by Marla Monroe
“You awake?” Gabriel asked.
“Yeah. She’s sleeping though.”
“We’ll need to wake her up in about five minutes. It will take her a little time to change clothes at her place,” Gabriel said.
“Hate that she has to work at that place. She shouldn’t have to work at all.”
“I agree,” Gabriel said.
They needed to talk once they had dropped Tammy off at work. He wasn’t sure where Gabriel stood with his feelings for her, but he knew how he felt about her. As far as he was concerned she was the one for them. Why he knew this after only a few weeks he didn’t know, but he did know that he was well on his way to falling in love with her.
Yeah, he and Gabriel had a lot of things to discuss.
“Wake her up, but don’t startle her. She’s got a knee on my fucking balls,” Gabriel said.
Baldwin chuckled. Then he cupped Tammy’s face and kissed the top of her head.
“Tammy? Hon. Wake up, darling.”
She murmured something he couldn’t understand, then shifted, and Gabriel moaned. Baldwin tried again.
“Tammy, it’s time to get up. You’ve got work this morning.”
This time her eyes fluttered open. She looked around as if taking in that she was in a different place.
“Um, morning,” she said.
“Morning, hon. You’ve got your knee on Gabriel’s balls, so move carefully,” Baldwin said with a huge grin.
“Oh! Sorry, Gabriel.” Her face turned a cute shade of pink.
“It’s all good, babe. Just move slow for me,” he said.
“I need to get dressed so I can get to work on time.” She started climbing out from under the covers toward the foot of the bed.
“We’ll get you home to change and on to work in plenty of time, babe.” Gabriel threw back the covers and stood. “I’m going to leave the bathroom in here for you, babe. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Need anything before I go dress, hon?” Baldwin asked.
“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”
She smiled, but it looked nervous. He hated that she was uncomfortable but knew he couldn’t do anything about it right then. She was already pressured about getting to work on time. He didn’t want to add to that by bringing up more shit while she was in a hurry.
Nearly an hour later, they’d dropped Tammy off at work and were on their way back home. He and Gabriel hadn’t said anything yet about her, but he could tell that Gabriel wanted to. It was early as shit for a Sunday morning. Too early to talk about serious stuff right then.
Once they’d walked into the house, Gabriel strode into the kitchen and started pulling out eggs and bacon from the fridge.
“We need to talk,” he said. “But not until we’ve eaten. I’m starved, and I need to get my thoughts together.”
That was new. Gabriel usually didn’t have to think about anything. He just barreled on in when he had something to say.
“I agree.”
Baldwin helped him fix breakfast. They ate in silence and cleaned up afterward before sitting at the now-clean table and staring at each other. Baldwin decided he’d have to be the one to start out.
“I think I’m falling in love with Tammy. Where do you stand with her, man?” he asked.
“I know I’m falling in love with her. She’s got my heart all tight inside. I hate that she’s working at that truck stop. I want to move her in with us and take care of her, but she’s not going to let us do that yet,” Gabriel said.
“One thing we can do is convince her not to help out that agent. I don’t like the idea of her sneaking around her boss’s office and getting caught when we don’t know what kind of shit he’s mixed up in,” Baldwin said.
“Agreed.”
“I don’t think she really wants to help him anyway.”
“She’s too scared of those guys. She’s not going to do anything that will put her on their radar,” Gabriel said.
“What if she’s already on their radar? She saw their faces in the lawyer’s office,” Baldwin pointed out.
“Then we have to make sure she’s safe. We keep in touch with her and get her to stay with us as much as she will until we convince her to move in with us.” Gabriel nodded.
“So, you’re on board with moving her in with us?”
“Hell yes. The sooner the better.”
“I don’t think we’ll convince her to move this soon. I don’t even think we should bring it up for a few more weeks,” Baldwin said.
I don’t want to come on too strong and scare her away. Somehow I’ve got to convince Gabriel of that though.
“I don’t want to wait a few weeks,” Gabriel said. “But. I know you’re right. She’ll balk at us wanting to move her in so soon. She won’t believe we really know that we want her in our life for more than sex at this point.”
“We have to show her that she’s special to us. Make her fall in love with us just like we’re falling for her,” Baldwin agreed.
“So, we’re in agreement. She’s the one we want as our woman to share and protect,” Gabriel said.
“Completely. Now all we have to do is convince her she can’t do without us. Both of us.”
Chapter Twelve
Tammy climbed out of her car to head in to work. Just as she turned to close the door, she saw Agent Wilson sitting in his car several car lengths down the street. She gritted her teeth. He was going to get her into trouble. She just knew it.
She ignored him and continued up the stairs into the building. She was fifteen minutes early, but she wanted to get the coffee going. She needed a cup herself. She was exhausted after working all weekend when she wasn’t used to working and especially not on her feet. Add to that her time with Baldwin and Gabriel, and she was sexed up and a little disoriented.
