5. Wren
Chapter 5
Wren
My stomach lurches at Gabriel’s words. I open my mouth, then snap it shut, at a loss for words.
“I know you were six when you lost your father. You’re studying for an associate business degree at Clark Community College, and you work at the Hungry Fork diner in Petwood. Your mother is an addict, and your stepfather is a worthless piece of shit.” His eyes narrow, his voice dangerously soft as he asks, “Is he the one who hurt you? Broke your ribs? Left those scars on your body?”
My eyes widen in horror. “Y-you saw them?”
Gabriel shakes his head as he settles on the side of the bed. “I’m not depraved enough to ogle an injured woman, Wren.” His mouth quirks. “Or how did you put it? Cop a feel of half-conscious females?”
My cheeks blaze. God, did I really say that to a stranger who’d just saved my ass? A gorgeous stranger, at that. Because there’s no denying that Gabriel Burns is the handsomest man I’ve ever seen.
Tall and solidly built, with broad shoulders. High cheekbones, a strong jaw with a neatly trimmed beard, and deep, velvet-brown eyes I could happily lose myself in. His precise cut of his suit pants and white shirt showcase his muscular body. The top two buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing tanned flesh and a hint of dark chest hair.
When I opened my eyes in that alley, I was sure I was looking at a raven-haired messenger of God.
Angel Gabriel.
Is he truly an angel? Or the devil in disguise?
“Dr. Sanderson ran various tests. He saw your scars when he treated your wound. Said several of them look like cigarette burns,” Gabriel clarifies, his jaw clenching as if he’s angry on my behalf. Is he?
I don’t confirm or deny his unspoken question. Raising my chin, I hold his gaze. “How do you know so much about me?”
“It’s my business to know. I own a security company, so I had Ed run a background check on you,” he says unapologetically.
I furrow my brow. “Ed? The guy who was with you earlier?”
Gabriel nods. “He’s my best friend and second in command.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Second in command? You sound like a general.”
His deep chuckle does odd things to my lower belly despite the discomfort from my wound.
“Captain, actually. Or I was. Ed and I are ex-Navy SEALs. Grew up together. Served together. Bass was also in our unit. I used my government connections to establish Burns SafeGuard when we mustered out and brought Ed in with me.”
I narrow my eyes suspiciously. “You’re very… forthcoming for someone whose business depends on covertness.”
His mouth quirks in a sexy half-smile. “Oh, believe me, I’m usually a very private man. But I want you to trust me, Wren. ”
“Why?” I ask bluntly.
“Because despite your circumstances and all the people who’ve let you down, you still threw yourself between a knife-wielding maniac and a perfect stranger with no thought for your safety.”
I shrug my uninjured shoulder. “Don’t read too much into it. I acted on instinct.”
Gabriel smiles slightly, eyes narrowing as if he sees right through me. “Instinct is the purest expression of who we are at our core. At that moment, your instinct wasn’t about survival but protecting someone else. I trust my instincts, and they tell me that you’re an honest person in a situation not of your making. Who put you in that situation, Wren? Gregory Sanchez?”
I shudder at the mention of his name, fighting tears as I drop my eyes to the luxurious bedsheets. Egyptian cotton, no doubt, judging by the luxury surrounding me. It’s evident that Gabriel is a wealthy man.
“What did he do to you?”
“He destroyed what little hope I had left. Turned my mother into an addict and made my life a living nightmare. That’s why I… why I ran.” I don’t mention Gregory and Jerry’s plans for me. I’m not re ady to share that with anyone, even this man who seems too good to be true. Those secrets are mine alone. “And I left her,” I whisper as a hot tear slides down my cheek. “I left my mom with him .”
Gabriel raises my head with a gentle finger under my chin, wiping away the solitary tear with his thumb. “Your mother is safe, Wren. I had Ed go to your house with two of my men. Gregory was gone, but your mother was there. She’s being moved to a rehabilitation facility run by a friend of mine as we speak. She’ll be safe there, and she’ll get the help she needs.”
