys at this location—”
“Right.” He nodded.
“I hate to do this man, but today’s my last day.”
He cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head. “Why?”
“I met this girl—”
“Ah, it’s always about a girl. They don’t like to share.” He smiled.
I instantly relaxed and chuckled. “I haven’t actually told her what I do, but yeah … She probably doesn’t like to share.”
“All right.” He nodded. “I’ll keep you on the books just in case, but I’ll make you inactive on the website. If you ever change your mind, or if it doesn’t work out with your girl, you’re always welcome back.”
“Thank you.” I stood and shook his hand. “I’ll come by tomorrow to get my cut for this evening’s date.”
“Perfect.”
“Oh, about the house. Is it okay if I stay? I’ll still pay rent, of course.”
“Sure no problem.” He waved off my question as if it were ridiculous. “The house was rented so you two had a place to stay when you relocated. Since Paul’s still living there, I don’t see why you can’t as well.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Plus, I’m hopeful you’ll change your mind and come back.”
I chuckled. “Honestly, I hope I don’t. I really like this girl.”
And just like that, I was one step closer to starting a real relationship in—forever.
I met Liz at a small café next door to a coffee shop. After Liz and I had made introductions, we sat on the patio near the front doors.
“Every day after work, my ex buys a coffee from there.” She pointed toward the shop and I turned around to get a good look because my back was facing the door.
“Why’d you break up if you don’t mind me asking?” I asked when I turned back around.
“Josh would rather spend time with his friends than me.” She shrugged.
“And you still want him back?” I took a sip of my ice water as I waited for her reply.
“We were together for two years. I still love him, and if he thinks I moved on then maybe he’ll realize what a hot commodity I am.” She smiled.
Women and their games. Sure this plan of hers might work, but if this dude let her go so easily, he didn’t want her. Men fight for what they want or who for that matter.
“What do you want me to do when we see him?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know? Flirt with me.”
I smiled. “I can do that.”
She looked down at her phone. “He should be getting off now.”
We waited a few minutes and the moment her eyes became huge, I knew Josh was walking behind me. I grabbed her hand, holding it with mine and ran my thumb across her knuckles. She smiled, blushing as she looked down at the contact. I didn’t know if she was playing her part or was really embarrassed in front of this guy.
My thumb continued to brush against Liz’s skin and all I could think about was Autumn. Everything felt wrong as I sat holding Liz’s hand. I wasn’t looking into Autumn’s familiar hazel eyes. I wasn’t smelling the warm vanilla sugar I loved.
I let go of Liz’s hand and her eyes dropped down at the loss of contact. My head wasn’t in the game, but I needed to be on point and get it over with. I could see the end of the tunnel and it felt as if each minute was the equivalent to five.
“I think it worked. You should’ve seen his face when he saw us sitting here.” Liz looked back up at the coffee shop’s door and smiled.
“Not my first time.” I stood and moved my chair next to hers. We waited, both of us not speaking until I saw Josh exiting. I leaned into Liz and whispered into her ear, “Is he looking?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
I looked up, and through the veil of Liz’s strawberry blonde hair, my gaze fell on the multicolored eyes I wanted to look into forever.
“Fuck,” I murmured.
“What?” Liz asked through clenched teeth as she continued to smile.
I didn’t respond. My stare didn’t leave Autumn’s as she stood, Brandi’s passenger side door’s handle in her hand. I didn’t know why she and Brandi were here, but it wasn’t going to turn out good for me. The look on her face broke my heart into a thousand pieces.
I should have told her sooner, but everything had happened too fast. I needed to explain myself, but I didn’t have the time at the moment because my date was questioning what was happening.
“What is it Gabe?” Liz asked, her stare still on the coffee shop.
I broke my gaze from Autumn’s briefly and leaned away from Liz. “Nothing, I’ll be right back.” I went to stand, but Autumn slid into the opened door of Brandi’s car. “Fuck!”
“What’s going on?” Liz questioned.
