10. Lexi
10
Lexi
“ G abriel’s here to pick you up. He’s waiting for us in the parking lot,” Mike tells me calmly.
His phone rang a few seconds ago. The call I’ve been waiting hours for, so I could finally leave this freaking office. Everyone has already left the building. Mike and I are the only ones left, patiently waiting in a meeting room.
I asked Peter if I could work from a conference room this afternoon, away from the people in the office. Having Mike, our resident human security blanket, shadowing me all day, has everyone buzzing. I appreciate the protection, but I can’t take the constant staring. And it’s not me they’re captivated by. It’s Mike, the six-foot-five giant with impressive biceps straining against his shirt, and a killer stare.
As it turns out, he’s a really sweet guy. We had a heart-to-heart when we were alone in the room. I wanted to know more about Gabriel. Two minutes in, I was already done with the whole Gabriel thing. Mike is such a fan that he probably has Gabriel’s poster on his ceiling, so I switched gears to ask about his life. It turns out he’s a veteran, and he met Gabriel through the Veterans Association. He thought it was great how he gave jobs to veterans and how working for Gabriel felt like a family. Ugh. He either gave me the rehearsed speech, or he truly believes this stuff .
“Thanks, Mike,” I smile and finally say as we take the elevator to the parking lot.
“Don’t mention it,” he says, a tight smile creasing his lips. “And stay safe,” Mike adds instead of Goodbye as we leave the elevator and enter the empty parking lot. There’s a black SUV parked nearby. It must be Gabriel, who’s here to collect his package .
The good thing is that I got to talk to Lena. I called her the second Gabriel told me what happened, but there was no answer at first. That just freaked me out even more. I needed to see her with my own eyes, but Mike kept stopping me. “You’re not going anywhere, Miss.” When she finally called back, I almost cried when I heard her voice.
I feel horrible for dragging her into my mess. My life turned into a prison in just a few days—living with strangers, unable to be near loved ones, constantly scared of noises and strangers. Threatening letters, cars following me around, and people breaking into the house I live in. Everything is a lot more intense now, and that feels overwhelming. I need some time to think everything through and come up with a backup plan or more. To search every corner of my mind for the red thread that runs through this story. I usually get it right away when I focus. But with Gabriel constantly on my case, I can’t think straight.
The car pulls up, and Gabriel gets out when he sees us. He waits patiently by the open door, gesturing for me to get in. Cold and professional. His mood swings drive me up the wall. I feel his overwhelming presence again when he gets inside next to me, just like the night at the Casino.
“I’m a little late. There was a lot to take care of. I hope you didn’t get bored with Mike.” I can’t tell if there’s an apology in there or if he’s messing with me.
“Not at all. Mike’s an amazing singer and dancer. He knows a lot of jokes, too. I don’t even know when the time has passed. ”
He attempts a smile that comes out crooked. I can’t read this man. I can’t tell when he gets angry and when he doesn’t.
He doesn’t start the car. Instead, he leans in slowly, his gaze dropping to meet mine. A hint of citrus cologne fills the air as he brushes his hand behind my seat, sending shivers down my spine. And then the unexpected. His arms wrap around me, pulling me close in a warm embrace. My senses ignite—his scent, the heat of his breath on my cheek, the feel of his powerful arms holding me safe. Lost in the moment, my eyes trace the lines on his face—the furrow between his brows, the hint of a beard shadow, the crinkles etched on his forehead. What is he doing? Is he going to lecture me? Haven’t I been a good little prisoner?
“I’m sorry for what happened to Lena. But she’s fine now.” His voice, surprisingly gentle, carries a hint of unexpected compassion.
“I know,” I reply. “I talked to her. She texted me as soon as she got settled and sent a picture of her forehead after she got stitched up. Did you figure out what happened? Any leads?”
“Not yet. But we will. Soon.” Then he continues, turning away from me and leaning back in the driver’s seat. “There’s a bag with your things in the back. Someone brought it from the hotel. Lena packed it before she left the house. I’m guessing it was difficult for her to do that after the assault. If you’re missing something important, we can take care of it tomorrow.”
I sneak a peek back at the seat. My travel bag looks like someone stuffed a hippo in it. Did he go snooping? I can’t stop flicking my eyes between the bag and him, like we’re playing some weird game of hot potato. I can feel him watching me out of the corner of his eye, too.
