Freeing Her (A Hart Brothers Novel Book 1)

by A. M. Hargrove

  Gabby left that night and went home. Sam dropped her off and she was in a terrible mood. Her head pounded and her belly ached. She rode the elevator up to her apartment, and tried to piece back what she’d eaten that day. Maybe she was coming down with something. She just felt off.

  She unlocked her door and it wasn’t hard to notice that someone had been in her apartment. The couch cushions were pulled off and everything was in disarray. She opened the door to the hallway and called out to Max, her bodyguard.

  “Max, someone’s been in here!”

  “Dr. M., stay out here, please. Let me check to see if it’s safe.”

  Max went inside to check things out while Gabby waited in the hall. She peeked inside, but couldn’t see anything. As she stood with her back to the hall, she never heard the door to the stairwell open.

  “You’re looking as sweet as ever, precious.” Danny was standing right behind her.

  Gabby didn’t move but opened her mouth and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

  Max came running into the hall and Gabby kept screaming.

  “Dr. M.! What happened?”

  Gabby, violently shuddering, gripped Max’s arm and tried to speak.

  “D-d-d-d ....”

  Max took out his phone and called Case. “You need to get over here, sir. Something’s happened.”

  # # #

  When case arrived, Gabby was sitting on a chair and she was gray.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “I can barely get a word out of her, sir,” Max said.

  “Gabby, what happened?”

  “D-d-danny.”

  “What about him?”

  “Here.”

  Case looked at Max.

  “When I brought her home, she called out to me in the hall and said someone had been in here. I went inside to check and then I heard her screaming. I couldn’t get her to stop.”

  Case took a hold of her hands. “Talk to me, Gabs. I can’t help if I don’t know what happened.”

  “I h-h-heard him. In the h-h-hall.”

  “Fuck. Does she have anything to drink in here?” Case asked Max.

  “No. Nothing,” Gabby answered.

  “I’m gonna call Kolson.”

  “No!”

  Case blew out his breath. “Gabby, tell me everything then.”

  She took several deep breaths.

  “Gabs, it’s me. I won’t let anything happen to you. You got that?”

  She nodded. “Max was inside and I was trying to see what was going on, and I heard this voice right behind me say, ‘You’re looking sweet as ever, precious.’ That’s when I started screaming. It was him. I’d know his voice anywhere.”

  “He must’ve been waiting for you to come home. I have to call Kolson.”

  “Please don’t,” Gabby begged.

  Case still held her hands. “I wish you two would fix your shit because right now I’m in a bad place. He’s calling me every hour checking on you and when I tell him about this, ‘cause you know I’m not gonna lie, he’s gonna blow a gasket. Babe, I love you but this is driving me nuts. And I know how upset you are. You need someone to stay with tonight.”

  “You.”

  Case looked around. He knew what his answer would be and so did she. He could never leave her in the state she was in and Kolson wouldn’t trust just anyone with her. Hell, neither did he.

  “Max, stay here until I get back. Do not leave for anything. You got that. I gotta run home to pick up a few things but I’ll be back as quick as I can.”

  “No problem, sir.”

  # # #

  Five days … it had been five days and he hadn’t heard a word from her. He’d talked to Case yesterday and was worried about her. That text from Danny wasn’t a good sign. But after what Danny did yesterday, Kolson had to see Gabby. When Case called him this morning, he’d barely kept it together. All he could think about is what would’ve happened if Max hadn’t been there. He’d immediately texted her countless times but still received no response. At eleven thirty in the morning, he had Sam drive him to her office. The receptionist greeted him and he said he wanted to see her. She told Kolson that Gabby was with patients.

  “When will she be free?”

  The receptionist checked the schedule and said, “Not for another thirty minutes, sir.”

  “Is she open for lunch?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir, she’s open for at least an hour. Her afternoon patients don’t start until one thirty.”

  “Thank you. I’ll wait.” He took a seat and stared straight ahead.

