“That was the tricky thing.” I took a quick sip of my coffee. “I thought long and hard about it. It had to be a place Rich could never find, but where I could still get to it.”
“Right. So where is it?”
I looked at Gabe briefly. He and Paul were staring at each other. They weren’t talking, but I knew they were listening. I’d never told Gabe that Rich had security cameras in the house. He probably never thought to ask me where I hid the gun, assuming I hide it in my underwear drawer or in a shoe box in the closet like normal people.
“I had to make sure to cover my tracks since there’s a camera in the garage. So as I looked for the Gorilla glue, I found some hefty Velcro and quickly waded it up in my hand and continued looking until I found the glue.”
I paused and looked at all three. They all didn’t say anything as I continued to whisper to Brandi. “Then I went into my closet—which I’m almost positive doesn’t have a camera in it—and stuck the sticky side of a piece of the Velcro to the gun sleeve for the gun. Then I stuck it in the pocket of my black hoodie I was wearing that hid my bruises.”
“I’m following, A, but if Rich watches the camera feed, won’t he wonder why you needed the Gorilla glue?” Brandi asked, looking from me to Gabe as if to ask him if he were wondering the same thing.
“It was a coincidence really, but it gave me the idea for the Velcro. My laundry basket just happened to start cracking the same day, so I grabbed the basket, sat on the floor by the bed and glued the crack.”
“Okay, go on,” she said, gesturing for me to continue.
“While the basket was drying on the floor, I sat there as if I were waiting for it to dry while I read on my Kindle. But really, I stuck a piece of the Velcro on the underside of the wood frame on my side of the bed. I don’t think … well I hope they couldn’t see what I was doing.” I shrugged. “Anyway, I slowly grabbed the gun in the holster and stuck it on the Velcro under the bed.”
“You better hope Rich couldn’t see that,” Brandi warned.
“That was a few days ago. I’ve checked since and it’s still there. I assume he watches the camera feed daily to make sure I’m not doing anything I shouldn’t be doing.”
“All this makes me sick to my stomach,” she moaned, giving me a worried look.
I sighed. “I know.”
“Autumn,” Gabe called. I slowly turned my head, but he was looking at Paul. “I bought the same gun so you could leave that one there and still practice how to shoot.”
It took me a few seconds to realize he was talking to me and not to Paul. “You did?” I asked, looking at Brandi.
“Yeah—”
“Wait…how are you two even a thing?” Brandi asked, nudging her head toward Gabe.
“Walk with me and I’ll fill you in,” Paul said as he stood.
Brandi got up a few seconds later and walked over to where Paul stood by the merchandise. They talked for a few minutes as Gabe and I didn’t say anything. Our next meeting was going to take place in the racquetball court because I hated not being able to talk freely.
A few more days passed and Rich was spending more and more time at work—or so he’d said. If his routine was changing, so was mine.
Me: Hey! Rich isn’t home and I’m bored. Want to go get a drink?
I waited for Brandi to text me back. It didn’t take long.
Brandi: Can you?
I sighed and responded back.
Me: He can’t expect me to stay locked up in the house while he’s working. I do that enough already. One drink won’t hurt.
Brandi: All right. I’ll pick you up in twenty.
I did a little happy dance as I made my way to my bathroom to do my makeup and change into something besides my pajamas. I put on a pair of tight, boot-cut jeans, a plain black tank top I’d paired with a long silver and black necklace with large beads. Since I hadn’t been out with Brandi in what seemed like forever, I took it as a special occasion and slipped on my black Louboutins.
As I was putting my finishing touches on my makeup, Brandi texted that she was out front. I grabbed my purse and left.
“Hey!” I greeted, slipping into her car.
“I feel like we’re teenagers and you’re sneaking out of your parents’ house.” She put the car in drive and I turned around as she drove to see if anyone was following us. I didn’t see any other cars and breathed a sigh of relief.
“Kinda feels like that to me too.” I laughed.
As soon as we stopped at the stop sign down my street, I got a text from Rich.
Rich: Where are you going?
I rolled my eyes and responded.
Me: Out with Brandi.
Rich: To where?
“Rich is texting me. He knows I left,” I grumbled.
“How?”
“I’m assuming from the cameras in my house.”
Me: To have a drink. You’re not home and we wanted to have a girl’s night.
“Does he watch those twenty-four-seven or something?” she asked, scrunching her eyebrows.
I groaned. “Probably.”
Rich: The mayor’s wife is NOT to be seen whoring it up in a club!
Mayor’s wife? He hadn’t even announced he was going to run and no one would know who I was.
“Look what he just texted me.” I read her the text.
Grunting she said, “Whoring it up in a club? Whatever.”
Me: I’m not. It’s just a drink. I’ll see you when we both get home.
I knew I was really pressing my luck, but I was determined to show him he could trust me so I could have more leeway when it came to doing things. Then I’d be able to make my escape when he least expected it.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Blue Martini? I haven’t been there in forever.”