Then I hear the engine start. “Buckle up,” he asks. “And just so you know, I didn’t look inside.”
He waits until I click my seatbelt in before starting the car. I try to stay calm, but my stomach’s doing backflips as panic sets in. If he can read people like a book, there’s no way I’m fooling him. Being on guard is going to fry my brain. Here I am, fumbling with this dumb seatbelt like I’ve never buckled up before, my hands shaking like crazy.
A jolt shoots through me as Gabriel leans in to buckle me up. Our hands brush when he takes the belt, sending a spark up my arm. As he fumbles with the buckle, my head bumps against his bicep. Heat floods my cheeks, and my heart starts hammering into a frantic rhythm against my ribs. I only spent half a minute close to Gabriel, and already I feel like a tangled mess of nerves. How will I be able to live with him for God knows how long?
It’s a relief when he starts the engine, and we slowly take off. He’s focused on the road, hands on the wheel. That gives me time to get my act together. I’ve never had a man turn my life upside down like this guy has, practically overnight.
Twenty-four hours ago, Gabriel Ross was accusing me of crashing his event. Now, we’re driving over to his place, where I’ll be sleeping in his bed and hearing him shower or see him sleep… naked. Shit. Half-dressed Gabriel will probably become a household staple. My new mission: suppress blush, swallow, and stare.
“Is it a long drive?” I ask, struggling to break the tension. And then it hits me: he hasn’t said a word about where I’ll be staying. I’m guessing he has a place downtown that’s easy to reach and close to where he needs to be. Probably close to his buddy, Dominic.
“There’s hardly any traffic. We’ll be there soon enough.”
Hmm, he’s being cagey. Soon enough ? What does that mean? Did Lena remember to put that burner phone in my bag? I need to talk to her before bed .
“Do you live alone?” I blurt out and immediately clamp my mouth shut, wishing I could take it back.
“Yeah.” Clear and concise. He probably thinks that’ll shut me up, but it just gets me going. I deserve at least a little heads-up.
“I know this must annoy you, but everything feels so out-of-control right now. It’s like I’m not even making my own choices anymore. I just… I need to know where I stand and what’s happening. You’re just moving me around like some luggage, and I don’t know when or where.”
“You don’t annoy me. I’m the one who offered to take you in. It makes the job easier.” He takes his eyes off the road for a second and turns to me. “You have all the information you need for now. We still need to talk about what’s going on, but I don’t want to push you. I’m used to these situations. You’re probably not.”
I don’t answer. I don’t want to lie if I don’t have to. But I’ve been through way worse than this guy thinks. I just need to avoid talking about myself. At all, if possible. But I’m curious to know more about him. I looked him up online earlier. All I found was his company website and Facebook account, but nothing personal. He’s not on social media, and I only found a few boring pictures on the company accounts of some stuffy events he attended. I tried dozens of search terms: Gabriel Ross’ girlfriend, Gabriel Ross’ fiancé, ex-wife, mistress, scandal, friends—anything to figure this guy out.
But there’s literally nothing about him online. It’s like he has a special talent for erasing his digital footprint. Gabriel Ross doesn’t exist outside his company—no home address, no vacation photos, and not even a hint of any hobbies. The only thing I found was the Casino video of the two of us that the tabloids grabbed, probably because Lucas was in it, too .
It’s nine p.m., and the streetlights cast a warm glow on the city. From what I can tell, the car is going north. Okay, so he clearly doesn’t live downtown. He probably has a place in the newly built neighborhood by the sea. That makes sense . Why didn’t I think of that from the start? With all the business he has, he’s probably loaded and lives in a fancy villa.
The car keeps rolling down the road, and neither of us says a peep. Gabriel’s eyes are glued to the road like he’s trying to memorize every bump. But every few seconds, he scrunches his face up in a frown. Did something bad happen today? Something he doesn’t want to tell me? We’re way past all the exits that I know, practically zooming out of the city. My palms are sweaty, and I have no clue where we’re headed.
“Gabriel, where are we going? Why are we exiting?” The city shrinks in the mirror, replaced by darkness. What if this is a trap? What if Gabriel’s hiding something… something dangerous? My breath catches. No one will even hear me if he takes me to some sketchy area and I need to scream for help.
