Gabe (The Love Family Series Book 7) (6 page)

Chapter
10

Gabe woke to the sunlight streaming in through the window and the warmth that had covered his body during night had been replaced with a chill. He glanced toward the bathroom, where the door stood open and the light was off.

“Lucy?” he called out to the empty room while pushing to sit up. He got out of the bed and slipped on his shoes. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he left the room in search of the one woman who consumed his thoughts and his dreams.

He trotted down the stairs expecting to hear her voice in the kitchen and came up short when he recognized Cole’s and Declan’s. Cole stood at the counter pouring a cup of coffee. He glanced behind him and handed it to Gabe.

“You’re going to need this more than me.”

Gabe took the cup and leaned against the counter. “Where’s Lucy? Did she and Alexis take another walk?”

Cole gave Declan a hesitant glance, and every nerve in Gabe’s body vibrated with unease.

“What? Where are they?”

“Have I ever told you how stubborn your sister is?” Cole asked, avoiding the question.

“I grew up with her. I know how she is. Where are they?”

“They went to town to meet Reed at the attorney’s office.”

“It appears your sister had her own plans for how to deal with Warren,” Declan added, leaning back in his chair.

“And? Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?”

“She talked Reed into sending out the security feed.”

“To whom?” he asked. His brows dipped.

“Law enforcement, the FBI, the news stations, local and national, the newspapers, to Warren’s computers and his television on a continuous loop, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook….you get the picture. It was a full-out assault. She doesn’t do anything small.”

Gabe’s eyes widened, and Cole clicked the television on. The surveillance video showed a kitchen and the attack that Lucy had been subjected to, right before she’d been stabbed. “Warren Abbot is wanted for the contract killing of his wife’s parents and the attempted murder of his wife.”

“Her parents?” Gabe’s heart clutched. The asshole had killed her parents. She couldn’t have known that. No wonder the asshole had been there to pick up the pieces. He’d caused them.

“Reed uncovered that video too.”

The news lady on TV continued. “If you know his whereabouts, you’re asked to call your local law enforcement agency immediately. He’s suspected to be armed and dangerous and believed to be traveling to Love Island.”

Gabe clutched the counter and pointed to the television. “What the hell is she trying to do, get Lucy killed? She just told him exactly where Lucy is hiding.”

“I believe that was the point.” Cole took a sip of his coffee. “It appears they concocted this during their walk. Alexis made some phone calls before she and I went to bed. Both Lucy and she were gone by the time I got up.”

Declan stood. “Look at it this way. He’d be stupid to try to come after her since there’s no way to silence her. The world is now on to his game. It’s kind of smart if you think about it. I’ve got deputies stationed at the ferry and the airport. Unless he got here before that aired, he’s not on the island. The FBI went to arrest him, and the house was empty. They’re doing everything they can to find him. Three FBI agents have set up shop down at the station, and the U.S. Marshal Service has now joined the hunt, not to mention Avery and Landon’s company. I’d lay money they find him by sundown. And your baby sister did all this. It is kind of impressive.” Declan glanced back at Cole, who raised his coffee cup.

“That’s my wife.” Cole winked.

Declan started to leave only stopping at the threshold. He turned around, a mischievous grin on his face. “I forgot to tell you. Reed called on the way to the attorney. I’m not a lawyer, but if I had to guess, she won’t be married when she comes back.”

“Nothing happens that fast,” Gabe argued.

“It does if the asshat was already married before he said I do. Reed pulled the guy’s phone records. The person he was talking to on the phone that day…well, it just so happens she was his wife.”

Gabe didn’t think he could be stunned any more than he was. No way had he just heard what he thought he had. “Did I just hear you right?”

“You sure did. Her marriage is void by North Carolina law, like it never existed. Of course, she’ll want the court to recognize it so there aren’t any complications in the future, but I don’t think she’ll have any problem with that. Not after the public display.”

It was a good thing Gabe had been near the counter. That news took his breath away, and the counter was the only reason he was still standing.

“I’m not that lucky. You’re wrong,” he dared to say, hoping like hell he was truly that lucky.

“Reed had a copy of the marriage license to prove it and there was no record of a divorce.”

Declan turned to leave, and Gabe caught up to him. “Thank Reed for me, for digging in deeper to find out about the marriage. I’m sure that’s going to go a long way in helping her deal with what Warren did to her parents and to her. I don’t know how I can ever thank him or you.”

