“Salem, you can’t go with him. You know what he’ll do.” Deep in her gut, Gabi knew if Salem went back to the U.A.E. with Tarik, as soon as the baby was born, she’d be dead. Tarik would see to it. Make it look like an accident. Or that she’d died in childbirth. But there was no scenario where he would let Salem continue to live. She’d embarrassed him, humiliated him by running, and he’d never let such an affront stand.
Salem gave her a watery smile. “I know. I love you, Gabi.”
“This is all very touching, but we have a flight to catch. My private plane is waiting for us in Dallas. Let’s go, Salem.”
“Of course, Tarik. I just need to get—ow!” Salem doubled over, clutching her stomach. Gabi raced to her side.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…I don’t know. I’ve had twinges of pain all afternoon, but it wasn’t bad. Nothing like this.” Salem panted for breath, one hand squeezing Gabi’s tight. “It’s not time. The baby—”
“Is going to be fine, I promise.”
“What’s happening?” Tarik gestured toward Salem with the gun. “Get your things, we have to leave.”
“Idiot! Can’t you see she’s in pain? Sit down and shut up. I’ll deal with this.”
Tarik scowled, taking a step forward. “Did you tell me to shut up?”
Gabi almost laughed at the sound of incredulity in his voice. Had nobody ever told him that before?
“Tarik, use your brain. Can’t you tell Salem is in labor? She’s having the baby.”
“What? No, she cannot have the baby now. She must wait until we are back in my country. In my home. Not in this godforsaken hovel in the middle of nowhere. I forbid it.”
Gabi put her hand around Salem’s waist and guided her toward the bed. “You climb on it and get as comfortable as you can. Why didn’t you tell me you were having pains?”
“They weren’t very bad. It only started getting worse—just before he showed up.” Salem blew out a breath, her face scrunched up. “It’s not time. We need to get to a hospital.”
“No hospital.” Tarik looked around wildly, his eyes darting across every surface in the cabin. “How have you lived like this? You had everything with me. I lavished you with wealth and yet you’d rather live in this…shack?”
Gabi stuffed a pillow behind Salem’s back, propping her up higher. “Can you tell how far apart the pains are coming?” Did your water break?” She asked the questions softly, studying Salem’s face. Funny, she didn’t look like she was experiencing excruciating pain. Gabi didn’t know much about labor, other than women said it was painful.
“I don’t think my water has broken yet. Maybe it’s those Braxton-Hicks things. I read about those.”
“Braxton-Hicks contractions, right. Like false labor.”
“Gabi, I’m scared.”
“What are you saying? Why are you putting her in the bed? We need to leave now.” Tarik blanched when Salem let out an ear-curdling scream. “Make the pains stop. We must get to Dallas, to the plane.”
Gabi spun around and slammed her hands on her hips. “Salem isn’t going anywhere, you moron. She’s in labor. The baby isn’t going to wait for you to drive to Dallas or to fly halfway across the country.” Darn it, why had she left her phone on the table, right by where Tarik now stood? She needed to call for an ambulance, get Salem to the nearest hospital. Call nine-one-one. Something other than standing around, wringing her hands and dealing with a sadistic buffoon.
“Gabi,” Salem panted out her name, “help me.”
Gabi walked to the bed and took Salem’s hand. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
“I know.” Salem motioned for her to lean closer. “There is a gun in the kitchen.”
Gabi’s eyes widened at Salem’s matter-of-fact statement. “What?”
“In the kitchen, on top of the fridge. Douglas gave it to me, for my protection. From snakes.” She shot a look at Tarik. “I think he qualifies as a snake.” She grabbed her stomach and let out another pained scream. Gabi watched her closely, eyes narrowed. Something wasn’t right. It almost looked as if—no, she couldn’t—wouldn’t. Would she?
“Are you in labor?” She said it softly to keep Tarik from overhearing, tugging up the edge of the blanket over Salem’s tummy. Salem met her gaze and winked. Son of a—she was faking it! It was a smart move. Brilliant really.
