Gabe's eyes glazed with lust as Avery slithered against the pole, paraded back and forth, shedding her clothes piece by tantalizing piece. When she removed her bra and only her G-string remained, he wanted to storm onto the stage, claim her as his and cover her up. But, she would be furious if he ruined everything now. He glanced at his watch, fifteen more minutes of agony.
She removed the G-string and with a flick of her wrist, it landed in Gabe's hands. The men around him went wild and he heard one remark that she had never thrown her clothes into the audience before. Gabe grinned like the Cheshire cat as he pushed them into his pocket. They would keep for what he had planned later. Oh yeah, she would dance privately, just for him, when they got home.
His cock was so hard he wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to stand it. The music became louder and, within touching distance of him, Avery finished her routine with the splits. He felt the first droplets of cum soak his boxers.
She held her hand out and Gabe assisted her to stand. “Hurry,” he whispered. “I have plans for you and that outfit.
Two goons stepped close. “Fuck off.”
Gabe stepped back, his hands in the air. He was tempted to deck them both but at the same time he was grateful to them for protecting his girl. He winked at Avery to assure her all was okay. She left the stage and he turned to leave. He nodded at Ryan and Matt as he slipped from the club into the darkness.
****
Avery hurried to the dressing room. She knew Vince would be waiting to sneer and taunt her but she wanted it over with. Wanted to feel the safety of Gabe's arms around her.
She opened the door and stepped over the threshold. Both Vince and Marty awaited her. Her clothes were on the chair nearby and she reached for them to dress. Marty grabbed at them, she had no choice but to discuss things with them while she was naked. Their eyes raked her body making her feel dirty, degraded, but most of all scared. They both had a glint in their eyes that she had never seen before. She was terrified for her safety.
“Give me the clothes, Marty.” The quiver in her voice betrayed her show of bravery.
He sneered and shook his head.
“Go to fucking hell then,” she snapped.
The men laughed.
“What do you want?”
Vince answered. “We want to know why you're back.”
“Because, you arrogant asshole, you made sure I couldn't find any other work and I was starving to fucking death.”
Again the men laughed. A shudder raced through her body.
“It so happens; we don't believe you. You went to the cops. What did you tell them?” Marty stepped closer, menacing.
Avery backed up against the door, Marty moved closer.
“I haven't told the cops anything. You know I wouldn't go to them.”
Marty's hand shot out and slapped her cheek. Her head snapped back hitting the door, with force. Tears sprang to her eyes because of the pain.
“Liar. The men we had following you told us. We know you have been staying with a cop's family so, before we fuck that pretty little cunt of yours and kill you, tell us the truth.”
“We might even consider letting you live if you tell the truth. You can have the privilege of being our private sex slave. How about it Marty?”
“That's actually not a bad idea. Click a cunt,” he chuckled. “We click our fingers and her cunt is at our mercy.”
“I'm liking it more and more.” Vince turned on her. “Tell us you fuckin' bitch, what do they know?”
Avery sobbed. “Nothing, Vince.”
Marty slapped her again. This one connected with her jaw, she felt and heard it crunch, her head hit the door so hard she saw stars. It was no use calling for help, she knew everyone else would have left to go home.
“Leave her. Knocking her out won't help. Tell the men to take care of the cop.” Vince instructed.
“No,” Avery screamed. “Leave him alone. I'll tell you everything.”
Marty dragged her to a chair and pushed her down so hard she thought her tailbone must have cracked.
“Talk,” Vince snarled.
Avery began in a shaky voice. “The police came to me when the photos you posted of me with Tegan came to their attention. She was the daughter of an ex-Police Chief and sister of a Detective Inspector. You stuffed up Marty.”
“What do you have to do with Tegan's death?” Vince confronted Marty.
“Nothin' boss. She's talking' through her ass.”
“You're a liar, Marty. You killed her. What I don't know is why?” Avery said defiantly.
