18. Gabriel
Chapter 18
Gabriel
“Don’t move!” Ethan shouts, his voice laced with desperation. “I’ll shoot her if you come any closer.”
Ethan’s hand clamps around Wren’s arm, his gun pointed at her head. My girl, my pregnant little bird, has terror stamped on her face.
Fury unlike anything I’ve ever experienced floods my system, but I have to stay in control. One false move, and I’ll lose everything that matters to me in this world.
I lock eyes with Wren, silently willing her to stay calm. She blinks, letting me know she understands and trusts me to get her out of this. Her faith in me almost brings me to my knees. She’s the only person who ever could .
“Let her go, Ethan,” Ed says, his tone deadly. “You’re not walking out of here with her.”
Wren winces as Ethan tightens his grip on her, his hand trembling slightly as he keeps the gun pressed against her head. “Back off, or I swear, I’ll pull the trigger.”
I see Jerry and Gregory inch toward their vehicle, clearly wanting to escape, while Ethan has everyone at a standstill.
Then, the huge, tattooed man beside Ethan turns and aims his weapon at him. “Drop the gun.”
Ethan freezes, his eyes widening in shock. “Jonas? What the hell are you doing?”
Jonas steps closer, his voice low and steady. “I’m doing my job, Ethan. The job Gabriel hired me to do. Drop the gun. Now.”
Confusion and betrayal flicker across Ethan’s face as he processes what’s happening. “You… you work for us. You’re our gun for hire.”
Jonas doesn’t flinch. “I was never working for you, Ethan. Now, I’m not going to say it again. Drop the gun.”
I see the tension in Ethan’s body as he weighs his options, realizing he’s lost control of the situation. His grip on Wren slackens as his focus shifts to Jonas, and my beautiful, brave wife doesn’t hesitate. She drops to the ground, covering her head. My little bird has a backbone of steel.
In that split second, everything happens at once. Jonas’ shot rings out, loud and sharp in the enclosed space, and Ethan crumples to the ground, the gun falling from his hand.
Ed and the team rush forward, their weapons trained on Gregory and Jerry. Leaving my men to deal with them, I make a beeline for Wren.
“Gabriel!” Wren’s voice is a broken sob as she runs toward me and flings herself into my arms.
“I’ve got you, baby girl, I’ve got you,” I rasp as she wraps all four limbs around me and buries her face in my neck.
“Ethan lured me from the penthouse. He said you’d been shot. I thought I’d lost you, Gabe,” she wails, her tears soaking my shirt.
I swallow hard, holding her tight, relishing her softness. “I told you I’m never leaving you, Wren. I meant it.” I spread my hand over her stomach between us. “Are you okay? The baby…”
“I’m fine. We’re fine now you’re here,” she hiccups into my neck.
“God, I was so scared. When Luther told me you were gone, I wanted to rip Ethan limb from limb.”
Wren pulls back to look at me, her blue eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. “Luther’s alive? I thought?—”
“He’ll be fine. I just knocked him out. He had to make it look good,” Jonas says as he joins us.
I extend my hand to him, and he shakes it. “Thanks, Abe. Must admit, it was a shock seeing your ugly mug here, but you saved my wife’s life. That’s a debt I can never repay.”
Wren looks between Abe and me. “Abe? But?—”
“Sorry I scared you,” Abe apologizes, “but I had to keep my cover.”
“You work for Gabe?” she asks in amazement.
Abe laughs, softening his harsh features. “No. Gabriel and I served together, but I’m a lone ranger now.”
Wren looks at me. “Is there anyone around here who isn’t an ex-SEAL?”
I give her a sheepish look. “What can I say? I surround myself with the best. Although”—I glance at Abe—“I had no idea Abe was here. ”
“Sorry, brother, but I couldn’t risk exposure. I’d already infiltrated their group when Ed reached out for help. Turns out you’re not the only one who wanted to bring them down.”
“Someone else hired you?” I ask in surprise.
“Yeah, and you know better than to ask who,” he says as I open my mouth. “Need to know basis.”
I chuckle. “Fair enough.”
“How come Ethan didn’t recognize you if you served together?” Wren asks Abe.
“We didn’t. I retired three years before Ethan joined the unit. We never met.” Abe holds up the USB drive. “Thanks to you, Wren, I now have a lead on the people running the shit show.”