  Thirty minutes later, Gabby escorted her patient to the waiting area and saw him sitting there. She said goodbye to her patient and could only stare at Kolson. “What are you doing here?” Her greeting was less than welcoming.

  “I came to take you to lunch since you won’t answer my texts. I had to see how you were after what happened yesterday.”

  “Well, as you can see, I’m fine. But I can’t do lunch. I’m busy.”

  “No. You’re free until one thirty. I checked.”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “That’s fine. You can watch me eat.”

  “Kolson, I …”

  In a steely voice, he said, “Gabriella, we need to talk. Now stop avoiding this. You could’ve been ... We’re going to lunch.” He clamped his hand around her elbow and guided her out the door.

  They got into the waiting car and she uttered not one word, not even to Sam. When they arrived at the restaurant, Kolson got out and extended his hand to assist her, but she ignored him. “Gabriella, please.” She brushed past him and walked inside. He had no choice but to follow.

  When the host spied him, he smiled. “Mr. Hart, follow me, sir.” He took them to a private alcove, where a table for two was set. Crisp white linens, silver, and crystal completed the setting.

  “May I serve you water?”

  “Please,” Kolson replied.

  “Still or sparkling?”

  He glanced at Gabby and she said, “Sparkling, please.”

  “I’ll have the same, please.”

  “Coming right up, sir.”

  Kolson reached for Gabby’s hand, but she moved to pull it away. However, he was too quick. “Please, Gabriella, when Case told me what happened yesterday. This is killing me.”

  “You’ve already killed me, Kolson. It’s painful, isn’t it? It hurts when the one you love makes you feel that way, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes, damn it. It does.” He bowed his head for a moment, and the waiter returned with water and menus.

  “Our lunch special today is fresh Coho salmon, grilled on a cedar plank, served with quinoa and fresh grilled asparagus.”

  Kolson quickly replied, “Excellent. We’ll have that.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  When he left, Gabby looked at him. “What if I don’t want salmon?”

  “Are you intentionally trying to be difficult?”

  She winced at the phrase he used to describe her. “Please don’t ever use that term to characterize me. You of all people should know what a low blow that is.”

  Kolson felt like he’d just murdered his favorite pet. “Oh, God, Gabriella. I wasn’t thinking. Seems I’m the fucking idiot who keeps putting his goddamn foot in his mouth.” Then he took a long, deep breath. He tilted his head back and then leaned forward. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been more sensitive. The truth is I miss you terribly and I’ve been worried sick about you. I love you and I can’t stand this … what’s going on between us. I fucked up. Unbelievably so. I was wrong and if I could turn back time, I would do things differently. But I can’t. So I’m begging you, Gabriella, to please forgive me. You didn’t betray me at all. It was my foolish mind that betrayed me.”

  “Kolson, why can’t you trust me?”

  “I do. I do trust you.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Yes, it’s myself I don’t trust. There’s so much you don’t know. But know this. There’s not
anything on this Earth that I wouldn’t do for you. And in time, I’ll tell you everything. And when I do, perhaps you’ll understand.”

  “Please forgive me if I don’t jump up down and say, ‘Oh yeah, let’s go back to the way things were.’” His crestfallen look made her instantly regret her snarkiness.

  “I understand. Can we at least talk?”

  She bowed her head. Talking to her lap, she said, “We can talk. For now. Nothing more.”

  “Gabriella, I’ll take whatever crumbs you’re willing to toss my way. If it’s only talking, then so be it.”

  “And please don’t bully the receptionist.”

  “Bully? You think I bullied her?”

  “Maybe bully isn’t the right word. I’m sure you charmed her to death as only you can do.”

  He sighed. “I only asked her when you were free and she checked your schedule.”

  Gabriella finally looked up at him. “Hmm. I need to talk to her, then.”

  He smiled. “You’re beautiful when you’re angry.”

  “I hate being angry.”

  He lifted her hand and inspected her fingers. “Have you had these checked out?”

  “No.”

  “Gabriella,” he huffed. “If they don’t heal properly, the bones may grow together crooked.”

