by Lynn Hagen
He gave me time to compose myself, which I was grateful for.
“Oh my god!”
I turned at Fitch’s alarmed tone. Behind me stood an elderly man wearing nothing but a foil hat and a toothy smile.
I never wanted to see saggy testicles and dick again in my life. I was now scarred from it.
“Mom!” Fitch shouted. “Come get your brother, please!”
“I was thirsty.” The elderly man appeared boyish as he looked around the room as though he’d done something wrong. I kept my gaze at eye level, noticing thick patches of white hair in his ears and how bushy his eyebrows were. That was all I cared to notice.
“Come on, Glen.” Lucille coaxed him from the room. “I’ll get you some tea as soon as you get dressed.”
“I’m so sorry,” Fitch said. “My uncle—”
“Is a sweet man,” I said. “And clearly fond of nature.”
We stared at each other then burst out laughing. I’d needed that deep laugh. My mood felt brighter just by being with Fitch.
“What’s all the commotion?” An older gentleman hobbled into the room on a cane. “Fitch, is this your lawyer friend?”
I stuck my hand out. “Gabriel Rothe, sir.”
“Strong grip.” He nodded. “I’m Clyde Oliver. Retired Air Force pilot. My Lucille was a high school English teacher, and her brother was in the Marines. Hasn’t been right in the head since he returned home.”
And I’d pulled their son into my bloody, chaotic world.
“Noble professions,” I said.
“I guess yours is, too.” Clyde looked me over. “Unless you’re a wolf like Fitch says you are.”
My gaze snapped to Fitch. Had he really outed my kind? My anger began to mount until Fitch spoke in bullet-fast words.
“Uncle Glen said lawyers were sharks.” Fitch tripped over his words. “I just said they were wolves.” He looked at me and gave a nervous laugh. “What exactly do you do, Gabe? I mean, what kind of lawyer are you?”
“Corporate,” I said dryly.
“We can’t all be perfect,” Clyde said. “How about a beer instead of that kid drink?”
Clyde hobbled to the fridge as Fitch mouthed, “I didn’t tell them anything. I swear!”
I mouthed back, “Have dinner with me and I’ll forgive you for even hinting at it to them.”
Clyde wobbled as he turned to hand me a cold can of beer. I held my hand out, not to take the can but to catch him if he toppled over. But I did take the beer, although I didn’t care for the taste of it.
“Thank you, sir.”
Clyde looked at Fitch. “He’s got manners. I like him already, even if he is a corporate bloodsucking lawyer.”
And here I’d been proud of my profession and the grueling work I’d put in to becoming a top-notch attorney. “You’re too kind, Mr. Oliver.”
Fitch palmed his face and shook his head. “Are you done insulting Gabe, Dad?”
Clyde gave a good-natured chuckle, and then he tapped his temple. “It takes a minute for my motor to get running, but give me a minute and I’ll come up with more material. At least he doesn’t work for the government. That’s a plus.”
Fuck. I was in love with this quirky family, even though Fitch looked completely embarrassed. There was nothing to be embarrassed about.
“Enjoy your beer, sir.”
Clyde grumbled as he hobbled away.
“Again, I’m sorry,” Fitch said.
I handed him the beer, and Fitch put it back in the fridge. I grabbed my cup from the counter and took a sip of the Kool-Aid. Goddamn was it sweet. It tasted like a pound of sugar had been added.
“Again, there’s no need to apologize. I think I want to be adopted.”
Fitch wrinkled his nose. “Not gonna happen. That would mean I slept with my stepbrother.”
I nearly spit my drink out. “Fine. Unofficially adopted. And who in the hell made this? I need to see my dentist. I feel cavities forming.”
Fitch smiled. “I think Uncle Glen made it.”
“Keep him out of the kitchen.” I set my cup down, afraid it would get up and walk off with as much sugar as it had. “So, dinner?”
Fitch sighed. “I still don’t think this will work, but as you can see, I don’t turn down food.”
I hadn’t the first clue what he was talking about. “What does that mean?”
“My weight.” Fitch waved at his stomach.
