Chapter Seven
Brooke
The drive into town gave me time to think about my relationship with Gabe.
It’s been a whirlwind since the day I met him. With my issues from my previous marriage, I never imagined myself trusting him so easily. There’s an undeniable pull between us, like magnets that can’t break away from each other.
He seems too good to be true and that alone scares me. I’ve been hurt, but he’s done nothing to deserve distrust. He’s incredible and I don’t want cynical thoughts causing problems between us.
After warring back and forth with myself the entire drive, I decide to give us a chance. I pull into the post office parking lot, parking on the side of the building and heading inside.
The bell above the door chimes and a sweet, older woman greets me at the counter. “Hello, young lady. What can I do for you today?”
Returning her smile, I lay the envelope containing the contract on the counter. “Good morning. I need to have this package sent over night with a tracking number, please.”
She takes the package, scanning it in the computer and provides me with the information I requested after I pay. We wish each other a good day and I exit the building.
A tingling sensation grates down my spine and my steps falter on the sidewalk. Glancing up and down Main Street, warning bells go off in my head. Slowly, my eyes roam the sidewalk in front of each building. I don’t see anything suspicious until I glance across the street.
No.
Standing in front of the bank is none other than my ex-husband, Brian Turner.
Fuck.
Our eyes lock and the air freezes in my lungs. He doesn’t look surprised to see me. His lips curl into a sinister smile. I spent too many years witnessing that terrifying look on his face. There’s a motive for everything this man says and does.
My brain joins the party and alerts my feet to start moving. I quickly stride to my car, trying to get the hell out of here.
What the fuck is he doing here?
“Brooke!” His booming voice causes my stomach to churn violently, dread pressing down on my chest.
Turning slowly, I back myself against the car. Brian punched me in the face when I told him I wanted a divorce. That was the only time he ever laid a hand on me, but he was a cold bastard our entire marriage. His cruel words from the past flood my mind, making me cringe inside.
Anger surges through me. This reaction is new, but I like it.
Refusing to let him control me anymore, I straighten my spine and square my shoulders. “What do you want, Brian?”
His mask fades, replaced with his signature icy expression. “No need to be rude, Brooke. I’m in town on some business and hoped I’d run into you.”
Nausea settles in my stomach and the fight or flight reaction kicks in. “We’re divorced and we haven’t spoken in two years. Why would I want to see you? Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
As I turn to open the car door, he grabs my wrist furiously, pain surging up my arm. “Have you forgotten who you’re talking to? You don’t walk away from me!”
Jerking out of his hold, my body recoils.
What the fuck?
He will not put his hands on me again. I can’t be the woman I was before, cowering at his words.
I left him, knowing I deserved better. Gabriel has shown me I deserve respect.
He’s shown me how a real man treats a woman.
Brian is no real man. He gets off on making women feel like shit about themselves.
Something snaps inside me. “You piece of shit! Don’t ever touch me, again.
I’m not your fucking wife anymore. You made me miserable our entire marriage.
I’m not the weak, soft-spoken woman you were married to.
I don’t want to see or talk to you. I threw you out of my life two years ago with the intention of never seeing you again. ”
Damn, that felt good.
As soon as the words left my mouth, a weight lifted off of me.
Looking at him now, his face is flushed, his jaw clenched. “Well, you obviously learned more colorful language. Nice performance, Brooke. Do you feel better since you had your little tantrum?”
This son-of-a-bitch.
I’m done. “Fuck you!”
Opening my car door, I get inside, slamming it closed. He knocks on the window, motioning with his hand to roll it down. Cracking it an inch, I stare at him expectantly. “What?”
He leans forward, his breath fogging a small circle on the window. “Tell Gabriel Layton I said hello.”
My blood runs cold. “What?”
He straightens, smirking darkly. Everything about his expression feels wrong and depraved. “Oh, Gabriel and I haven’t met yet, but we will. It was nice seeing you, Brooke.” He turns, confidently walking away.
Fury surges through me like I’ve never known. I was angry when he directed his temper at me, but I’ll be damned if he hurts Gabe. That confirms the growing feelings I have for him.
Damnit.
It’s too soon. I hate to bring him into this, but he needs to know Brian has it out for him.
Speeding out of the parking lot, I drive back to Gabe’s house. He said he was going in late today. If I hurry, he may still be home.