“We’re family. But we aren’t out of the woods yet.” Declan clapped his back. “Stay vigilant until you get the call that the coast is clear.”

“Thanks, man.”

“You didn’t hear the news from me.” Declan opened the door. “Don’t get your hopes up until she gets back and tells you herself. I’m no lawyer.”

Gabe nodded and went back into the kitchen, wishing that he’d been with her while she dealt with the fallout. He could have been there with her, even if it was just in a silent show of support. Hell, he wanted to be there for her. Gabe drove to his house and grabbed a couple changes of clothes and a quick shower. He’d just pulled on his jeans and was pulling the shirt down over his head when he felt the sting in his neck, and a voice he didn’t recognize in his ear.

“I was going to use that on her before I threw her overboard.”

Gabe’s body went instantly limp as blackness sucked him under.

Chapter
11

Lucy relaxed for the first time in months, a smile on her lips as she followed Alexis into the house, flanked by Reed.

“Gabe,” she hollered out and was met with silence. She placed a hand on Alexis’ arm and gestured toward the stairs. “I’m going to go see if he’s upstairs.”

Alexis smiled and headed for the kitchen with Reed in tow. Lucy burst into the room. It was empty, and her smile faltered. “Gabe,” she said again and moved to the bathroom. It, too, was dark.

She jogged down the stairs and slid to a halt in the kitchen to find Alexis kissing her husband. She’d started to ease out of the room when they parted.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I couldn’t find Gabe.”

“He’s not here,” Cole announced.

Disappointment settled into Lucy’s stomach as her cheeks heated.

“I know that look,” he announced. “He just ran back to his house to shower and grab some clothes. He’ll be back in a bit.”

“Right.” She lowered her gaze. Gabe wasn’t the type of guy to leave her hanging. He’d come back. Right. She lifted her gaze to the virtual strangers who had taken her in.

“Oh no,” Alexis said, moving to her side. She wound her arm through Lucy’s. “You aren’t going anywhere. I know
that
look because I’ve been there. Gabe will be back, honey. Come on, you can help me cook dinner. I’m sure he’ll be along any time now.”

Two hours later, Lucy sat at the dinner table still pushing around the potatoes on her plate, her appetite lost.

“I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation,” Cole said, throwing a worried glance at Alexis.

“Probably just a pet emergency.”

Cole lifted his beer toward his wife as if impressed she’d thought of it. “Alexis, why don’t you call the clinic and see if he’s checked in?”

Alexis excused herself from the table and left the room.

Awkwardly, Lucy cleared her throat and rose to her feet. “I appreciate everything you guys have done, and it’s getting kind of late. I think I’m going to go lie down so I can get an early start and get out of your hair in the morning.”

“What? No,” Alexis said, moving back into the room. She had her phone in her hand. “You can’t leave. Not yet.”

Lucy swallowed around the lump in her throat. “Did you find him?”  

Alexis held up her phone. “He wasn’t there, so I sent Declan by his house to see if his car is there and to check on him. Please sit and eat. Gabe wouldn’t want you to leave, and we don’t either.”

Alexis’ phone rang, and she was quick to answer. “Hello. Sure,” Alexis said hesitantly and handed the phone to Cole. “Declan wants to talk to you.”

Cole took the phone from Alexis and pressed it against his chest. He kissed her on the head before leaving the room and placing the phone next to his ear. “Yeah?”

Alexis crossed the room to Lucy, a look of worry in her eyes, and it finally registered with Lucy. “Oh God, you don’t think…”

Alexis pressed her lips together, and her nostrils flared. “If anything…”

Cole walked back into the room. The look on his face made Lucy’s stomach drop and her hands tremble.

“Is he okay?” she asked.

Cole moved to Alexis and placed his palms on her arms. “Alexis, baby, you need to try not to flood the island, okay?”

“Oh God,” Lucy whispered.

“Cole,” Alexis growled. “Where the hell is my brother?”

“Declan drove by like you asked. Gabe’s car was there so Declan went to the door. It was partly open, so he went in to check the place.”

“Is he…” Lucy asked, covering her mouth. Her stomach flipped.

“He wasn’t there,” Cole answered without taking his eyes off his wife. “His keys were there, and it appeared he had a shower and had packed a bag, but the bag was by the front door.” Cole glanced at Lucy. “He wasn’t there, and no one has seen him since.”

