Gabe (The Love Family Series Book 7) (2 page)

“I’m fine.” She straightened. Pain flashed in her eyes as sweat dotted her brow. “Just a cramp. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you.” He smiled and watched her scurry away.

Gabe sat at the bar and finished his tea as he debated what to do. What could he do? Come clean about hearing her thoughts? Tell her he knew that she was hurting and see if she’d let him help her? She’d definitely run and think he was a lunatic.

Rising from his seat, he dropped a twenty on the bar, knowing that Tony would give her the tip when he left. He glanced over his shoulder one last time as he walked out. Brooklyn was nowhere in sight.

He slipped his phone out of his pocket and dialed the one cousin who might be able to shed some light on Brooklyn’s life before Love. Reed answered on the second ring.

“Hey, Gabe, what’s up?”

“Are you busy? I need a favor.”

“Nope, not busy at all. I’m home alone. Landon and Avery are out doing their thing and won’t be back until tomorrow, possibly later.

Their
thing
was code for some secret mission. They were both operatives for a company, and no one in town knew the company’s name.

“Perfect. I’ll be there in a few.”

Chapter
3

Reed sat at his desk typing away on the computer. Gabe stood behind him.

“You said her name is Brooklyn Pate from New York?” Reed asked as his fingers flew across the keyboard. Within seconds, the screen filled with a blinking box that read No Record Found.

“You sure that’s her name?”

“Can you try a search of all of the Departments of Motor Vehicles? She might be from Chicago.”

“Sure.” His fingers started again. “Why are you having me check? Is she acting suspiciously? Do I need to go meet her?”

“I don’t know yet.”

A minute later, two driver’s licenses popped up, both with pictures. One was a Florida license, the other Texas. “Are either of these your girl?”

“No.” Gabe crossed one arm over his chest and rested his elbow on it while stroking his chin. Brooklyn Pate didn’t exist, at least not the one he’d met this evening.

Reed swiveled in his chair to face Gabe. “I think I need to meet her to figure out her real identity.”

Reed wasn’t just a whiz with digging into computer records. With his ability, all he’d need is one look to find any electronic files that were attached to the individual. One look and her history would be at his fingertips.

“Thanks for looking, but I think this is a mystery I’m going to try and solve.”

Reed’s brows dipped, his eyes questioning before they sparkled with mischief. “You like her.”

“I don’t even know her real name.” He was resigned. That was the truth.

“No matter.” Reed rose from his chair. “You’re here on a Friday night having me look up her details. You like her. It’s written all over your face.”

Gabe rolled his eyes, walked to the door, and pulled it open. “I don’t like her,” he lied. “I’m just curious what her story is and why she’s so…scared.”

“Uh-huh, go tell your lies to someone else.” Reed followed Gabe to the door. “Be careful. You don’t know what kind of baggage this chick has.”
She could be a real nut job.

“She’s not a nut job,” Gabe countered.

“Get out of my head.” Reed clapped Gabe on the back as he walked out the door.

“Sorry,” Gabe muttered. “It wasn’t intentional.”

“I know. Don’t sweat it.”

Gabe stepped out onto the porch and inhaled the early evening air.

“I think Avery and I will have a hankering for some pizza tomorrow night, or whenever she gets back, if you’d like to join us.” Reed chuckled.

Gabe turned around and walked backward down the sidewalk. “I have a feeling Tony’s revenues are about to go through the roof, considering Skylar was there tonight.”

Reed tossed his head back and laughed. “No one has ever died from asking for help.”

“You’re one to talk. How’s that scar from the bullet wound, anyway?”

Reed rubbed the spot on his shoulder. “That wasn’t from me asking for help. That was from me sticking my nose in where it wasn’t welcome.”

“Tit for tat, bro.” Gabe turned and headed back down the sidewalk. He waved his hand goodbye and continued toward Main Street and the clinic where he’d left his car.

Maybe he shouldn’t have asked any of his family about Brooklyn. The screams in her mind at the restaurant still echoed in his ears, filling his body with unease. What was she hiding?

