Page 13 of Always Been Mine

“All you ever order are pancakes and bacon,” his chatty waitress pressed on, leaning against the table suggestively. “You need to try other items on the menu.”

Gabe was amused. “Are we still talking about this menu, hon?”

“I don’t know, handsome, you tell me.”

He looked around the diner. It was after 9:00 a.m. and the crowd had thinned considerably. He leaned back in the booth, taking in the woman’s red-striped uniform, a size too small and five inches too short. Gabe smiled wryly. “I’m taken, sorry.”

“Shame.” She leaned closer. “Well, if you get untaken, let me know.”

“I believe you were going to pour me some coffee.”

The waitress’s eyes flashed angrily as she poured coffee into the cup. Gabe made a mental note to change the location of his stakeout because the waitress would probably spit on his food the next time.

He stared across the street at Beatrice’s condominium. She usually didn’t leave her residence until noon. Doug’s car frequently passed the front of the condo around 8:30 a.m., rounding the building to pull into the underground parking, but he didn’t see him arrive this morning. Gabe was sure Douglas Keller was gay, but he definitely wasn’t the flamboyant or even the effeminate type. Gabe knew Beatrice’s assistant would have had no qualms beating him up last night, not that Gabe would have let him. Balls kicked or not, he would have flipped the guy over before he’d even gotten to throw a punch.

A flashy car stopping in front of the condominium drew his attention. With recognition came swift fury. Rock dick Eric Stone. Gabriel forced himself to remain in his seat and wait before getting himself involved. The last thing Beatrice needed was an ex-boyfriend getting into the business of another ex-boyfriend.

It didn’t take long. Eric the dickhead started causing a ruckus. Shaggy brown hair, t-shirt, torn-jeans, and sporting converse sneakers, he was arguing with the guard whoapparently had orders not to let him in. Twenty minutes later, his spitfire flew down the steps of the condo to confront him. Beatrice was speaking normally, but Stone was yelling at her and gesturing wildly.

The escalation of tension was inevitable.

Gabe stood and threw a couple of bills on the table as he hurried outside. He was just in time to see Stone lay his hands on Beatrice’s shoulders to yell further into her face. Even from the distance, Gabe could see the fire in her green eyes, and for a second, he was feeling sorry for Eric.

“Take your hands off me, Eric.”

Wait for it.

“Stop being so fucking stubborn, Bee—oomph!”

Rocker boy released his hold on her shoulders and doubled-up on his stomach.

Punched in the gut.

Gabe had taught her that move—tip of fingers to fist—not much momentum needed.

Eric was lucky he didn’t get kicked in the balls.

Gabe slowed his approach as a smirk formed on his lips. Beatrice spotted him.

“I don’t believe this,” Beatrice yelled. “What are you doing here?”

“Watching over you,” Gabe stated simply.

An undecipherable look passed over her face. Then her eyes shifted between him and Eric.

“Who’s this asshole, Beatrice?” Eric wheezed through his mouth, glaring at Gabe.

“Her man,” he responded levelly, ignoring Beatrice’s gasp of outrage.

“You fucking replaced me with this gorilla?” Eric snapped.

Gabe paused. He’d gotten back his muscles after he’d deliberately shed some pounds to fit the mold of a lean assassin who looked good in a suit, but he was far from ape-size right now.

“I didn’t know Beatrice’s taste had changed to pansy-assed rock dicks,” Gabe drawled in response.

Eric straightened and balled his fists at his sides. Indecision was written all over his face whether he should take a swing at Gabe or not. As for Gabe, he almost wished he had, so he could have an excuse to thrash him.

“Hit me. Come on. You know you want to,” Gabe goaded softly.

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