Gabe

“Gabe? Can you hear me?”

“Yes, I’m here.” I watch Luna run around the enclosed area I set up for her behind the townhouse. She needs freedom to run off a leash and since we’ve been here longer than I anticipated, I went out and made her a gated off area where she can run and play catch.

Luna jumps onto the fence, the ball gripped lightly in her teeth, and I grab it, tossing it to the other side of the fence. She darts off like a lightning bolt, getting the ball in a flash.

“Things have gotten bad here. I’m scared,” my aunt whispers.

Her words freeze me on the spot, my fists clenching. “What’s going on?”

I hear muffled noises and strained voices.

“We’re going to lie low. Andrew discovered your uncle and brothers’ hideout, and they’re not happy. I’m afraid of retaliation.”

“Fuck,” I breathe into the phone. I pace around the fence, Luna following me like it’s a game. “I didn’t know it had gotten this bad. What was Andrew thinking?”

“He was trying to help you but play cool at the same time. He found out the information from Mason, using trust to trick him into telling. I’m sure you know how Lenny dealt with that. Mason’s fingers were almost chopped off and of course, he spilled his guts, throwing Andrew right into the fire. I’m not taking any chances, Gabe. You know how crazy your uncle is.”

“Shit, why did Andrew go to Mason? He’s the worst choice, a fucking weak player in Uncle Lenny’s game.”

“I don’t know. I don’t want to be involved in this shit any longer and neither do any of us, including Andrew. We’re leaving, getting away for a while. You’re more than welcome to call us, but not about your uncle or brothers. We need to live normal lives, and so do you. Forget about them, forget wasting your time on them.”

I bite my tongue. I want to lash out, scream at her. But I won’t.

I can’t. She’s got a point.

But for me, I won’t rest until my parents’ deaths are avenged.

“Please, Gabe. Listen to me. Your mother wouldn’t have wanted this for you. Move away from the city and start your life fresh. What happened was the worst tragedy imaginable, but you don’t have to get revenge. Your parents would want you to move on and live peacefully.”

“I know, I know. I just…” I grit my teeth and push down the urge to throw my phone. “I can’t let go. Not yet. Not until justice is fucking served.”

My aunt sighs and whispers to someone before speaking. “I’ve got to go, Gabe. Stay safe, okay? We love you.”

“Wait…Aunt Maria? Hello?” I look at my phone and see the call disconnect.

Shit. This is not good. Not fucking good at all.

I toss my phone down on the outdoor table that sits out here, checking to see Luna happily playing. I buried treats in there earlier, she’ll have fun digging them out.

I clench my fists and go back to pacing.

I can’t sit still.

What in the fuck was Andrew thinking?

Mason is the worst one to trust. He’s a weak asshole who bows at everything my uncle barks. He’s the youngest of the three of us and of course my sweet mother babied him. Hell, she babied all of us, but she used to tell me I had to be strong to survive. I was her oldest, I had to lead the way, set an example for my brothers.

I did what she told me, joining different sports and strengthening my body in any way I could. Damon followed suit, but he got tempted into drugs, drawing him into the wrong crowd. I tried to pull him out, but he fought me, sneaking out anyway.

Mason was young, a child at the tender age of ten when my parents died, and he never got the chance to grow up before our lives were destroyed.

Andrew knows everything about our life, our fucked up bullshit. He plays both sides and now he’s gotten himself in some serious hot water, which will only trickle down to the rest of us.

My aunt says ignore it? Ignore it all and let it continue to happen?

The memories of my childhood come rushing back, the darkness, the evil, the pain.

It lances through my chest and white dots flash in front of my eyes. A cold sweat breaks out across my forehead and my breathing picks up.

I can’t. I can’t let it go.

How can she even suggest that to me?

All three of them deserve to pay.

To pay for their sins and all the grief they’ve caused.

I won’t rest until it’s done.

I throw a punch into the air, envisioning a boxing bag dangling in front of me.

I take a few deep breaths and shake out my hands.

Alicia’s face pops in my head, and I relax. Slightly. I want her. I need her right now. More than anything.

I want to spread her all over me and bask in her warmth.

If only I could get her. But she’s in New York City.

The last place I want her to be.

It’s dangerous. Scary as fuck and I can’t fucking protect her when I’m not there.

Red hot fury pushes on my chest, and I’m ready to pound on something.

Fuck this shit.

I take Luna inside and call Joe. He answers on the second ring.

