Page 21 of Salvation

Hope…

The woman I love was at Gabrial’s, wearing only his shirt. It was very obvious she’d thrown it on over her nakedness and that she’d just gotten out of his bed.

The breath left my lungs and I thought I was going to black out. The pain hit me like a tidal wave, washing over me, threatening to drown me. The abyss called to me, and in that moment, all I wanted to do was hurt, maim, wound Gabrial.

Wound them both.

I wanted them to share in my pain.

Then, her voice… I could tell that she was upset with me seeing her, finding her, that way.

But why?

Why be upset that she’d been with Gabrial?

I know she’s with Gabrial. Gabrial knows that she’s with me. I don’t sleep with her because he does and I’m not willing to be a part of that cliché.

Yet, I’m part of one anyway… one woman… two men. No matter how much I despise it, I am a walking cliché.

A smart man made stupid by the bane of my very existence… the love for a beautiful woman.

I’m the good guy… the protector… the one who doesn’t get to make love to the woman he desires. Though that’s not really true. I could have her. It’s been a sliver of a whisper away from happening before, but I’ve always been able to stop myself… to pull back. To rein in the passion. Because I won’t turn her into that woman. No matter what the cost is to me.

She’s willing. She’s made it clear. I know that she loves me. But she loves him, too.

And I love her enough not to put her in that position. I don’t want to have her be the woman who’s sleeping with two men even though she loves us both.

I don’t want her to carry that weight… that stigma.

Maybe that makes me the idiot…

I should just take what she willingly offers.

She loves me. I love her…

But she also loves Gabrial. And that is too much for me to endure.

I need to stop this…

Looking around, I take in the drabness of the office. Dark grey walls, desks scattered throughout the room. All with computers and phones. Everyone is bustling. Everyone is moving. Either reading files, drinking disgusting coffee, pecking at their computer keyboard, staring blankly at the screens, on the phone, or talking amongst themselves. But it manages to bring me back to the present.

I need to call Hope. I still need to ask her the questions I needed to ask her yesterday, but can I really talk to her right now?

Looking at the cell on my desk, I ignore it and instead open the file from the medical examiner. I’ll look over it again to see if there’s anything I missed.

I’m not quite ready to hear the apology in her voice.

* * *

“Gentlemen,thank you for meeting me here. I understand that you are hoping to purchase from me. Max has filled me in on your proposal; however, I prefer to talk to my potential business associates in person…” My eyes take in each person at the table. Some meet my gaze head on, but some fidget and look away when my dark gaze centers on them. That information is filed away. “So, tell me… why do you need these weapons? This is some serious firepower and I like to know the intended purpose before we make a deal. I have to protect myself, and my interests, you understand.”

Sitting back, I lace my fingers together before resting them over the top button of my jet-black suit jacket, just above my dark burgundy silk tie, neatly tucked beneath the lapels. My eyes continue to meet the gazes of everyone seated, unflinchingly.

Finally, the oldest man, and the one who is the second in command for the Crescent City Crime Lords leans forward. His elbows settle on the table, and he meets my gaze with an unblinking one of his own. He says, “We are willing to pay the price you are asking, Mr. DeLucca. We would like to take the guns back to New Orleans with us and use them to operate our business. The everyday details would bore you.”

My gaze sharpens on him, and I see the pulse in his neck tick. “Try me… I have time, Mr. Cabella.”

His eyes flash before he quickly masks it, but I caught the sign of his ire. So, did Max.

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