She liked them. Like really liked them. In fact, she was a little afraid that she was falling in love with them. They treated her like a queen and were generous lovers. She realized that she couldn’t choose between them even if she’d wanted to. She was attracted to both and cared equally for them. Where Baldwin was intense and quiet, Gabriel was more laid back and in your face with his personality. She never knew what to expect from either of them. It kept her on her toes.
They’d made sure to reiterate that she shouldn’t go snooping around her boss’s office before they’d left her at her door Sunday night. She’d assured them that she had no intention of doing anything that might get her into trouble.
She planned to keep that promise. When Mr. Bigsby walked in, she had his coffee ready just the way he liked it. She carried it into his office and set it next to his blotter. When she started to walk out of the room, he stopped her.
“Thought any more about staying?” he asked.
“No. Friday’s still my last day,” she told him.
“How about a dollar an hour raise?”
“No thanks.”
“What will it take to keep you? I haven’t found anyone to replace you,” he said.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in staying.”
Tammy hurried out of the office and returned to her desk to get to work. There was plenty to do without needing to talk to her boss. Lunch came soon enough. She wasn’t planning to go anywhere. It was too cold to leave as far as she was concerned.
“I’m going to lunch. I need you to hang around here. I’m waiting on a package from UPS and I need someone to sign for it,” Mr. Bigsby said.
“Okay. I wasn’t planning to go anywhere anyway. It’s too cold out there,” she said.
He didn’t say anything more, just walked out the door pulling on his coat. For the first time since she’d been working for Bigsby and Sessions, Tammy was uncomfortable staying there alone. As if someone was going to come slamming into the office accusing her of snooping or something. She wasn’t going to snoop. She was going to sit at her desk and eat her sandwich while she waited on the UPS guy.
At a quarter to one, the UPS man walked in wearing his brown unifo
rm and a huge coat. He pulled off his gloves and handed her the little computer tablet to sign. He handed her the package, then waved at her before hurrying outside once more.
Tammy looked at the package. It was a medium-sized box about fourteen or fifteen inches wide and maybe twenty inches long. It wasn’t very heavy for the size of the box. She shrugged and carried it into Mr. Bigsby’s office and set it on his desk. She couldn’t help but notice the papers stacked on his desk with a shipping company logo that was for Billings. She could tell that it was an invoice for several crates of things. She quickly walked out of the office and had just settled behind her desk when the door opened and her boss walked in.
“Did that package arrive?” he asked as he unbuttoned and removed his coat.
“I put it on your desk. Just got here about five minutes ago,” she told him.
“Good, good. I don’t want to be disturbed for the next hour or so. No phone calls,” he said as he walked into his office.
He closed the door and Tammy was sure she heard the lock click, as well. What was in that package, and why would he lock himself inside his office like that?
Several moments later she heard his voice. She checked the phone and noted that none of the phone lines were in use, so he had to be on his cell phone. She could hear his voice but couldn’t make out what he was saying. She wasn’t trying to listen, but with everything that was going on, she was curious.
Nearly two hours later, Mr. Bigsby walked out of his office and announced that he would be out the rest of the day.
“Lock up at five. I won’t be back today. If anyone calls, take a message and leave it on my desk,” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
She watched as he walked out carrying his briefcase, which looked to be much heavier than when he’d come in that morning. Had he transferred whatever had been in that package into it? Tammy sighed and continued working. She had no business worrying about what he had going on. Friday was her last day. She was going to have lunch with the guys the next day, and then she only had two more days until she could wash her hands of Bigsby’s foul moods and whatever he was into.
At five o’clock, Tammy carried the two messages she’d taken for him to his office and set them in the middle of his desk so he’d see them first thing. She noticed that the invoices were no longer on his desk. In fact, his desk was oddly clear. Usually he had papers all over it, never putting anything away. That in and of itself was odd.
She gathered her purse and keys, then pulled on her coat and locked the office behind her. The cold bite of air swirled under her coat to freeze her legs as she walked around the building to her car. She couldn’t help but feel as if someone was watching her. She looked around but didn’t see anyone around. After climbing into her car, Tammy quickly started it and adjusted the heater. It had to be below freezing out there. The wind didn’t help.
She kept looking in her rearview mirror all the way home. Why was she so antsy? There was no one behind her. Still, the feeling of dread followed her all the way home.
* * * *
“How are you doing, babe?” Gabriel asked.
“I’m good. Only two more days and I’m free of Bigsby and his sour disposition,” Tammy said.
“Anything else happen?” Baldwin asked.
“Not really. He got a package yesterday and locked himself in his office for a little over an hour before he left for the day. Nothing different about that I guess, except that he left his desk clear of paperwork. He never does that,” she told him.
“I didn’t think you were going to go snooping. That’s dangerous, Tammy,” Gabriel said.
“I haven’t. Believe me, I don’t want to get involved, but I had to put a couple of messages on his desk and noticed his desk was completely clean.”
“So other than that, everything going well?” Baldwin asked.
“Yes. I guess.” Tammy couldn’t help but shiver at the thought of the feeling that she’d been followed.