“Owww! Help me, Gabi.” Salem writhed on the bed, and Gabi had to give her props. She was doing a pretty darned good job of imitating a woman in labor. But how long could they keep up the charade, especially with Tarik there, a gun in his hand? Her eyes darted toward the kitchen, straight to the refrigerator. She didn’t see a gun, but she believed Salem when she said it was there. Not something she’d lie about under the circumstances.
“Enough!” Tarik loomed over Salem’s prone body, grasping Gabi’s forearm in an agonizing grip. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. “Salem, we are leaving now! Get up and come with me.”
Salem let loose another cry, clutching at her stomach, and Tarik muttered a curse under his breath. Gabi tugged on her arm, but his hold was unbreakable. “Tarik, I can’t help Salem if you don’t let go.”
“Please, Tarik.” Salem reached out one hand toward him, and he released Gabi, taking another step toward the bed. He froze as a loud clap of thunder rattled the windows, his eyes wide. Gabi glanced toward the window, but couldn’t see anything but blackness outside. The sound of rain grew louder as the storm raged outside.
“What should I do?” Tarik looked from Gabi to Salem and back again. “This isn’t right. Nothing has been right since the moment I stepped foot into your country. It should have been simple. Get my fiancée and my son, take them back home. Instead, you have thwarted me every step of the way, you and your family and your bodyguard.” Tarik looked at Gabi, his lips twisted in a smirk. “Where is Mr. Roberts now, Gabi? He’s not doing a very good job of keeping you safe.”
“I’m not worried. He’s coming and you’re going to lose—everything.”
“Fool. If Roberts shows up, my bodyguards will deal with him.”
Aw, crap. Gabi hadn’t stopped to think Tarik wouldn’t be alone. Of course he wouldn’t. He never traveled outside his country without a contingent of guards, but between the storm and Salem’s labor, she hadn’t thought any farther than keeping Tarik from using his gun. Maybe it was time for another bluff.
“I know you don’t know much about my family, Tarik, but Boudreaus don’t take kindly to people threatening one of their own.”
“Bah, your family is in Louisiana, hundreds of miles away. They can’t help you. Roberts can’t help you. And I’m getting tired of playing this game.”
Gabi shook her head slowly, making a tutting sound. “That’s where you’re wrong, Tarik. Not all of my family is in New Orleans. Shiloh Springs is the home to the Boudreaus of Texas, and you’re on their property. This cabin, heck, this whole ranch belongs to the Boudreaus. The sheriff of the town is a Boudreau. The assistant district attorney is a Boudreau. My cousin, the FBI agent, is a Boudreau. You are neck deep in Boudreaus, and we are going to kick your sorry ass.”
“Wrong.” Gabi spun toward the door at the sound of Dylan’s voice. He stood silhouetted just inside the opening, with her cousin Rafe and a dark-haired stranger flanking him on either side. All three men held guns pointed at Tarik. Moving faster than she could blink, Tarik had his arm wrapped around her throat, his gun pointed at her temple.
“You don’t want to do that, Amir.”
“I do not want trouble with you, but I will get my son and leave the country. Put down your weapons, slowly, or I will shoot her.” Gabi winced as the barrel of the gun dug into her temple.
“Let her go or I’ll kill you.” Dylan’s voice was eerily calm, and his eyes met hers. Gabi knew he was her savior, her salvation, and he’d do everything in his power to keep her safe, even though the situation seemed dire. There was no guarantee she’d survive Tarik’s insanity. One wrong move,
one twitch and a bullet would pierce her brain.
Love you, she mouthed the words, knowing she had to say them at least once. Let him know how she felt, because this might be the only time she’d get to say them.
“I love you too, sweetheart.” Dylan’s gun never wavered, steady as a rock, pointed toward Tarik.
“I will kill her. Put down your weapons. Get out!”
