Chapter Thirteen
Brooke
Waking up to the sound of banging and grunting is unusual.
Rolling out of bed, I feel every delicious ache in my body.
The last few days have been hard. There are no words to describe the emotional rollercoaster I’ve been on. I’m sure I let Gabe off the hook too easily, but how do I fight what my heart wants?
He’s my soulmate and there’s no use denying it.
I understand why he thought he was doing the right thing. I don’t agree with it by any means, but I know how he is when it comes to my safety. Even though Trevor was still watching over me, Gabe couldn’t stay away, and that brings me a small measure of satisfaction.
He was miserable too.
It may have taken him longer to realize it, but we’re stronger together.
Slipping down the hall, my steps falter at the sight of him. He’s mumbling and fighting with the front door.
Literally.
I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing.
He must’ve gotten up early to replace the one he destroyed last night.
His thick muscles flex as he hits the pins to secure the hinges.
My gaze follows the ink trailing up his arms, his skin pulling tightly with each swing of the rubber mallet, pronouncing every thick, sexy vein.
Leaning against the wall, I watch him shamelessly, nibbling the pad of my thumb.
“Bastard.” He barks at the door menacingly.
He finally gets it fitted, closing the door, flipping the deadbolt. He slowly turns around, his eyes locking with mine. He seems unsure at first but grins at the amusement playing across my face.
“Enjoying the show?” He sets the mallet down, sauntering towards me, predatorily.
“Yes Mr. Layton.”
Gripping my waist, he pulls me against him firmly, kissing the hell out of me. “I didn’t sleep well knowing the door was broken. I’m sorry, baby. For everything.” His pleading eyes show me his pain, and the truth behind his words.
“I wish you would’ve told me what was going on.” I tilt my head, looking up at him. “Promise me something?”
His eyes light up and he grips me tighter. “Anything.”
“Always talk to me. Tell me what’s going on so we can work through it together.” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I press my cheek to his chest. “Please don’t hurt me again, Gabe. I won’t be able to take it.”
His embrace is almost painful, but I welcome it. I thought I’d never feel this again. My body relaxes and he buries his face in my hair. “Never.” He kisses my temple. “I love you so fucking much.” He breathes against my ear, and my heart beats faster.
“I love you, too.” Squeezing him tighter, I give him my heart all over again.
“I have to run by the office and sign a contract, but it shouldn’t take long. I’ll come back here as soon as I’m done.” He watches me for a moment before kissing me desperately like it’s slowly killing him to leave.
I’m breathless when he pulls away. “Hurry. The quicker you leave, the quicker you’ll be back.” I say, smacking him on the ass.
He chuckles, leading me to the door. “Lock it behind me.” He grips my wrist tightly, pulling me against him. “Tell me what I want to hear.” He leans forward, our lips almost touching.
“I love you, Gabriel.” I whisper, and his reaction is immediate.
His eyes close as he inhales deeply. They snap open just as quickly as he fists my hair, devouring my mouth like nothing I’ve ever felt. I gasp, and his tongue dives past my lips, licking every inch of me until I’m whimpering with need.
“We’ll finish this when I get back. I love you.” He kisses me one more time, smacking my ass before shutting the door behind him.
The metal lock clicks, and I walk into the kitchen to get some coffee, smiling to myself when I see he already made it. Grabbing my mug from the cabinet, there’s a knock on the door.
He must’ve forgotten something.
Sitting my mug on the counter, I hurry over to the door.
As soon as I unlock it, the door bursts open, knocking me to the ground. Landing on my ass, I cry out as pain shoots from my tailbone up my spine. Prying my eyelids open, I meet a pair of cold, dead, familiar eyes.
I was sure it was Gabe.
I didn’t look through the peephole.
Fuck!
“Hello, Brooke.” Brian’s unnerving voice fills the room.
I can’t speak. The air in my lungs has disappeared, my body rigid as stone.
“Cat got your tongue?” His sinister grin makes the hair on my arms stand up.
Pushing past my fear, I clear my throat, willing my voice to stay steady. “What are you doing here?”
He smiles devilishly as I catch the glint of metal in his hand. In shock, I’d been completely focused on his face and never saw him pull the gun.
“Nap time, bitch.” He swings, slamming the butt of the gun against my temple.
Pain surges through my skull, and I lose focus as the world around me fades to darkness.
My head throbs as I attempt to open my eyes.
