12. Gabe
Chapter 12
Gabe
I wake up to an empty bed, the sheets still warm where Wren should be. I frown and grab my phone from the bedside cabinet to check the time. 6.30 AM. It’s unusual for Wren to be up before me. She usually falls asleep again after I’ve woken her with my head between her legs as I lick her to orgasm. Waking up with my wife curled into me every morning has become my favorite part of each day.
My desire for Wren has only grown. And she’s as greedy for me as I am for her. I may have achieved professional success, but she’s given my life true meaning. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love my little bird. She’s my everything.
Our lives as a married couple have settled into a pattern, and the last month has whirled by in a daze of happiness and contentment .
My days are spent in the office, attending meetings, landing new security contracts, and managing the ones we have. Like my personal life, Burns SafeGuard is going from strength to strength, and I’ve tasked the HR department with employing more staff. At this rate, I’ll need to purchase another building.
While I work, Wren studies hard, catching up on her missed classes and writing her final dissertation. After a “discussion” with the dean and a donation that would make most people weep, they were all too happy to pretend that last semester had never happened for her. Money talks, bullshit walks, and Wren got a clean slate.She’ll have to attend college to sit a final exam next month, but I’ve arranged for Ethan and Luther to accompany her, and I’ll pick her up afterward.
Wren has spoken with her mom on the phone. I know Wren wants to see her mom, but Lori has asked for more time. I get it. Lori has a lot of shit to work through and wants to focus on being the best version of herself before they meet face-to-face, for her sake and her daughter’s.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sit up and listen. The faint sound of clinking dishes reaches my ears, and I know she’s already in the kitchen .
I push myself out of bed, pull on a T-shirt and sweatpants, and make my way down the hall. The morning light filters through the windows of our penthouse, casting a soft glow on the hardwood floors. I enter the living room to find my wife still in her sleep shorts and camisole, gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling window at the city below.
Moving behind her, I spin her around and back her against the glass. My hand settles around her throat, my thumb stroking her hammering pulse point. I lower my head to steal a heated kiss but stop abruptly as I realize her body is like a block of ice in my arms.
I pull back to look at her. “Wren?”
Her eyes are glazed with terror, her chest rising and falling erratically.
“Sweetheart?”
“P-please don’t hurt me.”
Clarity hits me. Ah, fuck. I’m such a fucking asshole.
I release her and step back, holding my hands up, palms facing out. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s me. It’s Gabe. You’re safe. I’m so sorry, little bird.”
The familiar endearment penetrates her fear, and her eyes lose that haunted look as she focuses on me. “Gabe?”
“Yes, Wren. It’s me.”
She lifts a shaky hand to her mouth. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t hear you, and for a second, I was right back there in the kitchen with Gregory and Jerry, and he was—” She grinds to a halt, her blue eyes wide in her pale face.
My hands itch with the need to touch her, comfort her, but I know I need to give her space right now. “Don’t you dare apologize. It’s my fault. I wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m an idiot. Swear to God, I’ll never do that again.”
“It’s not your fault, Gabe. It was a knee-jerk reaction because I didn’t know you were behind me.” She takes a shaky breath. “I think that whole situation with Gregory and Jerry has affected me more than I realized.”
Swear to God, I’ll fucking kill them when I get my hands on them. If I ever get my hands on them. I push those thoughts aside for later and focus on my wife.
“What do you need from me, little one?”
She moves toward me, wrapping her arms around my waist and burrowing into me. Her voice is muffled against my chest as she says, “Take me to bed, Gabe. Make love to me. I-I need your hands on me. Make me forget.”
I don’t need to be asked twice.
Wren buries her face in my neck as I scoop her into my arms and carry her to our room. I gently place her on the bed, shucking my T-shirt and sweatpants as she wriggles out of her sleep shorts and camisole.
I take my time, worshiping every inch of her body. I kiss the small scars on her arms and thighs, refusing to think about how they got there and focusing only on washing away the fear and pain they represent with each healing touch, each loving caress. I cherish her. Love her.
When I finally sink inside her, she clutches me as if she never wants to let me go, holding me with every part of her body as her tight sheath welcomes me home. And when she comes, she sobs her release, chanting my name over and over. I follow her over the edge with a hoarse shout, sharing my soul with her along with my seed.
I must doze off again because the bed is empty when I wake. I quickly shower and dress in my usual suit for work before going in search of my wife for the second time this morning .
She’s at the stove in the kitchen, flipping pancakes, and this time, I make sure to announce my arrival.
“I’m looking for my wife. Have you seen her?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe. “She keeps escaping from my bed, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m not keeping her satisfied.”