“What’re you talking about?” I asked. “You’re perfect.”
“If you don’t keep him, I will,” Lucille hollered from somewhere close by. “I told you that you were perfect, Fitch.”
I fought my smile, but it won.
Fitch rolled his eyes. “Let’s get out of here before you have to pay for my funeral. I’m about to die from embarrassment.”
Or from my driving.
Chapter Nine
Fitch…
I had no freaking idea where we were going. We’d left the city limits behind and were driving toward the more rural area as Gabe spoke into his phone. “Yes, Chicago.” He paused. “Not long. I have to meet with a client and kiss his ass.”
I tuned him out while he talked business and wondered if we could really make things work. What he’d proposed sounded good in theory, but I wasn’t sure he could keep me isolated from that part of his life. I was a no-frills kind of guy, and Gabe was obviously used to the finer things in life, even if he’d come from a poor background.
My eyes widened when Gabe pulled into an airstrip. What the hell was going on? I was confused as hell as Gabe hung up from his call and parked the car by a large hangar. “Um, are you leaving on your trip now?”
How the hell was I supposed to get home, and what happened to our dinner date?
“Yep.” Gabe tucked the keys under the floor mat. “And you’re coming with me.”
“I’m what?” I looked at the small plane as my pulse began to rise. “I’m not going with you. I’ve never been on a plane in my life. I don’t have a passport and no luggage.”
You had to have that kind of stuff to fly, right?
“We don’t need a passport, and you don’t need luggage, Fitch. I have to meet with a client and apologize for my rude behavior, and afterward, we can get some pizza. You haven’t lived until you’ve had pizza in Chicago.”
“Okay, fine. I’ll tell you the truth.” Fitch took a deep and cleansing breath. “I’m terrified of heights. There’s no way you’re getting me on that plane.”
“It’s the company jet, and it’s so comfortable that you won’t even know you’re in the air.” Gabe circled the car and tried to open my door, but I locked it.
“I’m not getting out,” I said through the window. “I’ll just wait right here until you get back. Or better yet, order me an Uber or Lyft. I’m not picky, but you’ll have to pay for it, because it’s only befitting since you brought me out here in the first place.”
Gabe folded his arms. “You’re being unreasonable, Fitch.”
“I’m being perfectly reasonable. Besides, I’ve never been out of Ridgeview. What if we get a flat? How will I get home then?”
I was trying to think of any and all reasons why I wasn’t getting on that jet. It was a tin can in the sky that could drop due to many, many malfunctions. If a car had trouble, you were just stranded on the side of the road. If a jet had trouble, kiss your ass good-bye.
“What will it take to get your ass out of the car?”
“Being in my driveway,” I said.
Gabe walked to the driver’s side, and I tried to lean over and close the door before he got there, but Gabe was quick as hell and stopped me. He leaned in and took the keys from under the mat. Then he closed the driver’s door, came back to my side, and hit the fob.
The locks disengaged.
I fumbled to lock the door again, but Gabe was still fast as lightning. He swung the door open. “Can we stop this?”
“I’m not getting out.” I pointed to my seat belt, which was firmly i
n place. “If you force me, that’s kidnapping.”
“How about we fly to Italy for some pasta?” One of Gabe’s brows arched.
God, the man was good at negotiating. I was seconds away from giving in. Tell me you wouldn’t have jumped at the chance to fly to Italy for free? “How about we drive to my house for my mom’s meatloaf?”
Gabe unfastened his suit jacket and hunkered down in front of me. “Babe, I promise nothing is going to happen to you, except having a good time.”
“You can’t promise that,” I said. “I mean about nothing happening to me. You can’t guarantee a safe flight.”
Gabe leaned in and kissed me, and I stupidly fell for it as he unsnapped my seat belt. He leaned back and took my hand, easing me from the car. “You can sit in my lap the entire time.”
“No, I’ll be buckled in the entire time.” I groaned. “I mean I’m not going, so forget about it.”
Gabe chuckled. “Nope. You just agreed to be in a seat the entire time. Now come on. Let’s go have some fun.”