“Tarik, please. Don’t hurt her.” Salem pleaded from the bed. “This is insane. I’ll come with you. We’ll go to Dallas, and fly to…” Her words trailed off and then she screamed, clutching her stomach. Tarik spun toward Salem, and the gun wavered, the barrel no longer pressed against her temple.
This was her only chance, her one shot, and she had to take it. She let her body become dead weight, relaxing every muscle, the only thing holding her upright was Tarik’s arm wrapped around her neck. He’d become distracted by Salem’s scream, and his hold loosened just long enough for her to collapse, her body slamming onto the floor.
Tarik turned around, trying to grab her again, but it was too late. She was free. He raised his gun and started to point it toward her, the look on his face filled with hate, and Gabi knew she was going to die. She closed her eyes, thankful she’d had the opportunity to tell Dylan how she felt before the end took her, and waited for the burning heat of the bullet to slam into her.
The sound of gunfire filled the cabin, and she counted four shots. Opening her eyes, she watched Tarik crumple to his knees, before hitting the floor, eyes wide open, but there wasn’t any life there anymore. He was dead.
“Gabi, sweetheart, are you okay?” Dylan’s arms wrapped around her, lifting her from the cabin’s floor. She watched Rafe head toward Tarik’s sprawled body, while the other man, the one she didn’t recognize, checked on Salem. She heard him talking to her softly, the murmuring sound registering in her subconscious, and she focused on Dylan.
“You’re here. I knew you’d come.”
“I’ll always come for you, Gabi. You’re mine, and I’ll protect you and love you until eternity and beyond. For always.”
21
Four weeks later
Gabi rolled over and snuggled up against Dylan’s side, her head in the crook of his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her, leaning forward for a kiss. “Good morning, Mr. Roberts.”
He smiled, brushing another soft kiss against her lips. “Good morning, Mrs. Roberts.”
“Think they’ll forgive us for eloping?”
He chuckled. “Might take a while, but your brothers will get over it. It’s our life together, our decision. Besides, I doubt they’d ever give their permission. You’ll always be their baby sister in their minds.”
“I know. We’ll have a big reception when we get back. Dad and Miss Willie will be back from London in a few days.” She tapped a fingertip against his chin. “He’s gonna kill you when he finds out you ran off with his baby girl.”
“I’m up for the challenge.” Dylan stretched and pointed to the window past the foot of their honeymoon bed. “We’ve been here for forty-eight hours and still haven’t stepped foot onto the beach.”
“We haven’t made it out of the room yet. Thank goodness for room service, or we’d starve to death.” Gabi’s fingertips traced an invisible pattern against his chest. “Any regrets?”
“Not a single one.”
“Me either.” She lay quite for a moment, loving the feel of being in her husband’s arms. Her husband. Who would’ve ever thought something so right could out of something so horrible? “Salem’s daughter is adorable, isn’t she?” Salem had little Chloe Gabriella Hudson a week earlier in a hospital in New Orleans, surrounded by her family and friends. A healthy miracle at seven pounds, eleven ounces, and as pretty as a dewdrop.
“Yep. Looks like she’s gonna have her momma’s red hair.”
“It’s going to take her time to get past this. You realize I have to be there for her?”
Dylan turned to face her. “Gabi, I wouldn’t try to come between you and your best friend, especially one who’s been through the kind of trauma Salem did. She’s going to need therapy, family, and friends to help her deal with everything Amir did to her. Dealing with the stress and horror of her ordeal, in addition to his death. It’s a lot. But she’s lucky she’s got you in her life.” He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “Did I tell you they dropped the charges against Jennifer Baptiste? They didn’t have enough evidence, and according to Rafe, she left the country immediately upon release. Good riddance, I say.”
“I can’t believe she was helping Tarik look for Salem. When I met her, she seemed so nice.”