Wren smiles at me over her shoulder. “Oh, she’s a good friend of mine, and she told me she’s very satisfied.”
She turns as I walk over to her, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me tight. I rest my chin on her head and simply hold her as the scent of pancakes and coffee fills the air, warm and comforting.
“Pancakes?” I murmur. “You’re spoiling me.”
She moves away, returning her attention to the stove. I see the tension in her body, the way her movements are a little too deliberate.
“I figured you deserve it. Besides, it keeps my mind busy,” she says, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
I don’t need to ask to know what’s on her mind. “You’re worried.”
She pauses, the spatula in her hand hovering over the griddle before she turns off the burner and slides the pancakes onto a plate. “A little. Gregory and Jerry are not good men. It still amazes me that I got out of there as unscathed as I did. It could’ve been so much worse. But it’s hard knowing that Gregory and Jerry are still out there, that they could be preying on other innocents.”
I gently turn her to face me, searching her eyes. “I know. And I promise you, Wren, I’m doing everything I can to make sure they’re not a threat to you or anyone else.”
She sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I believe you, Gabe. I do. It’s just… I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder, wondering if they’re out there, waiting.”
I capture her hands, rubbing my thumb over her wedding ring. “You won’t have to. Ed and I are on it. We’ll find them, and when we do, they’ll be out of our lives for good.”
She nods and looks down at our intertwined hands.
I lift her chin so she meets my gaze, letting her see the determination in my eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”
“I know you won’t. I trust you with my life, Gabe. It’s just hard sometimes to trust that all this”—she waves a hand around us—“is real. That you’re real. Seems too good to be true for a girl like me. ”
I kiss her forehead, lingering there for a moment, letting her absorb my presence, my promise. “It’s real. I’m real. And I’m here. To protect you, to stand by you, no matter what. We’re in this together, remember?”
She takes a deep breath, her body finally relaxing into mine. “Together. I like the sound of that.”
“Good. Now, let’s eat before these pancakes get cold.” I grin, trying to lighten the mood a little. “I still can’t believe you were up before me. I think you’re secretly turning into a morning person.”
She laughs, and the sound is like music, easing some of the tension. “Maybe. But don’t worry, I won’t push it too hard. Lack of sleep makes for a grumpy wife.”
“I happen to like your grumpy morning face.”
She feigns offense, but a playful glint lights her eyes. “I’ll have you know this face is charming at all hours.”
“It sure is, Mrs. Burns.” I sit at the table, savoring the moment as I watch her serve breakfast. “And as long as I have you beside me, I sleep just fine.”
She blushes slightly, handing me my plate. “You always know the right thing to say. ”
I wink at her, pouring syrup over my pancakes and taking a bite. “Must be your influence.”
She settles into her chair, the warmth of the moment wrapping around us like a blanket. “I think we make a pretty good team.”
I nod, my tone more serious now. “We do. And that’s how I know we’re going to get through this. As a team.”
She smiles, her heart in her eyes. “Love you, Gabe.”
“Love you, little bird.”
A knock sounds at my office door, and Ed pokes his head inside. “You wanted to see me?”
I nod. “Come in. Close the door.”
Ed sits in the chair opposite my desk, resting his ankle on the opposite knee. “What’s up? The wife giving you hell already?”
I shake my head, chuckling. “More like heaven, since you ask.”
My friend nods approvingly. “It’s good to see you happy. You knew what you wanted and weren’t prepared to settle for anything less. Wren is special. ”
“That she is. And her safety is paramount. Which is why it’s beyond frustrating and damned embarrassing that we cannot find the two lowlifes who molested her or the crazy bat guy from the alley who stabbed her. This is a fucking security company, for Christ’s sake!” I smash my hand on the desk, toppling the pen holder. “Keeping people safe is what we do.”
Ed leans forward, his expression grim. “We’ve checked everything, Gabe. Every contact, every hideout, every underground network we have ties to. These guys are ghosts, or they’ve gone deep underground. But I’m not giving up. We’ve still got a few angles to explore.”
I drum my fingers on the desk, frustration simmering beneath the surface. “I don’t like it, Ed. I don’t like that they’re out there. They need to be held accountable for their actions. Gregory and Jerry sold her, for fuck’s sake. She would’ve disappeared, suffered God knows what fate if she hadn’t—” I grit my teeth, not wanting to contemplate the full horror of what could’ve happened. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm the fury bubbling in my bloodstream. “It still weighs heavily on Wren,” I continue, recalling her pale face and the terror in her eyes earlier. “And if she’s scared, I’m not doing my job. ”
Ed nods slowly, understanding the weight of my words. “I get it, Gabe. I do. The thought of them hurting Wren makes me want to rip their fucking heads off. I want to find them as much as you do. I’ve got every man we trust working on this, but these guys aren’t the amateurs we first thought. They know how to stay hidden. As for the guy from the alley, I spoke to Bass at the shelter, and he told me there are people who’ve gone missing. He’s filed reports with the cops, but they’re not interested in the homeless.”