My eyelids didn’t get the memo and they’re not cooperating.
Everything hurts.
My skull. My brain. My ass.
“You weren’t supposed to injure her, you idiot. She’s my ticket to freedom, and you’ve hurt her. What do you think will happen when he sees her, bruised and bloody?” The deep male voice sounds familiar, but I can’t place it right now. Even with my eyes closed, I feel dizzy and nauseous.
“Was I supposed to ask nicely? She hates me, and the feeling is fucking mutual. Did you think she’d come with me if I asked politely?”
Fucking Brian.
The agony in my head quickly morphs into a hot white rage for the piece of shit I used to be married to. It wasn’t enough I had to endure his bullshit while we were together, now he fucking kidnaps me.
I’ll kill him.
And I mean that with my whole fucking chest.
“It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done. Soon, Gabriel Layton will pay for the safe return of his woman, I will be free of the debt he caused. There’ll be plenty of money left over for a comfortable retirement for both me and you, nephew.”
It finally hits me.
That voice.
William Johnson.
What the fuck?
Is Brian William’s nephew? He never spoke of any uncles while we were together. This doesn’t make sense.
Confusion and fear settle in my gut as I realize mine and Gabe’s pasts have collided.
This can’t be real.
Please let this all be a nightmare.
Pushing past the pain in my head, and the unsurprising betrayal of my ex-husband, I pry my eyes open. A shudder passes through me as my gaze bounces between my two abductors.
“Ah, she’s awake. It’s so good to see you again, Brooke. I’m terribly sorry it’s under these circumstances. I know this is inconvenient, but please forgive me.” William bows his head, placing one hand against his abdomen as if he’s a gentleman.
Fucking weirdo.
He’s psychotic. His proper demeanor and articulate words do nothing to mask the monster inside him.
“Why?” I croak, my eyes darting around the cold room.
Brian sneers at my question, his skin flushing with anger. “You were always a dumb bitch, Brooke. The answer is obviously money. Your little boyfriend is fucking loaded, and he stole my uncle’s clients. Now, he’ll pay dearly to get you back, and we’ll be set for the rest of our lives.”
Rage surges through my veins, and I pull myself into a seated position, propping against the wall behind me. “Gabriel won’t fall for this shit, Brian. He’s smarter than you.” My voice cracks and I swallow thickly to wet my dry throat. “I didn’t know you had an uncle.”
“Get her a glass of water.” William steps forward, crouching in front of me.
Brian storms out of the room, slamming the metal door behind him.
All tantrums and dramatics.
Nothing’s changed.
“Gabriel will pay, darling. He loves you. He tried to stay away from you to make it look like you meant nothing to him. I knew better. I’ve had you both followed since the day we met in front of the coffee shop.
I’ve always wanted revenge for him ruining my name, but I never found anything that could hurt him.
Until you, beautiful Brooke.” His fingers glide down my cheek and I jerk my face to the side, avoiding his touch.
“Do you want to know why he left you? Hmmm? I bet he didn’t tell you, did he? I had a delivery boy leave an envelope on his office door. It contained a little note. ‘You took something from me, so I will take something from you.’ Tit for tat, don’t you agree?’”
I see fucking red.
“You sick bastard! He didn’t ruin you. You’re dishonest and a fucking crook.
You have no one to blame but yourself. And yes, he did tell me, you prick.
” I don’t register his hand lifting until I feel the stinging pain across my cheek.
Warm liquid trickles from my lip as my skin burns from the impact.
“You will not speak to me like that! Your stay here can be pleasant or miserable. Your choice.” He stands, glaring down at me before exiting the room.
I see where Brian inherited his manners and morals.
Bastards.
I know it’ll bruise with how hard he smacked me, but in this situation, that’s the least of my worries. My head falls back against the wall as I wonder how I’m going to get out of this.
Glancing around the room, I take in my surroundings.
I’m in some kind of warehouse. Gray metal walls lead up to an open ceiling with fluorescent lights.
There’s only one exit, the metal door they both left through.
My body shivers and I see the stains on the concrete floor I’m sitting on.
Large pieces of plywood are nailed to the walls in random places.
I’m assuming they’re covering the windows.
The room is empty other than the table and two chairs in the corner to my right.
The door flies open, and Brian strolls in with a bottle of water in his hand. Even though I hate him, and I want to tear him apart, I accept the water he holds out for me. Twisting off the cap, I gulp the cool liquid greedily, almost choking.