  “Kolson, I’m not stupid.” Disdain painted her features.

  “I didn’t mean to imply you were. I’m only concerned for you.”

  “They’re not broken. I can move them just fine. They’re only sore now. I’m sorry. I’m tired and I’m taking it out on you. Yesterday was a bit of a strain on me.”

  “Will you please stay with me tonight? I don’t want you staying alone. You can sleep in the guestroom. Or with me. But it doesn’t have to be anything more than sleep. I miss you and want to hold you in my arms. Please say yes.”

  She wanted to melt into him because the truth was she felt the same way. “Oh God, Kolson.”

  “Please. Don’t think, kea. Just say yes.”

  “I’m moonlighting at the clinic until ten tonight.”

  “I’ll go with you and bring you home. Please say yes.”

  “Let me think about it. I’ll call you this afternoon.”

  Their food arrived and they ate in silence. She eyed him warily and he eyed her with hope.

  At four forty-five, Gabby texted Kolson one word: Yes. Kolson grinned larger and longer than he could remember doing in his life.

  He knocked on her door at six thirty and escorted her to the waiting car. And he sat in her office in the clinic, waiting for her while she worked. At ten fifteen, they rode home, and she recounted her evening to him. He smiled to himself as she told him about her various patients. When they got on the elevator, he asked, “Well?”

  “The yes meant for tonight as well.”

  It took all his strength not to lunge at her. But he didn’t. Instead, he beamed and gripped the rail in the elevator until his knuckles turned white.

  “I’ll spoil you tonight, kea. Would you like a long bath?”

  “You know, I’d really just like to go to sleep. I’m wiped out.”

  “As you wish.”

  She went to her room and put on her favorite Snoopy pajamas. When she joined him, he raised one brow but didn’t utter a word. He only lifted the sheets so she could climb into bed. Then he pulled her to him and rubbed her back and neck, massaging it in tiny circles, getting the kinks out.

  “Mmm, that feels so nice.”

  “Glad you like it. Now sleep, kea.”

  “I’ve missed you so much, Kolson.”

  “I’ve missed you too. Tell me what to do to make it right. I’ll do whatever I can, I swear I will.”

  She lifted herself up and looked at him. “Just love me enough to trust me and know that you hold my heart in the palm of your hand. As much as I’d like to think it’s made of steel, it’s not. It’s fragile and can easily be shattered.”

  “Oh fuck, Gabriella.” She found herself on top of him faster than she could register and his mouth lightly touched hers. “You’re mine, heart and soul. I love you more than my life. Your heart is safe with me. I know you don’t believe me right now, but it is, and I’ll find a way to prove it to you.” His lips whispered over hers, back and forth as his hands plunged into her hair. “I’ve never been so miserable, so bereft, as I have without you these past few days. I don’t want to move through time like that again. I didn’t know it could be so dismal.”

  “Neither did I.” She rested her cheek on his rough stubble and slid the back of her hand across the other side of his face. He trapped her hand and brought it to his lips.

  “Jesus, I hate myself for doing this.” The white tape glared at him.

  “It was an accident—I didn’t know you would hit it so hard. It was partially my fault for being so stupid. And look at your own hands.” She was referring to the still-healing bruises and raw spots from his bout with the bag.

  “That was my stupidity for not using gloves.”

  “Lessons learned for both of us.”

  “Sleep, beautiful. It’s been a long day for you.”

  It didn’t take any more coaxing from him for her to drift off. He fell swiftly to sleep as well, relieved of the insomnia that had robbed his last few nights.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  The following Friday at work, Gabby had visitors. At the end of the day, Kolson was supposed to meet her and they were to go out for drinks. At four thirty he left a text and said he would be late. Something had come up at work. She finished with her last patient and went to the reception area where she was met by Case, Sky, and Cara.

  “Oh my God!” Case told her Kolson had arranged for a little girl time for Gabby. They would be driven to their favorite place for cocktails, escorted, of course, and then on to dinner.