“We’ll be right there.”
Hell, he doesn’t even try to comfort me. Damn it. I’m not going to let this happen. I deserve to know where we’re going, who he is, where he lives, anything that might affect me. I’m not some kid. I’m a grown-ass woman.
“Pull over. Pull over now, Gabriel!” I raise my voice, and it comes out screeching. Good. Let him hear that.
“Pull over, I said.” Ignoring the rising chorus of beeps, I unbuckle my seatbelt.
“What happened? Let me look for a spot to pull over. I can’t just stop anywhere. Are you all right?” Worry cracks in his voice. He yanks the car off the road, stopping near a bus shelter.
“Are you okay? Why did you shout? ”
“No, I’m not okay. I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know who you are, I know nothing about the situation I’m in. I’m not going anywhere unless you talk to me. Not until you tell me everything.”
“We don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to. Tell me where you want to go, and I’ll take you.”
Streetlights blur by as I stare out the window. I need a plan . Where do I even want to go? Before I tell him, I need to get my head straight. I always figure things out. I’m a survivor—I’m the child who didn’t die, the one who survived. I got a new chance at life, so I can’t give up.
My first instinct is to tell him to take me to Lena’s. But that won’t work. The house is a mess, and Lena is at Dominic’s hotel. I could stay with her, but that would only put her in more danger. Same if I go to my father’s. I’ll put him at risk, too.
Nowhere. There’s literally nowhere else to go. The weight of that truth presses down on me, suffocating. I’m a danger to everyone I love. Isolation, I can handle. Being disliked… that’s an old wound. But this hollow ache, this desperate feeling of not belonging anywhere… it tears a fresh gash in my heart. My throat tightens, and I swallow hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. They’re welling up, and I can’t stop them from slipping down. I wrinkle my nose, desperately trying to hold them back. Gabriel is a stranger and shouldn’t see me like this, but he’s the only one who can give me a safe place to sleep tonight.
“I’m sorry this is happening to you,” I hear him whispering. His hand brushes mine, sending a shiver down my arm. He laces his fingers through mine, his grip surprisingly gentle. My body tenses, unsure how to react, but the warmth of his touch is weirdly calming.
As if he’s read my mind, Gabriel continues. “Come with me. You’re safe. I can and will take care of you. ”
I turn to him, a tear sneaking down my cheek. It’s about to drip onto my lip when Gabriel’s hand shoots out, fast but gentle. He cups my face, his thumb brushing away the tear like it’s nothing.
“This may sound like a cliché,” he continues, his voice a soothing balm, “but I know what you’re going through.” His eyes hold mine with a depth that both scares and intrigues me. Could this stranger, this potential savior, truly understand the burden I carry?
“Are all your clients like me? Do you specialize in people who are in desperate situations?” I work up the courage to ask. His hand drifts down from my cheek, lingering a touch too long on my arm. The heat of his fingers seems to burn right through the thin fabric of my blouse, sparking a shiver that races down my spine.
“My clients go through all kinds of things. You won’t believe the crazy situations I’ve seen. But it’s not just that. It’s also my life experience and my background.”
“Did you ever have to leave to protect your loved ones? Or feel like you don’t have a home anymore?”
“In a way. I never knew my parents. My birth mom dropped me off at the hospital, probably scared out of her mind. I bounced around foster homes for a while, then joined the Navy. It wasn’t easy, but I carved out my own path.”
“I’m sorry. Is there no other family?”
“My brothers from the Navy. Dominic is one of them. And a few of the guys on my team, too. I’m lucky to be surrounded by some incredible people. Protecting others means being willing to put yourself in harm’s way for them. It takes a strong character to do that. And my people are kind of like that.”
“I didn’t really know what Peter meant when he said you’d protect me. ”
“You know, I was curious why you said yes to Peter and allowed me to step in.”
“He’s my boss. And I need to keep my job. I still hope this whole thing is a bad joke.”
“It’s not, trust me. Things are getting worse. Help me find whoever is behind this and stop them. Will you do that, Lexi?”
He finishes the sentence, his voice dropping a notch lower as he says my name. Of course, I want this mess to be over. But I don’t want the Maiers to get away unpunished. And if I tell Gabriel everything, he’ll probably be on their side. Something is going on between him and Peter that I don’t fully understand yet. It’s better to play it safe.
