Page 16 of Sentinel

Gabe is seething.

His body is vibrating with anger and his eyes are clouded with fury. His voice is dark—deadly—when he responds, “No, baby, it doesn’t. Not to my woman.”

My breathing halts, and my skin breaks out in goosebumps, but it isn’t because I’m scared. Instead, I’m in awe of the authority and determination radiating from the man standing before me. Gabe is a force to be reckoned with on any given day. But this towering figure, packed solid with sinewy muscles and covered in artful tattoos, while emitting a commanding presence…

This is Sentinel.

This is the man who protectsat all costs. This is the man who will burn anything and anyone who gets in his way. And in this moment, I know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and beside who I’m supposed to be with. That even though I chose a city randomly on the map, fate brought me here. To him.

His woman.

I glance at my car before looking back at Gabe. “Maybe it was just some kids messin’ around.”

“No. Kids don’t usually take it this far. This was done by someone to get back at you. Look at all the damage. Someone wanted to send a message.”

“It’s just a car, Gabe. It doesn’t matter.”

He turns his body towards mine and cups my face in his hands. His eyes darken as his pupils dilate, and I watch a seriousness shade his gaze like shutters.

“The person who did this is a coward. But they have no idea what they’ve done. They’ve messed withmywoman. And Emma… no one messes with my woman. You. Are. Mine. And theywillpay for this shit.”

There is so much finality hanging on those words:you are mine. But I know he means it. And they don’t hold the same level of foreboding as they did when I was with David. The future I’ll have with Gabe is not the same one I would’ve had with my ex. I want this life. I want Gabe.

“So, what now?”

“Let’s go check your apartment. If everything‘s fine, then I’ll have somebody bring your car to the shop and we’ll get it fixed.”

“Do you think it was Cherry?”

“Probably. Don’t worry about her. If it was her—and I think it was—then I’ll take care of it. Her sorry ass will be outta the clubhouse permanently.”

Not worryingabout it will be easier said than done, but I trust Gabe. Besides, what can I do about it anyway? So, we leave my car and go to check out my apartment, and thankfully, we find it untouched. It’s exactly the way I left it when Gabe picked me up yesterday.

I wonder how she knew where I lived. Has she seen me and Gabe before?I don’t want to think about that, or try to figure it out. I just want to take a shower, get ready for the day, and let Gabe manage everything else. Because this is what he does, and I know he’ll handle it for me.

* * *

While I showerand get dressed, I can hear Gabe in full “Sentinel mode” on the phone in the living room. It’s difficult keeping my hormones in check as I listen to him expertly issue commands to whomever’s on the receiving end. On the way out the door, he informs me that he’ll have Whiskey and a few prospects pick up my car and bring it to the shop to begin the repairs. He also lets me know there will now be daily patrols of this area. I’m not exactly sure what that entails, but the tone of his voice implies it isn’t up for debate.

I’m thankful the workday goes by quickly as several custom orders come in. This occupies Gabe and the guys, but it also gives me plenty to do in the office and keeps my mind from worrying about Cherry and what she may be up to.

I’m filing away the last of the customer paperwork for the day when I hear the smooth, sexy voice that I’ve grown to crave coming from the doorway. “You ready to go home, baby? We’re staying at your place tonight.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” My brow is furrowed with a hint of concern.

“There’s nothing to worry about, Emma. Cherry’s already been taken care of. She’s out of the clubhouse and out of fucking Carnage.”

“You can’t force someone to leave the city, Gabe.” My words are heavy with disbelief.

He gives me a look, silently conveying thatthere is nothing he can’t do, including exiling someone. But then a thought occurs to me, and my eyes widen in shock. Gabe pushes off the doorway, and his long legs carry him to me in three steps. He places his hands on my hips, pulling our bodies flush together.

His voice lowers an octave as he says just above a whisper, “If anybody thinks they can mess with my woman while I’m around… I’ll put them in the fucking ground. While their heart is still beating, Emma. And I do mean anybody.”

I swallow a thick lump before asking, “Does that include Cherry?”

“It includes every-fucking-body, baby girl. But just so you know, Cherry’s on a bus to Vegas.” He winks at me before crushing his mouth to mine.

I fist the front of his white T-shirt as I get lost in his embrace. Then, after exploring my mouth with his wicked tongue and making my eyes roll to the back of my head, he breaks away and presses his forehead against mine. “C’mon, let’s go.”

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