“Joe? Meet at the gym in twenty. I need to beat the shit out of something now.”

“You got it, boss, see you then.”

I slam my hands on the counter, my heart pounding in my ears. Grabbing my keys, I rush to the gym before I destroy something I’ll regret.

* * *

Alicia

“What kind of cut are you looking for today?” I walk around the woman sitting in my chair, debating what’d be a good style for her. Her hair is long and falls down her back in loose waves. It’s thick and uneven in spots, needing a good six inches of dead ends cut off.

I wait to see what the customer will suggest first. No hurt feelings if I’m totally off base. What I see as a good fit, some people don’t want.

She crosses her legs and sits up straight as she studies me studying her hair in the mirror. “I think a trim is good, maybe some layers?”

I nod. “Layers could work.” I move to the front and think about how she’d look with angled layers framing her face. “How about some angled ones in front?” I show her with my hands how it could look, and her eyes light up.

“That looks nice! Do you mind shampooing me?”

“Sure.” I help her from the chair and lead her to the sink area. After washing and conditioning her long hair, we move back to my area, and she settles in. I start with the comb, brushing through the thick locks.

“Are you from around here?” I try to make conversation to ease the tension and pass the time.

“No, I’m here on business with my husband. Hoping to finish soon. I didn’t think I’d be here this long that I’d need to get a haircut.” She rolls her eyes and snaps her gum.

A little attitude and a hint of Southern accent comes out, but she’s pretty and seems nice.

“What do you do for work?”

“Oh, uh, my husband and I work in sales. We do a lot of traveling.”

“Interesting. I just met someone recently who does the same thing. Maybe you know each other?” Gabe said he travels for business sales, too. I wonder if it’s the same company.

Thinking of him reminds me I should call him, let him know I’m back in town. The past couple of days were spent busy around the house, catching up on chores.

Hopefully he’s still around. My stomach rolls at the thought of him gone without the chance to say goodbye.

He wouldn’t. Right?

She waves her hand and shakes her head, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Nah, we’re here alone for the company we work for. I doubt it’s the same.”

Her eyes dart around, and she shifts in her seat. I comb her hair into sections as I decide where to trim first. A loud chime sounds and her phone lights up on the counter.

She reaches for it, but I’m closer and help her out. My eyes glance at the screen and there’s Gabe’s face smiling up at me, the name Hubby splayed across the bottom.

I blink in shock as she takes the phone from my hand. She answers, a huge smile on her face. “Hello, there, hubby. What’re you doing, my sexy man?” she drawls, her voice sickly sweet, and my blood boils.

Relax, Alicia. Maybe it was someone else. Someone who looks like Gabe.

“I’m only kidding,” she says, barely paying attention to the fact I’m as still as a statue standing next to her. “What happened, Peter?”

Peter? See, it’s not Gabe.

Shit. Peter? Isn’t that Gabe’s partner’s name?

A rush of relief passes through me, but it’s gone as quick as it came. I stand behind her, moving close to the ear the phone is pressed to, and the top of the phone peeks out from above.

I lean in close and see the eyes I’ve come to know so well staring back at me, his voice clear as day over the phone.

Her sweet voice laughs, and I clench the comb and scissors in my hand.

In and out, A. Breathe in and out.

“Okay, we can meet for dinner.” She giggles like a schoolgirl and without any control to stop myself, my hand clutches the scissors tight, cutting a chunk of hair from the back of her head.

A sick feeling comes over me as I stare at the thick lock of hair in my hands. Fuck.

“Bye.” She clicks the phone off.

I ignore my brain that screams at me to say something, anything to clear up this mess.

I finish her hair as fast as I can, no more words being said. I cover up the chunk I cut out the best I can. As soon as she’s out the door, I rush to the bathroom, my entire lunch coming up.

I heave until there’s nothing left and drag myself up. I splash my face with water and drag myself to the break room. Grabbing my keys and jacket, I hurry out, letting Deanna and Lilly know I’m not feeling well.

Once inside my car, I collapse against the steering wheel, sobs racking my body.

He’s married? How can he fucking be married?

What about his name? Is it Gabe or Peter?

Why is he lying to me?

I shake my head, not wanting to believe it. It can’t be true.

There’s no ring. No sign of a woman in his townhouse. Nothing.

I punch my steering wheel, scalding tears pouring down my cheeks.

The sobs subside, and I lift my phone to call Ruby.

What a lying asshole.