The drive seems longer than usual. I notice nothing around me. Apparently, rage gives me tunnel vision.
Pulling into his driveway, I slam on the brakes, gravel crunching loudly beneath my tires. I’m relieved to see his truck. Shutting off my car, I jump out.
The front door swings open and he meets me on the porch. He stiffens as his eyes roam my face. “What’s wrong?” There’s a hint of panic in his voice.
“Inside.” The word is harsher than I intended, but I’ve never let anger have this kind of hold on me before. I step through the threshold, hearing his footsteps behind me.
“Brooke!” The command in his voice stops me in my tracks. The door slams and I flinch at the sound.
Spinning around to face him, he scans my body, his eyes locking onto my wrist. My gaze follows his and I gasp. The skin around my wrist, leading halfway up my forearm, is red, dark bruises already forming in the shape of fingerprints.
Surging towards me, he lifts my arm, holding it at the elbow. His tender touch doesn’t match the rage in his eyes or the venom in his tone. “Who the fuck did this to you?”
Sighing, my own temper slowly recedes. “My ex-husband, Brian.”
His eyes snap to mine, confusion written on his face. “What? I thought you cut off contact with him after the divorce?”
“I did. I saw him in town when I was leaving the post office. I’m just as confused as you are. I don’t know why he’s here or how he knows you.”
“Me?” He sighs. “Tell me everything that happened, now.” He leads us to the couch, pulling me onto his lap as he sits.
Filling him in on what happened, a dozen emotions play across his face. Once I’m finished, he rests his forehead against mine.
“I’m proud of you, baby. I can’t imagine the verbal and emotional abuse he put you through while you were married to him. You kept quiet for so long until you had enough and left. Today, you didn’t hold back. You were brave and pissed off; you stood your ground.”
His words wrap around me, boosting my confidence. I may have been weak before, but I’m strong now. I won’t let anyone treat me like shit again.
Our breath mingles together as we soak each other in. “Gabe, I’m worried. He’s conniving and I don’t know what he’s up to. I sure as hell don’t know how he found out about us. There’s no way he could’ve known.” I sigh. “The day I asked for a divorce, he punched me in the face.”
His body tenses and his chest stops moving.
I should’ve kept that part to myself.
He brushes his lips across mine, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’ll take care of him.”
“What does that mean?” His words should scare me, but his lethal tone ignites a fire in my belly.
“No one touches you but me. You’re mine, Brooke. He’ll pay for what he’s done. That’s all you need to know. Can you accept that?” Tilting his head, he patiently waits for my answer.
Can I accept that? I’ve never been a violent person or wished bad things on people. When uncomfortable, I’ve closed myself off from the world and avoided everyone. Gabe’s shown me I need to live my life and find happiness. He’s shown me how to open up and not be afraid to ask for what I want.
Losing control today and not giving a damn about the consequences, I stood up for myself and it felt incredible. I don’t want to live in the shadows anymore and simply exist. I want to enjoy my life and experience what it has to offer.
Mind made up; I agree to blindly accept his punishment for Brian. “Yes.”
“Good girl.” He licks my bottom lip, trailing his tongue across my jaw and down my throat. Tilting my head to the side, I give him better access to the sensitive skin. Between the adrenaline and Gabe’s touch, my body feels like a live wire.
“Does it hurt, baby?” My thoughts stumble for a moment before I realize he’s talking about my wrist.
My heart constricts with the concern in his voice. “Yes. I hate to admit it, but it does.”
His chest vibrates against mine as a growl rumbles in his throat. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you.”
If there’s a man who deserves my heart, it’s him. I’m falling for him fast and I don’t know how to handle it. All I can do is live in the moment with him and see where the road leads.
“Don’t apologize, Gabriel. I never would’ve expected something like this to happen. I’ll be okay. The bruises will fade in a few days.”
Grasping my elbow gently, he holds my arm between us. He presses feather light kisses over my wrist and up my forearm. “Let me erase his touch.”
My body trembles against him. “Don’t you have to go to work?”
He nibbles my earlobe, the sensation bolting straight between my thighs. He traces the shell of my ear with his tongue, breathing heavily against me. “You’re more important.”
That one statement crashes through the walls surrounding my heart. I can’t fight this anymore. I don’t want to. Cupping his cheek with my palm, I finally let go. Crashing our lips together, I give him everything. He groans as if sensing the shift in me.