Gabe strolled down Main Street with Brooklyn on his mind as he spotted Tony’s Pizzeria in the distance. Stopping in would make it obvious he was fishing for an answer, so he passed by with nothing more than a quick glance inside. Brooklyn was wiping down tables. Her eyes were tired, and her shoulders sagged. She was clearly exhausted from her day. Guilt hit him in the gut, knowing her days were about to get busier when the rest of the Loves got word of what Skylar and he had observed. The secrets Brooklyn kept hidden wouldn’t be hidden much longer.

The blistering wind picked up, hitting him in the face when he rounded the corner toward the back parking and the stairs that led to his apartment over the clinic. His gaze went instantly to the sky. No clouds, no rain. Alexis was fine. He had a hard time remembering that Alexis wasn’t the only cause of  weather issues; Mother Nature had her hand in climate control. Gabe whistled, shoved his key into his door, and grabbed a beer from the fridge when he arrived in the kitchen. He opened the balcony door that faced Main Street to air out his home and stepped outside. Twisting the lid off the beer, he leaned against the railing as the roaming tourists walked by. He drank in silence and watched the shop owners turn off the neon signs across the street. The open signs were turned to say closed. He watched the owners lock up and leave. His little corner of the world winked its good night. He’d turned to head back inside when he spotted Brooklyn step outside of the pizza shop. Her short blonde hair drifted on the wind as she glanced up and down the street, her back ramrod straight before Gabe saw her shoulders relax. From where he stood, he couldn’t read her mind, had no clue what she’d been thinking as she turned and headed down his way.

Her eyes darted around the street, down every alleyway, silently taking in her surroundings. Any casual observer might not notice her unease, but Gabe did.

She spotted him on the terrace, and he lifted his beer in salute without saying a word.
Slow and easy, babe. I got the message loud and clear.

Her brows dipped as she continued past.

A black stretch Town Car crawled up the road. The engine was barely above an idle. He watched as she glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes widened before she ducked behind a parked car, pressing her back to the door.

Gabe tilted his head and continued to watch, unable to take his eyes from her or the hand that covered her heart. There was no denying she was scared. She closed her eyes for a brief second before they shot open again and she met his gaze.
Yeah, Brooklyn Pate, like the city, I saw that.
The only question left to answer was why.

Brooklyn glanced over the hood of the car she was hiding behind and waited for the car to pass before rising from her hiding spot. She tugged at the hem of her shirt before lifting her chin and calmly heading farther up the street until she was out of sight.

Chapter
4

Brooklyn dodged the college kid’s hand. He’d introduced himself as Brad and told her that he and his buddies were on vacation. That had been when they were sober. Brad had wandering hands and had been flirting with her since he’d walked in the door, two hours and three beer pitchers ago. This was the second time in less than ten minutes he’d tried to grab her. Tony’s promised five minutes of leaving her alone was getting longer by the second. Brad and the table of drunken idiots chuckled as they shoveled the pizza and beer in their mouths. None of them made an attempt to get Brad under control. 

“Come on, sugar. All I want is a date. I’ll show you a good time.” His words were slurred and his eyes glazed. She rolled her eyes and tried to sidestep him again when he reached out and snagged her arm right where the tender bruise sat beneath her sleeve. She stilled where she stood. Her heartbeat thumped wildly against her chest. If she caused a scene, she’d lose her job, and that wasn’t an option. Not yet.

“Let me go.” Her words were said with conviction, and she tried hiding the tremble that threatened to bubble free. The last time someone had held her against her will, she’d almost died.

The bell above the door chimed, and they both turned toward the noise.

The vet stood just inside the door, his gaze going between the college kid and her before he zeroed in on the fingers clamped around her arm.

“Hey, hon, sorry I’m late,” Gabe called to her, closing the distance. “I suggest you remove your hand from my girl before I remove it for you.”

Brad’s fingers dug into her skin, making her wince.

“Now,” Gabe demanded, his eyes narrowed.

“She was just agreeing to go out on a date.” Brad’s words were slurred, and he tightened his hold. “Isn’t that right, boys?”

Gabe grabbed Brad’s index finger and twisted it at an odd angle until he released her. Gabe clenched his fist and lashed out. His hit was lightning fast as he threw the first punch hitting Brad square in the jaw and sending him tumbling backwards. His flailing arms knocked the pitcher of beer from the table as he fell.

Brooklyn clutched her arm to her chest, holding the tender spot.

