Page 75 of Gabriel's Salvation

“I think I'll stick to beer, thanks,” I reply.

I take a swig of my beer and realize the bartender seems to have replaced it with soda. Shit! What have I gotten myself into?

I watch poor Ashton’s eyes get wider and wider the more the rest of the group talks. His eyes dart to the door and back into the bar, silently begging for us to leave. “Anyway guys, it's been nice, but we have to get going,” I interject into their conversation. I attempt to stand, but the guy on the other side of me grabs hold of my belt and pulls me back down towards my chair.

“Yeah, sorry but we’ve gotta go. We're catching a movie,” Ashton lies.

“Well, fuck off then, she’s staying with us.” Phoenix, or perhaps that's Michael, informs him through gritted teeth.

I see the terrified look on Ashton's face and know that while they might be at least pretending to be polite to me, not one of these guys would think twice about rearranging poor Ashton’s face.

“It's fine, Ashton. You go. I'll catch up with you for that movie tomorrow,” I tell him, trying desperately to sound calmer than I feel.

“Are you sure?” he asks, eyeing me suspiciously. “Maybe I should stay, too?”

I hear a round of angry noises from the table, so again I try to convince him to save himself. “No, honestly you go. I'm fine, see you tomorrow.”

“Erm, okay, see you then,” he stammers. I stand up to give him a hug and whisper, “Seriously go, but on your way out tell the bartender to keep the same beer coming.”

I see him give me a suspicious look, but when I give a little nod he leaves.

“Thank god he fucked off,” says Marko as he pulls me down to sit on his lap.

Chapter Twenty- Six

Gabe

My phone rings and the caller ID tells me it's Declan. “Hey man, this is an unexpected call. What, I miss one night of drinking, and you call to make sure your best customer is alive?” I joke.

“I'm not in the mood for jokes Gabe. I suggest you get your ass down here now. Your girl is in trouble and needs you,” he snaps. Normally he's pretty laid back, so I know this is something serious. “Did you hear me?” he repeats angrily.

“Why would I give a fuck if Kelly needs saving? She's a big enough girl; she can save herself,” I reply, already done with this conversation. Just as I’m about to hang up, he counters, “No Gabe, not her. She's not who I'm calling about,” he pushes out, his voice getting more desperate.

“Then who?”

“I don't know her name, the little blond I've seen you pining over recently. You know the one I definitely shouldn't be serving whiskey to.”

“Riley?” I gasp, feeling my heart rate increase dramatically. What the fuck is she doing there? Was she looking for me? Hoping to run into me?

“Maybe? I dunno. But I suggest you get here and find out. She's with the rest of your buddies. Alone.”

“I’m on my way. Keep her safe,” I shout into the phone as I run out of my house.

“I'm trying,” he replies before hanging up.

I speed up and make my way over to the bar as quickly as I can. As soon as I get there I park my bike and rush in. “Where is she?” I demand.

“Outside, I've been feeding her soda in a beer bottle. And I've told her not to let that bottle out of her sight. But I can't get her away from them,” Declan says.

“Bring another round out,” I call as I head outside.

“There he is!” John cheers as I make my way out.

I see Riley sitting on Marko’s lap and my heart sinks. Of all the guys he's probably the slimiest. Thankfully, he’s still compliant enough to listen to me. I make my way over and see Riley’s face morph from fear to relief as she locks eyes with mine. I can see that she is shaken up. I will kill them slowly and painfully if they have hurt her in any way.

“So, who do we have here?” I say as I sit down opposite her.

“This is Stacey,” Deeno, the baby of the group, says.

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