“I swear to God, Marty, if what she says is true and you killed Tegan, I'm gonna kill you. If you've brought the cops down on us because of your stupidity, you're gonna die before the night is out.”
“Boss, I didn't….” Marty whined.
Vince reddened, “Stop lying to me, fucker. I know about your little drug business and using Tegan as a courier. Is that what got her killed Marty? Did she threaten to expose your dirty little secrets?”
“How did you know about the drugs?” Marty retreated across the room.
“Do you think the rest of my men are disloyal like you? Did you really believe they wouldn't come to me?” Vince pulled a gun. “I should have realized it was you who killed Tegan. I had Joe Simms killed for no reason. How could I have been stupid enough to believe you when you told me, he was the one who had bumped her?”
Avery watched the exchange with interest. If she could get out of here, the recording device in her purse would be enough for Gabe's men to arrest both Vince and Marty. They would be put away for life. No other girls would suffer at their hands.
Vince stalked Marty. The air crackled with tension as the two men faced off. Avery used the opportunity the diversion created and slid from the chair. As the two men eyeballed each other, she moved slowly to her purse. In one quick movement, she grabbed it, flung open the door and dashed for the exit, Gabe and safety.
A gun shot rang out.
****
Gabe moved furtively back to his car. He stood behind the tree line watching for the side entrance door to open. He knew Avery would be confronted by Vince about her return and he was confident in her ability to handle him. Why then, were the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end? Why did his gut insist something was wrong? He focused his eyes on the door, willing it to open.
Ten minutes later, Avery still hadn't appeared. He was sweating, his stomach roiled. He didn't hear the man slip up behind him. Pain exploded in his skull, then darkness. He crumpled beside his car, blood oozed from his wound.
Gerry crouched down and checked the pulse at Gabe's neck. “Steady. Lucky you didn't kill him. The boss wants to question him.”
A gun shot sounded from inside the club and the men's heads jerked up. “Fucking hell. Who's shooting?” Ward asked.
Ryan and Matt hid in the trees and saw the man slipping up behind Gabe. They were powerless to stop their boss being injured but moved in rapidly. The sound of the shot from inside prevented them from being heard as they crashed through the brush.
The thugs reached down to retrieve the detective's body, Ryan spoke. “Police. Move before I tell you and I'll blow your fucking balls off.”
The menacing voice of the cop was enough for the thugs to know he would do exactly as he had threatened. They stilled with their hands in the air.
Matt moved in and while Ryan kept his gun trained on the captives, he handcuffed their hands behind their backs. He checked Gabe and called for an ambulance.
“Stand up and move over here,” Ryan instructed. The gun pointed between the two criminals never wavered.
The men obeyed and stood still while Matt patted them down. Guns, knives and unidentifiable drugs were removed and placed into Gabe's unlocked car as evidence. They would bag it and log it in when they returned the men to the police station.
Get down on your knees, sit with your backs to each other and don't move. Ryan handed Matt his gun and retrieved a length o
f rope from the trunk of Gabe's car. He bound the men together before reclaiming his firearm.
Matt removed his jacket, balled it up and placed it under Gabe's head. His breathing was labored and ragged. They needed help for him and fast. But, they also needed to get Avery out of the club safely. They watched the door like a pair of hawks waiting to swoop in on their prey.
Finally, the side door was thrown open and Avery appeared. She was naked and running toward them screaming. Minutes later, Vince burst through the doorway. The glint of his gun was seen by both officer's.
“This is not good,” Matt muttered.
Vince fired at Avery. She yelped but kept running.
“Get down, Avery,” Matt bellowed.
She hit the ground, knocking the breath from her body and, didn't move a muscle as bullets whizzed around her. Then, finally it was quiet. She lifted her head and glanced back. Vince was laid out on the ground. The two police officer's moved toward her.
While Matt checked on Vince, Ryan helped Avery to her feet. He removed his shirt, slipped the trembling girl's arms into it and fastened the buttons.