I look at Gabriel in shock, unable to form words.
“Gregory won’t harm you or your mother again, Wren. No one will because you’re under my protection now. You’ll stay here while you recover. Longer, if you choose. It’s the least I can do after you saved my life. You’re safe here. You have my word.”
Does he know how much I want to believe him? How long it’s been since I felt safe? How often I feared the worst living with Gregory?
I don’t know why, but I believe him. I shouldn’t, but he’s saying all the right things. Trust is hard for me. But something about Gabriel calms some of those deep-seated splinters of fear. Not all of them. Some are buried so deep that they may never work their way to the surface.
But he came to my rescue in that alley when he didn’t have to. He risked his life for me. He could’ve driven on by and left me to my fate—another unfortunate crime statistic.
I sigh, exhaustion and pain winning over my uncertainty. All the shit I’ve buried deep that I never wanted to think about ever again comes rushing to the surface, and I allow myself to cry for the first time in years. Huge, gut-wrenching, gasping sobs that probably sound like I’m dying. But I’m not dying, thanks to this man.
I tense as Gabriel gathers me carefully into his arms. And then I sag against him, accepting the comfort I so desperately crave. I give into the need to have someone look after me, to take the weight of the world off my shoulders, even if it’s only for a little while. I’ve battled alone for so long, and I’m so tired. I feel so much older than twenty-one.
Gabriel cups my head to his chest with one hand, stroking the other over my back as he croons words of comfort. “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Let it all out. ”
Minutes pass as I do just that while Gabriel shelters me in his strong arms, keeping the world at bay while I release years of sadness and fear and uncertainty. So many emotions.
Finally, the sobs slow to hiccups and then sniffles. I disentangle myself reluctantly from the haven of Gabriel’s embrace, leaning against the pillows, exhausted from the emotional release and the discomfort of my shoulder.
“I… Thank you. Not many people would have done what you did. What you’re doing.” I sniffle softly, hating that I feel so weak. “All this”—I wave a hand around me—“It’s... a lot.” I close my eyes briefly. “I can’t think straight. And, ugh, I got your shirt all wet.”
Gabriel’s large hand stalls mine as I dab ineffectually at the wet spots on his white shirt from my tears. He enfolds my right hand in his, resting it on his thigh. “I have plenty more. Rest now. You need to heal. We can talk more tomorrow.”
No wedding ring, I note absently. Can I trust my instincts that he’s a good guy? Would I know if he weren’t? Apart from my dad, who I barely remember, and Mom before she succumbed to the drugs, I’ve had no positive role models in my life .
I try to focus on what he’s saying, but the pain meds are making me woozy again. Or is it his intoxicating scent muddling my senses? Musk and man. It’s delicious. Soothing. Grounding. I could become addicted to it.
I shift my hand, twining our fingers as I sink further into the soft pillows with a tired sigh. It should be weird holding hands with a stranger, but it isn’t. It’s a relief to switch my brain off after weeks of running on adrenaline and constantly worrying about how I’m going to survive.
Gabriel squeezes my hand gently, his thick fingers woven through mine strangely intimate and sensual. The heat of his skin travels through my veins, warming me from the inside out. Despite the pain in my shoulder, this is the warmest and safest I’ve felt for a very long time. Possibly ever.
This man has treated me like a human being, like my life was worth saving. Do I dare hope that things are starting to get better? Is trust possible when given to the right people? Maybe the world isn’t as terrible as it’s always been to me. Maybe my shitty luck has finally run out.
All good things come at a price, my cautious mind whispers.
“How can I repay you for all you’ve done?” I murmur drowsily as my eyelids grow heavy. “What... what do you want from me?”
I can’t be sure, but as I relinquish the battle for consciousness and sink into sleep, I think I hear Gabriel murmur, “There’s only one thing I want, little bird. You.”