The other three idiots at the table rose from their chairs. Nostrils flared as they gazed between their fallen comrade and the vet.

“Three against one isn’t very smart,
babe
,” she said, grabbing the beer bottle by the neck from the table behind her. She smashed it against the wood and held it up toward the drunken bastards. “One step and I’ll split you from ear to ear.”

Again the punks glanced at the asshole on the floor that was slowly rising to his feet.

“You’re fucking nuts,” Brad said, slurring his words and wiping the blood from his lip. He took a step in her direction, as if to test if she’d go through with her threats.

Gabe eased her back to his side.

One of the idiots was smarter than the others. He grabbed Brad’s arm and pulled him toward the door. “Come on. She’s not worth it.”

“This isn’t over.” He eyed them both and spit blood from his mouth. “Not by a long shot.”

Brooklyn took a step in his direction and held up the broken bottle. Anger raged through her veins. She was done being the victim, especially to punks like him. “I dare you to come back.”

She’d taken a step in their direction when Gabe wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. His words were whispered between them. “They’re leaving.”

His warmth calmed her nerves, and when the door chimed their departure, she relaxed in his hold. “You didn’t have to do that. I could have handled it myself.”

“I can see that,” Gabe answered, prying the broken bottle from her fingers. He laid it in the busboy bucket.

You weren’t supposed to see that. Why is he here?

“Where’s Tony?”

“He had to run an errand,” she answered, slipping out of his hold. She pinched the bridge of her nose while looking at the pizza and mess Brad and his band of goons had left behind. Running the unpaid tab in her mind, she let out a long sigh. This little move was going to be deducted from her already measly check. “He’s going to kill me for letting them leave without paying.”

“Not when he knows what they did.”

She gawked. “I’m not telling him.”

“I’ll cover it.” Gabe pulled his wallet out and started to remove money.

“I don’t want your money. I was about to run them off before you showed up.” She grabbed the busboy bucket and started cleaning away the mess the idiots had made. 

“I was just trying to help.” Gabe picked up one of the plates and set it in her bucket. He continued to help her remove the dishes before taking her rag and starting to clean the spilled beer.

“I know.” She let out another long, hard sigh. The truth was she did know, and if he hadn’t shown up, she might be in the same predicament all over again. Love Island would be another town she’d have to leave.

Gabe’s brows dipped, and his hand stilled as he glanced up at her. The confusion on his face cleared, and he went back to cleaning while she picked up the glass that had shattered.

“How long have you lived here?”

“Three weeks.”
Not long enough to be remembered.
She gently laid one of the bigger pieces in the bucket. She took the rag from his hand and stilled his actions. “You don’t work here. I can take care of this.”

“You wouldn’t have the mess if it wasn’t for me.” He rose to his feet and grabbed the bucket. “It’s the least I can do.”

She followed him as he ignored her protest. Gabe carried the bucket behind the bar and set it in the sink.

“Why are you being so nice to me? You don’t even know me.”
If you did, you wouldn’t be standing there.

“I have a sister, and I would hope that, if she were ever in trouble, someone would do the same for her.” He glanced down at her, not making a move to touch her. “Besides, my mother, God rest her soul, would roll over in her grave if I let that punk keep his hand on you for one more second.”

“He was just a drunk tourist. We get that a lot in here.”

“That still didn’t give him any right.”

Damn straight it didn’t.
“I could have handled him.”

She rubbed the spot on her arm, and his gaze zeroed in on the movement.
I might as well be wearing a neon sign that flashes, I can’t lie for shit.

“Let me take a look.” His tone was tender and full of concern.

“It’s nothing,” she replied and let go of the spot.

“It would make me feel better.” He touched her gently, easing up the sleeve.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to see his reaction to the yellowing mark from a month prior that had already started to heal. She tried to roll her sleeve back down, but he stopped her. “Trust me. I’m not going to hurt you.”

His fingers gentled as he turned her arm. White fingerprints from the college kid’s grasp still showed over the healing bruise. He studied the spot as the door chimed again, and they both glanced in that direction.

Tony walked in and noticed them both behind the bar. Concern registered in his eyes. She should have kicked Gabe out, been a bitch, anything so she didn’t have to see the pity in both their eyes. Her heart clenched, and her shoulders caved. Her time on the island was getting dangerously close to an end.