“Shit. This goes deeper than we thought. Offer Bass whatever resources he needs to track him.” I rub my temples, trying to think clearly. “As for Gregory and Jerry, where could they have gone? What the fuck are we missing?”
Ed sighs, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve already exhausted the obvious—checked known associates, old stomping grounds, even their financials. But if they’re staying off the radar, they could’ve tapped into resources we don’t usually consider.”
I narrow my eyes. “Such as?”
“Gregory has connections to the drug trade, right? He might’ve used those ties to disappear. It’s possible he’s gone south—Mexico, maybe, or somewhere in Central America where he could blend in. Jerry, on the other hand, seems like the type who’d stick close to home, but he’d lie low. We’re looking into abandoned properties, places that don’t show up on the grid.”
I scrub a hand over my face. “Okay, keep looking. Let me know the second you find anything.”
As Ed leaves, I sit back in my chair, staring out the window at the city below. Wren’s face flashes in my mind, her smile, the way she looks at me with trust and love.
One way or another, I’ll ensure Gregory and Jerry are no longer a threat. And if that means going to war, then so be it.
Wren isn’t in the kitchen or living room when I get home. I finally find her in the bedroom, huddled beneath the sheets.
“Wren?” I’m at her side instantly, taking in her pale face as I sit on the edge of the bed. “What's wrong? Are you sick? Did something happen?
She shakes her head. “Not sick. But also… not pregnant.”
It takes a few seconds for her words to sink in. “You got your period?”
“Yeah. I guess I didn’t realize how much I wanted a baby with you.” She laughs hollowly and swipes at a tear. “Don’t mind me. I’m just hormonal.”
“Ah, sweetheart. I’d love nothing more than for you to be pregnant with my child. It’ll happen when the timing’s right.” My mouth twitches with a smile. “But let’s face it, with how often I’m inside you, it won’t take long.”
Her lower lip wobbles. “But… what if we can’t? What if my eggs are scrambled, or your sperm are crappy swimmers? What then?”
Fuck, my little bird looks so worried. So uncertain. This has been a rough day for her.
I smooth her hair from her wan face. “Then we’ll adopt. There are plenty of kids out there who need a loving home.”
“Can we do that anyway?” she asks hopefully. “Even if we have kids of our own?”
“I’d like that. You know I’ll always give you what you want, what you need. I’d give you the world if I could.”
She smiles softly. “You already did when you gave me you. ”
“Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Twice when you were inside me this morning and once at breakfast.”
“Hmm. I’m slacking.
“Gabriel Burns, a slacker? Never.” She grins, then groans, clutching her stomach.
“Cramps?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “I hate this part. They’ll ease in a day or so.”
I hate the thought of Wren coping with this while she was on the streets. Huddled in some alleyway or a strange bed in pain.
“What do you need, baby girl?”
“Do you know you’re the first person ever to ask me that question? Twice in the same day.” She reaches for my hand, twining our fingers. “One of the many reasons I fell in love with you.”
I release her hand to brush my knuckles across her pale cheek. “Well, hopefully, you won’t get bored with me asking for the next fifty years or so.”
“You’re planning to live that long, huh?”
I grin. “Longer.”
“I don’t doubt it.” She grimaces. “I could use some more painkillers. And do we have a hot water bottle anywhere? Heat usually helps.”
I drop a kiss on her forehead. “Leave it with me.”
Having never lived with a woman before, this isn’t an eventuality I’ve planned for, so I call down to the medical suite to have one of the nurses bring up a supply of tampons and sanitary towels. The nurse asks me if I want mini or maxi pads with or without “wings,” or tampons with or without applicators. Who the fuck knew there were so many choices? I thank God I’m not a woman and have her deliver a supply of everything. Then I make a hot water bottle and take it to Wren with a glass of water and painkillers.
“Are you hungry? Do you want anything to eat?” I ask, helping her to sit before handing her the glass and tablets.
Wren shakes her head as she settles against the pillows. “No, I’m good, thanks. I’ll sleep it off. I’ll be better tomorrow, promise.”
“The only thing you need to promise is to rest up. I’ll be down the hall in the office. Call me if you need anything.”
When I check in on Wren a few hours later, she’s sleeping soundly. I quickly shower and climb into bed, naked. Wren shifts and snuggles into me with a contented murmur. I need to hold her after today's events. Having her in my arms calms my soul and eases the day's stress, lulling me to sleep.