I couldn’t believe I was doing this. I was actually letting him lead me to the stairs of the jet. “Fair warning. Side effects of my fear include pissing myself at takeoff, sobbing like a baby, and begging the pilot to drop me off at the nearest runway.”
He cupped my face, and I swooned at his touch. I really had been miserable after breaking up with him. If one could call it a breakup. “You’ll do fine, sweetheart. You’re the bravest guy I know.”
“Ha!” I stopped at the stairs. “You don’t know me very well.”
“Something I plan on changing.” Gabe stepped behind me and placed his hands on my hips. “One step at a time and remember to breathe.”
“You’re getting too much enjoyment out of this.” I closed my eyes, exhaled, and took my first step to my ultimate death. The next thing I knew I was inside a luxurious jet. A freaking jet! My body wasn’t sure if it wanted to be super excited or terrified as I sat on a leather seat so soft that I could’ve melted right into it.
There were tables and chairs on one side and some soft barrel chairs and a couch on the other. There was even a television mounted on the wall and a phone on the armrest of the barrel chairs. Everything was wood and tan trim with gold accents.
“Would you care for something to drink?” Gabe went to a wall and slid a panel back, revealing a bar. “We usually have a flight attendant on our flights, but I requested we be alone.”
Thank god because I didn’t want anyone other than Gabe witnessing my meltdown.
The pilot came on the speaker and made a few announcements, telling us the weather in Chicago would be a balmy eighty degrees, how long the flight would be, and he was ready for takeoff.
My heart jumped to my throat as I struggled to get my seat belt on. I gripped the armrest, digging my nails into the leather, and clenched my teeth.
“We haven’t even taxied the runway,” Gabe said. “Relax, hon.”
I closed my eyes. “I’ll relax when we’re safely on the ground.”
How had my father done this for a living? He’d had his accident right when I was born, so I’d never flown with him. Not that I’d wanted to, and I wasn’t even sure if I would have been allowed.
Gabe pulled me from my seat, and we moved to the couch and put on our seat belts. “I’m going to make you love this.”
“I’m dead certain that’s not happening.”
He kissed me, and fuck, I was once again lost to him. I parted my lips, sucking in his tongue, pressing my hands into his chest until he broke us apart.
“Look.” He held me in his arms as the jet left the ground. I hadn’t even felt the jet move down the runway. The ride had been so smooth. Now I held on to Gabe for dear life as we ascended higher and higher.
I had to admit the panoramic vista was breathtaking. I not only saw Ridgeview but the rural area surrounding the town at a bird’s-eye view. I had no idea so many farms existed in our area.
“I told you.” Gabe kissed my cheek. “I knew you could do it.”
I had, and now I was excited for our adventure.
* * * *
I was exhausted as we left the jet and slipped into Gabe’s car. The trip had been amazing, and I couldn’t stop smiling, though I was fighting sleep.
“I should’ve taken the trip to Italy.” I yawned as I snapped my seat belt into place.
“You didn’t like Chicago?” Gabe started the car and pulled away, pointing the nose of the car toward Ridgeview. It was dark out, which only made me sleepier.
“I loved it.” Even though we hadn’t planned on staying the night, Gabe still checked us into a hotel so I’d have somewhere to stay while he attended his meeting. After that, it had been a whirlwind of sightseeing and stuffing our faces.
I’d never been so full in my life, or so happy. Not only had I finally gotten to see someplace other than my hometown but I had gotten to spend my time with Gabe, who had been an amazing sightseeing partner.
We’d also used the room to have incredible sex before we had checked out. I was starting to think that dating Gabe might actually work. Not because of the luxurious jet or the trip where Gabe had paid for everything but because I felt as though I was on a natural high when I was around him.
The entire day he kept sneaking quick kisses or touched me in some way, as if he had to have contact with me, and god, his smile just lit up my heart.
“I was talking about how I got onto the jet when it was time to go home.” I grinned at him. “You didn’t even have to trick me or kidnap me.”
Gabe gave a soft chuckle. “But you still clawed the arms off the couch at takeoff.”