Wren shakes her head. “I only remembered I had it after Gabriel left earlier. Once I knew what was on it, I called Gabe, but he didn’t answer. Then Ethan happened.” She shivers. “But I’m glad if it helps you find those girls and take down the rest of those monsters.”
“I’m sure it will. In the meantime, there’s enough evidence to put Gregory and Jerry away permanently.” Abe looks at me. “If that’s what you want.”
“Ed and I have other plans for them,” I tell him .
Abe nods in understanding. “I’ll keep it safe, just in case.”
“Thank you, Abe. For everything,” Wren says with a smile.
“You’re welcome, Wren.” He winks and tips his head in my direction. “Keep this one out of trouble.”
Wren chuckles. “Oh, I plan to keep him too busy for any more trouble.”
“What are your plans now?” I ask Abe.
“Thought I might drop by and see Bass at the shelter. Seems he’s having a little trouble with people going missing. Some whack job wearing a hat with a bat on it. Thought I might lend a hand.”
“I’d be interested to know the outcome since he’s the reason Wren and I met.”
Abe quirks an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Story for another time, brother.”
“Look forward to it.” Abe lifts a hand, disappearing quickly for a guy his size.
“Let’s get you upstairs,” I tell Wren, carrying her toward the elevator and the safety of our penthouse .
She snuggles into me. “Yes, please.”
I get Wren settled in bed and call Dr. Sanderson to check her out despite her protests that she’s okay. I won’t take any more chances with her health. The doc examines her, proclaims her and the baby unharmed, and prescribes rest. He gives her a mild sedative, assuring me it’s safe for use during pregnancy. Within minutes of Dr. Sanderson leaving, Wren is sound asleep.
While she rests, I leave two of my men outside the penthouse and head down to the basement, a place I’ve kept hidden from her. The air’s thick and musty down here. Ed is waiting for me in front of the cells holding Jerry and Gregory. They look like rabid dogs caught in a trap, needing their next fix.
“Was Ethan’s body taken care of?” I ask Ed.
He smirks. “Ethan, who?”
I nod and sit in one of the two chairs opposite their cells while Ed takes the other. “Should’ve known you two were too dumb to quit.”
“Come on, Gabriel. Let us out of here. We won’t come back, I swear. I’ll even take that little cunt off you for a price. She’s damaged goods now, not worth as much as she once was. You must be tired of her by now, right?”Gregory starts yapping first, proving he’s not the brains of this outfit.
My eyes narrow, but I remain silent, my arms crossed over my chest, letting him dig his own grave with his filthy mouth.
“Jerry.” I turn my attention to the man who assaulted my wife, pinned her against a wall, and wrapped his dirty fucking hands around her throat. “Anything you want to add?”
He’s twitchy now, the stench of desperation clinging to him like shit to a picnic blanket. “Forget about the money. We’ll take the one-way ticket. You’ll never see us again, I swear.”
Oh, you’ll get your one-way ticket.
I study his jittery form. “You tried to take something precious from me. And that comes with a price you’re about to pay,” I say, my voice as cold as the concrete walls around us. I look at Ed. “Load them up.”
My best friend nods without hesitation. He knows the plan.
We drive out of town, their whimpers filling the van. By the time we reach the forest, Gregory has pissed his pants, and I can’t help but think how pathetic they are compared to the terror they planned to inflict on Wren. We take them to the darkest part of the forest, where the moon can’t reach us through the tall trees.Ed and I push the two men to their knees, arms bound behind their backs.
I hadn’t planned on saying anything, but the words come out anyway as Gregory kneels in front of me. “You forced Wren to live in fear. You abused her with your fists, your words, your neglect. You’ll never do that to another soul after tonight.”
Under the canopy of trees, it’s done. Their stories end. Ed and I watch until we’re sure they’ll never get up again, then walk away without a word. We’re not monsters. We simply did what was necessary.
On the ride back, Ed breaks the silence. “Had to be done, Gabriel.”
“Yeah,” I agree, my heart heavy, but my resolve unshaken.
Back at the penthouse, I shower the grime and guilt away, or at least try to. I’ve killed before. I’d do it again to keep Wren and our baby safe. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy it. I crawl into bed, and Wren burrows into me, the curve of her belly against my side, the promise of our future together.
“It’s over,” I whisper .
She sighs softly. “Thank you, Gabriel.”
Everything I do is for her, for them. They’re my world, and I’ll take out anyone who threatens their lives. Anyone.
“I love you, little bird. Always.”