Her legs no longer able to support her, Lucy fell to her knees. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. She shook her head as a coldness engulfed her body. A ringing filled her ears, blocking out what Cole was saying. Her gaze went unfocused as dread filled her veins.

“No, not Gabe.” Her words were a whisper to her ears. “I should never have come here. It should be me.” She lowered her head and squeezed her eyes closed, releasing the tears that had gathered. “Not Gabe.”

Alexis slid down in front of her and lifted her chin, her eyes filled with determination. “We’ll find him.”

Thunder crackled outside. Cole stepped toward Alexis and she held out her hand. “I’m fine. Lucy, look at me.”

Lucy swallowed.

“Don’t you dare go into shock on me. Snap out of it. He needs you to be strong. We need you to be strong. We will find him, and when we do, you won’t have to worry about a divorce or the courts. I’ll kill Warren myself.”

Lucy couldn’t speak so all she did was nod as Alexis pulled her into a hug. “Stay tough.”

“If anything…”

“It won’t,” Alexis said, leaning out of the hug. “This island is full of Loves, and my brother is a black belt. If he’s conscious, he’ll stay alive until we get to him.”

Alexis glanced up at her husband. “Call Reed and have him start tracking the street cams; I’ll call the others.”

“I’m already on it,” Cole answered and turned to leave the room.

She glanced back at Lucy. “Are you good? Can we count on you to keep it together?”

“Yes.” Her voice came out hoarse, the word garbled, so she cleared her throat. “Yes,” she said with more gusto and determination to convince them she wouldn’t fall apart, at least not yet.

“Good. You know your ex better than any of us. Start thinking about where he would be hiding, and how the hell he got on the island without use of the ferry or the airport.”

She nodded and pushed herself to stand. A light bulb went off in her head, and her breathing hitched. “My parents’ boat. Well, my boat. He would have used the boat. He loves the water. That’s why we were going on a cruise.”

Alexis nodded. “Good. Can you think of anything else? Does he like to hike, hunt? Anything?”

She shook her head. “No. He hates the forest. He wouldn’t be in the forest. He doesn’t like the wildlife.”

“Cole,” Alexis hollered.

“Yeah, baby?” he asked, sticking his head into the dining room while covering the phone with his hand.

“Have Reed check all the water access points. If he came via water, he would have had to dock in order to get on land.”

Reed uncovered the phone. “Did you get that?” he asked, stepping back out of the room.

Chapter
12

Lucy stood in front of the French doors, with her arms wrapped around her waist, looking out into the lake at the moon slowly rising. The house had turned into Grand Central Station. If she had to guess, all of Gabe’s relatives had shown up, several on their phones, others on the computer, and a few, including Declan, standing around an open map that was spread out on the table.

Gabe was out there somewhere with a maniac, and it was all her fault. She stifled the tears that threatened to fall and gazed at her reflection in the window. The shell of a woman stared back at her. Her actions had caused this. No one’s but hers. If she wouldn’t have run, if she had just called the police, Gabe wouldn’t be in this mess. Her heart clenched, and her chest caved as a tear slipped free. Damn tear. She swiped at it. Tears weren’t going to bring him back. Tears weren’t going to undo the damage that she’d brought to his door.

“If we go to the boat, we could get him killed,” she heard Declan say.

He didn’t understand how right he was.

“He wants me.” She turned, finding her voice for the first time. The room quieted, and all eyes turned to her. “He wants me,” she said louder, making sure they’d heard. “We’ll give him what he wants.” She nodded. “We’re going to make a trade. Me for him.”

Jackson was the first to speak. “Oh, hun, I don’t think so. You aren’t getting anywhere near that lunatic. Gabe would kill us.”

“If you don’t, Gabe won’t be alive to care. Trade him for me. Please,” she begged, hoping they could see it was the only way. “Alexis, you know I’m right. Tell them.”

Alexis’ brow rose, but she remained silent. It was Avery who spoke, moving to stand in front of her. “She’s right. He wants her. We’ll use her as bait to draw him out.”

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” This growl came from Declan. He pointed at Lucy. “Jackson, do your thing. Put her to sleep. Keep her out of the way, and Reed, talk some sense into your wife.”

Reed tossed his head back and chuckled. “Have you met my wife?” He smiled and winked at Avery. “Honey, I’m with you, riding or walking. Whatever you need.” 

Alexis turned her glare on them and moved to stand in front of Lucy. “You know she’s right. There is nothing he’s going to want more than Lucy.”