“Let’s forget about Tarik and Jennifer and anything except the here and now. We’re on our honeymoon, lying in bed on the beach in Hawaii. Just you, me, the sea, and the sun. It doesn’t get any better.” Dylan ran a hand through her hair, toying with one of the curls. It was something he did all the time. He liked touching her. A hand on her shoulder, or cupping her cheek. Like he needed to reassure himself she was alive and there and the nightmare was finally over.
“Are you going to mind living in New Orleans? I know it isn’t fair to ask you, but—”
He placed a finger against her lips, stopping her words. “I loved living in Costa Rica, but I realize I’d gone there to escape from my past with Emily. My life in the military was no picnic, and starting over in another country with no ties, no memories at that time in my life was the right choice. Like moving to New Orleans with my wife is the right choice now. Did I tell you Carpenter offered me a job with Carpenter Security Services?”
“Really?” Gabi squealed. “That’s awesome! Even if it means you have to work with my brothers.”
Some of her guilt at causing upheaval in his life evaporated. She was starting a new life, facing a future filled with new adventures, and she couldn’t wait. Salem wanted Gabi to write her story, let the world know the truth about Tarik, and Gabi honestly couldn’t wait to dig into telling Salem’s ordeal. The dream of being an investigative reporter hadn’t worked out, yet, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t change career paths and help other people tell their tales. She’d use the skills she’d learned at school and use them to give a voice to those who needed one. But right now, she needed to share her life and her soul with the man at her side.
“I love you, Dylan Roberts. With all my heart.”
“Love you, too, Gabi Boudreau Roberts. Love you, too.”
A note from the Author
Dear Reader,
You didn’t think Gabi’s book would be the last you’d see of the Boudreaus, did you? There’s another whole family of rip-roaring, cowboy and sexy western alpha males headed your way in a brand new series coming soon. You met a few of the Texas Boudreau brothers in Guarding Gabi: Rafe, Chance, and Antonio, and there are many, many more Boudreaus with their own stories to tell. This time the Boudreaus are in small-town Texas, and they’re gonna stir up some Texas-sized stories that’ll hopefully keep you on the edge of your seats. Rafe’s book will be releasing in fall/winter.
Thank you again for spending time with me in Susan Stoker's Special Forces World. I had so much fun writing in this world and playing with Susan's characters, and I hope you did too. If you've enjoyed my idea of romance and intrigue in the heart of New Orleans, pick up my New Orleans Connection Series and Cajun Connection Series, filled with alpha heroes oozing with Southern charm and the strong women they love. You’ll see some familiar faces from the crossover books with Susan’s and my worlds.
And if you love contemporary romance with a comedic flair, check out my Lovin' Las Vegas series.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Kathy Ivan spent most of her life with her nose between the pages of a book. From best-selling authors to just-getting-started writers, as long as it was a good story, she devoured it and happily searched for the next romance novel. It didn't matter if the book was a paranormal romance, romantic suspe
nse, or action and adventure thrillers, sweet & spicy or sexy novella.
Visit my Amazon Author Page for more information and details for these books at
http://amzn.to/1IvBRc2
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Books By Kathy Ivan
NEW ORLEANS CONNECTION SERIES
Desperate Choices
Connor's Gamble
Relentless Pursuit
Ultimate Betrayal
Keeping Secrets
Sex, Lies and Apple Pies
Deadly Justice
Saving Sarah
Hidden Agenda
Saving Savannah
Wicked Obsession
Spies Like Us
Saving Stephanie
Fatal Intentions
LOVIN' LAS VEGAS SERIES
It Happened In Vegas
Crazy Vegas Love
Marriage, Vegas Style
A Virgin In Vegas
Vegas, Baby!
Match Made In Vegas
Yours For The Holidays
Lovin’ Las Vegas (Books 1-3 Box set)
DESTINY'S DESIRE SERIES
Second Chances
Losing Cassie
Visit my Amazon Author Page for more information and details for these books at
Guarding Gabi - Kathy Ivan Page 14