Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Gabby and Selena sat at a table outside the little café that was just down the street from the hospital. The air had a slight chill, but with the portal heater nearby made it feel cozy as they sipped their coffees.

Gabby was laughing as Selena recounted a funny story from her past.

“So, there I was, trying to balance a tray full of drinks while the entire crowd was chanting my name,” Selena said, laughing. “I swear, I almost turned into a human fountain.”

Gabby laughed, shaking her head. “You seem to have a knack for finding yourself in the craziest situations.”

“Isn’t that truth,” Selena muttered as she took another sip of her coffee.

Gabby noticed that Selena didn’t talk about her personal life much. The family she ever talked about was her son Sam, who was five years old. Any time that Gabby mentioned the word family, Selena always found a way to dodge the topic.

“Well, this was a great lunch,” Selena said. “Thank you again for inviting me. We should definitely do it more often.”

Gabby nodded. “Definitely. It’s nice to just take a break and just relax with friends.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Gabby looked at her watch. “What time do you have to pick Sam up from the day care?”

“In about an hour.”

“Well, I guess we better get going then.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind driving me to the auto shop? I really don’t mind taking the bus there.”

Gabby waved her off. “Of course, I don’t. I have to drive right past it.”

Selena smiled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

They both started walking toward the parking garage where Gabby parked. They were so engrossed in their conversation that Gabby hadn’t even realized that danger had been following them.

◆◆◆

Omar sat in his car. He was parked strategically so he had a clear view of the small café. He watched Gabby and Selena sitting at an outdoor table, their laughter and conversation flowing easily. The sight of Selena after six long years sent a shock through his system, a potent mix of excitement and deep-seated anger. She looked as beautiful as ever, but memories of their tumultuous past flooded back, reigniting his thirst to reclaim her.

He shifted in the seat as he felt his cock harden, as the need to run his hands over her voluptuous body dominated his thoughts. She was so sexy.

Over the last six years, he refused to tie himself to another woman because he knew one day Selena would be back in his bed.

When she disappeared, he was told by many of his close acquaintances that he needed to move on with his life. However, there was something about her that he couldn’t let go.

Even when he fucked other women in her absence, it was Selena’s face and body he imagined under him. He even often found himself fantasizing about her—her large perky breasts that he could feast on for days, or her blemish free, silky, smooth skin that he loved exploring with his hands and mouth. He had even taken her virginity.

But it wasn’t just her body he craved. It was her personality. Yes, she could be a very stubborn woman at times, but a little bit of discipline would help that. But there was an aura around her that would keep him sane. At times, just a simple touch from her could calm him. However, that night six years ago, his demons were in control, and nothing could stop him. Not even her tearful pleas to stop as his fists made contact with her body and when he dragged her to the bedroom and took her roughly, pounding into her so hard that she couldn’t walk the next morning.

He slammed his hands down onto the steering wheel. He had fucked up.

He shook his head, refocusing on the two women in his sights. Both of them were oblivious to the men who watched them.

He clenched his jaw. Selena was only meant for him. He would get Selena to forgive him and accept him back in her life. She would be his again.

His eyes narrowed as he watched Gabby and Selena get up from the table and then start walking toward the parking garage.

“What’s going on?” Tyson asked from the passenger seat. “Why are they walking together and heading towards Gabby’s car?”

Omar wondered the same thing. When he followed Gabby to the café from her condo, he hadn’t been expecting to have her meet Selena, who had already arrived at the café and was waiting for her.

Then it occurred to him that maybe Gabby was giving her a ride home or something. If that were the case then it throws a wrench into the plan. And that was unacceptable because he had to get Gabby. Ramon was already waiting at an air strip not too far.

Fuck!

Her presence threw everything off. He never wanted her involved, never wanted her to get hurt. He clenched his jaw, knowing he had no choice. He couldn’t back out now.

Tyson shot him a questioning glance, but Omar silently pulled out the syringe from his jacket, filled with a cocktail strong enough to knock Selena out cold. He hated to do it, but it was the only way to make sure she stayed unharmed.

“I’ll take care of Gabby. You take care of Selena,” Omar whispered harshly, pressing the syringe into Tyson’s hand. “Don’t hurt her, just knock her out and get her into your car, Understand?”

Tyson had arrived in his own vehicle that way they had two just in case. And it was a good thing.

