Page 70 of Stepson

A wicked grin spreads across my face. "Oh, we've got plenty of dirt. We found it all this morning."

"You did? What is it? Wait… I don't want to know yet. You have proof of it?"

"Yes, Bentley snapped photos of what we found. We couldn't chance taking it out of the house," I reply.

"Good. I'll call my lawyer now. You two stay put and keep an eye out. You know how relentless your father is, Gabriel. And don't trust anyone."

She hangs up before I can say anything else. I toss my phone onto the bed before I turn and look at Bentley. She’s gnawing on her bottom lip as worry fills her eyes once more.

"Marcus knows you're gone, obviously. Maggie called my mom and said he was livid. She's going to call her lawyer right now." Her hands are shaking, making me grab them and bring them to my mouth for a small kiss. "Don't worry, Bentley. I won't let anything happen to you."

Tears fill her eyes. "It's not me I'm worried about, Gabe." Her bottom lip trembles, and it kills me to see how scared she is for me.

"He isn't going to win this time, babe. I promise."

Chapter thirty-six

Bentley

It’s moments like this that make a person want to change their identity and run to the furthest corner of the world. When I married Marcus, he was a gentle man who took care of me, but it wasn't long after when I saw his true colors.

Looking at Gabe in this moment makes me wonder how he could be from Marcus's gene pool. They’re polar opposites in every single way. The monster who took Gabe away from me all those years ago is about to do it again. I won't let that happen. Marcus has ruined my life for far too long. It’s time I take back the reins and fight for what I believe in, and I believe in mine and Gabe's love.

Pulling me from my thoughts, Gabe frames my face and stares deeply into my eyes. I don't know how he does it, but he cancalm the storm brewing inside of me just by his gaze. There is a calmness in his soul that spreads to me like wildfire.

"We're going to be fine, Bentley. You have my word."

I slowly nod and try to feel as confident as he sounds. Fear can grip and strangle a person's soul if they aren't careful, and I’m on the edge of that destruction.

"What do we do?" I whisper as tears blur my vision.

"We'll stay here tonight and then keep moving. If we stay in a different motel every night under false names, he won't be able to track us down. I promise to keep you safe."

I snort. "I don't doubt that for a second, Gabe, but Marcus will kill me when he finds us."

He lightly chuckles and continues to hold my gaze, and I know at this moment he won't let Marcus near me. The amount of protection I feel from this man is immeasurable.

"He'll have to get through me first."

I swallow, unsure where to go from here. Gabe has a solid plan, but I know Marcus. He’s relentless when it comes to something he wants. As long as there is a breath in his lungs, he won’t stop looking for me. The only way this ends will be for him to be behind bars where he can’t get to me, or be buried six feet under where I can truly be free.

“Stop thinking so much. He has no idea where we are for the night. Let’s just relax and wait for my mom’s call about her lawyer.”

He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips, kissing my fingers lightly. This man literally does everything in his power to make me feel better, yet I’m still a nervous wreck. I know my husband more than even his son does, and the man fucking terrifies me. There is no relaxing until this is all over, but for now, I’ll try my best.

I slowly nod, pulling him onto the bed next to me. He wraps me in his arms as I bury my face into his neck, feeling his stubblepoke at my forehead and not caring. The roughness calms me, reminding me how I’m here with Gabe and not back at that nightmarish mansion.

Neither of us speak a word. It’s as if our bodies connect on another level and our skin on skin contact speaks for us. I’ve never been this comfortable with another human being in my life. Is it possible to have a soul connection with someone you love but don't necessarily know? The thought lights a light bulb in my head.

"What were you like as a kid?" I ask against his neck, peppering him with light kisses so I can taste him.

His chuckle vibrates against my lips, making me smile. Everything about this man makes my entire existence mean something. I’m an empty shell without him.

"What do you want to know exactly? I rebelled against my parents every chance I could. When they told me I couldn't do something, I did it anyway." He shrugs before another chuckle comes out. "When my mom took me out of there, I tried to do better, but we were still in the same school district. I ran with a rough crowd if you remember."

I do remember. The guys he was drinking with the night we met made me think they were in some kind of biker club. They were rough around the edges and had that don't-fuck-with-me kind of look. Intimidating was too weak of a word for them.

"Marcus mentioned drugs were found in the Jeep when they arrested you…" I didn't know how to finish that thought. There seems to be so much about Gabe I don't know, and I suddenly want to knoweverything.

---