“W…w…where's Gabe?”
When Ryan didn't answer, she knew something bad had happened. Avery's blood was like iced water in her veins and her knees gave way. The officer scooped her into his arms before she could hit the ground. “He's hurt but I think he'll be okay. There's an ambulance on the way.”
Avery struggled in Ryan's arms. “Put me down. Where is he?”
Ryan lowered her to the ground and pointed to the car.
She was off in the direction he had indicated as fast as her legs would carry her. She found the man she loved on the ground. He wasn’t moving. She fell to her knees. Collapsing across his chest, she cried uncontrollably. Her hands threaded through his thick beautiful hair and she felt sticky warmth. She sat up and used the dim light to study her hands. Blood! Gabe was going to bleed to death! Her scream could have woken the dead and Ryan dashed to her side.
“He's bleeding. He's dying. Do something.” She was hysterical and Ryan had no idea how to calm her down but, he had to try. He took hold of her arms and forced her to look at him in the dim light. “Avery. Gabe is hurt but the ambulance will be here any minute. They will be able to take care of him and get him to the hospital.”
She sobbed into his bare chest. “Please don't let him die. This is all my fault.” She couldn't bear the thought of Ruby and Grant losing another child, their only child, so soon after his sister's death.
The sound of sirens pierced the night. Avery glanced up and was relieved to see numerous emergency vehicles speeding their way.
Chapter Twelve
Avery hovered close by while the ambulance men stabilized Gabe. Someone handed her a handkerchief and she patted her eyes before blowing her nose. She shook uncontrollably but whether it was sheer terror and worry about Gabe or the cold, she neither knew nor cared.
“Miss.” A Paramedic touched her arm gently.
She gazed up through tear filled eyes. “Yes.”
“We need to make sure you're okay. Can you make it over to the ambulance?”
“No, I'm not leaving him.”
“He'll be fine, miss. We're about to get him in the bus. We'll take him to the hospital and he'll be observed for a day or so.” He offered her his hand and she accepted when two other men lifted the gurney, clicked it into place and wheeled Gabe away.
Once the gurney was secured in the ambulance and Avery had been given the all clear, she climbed in. This man of hers was never getting out of her sight.
While the police secured the two asshole thugs in the back of a police wagon, the men from the local morgue dealt with Vince and Marty.
Avery glanced back at the scene. It resembled what she imagined a war zone must look like with emergency vehicles and police everywhere. The back doors of the ambulance were closed and checked.
****
Avery was sitting beside Gabe's bed when Ruby and Grant burst into the room. His mother immediately bent over her son and brushed his hair from his forehead. Tears streamed down her face. Tears filled Grant’s eyes.
“I'm so very sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Jervis. I never meant for this to happen.” Avery burst into tears.
Grant left his wife's side and gathered Avery into his arms. She sobbed until his shirt was soaked. When she finally quieted he held her at arms' length. It was then he noticed she wore only a man's shirt.
“Why are you only wearing a shirt?”
“They wouldn't give me my clothes. He had a gun. Marty was dealing drugs. I…I.. had to run. The officer gave me his shirt.” The words tumbled out along with her tears.
Grant shook his head, none of what she said made sense and at this moment it wasn't important. He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her head. He brushed away her tears with his thumbs. “Listen to me. None of this is your fault. We are grateful to you. The police officer who came to the house said there was a tape with our daughter's killers' confession or close to it. He said the asshole is dead. Our daughter's murder is solved. Her mother and I have the closure we need.”
“Listen to Dad,” Gabe croaked.
Avery pushed away from Grant and rushed to the bed. “You're awake.” She threw herself onto Gabe, peppering kisses all over his face, lips and neck.
Her naked backside was exposed for all to see.
“I think we should leave. We'll go home and get Avery some clothes and shoes.” Ruby smiled at her red faced husband.