Tyson nodded, a flicker of confusion crossing his face, but he didn’t question it. He’d do what he was told.

“Let’s go,” Omar said as he started the car and followed the women into the parking garage.

They were walking towards a Ford Bronco. Omar’s heart race, his mind focused on the plan. But his eyes kept going to Selena.

Dammit! Focus , he told himself. Gabby first, then he could have Selena.

As Gabby and Selena neared the vehicle, Omar signaled to Tyson. This was it.

They moved in fast as Omar pulled his car right in front of the two women. He and Tyson jumped out fast. He grabbed Gabby from behind, his arm locking around her throat in a tight grip. She reacted faster than he anticipated. Her elbow shot back, hitting him square in the ribs with a surprising force. She spun, breaking free of his hold, her eyes flashing with anger and determination. Omar barely had time to register her next move before she launched a fist at his face.

He blocked it, but damn—she was fast.

Gabby lunged again, and they traded blows, the sound of fists hitting flesh echoing through the garage. Omar was impressed. She wasn’t just a tough woman—she was skilled, and her movements were precise. Each hit had purpose. For a moment, he struggled to keep up with her speed, but then, he remembered something critical.

Her leg.

With a cruel glint in his eyes, Omar shifted his stance. Just as Gabby went for another strike, he lashed out with his foot, kicking hard at her injured knee. Gabby gasped, her leg buckling beneath her as she crumpled to the ground. Her head slammed into the side of a parked car, the dull thud echoing in the space.

She was dazed, struggling to stay conscious, and Omar seized the opportunity. He quickly zip-tied her wrists and ankles together, her body limp from the impact. As he tightened the bindings, he heard a commotion behind him.

He turned, and his stomach sank.

Tyson was grappling with Selena, but she was putting up a hell of a fight. She twisted and kicked, her movements frantic but determined. Tyson tried to subdue her, but she slipped out of his grasp, her eyes wide with fury. Then, in the midst of the struggle, her gaze locked onto Omar.

The shock in her eyes froze him in place.

“Omar?” she whispered, the disbelief and pain in her voice cutting through the chaos.

That single moment of recognition was all it took for Tyson to regain control. He raised his gun and, without warning, slammed the butt of it into Selena’s head. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious, her body motionless.

Rage exploded in Omar’s chest.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he shouted, storming toward Tyson, his fists trembling with fury. “I told you not to hurt her!”

Tyson looked taken back. He raised his hands in defense. “She was fighting me, man! What the hell was I supposed to do? She would’ve—”

Omar wasn’t listening. His eyes were locked on Selena and the blood trickling down the side of her face. The sight of it sent his anger spiraling out of control. He didn’t care what Tyson had to say, all he saw was red.

Without hesitation, Omar pulled out his gun, his mind blank with rage. He aimed it at Tyson, who barely had time to react before the shot rang out. A single bullet ripped through Tyson’s skull, his body collapsing to the ground in an instant, lifeless.

Omar stood there, his chest heaving. For a moment, the world seemed to go still. But then sirens filled the air. They were faint, but growing louder. Someone must have heard the commotion and called the cops.

Panic flared in Omar’s chest, but he shoved it down. He had to move, had to finish the job. Gabby lay bound at his feet, groaning as she slowly came to, but there was no time to deal with Selena. He couldn’t stay.

With a snarl, Omar grabbed Gabby by the arms, hoisting her up as if she weighed nothing, and threw her into the backseat of his car. She struggled weakly, still disoriented from the hit to her head, but the zip ties kept her from fighting back. But just to be safe, he pulled another syringe from his jacket and stuck her in the arm. Within seconds, she fell victim to the cocktail as it spread throughout her body. He slammed the door shut, his breath ragged as the sirens drew closer.

His mind screamed at him to go back for Selena, to get her out of there, but there wasn’t enough time. He cursed under his breath, furious that he had to leave her lying there, unconscious and bleeding. But he had no choice.

As Omar sped out of the garage, his tires screeching against the concrete, his hands tightened around the steering wheel. His heart pounded in his chest as he glanced at Gabby in the rearview mirror, slumped against the seat, barely conscious. He had her—but at what cost?

Leaving Selena behind was a gut-wrenching decision, but there was no turning back now. She would hate him for this. She would never forgive him. But in that moment, Omar’s mind was focused on one thing. He needed to finish what he’d started, even if it tore him apart.