Page 31 of The Flame of Carson
Gage wrapped a hand around one of her wrists, “Tomorrow morning Jimmy and Cain want both of us in their office.Wilson took my statement and he said he would forward it to them first thing, as well as to Sherman, Harrison, and Vance in New York.”
“After I got the email today, I called you, then called Jimmy as I left the office about the email.You didn’t answer.”
“I was probably in the shower that’s why.Look, let’s go into the living...”
“Gage, I thought you said you were okay?”Stacey demanded.
Gage frowned till he saw where she was looking at the bandage wrapped around his upper arm.“Shit.Look, one of the bullets grazed my arm, it’s barely a scratch.”
“He hurt you...because of me...”
“Stop.Stop that right now.You hear me?This isn’t your fault in any way shape or form babe.You got that?”
Stacey let out a slow breath and nodded.She slipped off his lap and allowed him to stand.With his arm around her, Gage led her into the living room where Danny and Ethan were sitting on the couch.Both men stood.“Thanks for calling me, Ethan.”
“Anytime.Now, Jimmy called me and said you got an email and that you called him when you couldn’t reach Gage?”Ethan asked.
“Yeah.I was just getting ready to leave for the day when I got a notification of a new email.I opened it and it was from him.”Stacey answered.
“Stacey, do you have access to your work email?”Danny questioned.
“Yeah, I just need a computer.”She nodded.
Gage hopped up and headed for his office.He returned a few moments later with his laptop.Stacey took it, sat it on the coffee table and opened the web browser.In about a minute, she was in her work email account and brought up the email.“After the first one, I began saving them under a folder in my email.Before Walt closed my old account, I forwarded those to him as well as myself and saved them on my laptop.When I got my new email, I started a new folder.Just in case you know.”Stacey explained as the men read over the email.
Gage frowned as he read the email.“Have all the emails been like this?Possessive?”
Stacey nodded, “Pretty much.”
“What are you thinking Gage?”Danny inquired.
“I’m not sure.I won’t really have a better idea until I see the other emails.”Gage replied then faced Stacey.“Babe, do Jimmy and Cain have copies of those emails?The older ones I mean?”
“I think so.I mean, they said they reached out to their counterparts in New York.If not, I can get them.”She stated.
“Ask Jimmy and Cain in the morning.After you two are done there, I want you both at Blackout.”Ethan said.“Come on Danny, let’s get out of here.”
“If you two need anything, just call.”Danny added.
Gage and Stacey gave the two a wave and once the front door closed behind them, Gage felt Stacey sigh and snuggle deeper into his arms.Gage rested his head against hers as he felt her hand slide up and into his hair.He couldn’t help but smile.When they first met, he had his hair cut in a buzz cut but now it had grown out and he let it after she had said she liked being able to run her fingers through it.He had to admit, he enjoyed it too.His soft smile faded when he felt the small shivers that began rolling through her.
“Stacey?Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Gage...I...”
He shifted his hold so that he could tilt her chin up so their eyes locked, “Talk to me.”
“I was scared.I saw that email and when you didn’t answer my call...God.Then Ethan called...”she paused and took a breath.“My mind started running through dozens of scenarios of what I would find when I got here.”She explained.
“Stace, I’m fine.Yes, the bastard grazed me with one shot, but I’ve had worse injuries.If he hadn’t turned, I would have had him.”
“I know you can handle yourself Gage, but this fucker...we don’t even know who he is.He seems to know me or at least enough about me to know we’re involved and to find you and your house and get in.That makes him dangerous.I’m starting to get scared about this now.”
“Babe, as for him getting in my house, that’s on me.I didn’t engage my security system like I usually do.So, don’t blame yourself for that mistake on my part.”
Gage sighed and hugged her to him, his hand rubbing up and down her back soothingly.He didn’t know what to say to ease her fears.He wanted to tell her that everything would be fine, but he honestly couldn’t.All he knew was now that this guy had made a move against him, that would bring in Blackout.Yet, he also knew Ethan would want him to stay at a distance which Gage wouldn’t like, but if Ethan ordered it, he would follow his commander and boss.
“So, guess this means Blackout is now involved huh?”
