Page 57 of The Forbidden

The door opens again and I freeze a moment before cocking my head that way. Footsteps approach and I tense but then someone is cutting my ties free. My inclination is to bolt but instead, I force myself to remain calm and merely rub at the tender skin.

“Your boyfriend has come to get you.” I recognize the voice of the brown-eyed man.

My mind reels from his words because why in the world would Gabe be involved in my kidnapping? Why would he be the one to pay the ransom?

The blindfold is lifted from my face and the light is too harsh, so I’m forced to squint against the blinding glare.

“Let’s go,” he says, taking my upper arm to guide me out of the office.

At the far end of the building where we entered I think a few hours ago, I see the rolling doors have been pulled wide and three vehicles sit parked, headlights on. It bathes that end of the warehouse in light, but the men standing there are silhouetted. The closer we get though, I can see Gabe’s G Wagon and it’s as my captor said… my boyfriend has come to get me. A large SUV looks like the one we rode in to get to this place and next to it is a black Mercedes sedan with dark tinted windows.

There’s no rush of joy or relief though, because it can’t be as simple as Gabe bringing something in exchange for me. I was freaking kidnapped off the street at gunpoint, beaten and then threatened to be shot. These are dangerous men and I can only hope Gabe knows exactly what he’s dealing with.

Someone gets out of the back seat of the Mercedes and I squint the closer we get, trying to make out the figures. The wash of illumination from the headlights hurts my eyes after being blindfolded for so long.

“There she is,” the man from the Mercedes says, but I can’t see the details of his face due to the searing headlights. I raise a hand up as a partial shield, hoping to cut some of the glare so I can see who’s talking. “Safe and sound. Do you have the Shadow Reserve?”

“I have it,” Gabe says, and my head whips that way. A figure moves toward me and I notice another one walking beside him. Gabe and…

My jaw drops open as I make out my brother Ethan. What in the hell is going on? I want to scream at everyone standing here but I don’t forget these men are armed.

Gabe comes to stand before me, his eyes locked on mine for a moment as if trying to convey a message. I think it’s assurance and that makes me feel marginally better but then his gaze drops to my cheekbone. His hand cups me under my chin, turning my head so he can get a better look, and his jaw hardens.

He doesn’t turn to face the other men but grits out, “Who hit her?”

“I did,” Bellamy confesses with actual pride in his work and Gabe looks over his shoulder. I can see him standing there but the mask is off now. He’s got short-cropped hair, those glacial eyes and a sneer on his lip. I note the brown-eyed man also has his mask off now. He has blond hair, but he looks no kinder, not the way I’d made him out to be.

“Let’s make the exchange.” This from the man who exited the Mercedes. He’s just a middle-aged, average-looking man in a business suit. “You got the girl, now give me the bourbon.”

“Bourbon?” I say in confusion.

Gabe’s attention comes back to me. “I’m so sorry this happened but you’re safe now.”

Leaning down, he presses his lips to my forehead and then takes my hand. He leads me over to Ethan and says, “Watch her.”

I’m dumbfounded and utterly confused as Gabe moves to the G Wagon. He opens the rear door and walks back around holding a case of what I’m assuming is bourbon… Shadow Reserve they called it?

He sets it down on the ground though and looks at the man in the suit. “You said she’d be unharmed, Rafferty. But your guy hit her. Bruised her. That can’t go unpunished.”

Tugging his cuff down, the man clasps his hands before him. “So I did. What did you have in mind?”

Gabe rolls up his shirt sleeves and then removes his watch, shoving it down into his pocket. “I want five minutes with your guy.”

My head whips toward the man who hit me and he remains stone-faced, awaiting his boss’s direction.

“No,” I exclaim and try to move to Gabe, but Ethan holds my hand tight. Gabe doesn’t even glance at me, his eyes pinned on the man he wants a piece of. I turn to Ethan and hiss, “What the hell is going on?”

His green eyes meet mine and I see censure in them. “We have a lot to talk about. But later. I want to watch Gabe kick this guy’s ass.”

“Very well,” the man named Rafferty drawls in an attempt to sound cultured yet slightly annoyed. He looks at Bellamy and jerks his head toward Gabe. “Please avail yourself to Mr. Mardraggon.”

Without a word, Gabe and Bellamy square off. Gabe’s body is taut as the blue-eyed man circles him, fists raised. The headlights throw stark shadows, making the scene feel more like a duel than a brawl. Bellamy lunges, throwing a heavy punch aimed at Gabe’s head. Gabe dodges to the left, and I gasp as Bellamy’s fist passes just inches from Gabe’s face.

Counterattacking, Gabe throws a quick jab that connects with his opponent’s jaw, but it’s a light touch, a warning. Bellamy sneers, wiping his mouth, and charges again. This time he’s faster, his large fist catching Gabe off guard and landing a solid hit against his cheek. I cry out and squeeze Ethan’s hand hard, fearful of what might happen.

Gabe stumbles backward but recovers quickly. Rolling his shoulders, he waits for Bellamy’s next move. He’s overconfident and charges without thought. As he comes forward aiming for another heavy blow, Gabe steps inside his reach, delivering a sharp uppercut to the man’s stomach. It knocks the wind out of him, and he doubles over.

Not giving my attacker a chance to recover, Gabe grabs the back of the man’s head, pulling it down as his knee comes up, striking the man’s face. Blood spurts from his nose, causing him to roar and swing wildly. Gabe easily backs away from the sloppy attempts to strike him.

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