Fearless Encounter

Chapter 13

Before leaving the office, Gabriel had done what he could to set things in motion. Brooke was right—it better not be much longer. And he intended to do all he could to ensure that was the case. It was a team effort, but even so, progress needed to speed up.

He couldn’t tolerate leaving Meg in jeopardy, and he didn’t want Brooke wrapped up in all this. The only thing to do was solve the crime and save Meg’s life—but that wouldn’t be simple. Daniel had a heavy hitter behind him, and that changed the odds.

On the way home, Gabriel thought things through. The Russian might need to kill Meg to avoid having her identify him and reveal the plot. But before he did that, he may need her expertise to utilize the new software, and that was what he was counting on. Each day that rolled by put her life in greater danger.

Criminals couldn’t be trusted to make sane decisions. Emotion ran high in such circles, as Gabriel had found out more than once. Waiting was a dangerous game, each hour increasing danger. Surveillance was key. He had to know what Daniel was doing and if he was meeting with anyone. If the guy was smart, he’d be discreet, but Gabriel was counting on the opposite. Feeling confident about his achievements and his powerful connections, Daniel might falter. And Gabriel would be there when he did.

When he glanced at Brooke, she turned toward him. “I hate this. I feel so helpless.”

“I know, honey. It’s difficult to stand back and watch. But I need you safe,” Gabriel said. “I can’t worry about you and Meg at the same time.” He squeezed her knee. “Promise you’ll stay away from the action.”

“I can’t promise anything right now,” Brooke said. “I’m distressed, and everything seems to go so slow .”

Gabriel couldn’t argue, but he didn’t want to sit at home and let Brooke’s anxiety ratchet up. That wouldn’t help. By morning, the team would be in action. Through the evening, it was likely Weston would continue his research using all his resources. “Let’s go someplace where we can talk.”

He knew that talking would help Brooke process all that was going on. She wasn’t used to situations like this, so couldn’t know what to expect. It would be good to talk it over and fill in the blanks for her, as much as he could. There was a restaurant and bar that was nearby that was usually quiet.

Gabriel drove to the bar and parked, then he went around to open the door for Brooke. The look on her face wrenched his heart. His feelings for her were strong, and he wanted to hold her close to tell her that everything would be okay—but he refused to. There was no guarantee. Although he would do everything in his power to make sure no harm came to her—or her friend.

With his arm around her, Gabriel guided her to the lounge. There was a table in the back corner, a good place for him to keep eyes on the place. He admired Brooke. She had inner strength, more than she gave herself credit for. And she was so damn beautiful. He could sit and just look at her. It would nearly be enough for him just to be near her. Yet he wanted more. He craved holding her and loving her like he had. Once wasn’t enough, and only served to ignite desire, not satisfy it.

Brooke’s shy smile was heartwarming. “You’re staring,” she said, holding the drink menu.

“I can’t help it,” Gabriel said, then hesitated. There was so much he wanted to say. “What will you have?”

“Red wine—the Cab, I guess.”

“I’ll get a bottle,” Gabriel said, flagging the waitress. “We’re in no hurry.”

Once the wine was poured, Gabriel talked about the situation, answering the questions he was able to. When the conversation faded, Brooke held his gaze a beat too long, and he reached for her hand.

“I can’t stop thinking about last night…about us,” she said.

“You don’t have to stop,” Gabriel said. “I want us , more than anything.”

Her expression softened. “What do you mean, exactly ?”

And there it was, her lack of confidence. The way Gabriel had behaved should have made it clear how he felt. But Brooke needed to hear it, and damned if he didn’t need to say it. “I want to be with you, even after this is over. I want to wake up to you every day, share things with you. I want you .”

Brooke glanced away then took a sip of wine. “I want the same… I mean, I want to be with you. I don’t want you to feel pressured just because we…”

Gabriel pulled his chair closer and took her hand. Heat flooded through him when he kissed her palm and worked his way up her wrist. “I want you to know that you have my heart. It makes sense that you’d wonder. Over the past years, I’ve had to deal with the emotion of losing my wife. She will always have a special place in my heart.” He kissed her hand. “Honestly, I didn’t think that I’d find another woman to love…and be loved by.” He took a breath. “I’m not great with words. But I’m in all the way. You couldn’t pressure me to go away, not after what we shared—not after knowing you.”

As they finished the wine, Brooke didn’t say much, but the connection between them was strong. It had been a long while since Gabriel had felt comfortable without conversation. He’d missed that. After a light meal, he took her home, intending to show her how he felt.

In the bedroom, he slowly undressed Brooke, as she undressed him. In bed, Gabriel held her close, wanting her forever and unwilling to rush through precious moments. He kissed her deeply then looked into her lovely brown eyes. “I love you.”

Brooke’s eyes filled with tears, but she smiled. “I love you too. I have…for a while.”

Taking his time, Gabriel made sweet love to her. He showed her in every way what she meant to him. He was gentle yet passionate, and Brooke responded. Love swelled his heart, and the intimacy set his loins on fire. What started as a sensual experience exploded into ecstasy. Gabriel couldn’t hold back, was unable to slow it down. And Brooke’s desire matched his. She didn’t hide her love, not anymore.

With Brooke in his arms, Gabriel closed his eyes, feeling like the luckiest man alive. He listened to her steady breathing, feeling her soft curves against his skin. He buried his face in her hair, smelling her feminine perfume. He whispered, “I love you… I always will.”

*****

The next morning, Brooke sat at the breakfast table, a mug of steaming coffee cradled in her hands. The aroma filled the kitchen, mingling with the scent of fresh toast and scrambled eggs. Gabriel placed a plate in front of her, his fingers brushing against hers as he handed her a fork. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, a reminder of the intimacy they had shared the night before.

As they ate, Brooke couldn’t help but feel a deep connection to Gabriel. Through the chaos of the past few days, he’d been a constant source of support and protection. She glanced up at him, admiring the way the morning light played across his chiseled features.

“I have something for you to wear,” Gabriel said, reaching into his pocket to pull out a small black box and place it on the table between them. “It’s a tracking device. I want you to keep this on. That way, if anything happens, I’ll be able to find you.”

Brooke reached for the box. Inside lay a delicate bracelet, its sleek black band gleaming in the sunlight. She picked it up, marveling at the way it felt cool and smooth against her skin. It looked like a bracelet, so no one would suspect its real use. She knew that Gabriel would do anything to keep her safe, and the bracelet was a tangible reminder of that promise.

“Thank you,” she said, and slipped it onto her wrist. Her mind wandered as she sipped her coffee, her thoughts of Meg’s disappearance. A week had passed since the abduction, and the weight of uncertainty hung heavy on her shoulders. She couldn’t imagine the horrors her friend might be enduring, trapped in the clutches of her captors.

Gabriel’s presence had been a beacon of light amidst the darkness, his unwavering support and protection a comfort she clung to. Yet even as her heart yearned to be with him, to explore the depths of their growing connection, the specter of danger loomed over them.

Meeting Gabriel had changed her life in ways she never could have imagined. Amid chaos and uncertainty, he had become her rock, her anchor in the storm. She couldn’t help but dream of the future they might have together, of lazy mornings spent in each other’s arms and nights filled with passion and laughter.

But first, she had to navigate the treacherous waters of the present and bring Meg home safely. She closed her eyes, sending a silent prayer to the universe. Please, let Meg be okay. Let us find her before it’s too late.

When she opened them again, Gabriel was watching her. He reached across the table and took her hand. “We’ll find her,” he said, “no matter what it takes.”

Brooke tried to draw strength from his words, but her gut told her the worst may be yet to come.