“Babe.” Cole took a step in her direction. “If it was you, and that asshole had me, I would kick their asses if they handed you over on a silver platter. You know that. Your brother isn’t any different.”

Lucy lifted her chin, not sure if she should be proud because Alexis and Avery had taken her side, or terrified that she’d offered herself up to Warren.

Landon held up his hands and stepped between them all, separating the men from the women. “Time out. Everyone needs a time-out. Avery and I will go in and get Gabe. We’re trained.”

“What do you think I am…chopped liver?” Cole asked.

“You aren’t the one with the badge,” Declan argued.

“It has to be me,” Lucy said, knowing the feelings she had for Gabe. They gripped her tight. She was falling for Gabe, and there was no way she could live with herself if any of his family, including him, got hurt in the process.
I’m going to have to figure a way to get out of the house and find them. I’ll go and offer myself. That’s the only way.

Landon turned toward her and held her gaze.

“Don’t tell me you can read thoughts,” she said.

“Emotions,” he answered. “You’re going to do this no matter what we say.” His eyes searched her. “I can feel the love and determination mixed with desperation pouring from you.”

Lucy’s cheeks heated, but she refused to look away. Love? Had she come to love Gabe in the short amount of time she’d known him? Was it possible? She shoved the thought away to process later, if she survived.

“For cripes sake, Alexis, just lightning bolt Warren’s ass and sink the whole damn boat. Gabe knows how to swim.” Declan tossed his arms up.

“I can’t,” she answered, turning the attention from Lucy to her. “If I hit the boat, it’s likely it’s going to blow, and then there’s Gabe to worry about. If he’s too close, I’m afraid I might hurt him.” Her lips twisted into a smile. “But you know what I
can
do?” She wiggled her brows. “I can beach them to make sure they don’t leave.” She moved quickly to the map and pointed to where they’d drawn the black X. “Yeah… that could buy us some time.”

“He’ll want to keep Gabe alive to use as a hostage,” Cole said, crossing his arm over his chest to rest his elbow on. He rubbed his chin. “Gabe is the only leverage he’s got. He’ll keep him alive.”

“How do you know?” Lucy asked, moving to the map.

“Because that’s what I’d do,” he answered quickly.

“He’ll just look for another way off the island.”

“He’ll be hard-pressed to find one if I have all the boats moved from the marina,” Declan said, moving closer to the map. “The marina is the only docking place on the north side of the island, and I doubt he’d risk stealing a car to ride through town with everyone on the lookout for him. He’ll go back to the marina and look for a boat to steal.”

“Are you sure he won’t go inland to the caves?”

“Oh God, no,” Lucy was quick to answer. “Too much wildlife.”

“Okay.” Cole moved to the map and pointed. “We’ll position someone here and here as lookouts to give us Gabe’s status.” He pointed to two points on the shoreline. “We’ll push them to the dock, and I’ll be standing by with my sniper rifle.”

“I’ll be there,” she said. “I can distract him. He won’t expect me, and that will throw him off his game.”

Avery rested her arm on Lucy’s shoulders. “I like the way she thinks. A little diversion could go a long way.”

“And if that doesn’t do the trick, I’m sure I can throw a few bolts that will scare the shit out of him,” Alexis added.

“And if he has a gun?” Jackson asked. “What then? Gabe will kill us if we let the asshole shoot Lucy.”

“If he shoots me, then the gun won’t be at Gabe’s head. You take the shot.” She looked up at Cole, trying to hide the fear in her eyes. “Once he turns the gun on me, I don’t care if he fires on me. You take the shot.”

Lucy turned to Declan. “I will give my life for him, and you know what I’m saying is true. We go, and I’ll offer myself in exchange for him. If he takes the bait, then you do whatever you need to, just make sure he doesn’t leave the island with me. I’d rather die at your hands than his.”

“No one is dying.” Jackson said and took a step in her direction.

She took an immediate step back. There was no way in hell he was going to touch her, not knowing what she knew about Jackson. Lucy wasn’t sleeping through this, not when Gabe was depending on her to save his life.

“Keep those hands away from me, Action Jackson. This girl isn’t ready for a nap.” Lucy moved to where the kitchen island separated them.

Another one of the Loves walked in, which one she didn’t know, but he let out a sharp whistle to get everyone’s attention. “No one is going anywhere until you hear about my premonition.”

“Flynn.” Alexis called out.

Premonition? Had she heard that right?