“I want to help you, Gabriel. But what more can I do?”
“You can give me information, listen to me, stop being hostile. Can you do that?”
“Of course. Why would you doubt that?”
“I don’t know, you tell me. I’d like to know where your resistance comes from.”
“It’s just because I feel caged in and invaded. That’s all. I’ve been living a low-key life these last few years. Since I got here, things have been on fast forward, and it’s been tough to keep up.”
That was a lie—or maybe a half-truth. I know, and I feel bad about it. Things are moving fast, but I think I can handle it—or so I thought until the threats came.
“Listen, I get that. I also value my privacy, even though I work with many people. I enjoy spending time at my place, the house you’ll see soon. If you agree for me to start the engine,” he says, smiling.
There’s something else that’s bugging me. I can’t stop thinking about what he said to Peter earlier. He seems willing to talk now, so I’ll give it a shot .
“You know, when Peter left the meeting today, he said something about you not normally doing this and that he was grateful. I don’t remember his exact words.” Another lie. I know exactly what Peter said. Maybe playing it coy will get a reaction out of him.
“So, what do you want to know?” he asks.
“What did he mean? What is it you rarely do but you’re doing now that Peter appreciates?”
“It has to do with you.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, I agreed to take on your case.”
“My case. That sounds… ominous. And what exactly don’t you usually do? Like, take clients to your home?”
“That, too. Peter meant I don’t take on women as clients for my services. My personal protection services.”
Well, well… What the heck do these personal protection services include? I need to ask him straight up.
“Why? Do they sneak out on you easily? You can’t manage them?”
“There’s more to it.”
“No kidding. And here I am. The exception to your rule. Should I know why?”
“Rich women have a way of turning a bodyguard into a fantasy hero in their heads. I learned the hard way that, for some of them, having a handsome bodyguard is a perk, not a security measure. So, I prefer to deal with men only. They might have their moments, but at least they keep their expectations professional. The last thing I need is a scene. I’m in the business of saving lives, not dodging unwanted advances.”
“Wow. That did not sound arrogant at all. Not one bit.”
“What’s arrogant? Reserving my right to say no to some potential clients? ”
“No. Assuming that any woman could fall in love with you if you gave her a little attention. Do you hear yourself?”
The audacity of this guy! Whatever. He’ll be safe with me. But the second this is over, I’m out of here like a bat out of hell.
“I didn’t say that. You’re twisting my words. You need to live a little more before you disagree with me.”
“Oh, I see. You have a problem with women.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then why doesn’t anyone live with you? No women? Never?” The question hangs heavy in the air.
“I’m single, like I said. It’s a choice.”
“A choice?” I continue with an unexpected need to push him into a corner. “Or is it because you can’t find anyone who wants a life like this? A life with no room for love?”
“Love? In this business? It’s a liability. A distraction. It gets people killed.”
“Maybe. But maybe it’s also what makes life worth living for. Even with the risks.”
He scoffs, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. “I’m single, I told you. It’s a lifestyle choice, that’s all. Why are you making such a big deal about it?”
His jaw clenches, the forced nonchalance slipping away. “Love is overrated,” he mutters, the words hollow even to his ears. “Love is a luxury I can’t afford. It clouds judgment and creates vulnerabilities. This job…?” he gestures around, showing an invisible space, “…needs focus.” The weight of his words hangs heavy, a chilling truth that makes me wonder what darkness he’s seen to hold love in such low regard.
“And sex? Is sex overrated, too?” I don’t know where I got that line. It just slipped out .
The silence feels like a suffocating weight in the car’s confined space. Not a word escapes his lips, but the tension radiating off him is palpable. He doesn’t even turn his head to look at me. Finally, he starts the engine.
“It’s late. We’re both tired. We’ll be there soon, and you’ll be able to rest. Tomorrow, we’ll talk, make decisions, and move on. But tonight,” his voice drops to a near whisper, his eyes meeting mine for a fleeting moment, “tonight, all that matters is your safety. Yours, Lena’s, and your father’s. Everything else can wait. Focus on that, Lexi, and don’t get hung up on the details. I will keep you safe. It’s all that counts right now.”