Page 8 of Gambit's Property

We take off, and I see the guys performing repelling exercises at Ley’s office building next door as we drive past. We head into downtown toward the art district, passing the tattoo parlorBabushkasaid Erika and her brother own.

“That’s Erika’s shop?” I ask just to confirm.

“Yeah, I’m working in there while she’s working,” he says.

“I thought you owned a casino. Do you do tattoos too?”

I glance in the side mirror and notice a couple of motorcycles following us. I don’t turn around because I don’t want Gray to know I saw them. Neither of the riders looks like Gavin from this distance. We turn a corner near the tattoo parlor.

“Oh, I own the casino. I just don’t like to leave Erika alone right now.”

“Why?” I turn to him.

“After she was almost kidnapped last month, I don’t want her out of my sight.”

“She was almost kidnapped?” My breathing increases. “Was it because of me?” I ask.

When he turns to me in shock, I realize I said that out loud. My phone caller threatened to kill those near me as revenge for losing his career.

“No, absolutely not. What’s going on with you and Ley?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Nothing.” I turn forward to focus on where we are going and jump when I feel his hand on my shoulder.

“It’s okay, kiddo, you can tell us anything,” he says, his voice soft yet gruff, and I realize the car has stopped.

“Ley adopted me after my whole family was killed by a corrupt military contractor unit.” I give him the basics. “They are gone now, but I sometimes worry.” It’s a lie, but I don’t know what Ley wants him to know and not know.

“Come on.” He gets out and walks around the car to open my door. I learned a long time ago to let men open my door for me. It’s not a weakness issue but a safety issue.

We’re parked on the street in front of an old warehouse. The blinds over a large window are pulled open, and I can see into a cozy living room. Gray enters a code before opening the door and stepping inside. I follow slowly behind him. A woman about my size steps around a corner with flour on her apron. Her long dark hair is styled in cool space buns, and I want her to teach me how to do that. She’s dressed in a cute micro-miniskirt and a black cropped tank top. She is covered in tattoos and is absolutely beautiful.

“You must be Franci.” She wipes her hands on a towel over her shoulder, and I reach out to shake her hand. She pulls me in as soon as my hand lands in hers. “You are too cute,” she exclaims as she steps back and looks me up and down. “I lovethose Docs.” She points at my boots that have flowers along the shafts.

“Thank you. You’re beautiful too. Can you show me how you do your hair?”

She laughs and directs me to a chair. “Grayson, get me a couple ponytail holders and pins,” she orders him. He shrugs off his leather jacket, leaving him in a black Henley and black jeans.

I sit on the bar stool as she begins to style my hair, explaining each step as she goes. My gaze drifts to the stovetop, where a loaf of bread is rising.

“Can I help you?” I ask, needing to get my mind off the bikers that I know are just outside. I used to help my mother in the kitchen and love helping Ley when she bakes, which is rarely.

We proceed to work on the bread and spend the day getting to know each other. It’s easy to forget about all the bad shit pushing down on me when I’m with them. They joke and laugh a lot, and the way they interact shows how much they love each other. Gray holds and touches Erika every chance he can. She does the same, just a brush of her hand across his back or leans up for him to kiss her.

I want what they have when I finally find someone. I thought I would get that with Gavin, but as soon as he learned my age and that Ley adopted me, he ran for the hills. I also like that Gray and Erika have Riggs, Murtaugh’s brother. I pet him and spend time cuddled on the sofa with him for a bit before drifting off.

I come awake as the front door opens and see a thin but muscular man step inside. He’s covered in as many tattoos and piercings as Erika. They introduce him as Leif, her brother. He’s built like a swimmer, with long and lean muscles. He’s charming and nice to be around too, but I remain quiet and just watch him.

There’s something about Leif I can’t put my finger on until he stands near me, and I swear I smell Ley’s shampoo on him. Now I’m curious and want to question him, but I don’t. Instead,I move to the window and look outside, where I spot a couple of motorcycles parked down the block at a coffee shop. When two men walk out and move toward the bikes, I recognize one of them. He was there when Gavin hurt me.

I don’t hear Leif as he walks up to me until he speaks, and I startle slightly.

“Don’t worry about them. They’re harmless,” Leif says in his husky voice.

“They are my detail for the day.” I know Ley called them. She doesn’t have many people around here that she trusts, but Gavin is one of them.

“What?” He turns to look at me. His pierced brow raises when I face him.

“Yep. Ley thinks I don’t know she’s gotten anal about the security detail on me. Today she acted like it was nothing new, but it is.” I huff.

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