Tony passed the table and the small shards of glass. “What happened? I knew those punks were going to be trouble.”

Brooklyn lowered her eyes and shook her head. There was no way to hide the mess or explain why Gabe was behind the counter looking at her arm. “It was nothing.”

“The blond asshole had her by the arm when I walked in,” Gabe said.

Tattletale.

“That doesn’t sound like nothing.” Tony’s gaze darkened, lowering to her arm.

She quickly pulled her arm free and lowered her sleeve. “I’m a big girl. I’m fine.”

Tony glanced at Gabe. “I hope you knocked the shit out of him.”

Gabe’s lips twisted at the corners. “I did, but he deserved more.”

“Go take a break, Brooklyn. I’ll finish this.” He gestured to the dishes.

Without so much as a thank you, she swiveled in place, glad for a few minutes’ reprieve in the hopes of slowing her erratic heartbeat.

“It won’t happen again,” she heard Tony say as she pushed through the double doors.

The adrenaline of the scene slowly wore off, leaving her to remember Gabe’s gentle touch as he’d looked at her arm. He’d seen the bruise. She only hoped he didn’t ask where it came from. She could never tell him, would never tell anyone. Ever. 

Fifteen minutes later, Brooklyn left the kitchen and headed back into the dining room, fully prepared for Gabe to still be lurking nearby and talking to Tony. Tony was alone. A little bit of disappointment fluttered in her stomach. Not that she was ready for a relationship, but the thought had momentarily given her hope before it disappeared with the throb on her arm.

“Where’s the vet?” she asked, trying to feign disinterest.

“He left,” Tony answered, washing out one of the mugs. “He tried to give me money for the mess, but I told him to get lost. That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t left you to fend for yourself. I’m sorry about that, though a lot of good that does to the bruise on your arm. We should have it looked at.”

“Its fine,” she answered honestly. “I’ve dealt with worse.”

Crap and double damn, did I really just say that?
She gave herself a swift mental kick.

Tony pressed his lips together, and his jaw clenched momentarily. The move was so small and fast she would have missed it if she’d not been paying attention. “Worse? Anything I need to know?”

He hadn’t missed it. No one in this damn town missed anything. Just her luck. Her lips twisted into a genuine smile reserved for people she liked. “I think I’ll pass.” She touched his arm. “But I’ll keep it in mind. I like you, Tony, and I like working here. Thanks for not firing me for scaring away your customers.”

Tony set the glass he’d cleaned on the drying mat and wiped his hands on the towel that he shrugged over his shoulder. “The island might be small, but we take care of our own around here and seeing how you caught the eye of one of the Love boys, I want you to know he’s genuinely a good guy. The whole family is.”

“I know he’s a good guy. Not many people would step in to help a damsel in distress.” At least, not many, if any, she knew back home.

He held her gaze. “You don’t strike me as a damsel in distress,” he said, never releasing her gaze. “As a matter of fact, you can try to hide it from everyone else, but I have a gut feeling you can handle yourself.”

“What makes you think that?” she asked, lifting her brow.

Tony reached over into the sink and pulled out the broken beer bottle. “The Doc didn’t do this. He would have just pulverized the punk with his fist. He’s been pretty tame since he’s grown up, but he’s always been a fighter.”

Her lips twitched. “Really? He’s a vet. How much damage could he have done?”

Tony tossed the bottle into the trash and grinned. “That man went to med school. He knows a thing or two about which bones are the easiest to break. Don’t let his profession fool you, Brooklyn. He’s only a vet because he chose to be. That man has a full Ph.D along with his Veternary Medicine expertise, not to mention he’s a third-degree black belt. Those boys in here wouldn’t have had the chance to touch you again. I’d lay money on it…with or without you holding that broken bottle.”

Her mouth parted, making Tony chuckle.

“Welcome to Love, Brooklyn. Not everything is as it seems, and the locals will surprise you.” He patted her shoulder. “In a good way.”

“I’ll just bet.”

“You need to live a little, have some fun, and enjoy the island. You’ll never be as young as you are right this minute.”

She gave him a full smile. His words of wisdom were something she could live by. She was safe on the island. Her old life was a world away. If they hadn’t found her yet, chances were that they wouldn’t. Her shoulders relaxed for the first time in two months as she went back to work.