  Cara suggested starting with a martini bar where the working crowd hung in SoHo.

  “Just don’t give me any Sugar Tits tonight,” Gabby said as they walked inside. The girls laughed. “That was the worst hangover ever.”

  Cara ordered them a round of cosmos and they got an intimate table where they could chat.

  “This is so much easier than answering my exploding phone from all the texts like last week,” Gabby said.

  “What did you expect?” Sky asked. “After Case told Ryder what happened and how he had to spend the night at your place we were freaking.”

  “I know. And I’m glad I have peeps that care so much about me. Thanks guys. It was a crazy week, let me tell you.”

  “So ... you and Kolson Hart ... together together. Like strong. And for a while now. What’s he like?” Sky asked.

  “Sexy,” Gabby smiled.

  “We know that! Tell us the juicy details.”

  “He’s good. Really good.”

  “Yeah? How so?” Cara asked.

  Gabby looked at them and shook her head. “Oh no. You two have been around the block too many times for me to even begin that competition.”

  “Tell us this. Does he like any kink?”

  Gabby heated up like a small inferno.

  “Uh-oh! I think we hit on something here, Sky. Look at those cheeks.”

  “Come on, Gabs. Give us a little something.”

  “No way! Besides, he’s not kinky.”

  “Yes, he is. Maybe just a little. At least give us a clue. Your face wouldn’t be glowing in the dark otherwise.”

  Gabby broke out into a sweat.

  “Is that perspiration on your upper lip?” Cara asked. The girls chuckled and Cara reached over and dabbed it with a napkin.

  “Look, if it makes you feel any better, Ryder and I like a little kink. You can tell us and it will stay right here, I swear. Right, Cara?”

  Cara nodded.

  “Okay. I’ll tell you once. Then that’s it. He’s amazing. Everything sexy time with him is the very best I can possibly imagine. He fulfills my every fantasy. Knows exactly how to nibble the slut nub and he’s extremely well endowed. I
n fact, I’d have to say he’s pretty damn magnificent in that department.” Then she leaned in and whispered, “And he’s even pierced down there. How’s that?”

  “No shit? Do you love it? Does he make you come?”

  “Hell yeah. Multiple times. In each session.”

  “Do not ever let that man go. Do you hear me? Never let him go. Well, unless he eats your firstborn. Or all the ice cream in the house. Got it?” Cara advised.

  “Yes, ma’am.” They all laughed.

  After work revelers crowded the bar and they found it hard to converse over all the noise. Everyone was celebrating the end of the week and the blaring music added to the commotion.

  “What do you say we head on over to dinner after this drink?” Gabby asked.

  “I’m up for that. I’m getting hungry, too.” Sky said.

  All of a sudden, Cara burst out, “Shit, Gabs, here I always thought you had this perfect life and now I find out you’ve been suffering like the rest of us who’ve been fucked in the ass all our lives.” Cara hugged her. “Girl, I’m so sorry.”

  “Hey, stop. We all find a way to persevere. But Kolson has helped. He freed me. If it hadn’t been for him, I still would’ve been hiding.”

  Cara eyed her curiously. “You’re in love. The supreme one. Like over the top. Right?”

  “Yeah. Crazy love.”

  “Damn, girl. You went and fell in love with one hell of a dude too. The Kolson Hart.”

  Yeah, I sure did. One heck of a dude with some kind of issues. Leave it to me …

  After they finished their drink, Gabby recommended an Italian place nearby, so they decided to walk there. Ovaltine would meet them with the car and their bodyguard would walk with them.

  When they arrived, there was a thirty-minute wait for a table, so they sat at the bar and sipped wine and partook of delicious, warm bread until the host showed them to their table.

  Once seated, their lively chatting resumed as Sky filled them in on her auditions. Midsentence, Gabby glanced up and saw Danny standing at the restaurant’s entrance.

  “Oh my God. Oh fuck!

  “What’s wrong?” Sky asked, alarmed.