“Baby steps,” I said. “I’m getting there. Before you know it, I’ll be flying like a pro.” I thought about what I said and glanced at Gabe. “I mean not that you’ve invited me to go other places with you. I was just saying—”
“Relax.” Gabe took my hand and gave it a light squeeze. “I knew what you meant. Besides, I wouldn’t mind taking you on more business trips. You make them exciting instead of boring and mundane.”
“I do?” A few times I’d made a comment about having to walk everywhere. I wasn’t used to the exercise, and Gabe had been patient with me, finding us somewhere to sit down and rest before we moved on. I’d thought for sure he’d scratched me off his list of people to take with him when he had to go out of town, no matter how much fun we’d had.
“I had a really good time with you, Fitch.” Gabe lifted my hand and pressed his lips against my knuckles. “I would be happy to take you on another trip.”
See. That was why I was falling for him. Gabe was an amazing guy I couldn’t resist. That was also why I was slowly convincing myself we could work.
“Fucking idiot.” Gabe looked into the rearview mirror. “Turn your damn high beams off.”
I had noticed how much brighter the inside of our car had gotten. I looked at my side mirror and squinted. “He or she is probably one of those people who think putting their brights on will make you go faster.”
“I’m already going ten miles over the posted speed limit,” Gabe snarled. “I’m gonna slow down and force him to go around us.”
“Just don’t get into it with whoever it is.”
“I’m not that big of a jerk.” The car began to slow, but the driver behind us slowed, too. I started to think the person might’ve been one of Gabe’s enemies until the driver sped up, crossed the yellow line into the opposite lane, then sped around us.
The elderly man swerved as he flipped us off.
I burst out laughing. “Grandpa just gave you the bird.”
“At least he didn’t crash while doing it.” Gabe grinned. “I’ve never been given the middle finger by a senior.”
I snorted. “Stick around my family long enough and Uncle Glen will happily flip you off. Maybe even my dad. You are a lawyer, after all.”
“I really like your family.”
The way Gabe spoke, as though he might have been talking to himself,
touched me. I wanted to ask about his father, to find out what was so complicated, but there was a comfortable silence between us now, and I didn’t want to ruin that, or the fun we’d had today.
I wanted our day to end on a light note.
“I’ll be busy all day tomorrow,” Gabe said as we entered the city limits. “But I would love if you had dinner with me afterward and maybe spend the night.”
I had been dozing and yawned as I considered his request. “I’ll have to check my work schedule. The new one comes out tomorrow.”
“Just let me know.” He kissed my knuckles again. “Don’t make me stalk you in the produce section.”
I smiled at the image of Gabe, in his fancy suit and as tall as he was, squeezing melons while chatting with the elderly women who shopped there.
“I’m a cashier,” I reminded him. “Unless you’re going to get in line a million times so we can hang out, your plan isn’t going to work.”
“My plans always work.”
I started to make a snarky reply when our car was hit so hard that the impact jarred me. The car spun in a circle, glass flying everywhere, my head slamming against something hard. I vaguely heard Gabe shouting as he reached for me.
Something wet and warm trickled down my scalp as pain exploded on my right side.
“Fitch! Talk to me, Fitch. Are you hurt?”
That was the last thing I heard before I passed out.
Chapter Ten
Gabe…
I had no idea if this had been an accident or an attack. I was still trying to get my bearings, but I didn’t have the luxury of waiting for any kind of help to arrive.
Not if this was an attack. I had to think fast.
My guns. My beloved guns. I had an extensive collection and never went anywhere without at least two on me. I’d left them in the car when I’d taken my flight. I always kept weapons in the glove box, even when Andrew was driving.
Now I reached for them, pulling out my Desert Eagles and climbing out the window of the driver’s side, because the door had been jammed so badly that it wouldn’t open.
My left side felt as though it were on fire, but I pushed the pain down, gritting my teeth as I staggered toward the car that had struck us. When I looked inside, the driver’s seat was empty. I wiped at my brow then saw blood when I looked at the back of my hand. My head was bleeding.