“Good idea,” he hurriedly agreed.
Grant and Ruby had left the room without either their son or Avery noticing.
“How do you feel?” She ran her fingers over his cheek.
“Like I've been hit over the head with a sledgehammer.”
More tears formed in her eyes. “I'm so sorry.”
He hugged her to him. His hand slid down her body, grasped her butt. It was bare. She's fuckin' naked. He sat her up. “Where the fuck are your clothes? What the hell are you wearing? Did you come here dressed in only that shirt?”
“They…Vince and Marty wouldn't give me my clothes. I had to run. They were going to kill me but then changed their minds and said they’d keep me as their whore. They were shooting and Ryan gave me his shirt.”
“You had to run? Who was shooting?” Fuck, she could have been killed.
“Vince and Marty were arguing. Vince had a gun. He found out Marty was running drugs and using Tegan as his courier. He worked out it was Marty who killed your sister. He had a gun and while they were arguing, I got out of the room and ran. Vince killed Marty and chased after me. He started shooting at me. Matt told me to get down and he shot Vince.” The words tumbled over each other.
“Is he dead?”
“Yes and the assholes who hurt you have been taken to the police station.”
“I'm sorry sweetheart. I should have been there for you. I promised you, you’d be safe.”
“I am safe. It wasn’t your fault. Vince told me he’d been having me watched. He knew where I was. He knew I had spoken with the police, knew who you were. I was scared I'd never see you again and never have a chance to tell you, I love you.”
Gabe gave a strangled groan. “I should have known a piece of shit like Vince wouldn't let you walk away. I should have known he would be having you tailed. I put you in danger.” She loves me?
“It's over now. I'll never be blackmailed by anyone again. I’ll never be anyone's captive again.”
“I'm your captive,” he murmured.
Avery gave him a puzzled look.
“You have captured my heart. I love you so much, sweetheart. Do you think you’d like to be a cop’s wife?”
Avery's smile lit up the room. A warm glow emanated from her beautiful eyes. He could see the love she felt for him. He pulled her down onto him, squeezed first one butt cheek then the other. His cock surged to attention. His hand crept under her shirt to her breasts. He twisted and teased her nipples until they were hard enough to
hammer nails. Avery squirmed.
“Is that a marriage proposal?”
“Yes. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Yes, Gabe. Yes. I’d be honored to be a cop’s wife as long as the cop is you.”
He captured her lips. His tongue delved between her lips, grazed her teeth. She sighed with delight. Her pussy creamed with arousal.
She pushed at his chest. “I need air.”
Gabe chuckled. “I need you.” His eyes darted around the room. “Where are my pants?”
“In the cupboard, why? You can’t leave, the doctor’s said you have to stay for observation.”
“Just get them please.”
She hopped off the bed, pulled her shirt down over her ass and crossed to the cupboard.
When she bent forward to reach for his pants, Gabe groaned. She spun around. “Are you okay?”
“Fine. Get those pants here.”
Avery handed him the pants and smiled when he produced her G-string from his pocket. He spun it on his finger, she reached for it but he pulled it to his chest. “Mine. I have plans for these when we get home.” He stuffed them under the sheet and held out his arms for her.
She melted against him. She would willingly be his for the rest of her life.
****
Gabe held Avery close in his arms as she dozed. The waves crashed onto the shore, birds squawked, the sun shone brightly. Everything was good. He was in love, she loved him. She said yes. She said yes with no hesitation.
They had talked at length about her moving into his apartment while their house was being built. Their house, he loved the sound of that. From now on, everything in his life would revolve around them as a couple.
His mother had convinced them to stay here until he was well enough to return to work. He had been ordered not to return for three weeks. Almost one week had already passed. He would have Avery to himself for another two weeks. His cock stiffened in anticipation.
Avery's eyes fluttered open. She gazed straight into Gabe's hooded eyes. “Hi handsome, how are you feeling?”
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