She’s not getting better about it; she’s getting worse. She insists the extra precautions are just in case, but I know things have changed. I wonder if my caller is contacting her too. I should talk to her, but he threatened to kill her if I did, so I don’t.
The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I know Gavin is out there too. I hate that my body is so attuned to him. When he came to campus and pulled me into the alcove, I was shocked. But I’ve sensed him other times. Just like I feel like he’s there when I wake up in the morning sometimes.
I look at the alley, confident he’s there, but he’s not revealing himself. Why? What does he think he’s accomplishing other than causing me more pain?
“For years, I’ve had some kind of protection. Be it boarding schools with lots of security to a team.” I shake my head. “When we moved here, I thought it would change. Instead, it’s gotten worse.” I turn back to Leif. “Don’t get me wrong, Ley is theclosest thing to family I have, but I wanted a mother, not a protector.”
I’m not sure why I’m sharing this with him, but if he’s who I think he is, he’ll understand. Plus, I like him for her. They make a stunning couple, and I just want her to find love. I feel like I’ve kept her from dating and finding someone, whether it’s because she had to look after me or because the men after me attacked her, changing her completely. Her face had to be reconstructed, andBabushkatold me her body will never bear a child. Having me caused all of that.
Leif pulls me in carefully for a hug, and I lean my head on his chest.
“She does love you. It’s how she shows her love.”
“How could you know that?” I lift my head and raise my brow, unable to hide my smirk.
“Never mind.” He steps away from me as Erika interrupts us to discuss dinner, stopping me from questioning him further.
My phone rings, but I don’t want to answer it with all their prying eyes on me, so I step outside for privacy.
Gambit
Isneak in at night and watch her sleep. I even try to get off while watching her as she sleeps. But my cock only wants her, not my hand or another woman.
Here I am now, watching her just as Rogue asked me to. I shouldn’t be, but I am. When Leif hugs her, I’m up off my bike, ready to go after him and paint that glass window with his blood. He’s digging his grave right now by putting his hands onmy woman. I know he’s not interested in her, but I’m a jealous bastard when it comes to my girl.
I don’t expect her to step outside, but she takes a call, and I watch as Leif follows her. He’s going to touch her again, and I can’t stop my legs this time. Before I know it, I’m across the street, pulling him away from her.
My jaw is locked, my teeth clenched, as I yank him back and slam him against the brick wall.
“Don’t touch my girl again, or I’ll kill you, Leif. I don’t care who you are,” I growl. I’m not afraid of him.
“Gambit,” someone yells from behind us, and I can’t stop from looking at my girl. There are dark shadows under her eyes, and she’s lost weight too. I take my fill of her until she reaches out and touches me.
“Gavin, what are you doing here?” Everything clicks into place. She moistens her lips with that cute, cotton candy-colored tongue, and I want to suck it deep, but I can’t. Rogue is here now. I turn to look at her and then back at Franci. “You said we couldn’t.” I hear the hurt in Franci’s voice. I turn away from her and look toward Rogue.
“Fuck, Rogue, I can’t do this.” I rush away from them before I take Franci in my arms and ruin everything.
The sound of my bike echoes off the buildings around us, and I know my guys are following me. I race out of there, not slowing down until I come to a sliding stop at the clubhouse and storm to my office.
Opening the drawer, I pull out the bottle of Stagg bourbon and pop the top. Not bothering with the glass sitting on my desk, I take a deep swig straight from the bottle. What the hell am I going to do? I can’t be away from her. I can’t live without her. But I can’t lose Rogue either. I’ve lost so much of my family already.
I don’t know how long I sit there, drinking and contemplating my next move, before my phone buzzes across the desk.
Rogue
Don’t expect to rush off and us not talk. Tonight at 2200, your place.
Me
Who’s watching her?
I purposely don’t use Franci’s name in case one of our phones is compromised. I have to know that she’s safe. I don’t want her around other men, but she has to be safe. I’m waiting for Browser to get back to me on his search of the numbers that are calling her. I know she answered the call she received when she stepped outside on a burner phone. Whoever is calling her, she doesn’t want others to know.
Rogue
She has a team on her and is locked in my penthouse.
Me