“You don’t sound like it is. What’s wrong?” Gabriel asked.
“It’s just that I’ve had this weird feeling that I’m being watched.” Tammy took a drink of her Diet Coke.
“Have you noticed anyone in particular?” Baldwin asked.
“Not really. It’s more of a feeling than actually seeing anyone.” Tammy remembered thinking she’d seen the two men from the office that night when she’d pulled into her parking lot.
“What? You’ve thought of something,” Gabriel said.
“One night last week I thought I saw those two men from the office following me, but I might have been mistaken,” Tammy said.
“I don’t like it,” Gabriel said.
“Neither do I.” Baldwin reached over and squeezed her hand. “Maybe we should follow you home from work for the next few days. I don’t want anything to happen to you, hon.”
“That’s not necessary. I’m sure it’s just my overactive mind. I’m ready to be done with Bigsby and Sessions. I’ll be fine,” she assured them.
The two men fussed but finally settled down, and they finished up lunch. As she walked out to her car with the guys, she looked back at the diner and noticed several people staring at them. Maybe that was all it was. People were watching her because she was dating two men. Gabriel pulled her into his arms and kissed her with the promise of more when they were alone. Baldwin pulled her from Gabriel’s arms and planted an equally passionate kiss on her lips, hugging her tight before releasing her.
“Be careful, hon. I don’t like that you’re up there alone with that asshole. Wish you were able to quit today,” Baldwin said.
“It’s only two more days, guys. Nothing is going to happen to me.”
“Get in the car before you freeze that delectable ass off, babe.” Gabriel held the car door for her once she’d unlocked her door with her key fob.
“See you soon,” Baldwin said.
“Bye, babe.” Gabriel closed the car door and slapped the roof of the car before stepping back to let her drive off.
Before she backed out of the parking spot, she noticed that all those people looking out the window were still staring in their direction. Did it bother her? Some, but really, they were going to talk about something or someone one way or another. She could handle it, she told herself.
Tammy finished out her week and her notice on Friday afternoon at three when Mr. Bigbsy told her to lock up. She gathered her purse and the few personal items she still had sitting around her desk. She strode over to her boss’s office and knocked on the door.
“What?” he demanded.
“I’m leaving. Do you have my final check ready?” she asked.
“Yes, yes. Come in.” He pulled open his drawer, jerked out an envelope, and shoved it at her. “You’re going to regret quitting. You mark my words.”
“I’m sorry it came to this, but you really need to curb your anger if you want to keep anyone in this position.” There, she’d said it. It felt good to chastise him, even though she knew it wouldn’t do any good.
“You’re just overly sensitive. I don’t have a bad temper,” he said.
Tammy just shrugged and stuffed the check into her purse before turning to walk out of the office. Just as she reached the door to leave, it opened and the two men she’d seen before strode into the office with confidence in their swagger. She nodded at them and started out the door.
One of them grabbed her wrist. “Where are you going?”
“Home. He’s in his office.” She pulled her wrist from his grip.
He looked her up and down before continuing toward Bigsby’s office. Tammy felt as if she had spiders crawling up her arm from where the man had grasped it. She swallowed and let out a breath of relief once she’d walked out of the office for the last time.
When she arrived at where she’d parked, it was to find Gabriel standing next to her car with a huge smile on his face.
“Hey, babe. How does it feel to be free of that asshole?” he asked.
“Good.
Really good. What are you doing here?”
“Came to follow you home. Baldwin is meeting us at the steak and fish house. Thought you could use a celebratory dinner out.”
“That’s so sweet of you. Thanks.”
“I’ll follow you to there.”
“Okay.”
Once Tammy had gotten into her SUV, Gabriel closed the door and patted her roof. She waited for him to get into his truck before pulling out of the parking spot to head toward the restaurant.
Gabriel held her hand as they walked into the building ten minutes later. He seemed to be reluctant to let her go even for the few minutes it took for her to run to the bathroom to wash her hands.
“Hey there, hon. You look amazing. How was your last day of work?” Baldwin asked when she’d returned to the table.
“Almost relaxing. I was antsy to get out but had enough work to keep me busy so I didn’t dwell on it too much. I can’t tell you how good it felt to walk out that door for the last time,” she told him.
“We’re glad you’re free of it, as well. Just hate that you have to work at that truck stop. It’s a hard job being on your feet for ten hours like you are,” Gabriel said.
“Something better will come open and I can quit there. It’s just a matter of time.” Tammy knew better though. She’d been looking for nearly two years now.
“No more talk about depressing things. Let’s celebrate. How about a glass of wine with your meal?” Baldwin asked.
“That sounds great,” she said.
Once the waitress had taken their orders and brought out their drinks, Tammy began to shed the worry that had followed her out the door of Bigsby and Sessions. Despite the relief she’d felt with closing that door for the last time, a sense of unease had still clung to her. She blamed it on seeing those two men again and the fact that one of them had touched her.