Page 12 of Gambit's Property

I laugh with her because she’s right. Uncle Gray won’t leave Aunt Rika’s side. They insisted I call them Aunt and Uncle. Erika said she likes it because now she has an older real-life Barbie to play with. She loves to spoil Jasmine’s little sister Raqi. Jasmine is the receptionist at the parlor, but she’s been out on an extended maternity leave. She’s married to Ley’s friend Ryan. We knew him in Chicago. He was one of the doctors who helped Ley.

Gambit

It’s been over a week since I held my girl to help with her nightmares. I don’t just sneak into her room anymore; I now have to hold her when the terrors that interrupt her sleep take over. She’s a lightweight when it comes to medication. The sleeping pills make her not wake up, allowing me to slip into bed with her unnoticed. I don’t get under the covers or undress. I just take off my boots. But she’s been with her grandmother at Gray’s place since last Monday, and I’m going crazy.

As I walk through the bar of the clubhouse, Rogue steps through the door. I knew I wouldn’t be able to prevent this. I cancelled that night, and now she’s here. I head toward the door as Grim, one of our enforcers, starts to flirt with her. He’s checking her out and is gearing up when I stop him.

“Nope, she’s not for you Grim.”

I head back to my office, and she follows me. As soon as I close the door and turn to her, she hits me. She punches me in the side of the face. My cheek hurts and my eye is watering from the force of the hit. She hits harder now than she used to.

“Fuck, Rogue.” I grind my teeth, but I don’t hit her back for many reasons.

Yes, she’s a girl, but I used to hit her during our workouts. This shot was a low blow, and we both know it. I wasn’t prepared, and she was angry. But I don’t hit her because I deserve it. I should have gone to her in the beginning and told her I wanted Franci. That’s what a true friend would do, but I was afraid she’d say no.

I watch as she clenches her fists. She knows. I doubt it’s because Franci said anything. No, Rogue knows because I’m not hitting her back or arguing with her.

“Don’t make me kill you, Gambit.” She pushes me.

I grab a hold of her hips and give her a slight push, not enough to make her lose her footing, but enough to give us some space so she can’t attack me.

I try to calm her down by pointing out that her boyfriend could take me down in a heartbeat. She seems confused, so I make matters worse by revealing that I know about her and Leif’s little Friday evening visits to a local BDSM club. She doesn’t take that well either.

“You following me?” Her teeth are clenched, and the words are gritted out.

“I follow and check up on anyone near my woman. Now. Now.” I try to explain myself, but she’s starting to come at me again. I hold up my hands to show her I don’t want to fight and move back toward my desk. “I’m giving her time, but I can’t tell you how long that will be.” I lean back in my chair and watch as she slowly lowers into a chair on the opposite side of my desk.

“Gavin, she’s only eighteen. She’s had a rough life, and she’s in danger.” I don’t correct her on using my name. If I have my way, we will be related soon, so she can call me that.

“I know about most of it. I still have some sway with our guys. You should reach out. Commander said he knows about that Thant fucker.” It’s a dig, but I need to get her off the Franci subject. I don’t lie to my friends, and if she asked, I’d tell her the truth. I want to fuck Franci until she screams my name. Maybe not the best thing to say to her mother figure.

“How did you know?” She shakes her head, confused.

I try to explain to her what Commander told me about trying to stop her going to Thant and that we know what happened in Chicago. She says she thought changing her name wouldthrow us off, but we are better than that. Well, Browser and Commander are, and she knows it too. She still should have reached out.

I confront her about her ties to the Bratva, which now tie Franci to them too. When she threatens to take off and take my girl with her, I decide that’s enough. Every muscle in my body locks up, but I don’t move from my relaxed pose.

“Don’t even think about it. You can’t take her anywhere I won’t find her. She is mine. Just like you are Leif’s. You just haven’t given into it,” I growl and watch as she prepares to try to take me down. I’m deadlier than her because I’m protecting what is mine, while she’s just trying to stop me. I won’t fight her, though. Franci would never forgive me if I hurt Ridley. “I’ll give her until her birthday, as long as Thant doesn’t find her. Be careful with what you’re doing.” I concede.

Franci’s birthday is right after Christmas. I can hold out for three more months. I think.

We discuss what she’s been doing lately to protect them, and I tell her that she needs to be really careful. Not just because what she’s doing could be murder, but because I don’t know if her soul can handle it. I’ve done it. I know. I’ve walked that line.

After the unit got disbanded, I was sent to work with the CIA. I was a contract killer for them. When the commander finally got me out, I had a darkness that I still carry to this day. Maybe that’s why I’m so fucked up with my stalking of Franci or fucking with her birth control. A man like me isn’t a good man, but I need her sunshine to wash over and cleanse me.

I crave it.

When I mention her father is also looking into her, she jumps up, ready to come across the desk at me. I didn’t know it would set her off like this. Now I know she doesn’t want him around, but why?

“You will never mention Vladimir to me again. I walked away from that life, and he hasn’t once tried to contact me.” Ah, there it is. She’s hurt and upset, but I also detect something else.

I stand up slowly, letting her watch me as I get to my feet.

“You threatening me, Rogue? You think you can take me on?” My six-foot-one height is taller than her five-foot-seven frame, but both of us are well trained. I’ve bulked up more than her over the years, and both of us have changed our fighting styles since we last fought each other. But she’s one of my closest friends. She’s the little sister I’ve always wanted.

“Oh, just kiss and make up, why don’t you two?” Striker’s deep, scratchy voice comes from the doorway.

I saw him come in but was keeping my focus on her. I learned to never turn my back on her. She already showed me once tonight she still fights dirty, just like her Bratva family does. She swings around and has a gun out and aimed at our friend, ready to kill him.

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