I didn’t know what to do—I felt as if I were trapped in a Plexiglas box with no way out. “Sorry. Is he still here?” I asked, looking toward the coffee shop door. Josh was staring at us, so I sat back in my chair and whispered in her ear, “The girl I want to start a relationship with just saw us. She doesn’t know what I do for a living and I need to cut this date short and run after her. I need you to start laughing like I’m telling you funny shit then lean your head down like you’re blushing. You help me out and I’ll refund you your money.”
She lifted her head and our gazes met. “Are you serious?”
I looked over at Josh and then quickly back to Liz. “Yes, he’s still standing there so just pretend I’m whispering sweet nothings into your ear until he leaves. I bet he’ll call you tonight.”
“You think so?” she whispered.
“Well, he’s still standing there.” I reached into the pocket of my leather jacket and grabbed my cell phone. I wanted to go after Autumn, but a text would have to do for the five minutes I needed to finish this date with Liz.
“And he’s staring at us,” she murmured and looked down at my hand that held my phone. “You need to call her?”
“I’d like to, but I can’t. I can’t imagine what she’s thinking right now.”
“Well, it looks like Josh is leaving. Go ahead and call her.”
I lifted my head and sure enough Josh was leaving. “If he doesn’t call by tomorrow, I’ll set you up on a free date with my friend Paul. He’s a great guy and very single. I’m sorry this turned out this way.”
“It’s okay.”
“Let me walk you to your car just in case Josh is still here.”
“Okay.” She smiled and stood. “You’re a great guy, Gabe. I hope it works out for you.”
“Thank you.”
Me: Angel, it’s not what you think. Please meet me at home. I’m on my way.
I grabbed Liz’s hand and laced our fingers. Autumn was long gone and Liz needed this if Josh was spying on us. “I’ll handle your payment with Saddles & Rack, but call me if it doesn’t work out with Josh and I’ll get my buddy to do a better job.” She handed me her phone and I entered my number for her.
I jogged to my Yukon in hopes Autumn would be waiting for me at home.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Autumn
I should have known going to a new coffee shop wouldn’t be a good thing. Brandi wanted to grab coffee and dinner near the movi
e theater where we decided we wanted to see a new movie at. I still hadn’t told Gabe we were going to a movie, but I knew he wouldn’t care. He wasn’t like Rich.
Or so I thought.
The moment my gaze fell on Gabe’s and the woman with the strawberry blonde hair, I knew I was right about one thing—Gabe wouldn’t give a shit where I was. I just didn’t know it was because he was out with another woman. I couldn’t believe my eyes. We were just starting our relationship and since we had been together, we were inseparable. I’d had no idea he was seeing someone else.
“Who was that?” Brandi asked, pulling out of the parking lot.
“His … Gabe’s …” I couldn’t finish the sentence.
“His girlfriend?”
“What did it look like to you?” I asked, staring out the windshield.
“It looked like he was cozy as fuck with her.”
“I know,” I sighed.
We’d sat in silence for a few seconds before Brandi asked, “Do you still want to go to the movies or should I take you home?”
“Home …”
Where was home? The house Rich died in? Gabe and Paul’s house? Did I even have a house to call home?
“No. You know what, B, let’s go out drinking. Fuck this shit, I’m single. I can do whatever I want to.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Should I just go back to Gabe’s and wait for him to tell me another lie?”
“No, you’re right. Fuck the movie. Let’s go have shots!”
By the time we arrived at Blue Martini, it felt as if my life was spiraling out of control. I didn’t know when my life had changed. Maybe it was the moment I’d decided to leave Rich, or maybe it was the moment I bumped into Gabe.
The man I was married to was dead.
The man I wanted as a possible boyfriend was out with another woman.
I grabbed my phone, my ID, and some money to stick into my pocket because I didn’t want to carry my purse into the bar. I noticed I had a missed text message:
Gabe: Angel, it’s not what you think. Please meet me at home. I’m on my way.
Angels & Whiskey Page 22
