Page 45 of Just a Little in Love

Gabriel’s phone ringing brought him out of a battle scene, and he absently snatched it up. “Yep?”

“Gabriel?” He focused upon hearing Philip Wilson’s voice and glanced at the time. It was around two hours after Gabe had gotten home. Philip was probably calling to say they were delayed, but as he glanced at his phone, he was surprised he hadn’t had any recent texts from Rowan.

“Sir?” he responded respectfully.

“Can I talk to Rowan? You’re both gonna need to hear this. I’m assuming Rowan told you what Janice has done now?”

Dread curled low in Gabriel’s stomach. “He’s not here. I thought he was with you?”

There was a pause, then Philip nearly yelled. “I brought him back over two hours ago. He’s not there? But I dropped him at your place.”

Gabriel stood and gripped the phone, heading for his shoes. “You saw him actually come inside?”

Philip sighed and explained everything.

“Fuck,” Gabriel said. Could his boy not get a damn break?

“I’m forty minutes away, but I can get in the car now.”

But Rowan’s car was there, which meant he was on foot. Why not come in? “Exactly what time did you bring him back?”

Philip was silent for a moment then said, “Three pm, or as good as. I made the call to the detectives at two thirty-five.”

But Gabriel had been home by then, and if Philip had dropped him at the door, Rowan would have known that. So why the fuck hadn’t he come home? “What was Rowan like when you left him?”

Philip swore. “He apologized, but I told him this wasn’t his fault.” But would he have believed it? He carried an awful lot of guilt. Gabriel could see him blaming himself.

“Gabriel, I can head out there.”

“He hasn’t taken his car,” Gabriel confirmed. “Let me look first in case he’s gone for a walk to clear his head. I’ll call you either way very soon.”

Philip reluctantly agreed, and Gabe grabbed his keys. He would drive around first, then head up to the development he’d shown Rowan. The one surrounded by walking trails. Just in case, he called Patrick and Jensen. Both their boys were accounted for and hadn’t heard from Rowan. He debated, but then called Eric. Eric’s phone went right to voicemail and then when he got hold of Killian, he confirmed Eric was in class. Killian was concerned and offered to help, even when Gabe tried to play it down. Looked like he had another call to make when he found Rowan.

Because he didn’t doubt he would find him. Gabriel wouldn’t accept another alternative.

He did.

Forty minutes later, he drove down the dirt road leading to the plot he had a deposit on and caught sight of a hunched figure disappearing around a lake that would be the backdrop to the property. He slammed on the brakes, lurched from the car, and took off sprinting, catching up to Rowan before he realized Gabriel was there.

He yanked Rowan around to face him, and took in the tear-streaked face and the swollen, red-rimmed eyes and the running nose Rowan swiped at, and fell in love with his baby boy all over again. He couldn’t even speak for a moment, just clutched Rowan to his chest and thanked fuck he’d found him. It would have started to get dark in another hour.

He didn’t bother saying anything, just got Rowan into the car and sent a text to everyone to say he’d found him and he was safe, then ignored the replies when he put his phone on silent. Knowing he was angry, and knowing that was the worst thing a Dom could be, he waited until they got home and he’d calmed down. He led Rowan into the apartment and made him sit on the sofa. “What were you doing?” he finally asked.

Rowan looked at him like the end of the world had happened and it was all his fault.

“I spoke to your dad,” Gabriel added. “I can’t imagine how utterly fucked up it is to know Janice did this, but he told me he dropped you back here over two hours ago.” He watched the stricken look come over Rowan. “Why didn’t you come in? You must have seen my car.” He didn’t understand and was trying not to sound confrontational.

Rowan’s hands twisted in his lap, and seeing it, Gabriel resisted the urge to still them. This wasn’t about comfort. This was about their future and they both had to step up, not run away, no matter how justified Rowan felt it was. No matter how battered he was. Fuck, Gabriel ached to reach his arms around him and hold him close. Kiss everything better. Be the salve on every tiny injury. But Rowan clearly didn’t trust him. Whatever had happened this afternoon demonstrated that.

Gabriel just wasn’t sure how much more he could do to prove himself.

Fuck confrontational. With a hurt noise in the back of his throat, he reached down, plucked Rowan up, and settled his ass down with Rowan cuddled in his arms. It was a start. “What have I ever done to give you the impression I don’t want all of you?”

Rowan stifled a sob. Gabe could hear him. “I’m pathetic.”

He processed that. “Says who?”

Rowan looked at him as if he was the most exasperating thing on the planet, then he sighed. “I’m no good for you.”

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