Chapter 27: Chapter 27

The phone call came that afternoon. Gabby was just sitting down for lunch. She hadn’t been prepared for what the voice on the other end of the line had to say. Shane, her ex-boyfriend, was dead.

Since they wouldn’t release the details over the phone, and Blake refused to let her leave the house, he went in her place to find out what had happened.

Now she sat in the same place she’d received the news, waiting for Blake to walk through the door and tell her that it was natural causes. Except she couldn’t think of anything natural that could result in the death of an otherwise healthy male who hadn’t even reached middle age yet. Sure, he was disabled and required round-the-clock care, but so did people twice his age.

Her suspicious mind was hard at work, trying to throw all kinds of horrific scenarios at her, but the one that topped the list involved the one man who threatened to destroy her entire world.

Ricky Cruiz was never far from Gabby’s thoughts. Since escaping his capture, and Cruiz slipping through the back door to freedom, a cloud of unease had been following her. She wasn’t the only one. Blake was always watching, always waiting. He’d even taken to sleeping with his gun under his pillow.

It was all they could do to try and live a normal life when so much still hung in the balance, but try they were. Living with one foot in the grave wasn’t living, and neither was living in constant fear.

Some small part of Gabby hoped that Blake would come home and tell her that Cruiz was the root of Shane’s death, that way they had a starting point on where to look for him, placing them one step closer to finishing this war that’d been ignited between the two clubs. More than anything, she just wanted all of this to be over so she could go on with her life without having to look over her shoulder.

However, Gabby mostly wanted to hear that Shane had slipped away in his sleep. She no longer loved the man, nor did she hold much respect for him after the position he’d placed her in, but she would never wish the likes of Cruiz and his vicious gang on anyone. Shane wasn’t a good person, but he didn’t deserve to die at the hands of that monster.

Her stomach turned just thinking about it. The worst was not knowing. But no matter what had happened or would happen as a result, she knew that Blake would keep her safe. He was a good man.

Her hand went to her abdomen, cradling the new life they’d placed there together. God willing, everything would work out, and they’d get through this to see their child born healthy and strong.

Smiling to herself, Gabby thought of how drastically her life had changed for the better since meeting Blake. She loved and had the love of Blake and his son, she had new friends and family that couldn’t be more loyal, and she was happy. That was the best part of all of it. Considering not that long ago she’d been living in hiding, cut off from the rest of the world, it was a novelty. She never could have imagined being here, now, but she was, and she’d be damned if she’d allow some criminal to take it away from her.

The sound of Blake’s motorcycle in the driveway alerted her to his arrival, and Gabby bolted from her seat to meet him at the door. The moment he stepped inside, questions tumbled from her mouth.

“How did it go? What did you find out? Was it Cruiz?”

He held up his hand. With a tired sigh, Blake shrugged off his leather jacket followed by his vest and moved toward the kitchen. Gabby was hot on his heels, the anticipation reaching levels so high, it might actually kill her.

“It took some convincing before they’d release anything to me,” he began as he retrieved the gallon of milk from the fridge. Knowing he’d drink it straight from the carton if given the chance, Gabby rushed to grab him a glass. “Thanks.” He smiled softly, and that one gesture told her that any news he had wasn’t good.

Filling the cup, he handed her the carton to put back and leaned into the counter for support, clutching the glass in one hand against the center of his chest. “Once they knew who I was to you, and I explained that you were too distraught to come yourself, they gave me his belongings. The only thing they’d tell me is what they said to you over the phone. He passed away early this morning.”

“So there were no signs that pointed to foul play?” she asked, puzzled. She’d been so sure.

“I don’t think they’d tell me even if there were. At any rate, I asked Tucker to look into it. He’s got some kind of contacts left over from his days in the military. Hopefully, we’ll get something from that.”

“Well, what do you think? Does this look like something Cruiz would be involved in?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. My gut says yes, but in my head, I can’t help thinking he’s got bigger fish to fry.”

“Like me, you mean.”

His expression folded. Setting his glass aside, Blake came up to her, pulling her into his arms. It was then that Gabby realized she was trembling. “No, teach, I didn’t mean nothin’ like that. I’m sure he’s forgotten about you already.”

“Is that why you’re always on edge?” Gabby pulled away, putting some distance between them. “I know every time you leave the bed at night to look out the windows. I see when you tense up at every sound. You’re expecting him to come back.”

“Gabby—”

“I am too,” she whispered. “It’s like I can feel him out here, waiting for the right moment to strike.”

“Shit.” Blake had her back in his arms in a blink. “I got you, teach. Nobody is getting past that door without me knowing it. You’re safe.”

“And my parents? How do I keep them safe?”

“I have men on them around the clock, you know that. Nothin’s getting by them either. We’ve got our bases covered.”

Famous last words. Gabby couldn’t help being a naysayer. She had seen the ugliest parts of life, so she knew just what kind of stuff nightmares were made of. She had the scars to prove it.

“I’m just afraid,” she said, resting her cheek against his chest. “Here we are having a baby and we don’t even know if we can keep Ash and ourselves safe. I can’t help feeling like we’re being irresponsible.”

Hooking his finger under her chin, Blake lifted her head up to look into her eyes. “We’re not going to stop living our lives because one sick fuck wants to take it away. We start doing that, and he wins, you feel me?”

She nodded mutely.

“I want to hear you say it, teach. We’re not going to let that fucker win. You feelin’ me on this?”

Her lips twitched. “Yeah, I feel you.” How could she not? Every day he proved how strong and resilient he was, adaptable to a fault. Blake was one hell of a man. Her man. God, she loved him.