“Perfect.” She nodded. “It’s been a while since I’ve been there too.”
Rich: 11:00 No later!
Me: Will do. Love you!
I shuddered at my words of endearment. Of course I still loved him; he was my husband, and at one time we had something special. But with each passing day, the more he abused me, controlled me and yelled at me, the more I wanted to give my heart to someone who deserved it.
We arrived at the packed bar. There were no free seats, so we walked toward the wood bar to wait in the crowd so we could order a drink once the bartender noticed us.
I hadn’t been at a bar like this since before I met Rich. I felt as if it was my twenty-first birthday all over again. I was excited, nervous, and anxious all rolled into one. I was used to staying home, making dinner for Rich, watching TV and enjoying a quiet night—after the wrath. I wasn’t used to being in a packed bar where I was being checked out by every guy on the prowl.
Part of me wanted to hide my princess cut diamond ring and see what else was out there. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I just wanted to see what the single men looked like these days. I thought better of it though—until my gaze landed on the familiar green eyes I daydreamed about by the front door.
I grinned like a fool and he smiled back as he started walking toward us. He was dressed in jeans that hugged his hips and a button down light blue long-sleeved shirt.
“Gabe’s here,” I whispered into Brandi’s ear even though the music was loud enough in the background that Gabe wouldn’t have heard. “And Paul,” I said when I noticed he was walking with Gabe.
“I told them we would be here.”
“What? When? How?”
“Paul and I exchanged numbers the other day just in case I needed them to help you or something and we’ve been texting. We were texting when you asked me to go out, and then I mentioned we were here when we were driving here.”
“Wait … You and Paul have been—”
“Angel,” Gabe greeted with a nod.
“Hey.” I smiled. “What are you guys doing here?” As if I didn’t know.
“Paul wanted to come have a drink.”
“Did he now?” I crossed my arms over m
y chest and eyed Paul and Brandi.
“What’s that look for?” Paul chuckled.
“We have to go to the ladies’ room. Excuse us.” Brandi grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the guys before I could protest.
“What the hell is going on?”
“Nothing. It’s strictly platonic.”
“You’re married.”
“So are you,” she hissed, pushing the swinging door open to the ladies’ room.
“I’m not texting Gabe,” I corrected.
“A, calm down. Paul and I are just friends.”
“Does Todd know?” I crossed my arms over my chest waiting for her reply.
“No, but nothing is going on. I swear.”
“Just like nothing’s going on with me and Gabe,” I murmured.
She grabbed both of my shoulders in her hands and looked me straight in the eyes. “Just calm down. We’re all going to have drinks. That’s it.”
“You do know that Rich is probably tracking my phone?”
She rolled her eyes. “Let him. I’d love to see those two kick his ass.”
“You’re not the one that has to go home to hell, B.”
“If he puts a hand on you again, trust me, those two will be with me on your doorstep in a heartbeat.”
I sighed. Rich knew I was going out, but I didn’t think he’d show up. I was certain I would get in trouble when I got home for leaving the house, but I was hopeful I was wrong and my plan would work.
We walked back to the guys. Gabe smiled again when he saw us walking back to them and I noticed both guys had a drink in their hand when we got closer.
“You couldn’t get us one?” Brandi teased.
“Come on, firecracker. I’ll buy you ladies a drink.” Paul swung his arm across Brandi’s shoulders with his free arm and they both laughed while walking toward the bar.
Just friends…
“Did Paul tell you we were going to be here?” I asked Gabe, stuffing my hands in the back pocket of my jeans.
He nodded. “He did.”
“So … You came to see me?”
“I barely get any time with you because you’re always on the run. I wanted a few more hours.” He took a sip of his drink.
“In public,” I said. It was more of a reminder than a question.
“You know I couldn’t pass up the chance, angel.” He took a step forward and bent down toward my ear before he whispered, “I know it’s not time yet, but since that kiss, you’re all I think about. I’m trying not to come off too strong, but the longer you wait, the longer it will be until you know what else I can do with my mouth.”
I choked on my spit.
Literally choked on my spit.
“Gabe…”
“Mr. Green Eyes.” He winked.
My face flamed. “Oh my God, I shouldn’t have told you that!”
He bent to my ear again. “You’re just wasting precious time, angel.”
“How many drinks have you had today?” I joked.
He smiled. “This is my first one. I’m not drunk. I just know what I want.”
My eyes closed involuntary. So much of me wanted to take Gabe up on his offer. I could picture his hips swaying with mine as we danced to the beat of the music playing around us, his cock hardening against my heat. It had been too long since I was seduced, and the words coming from his lips were sending shivers down my body and straight up want for him. I wanted him—bad.
I stared up at his lips when he stepped back. He licked them, enticing me to do something. Instead, I ran my thumb across the underside of my wedding ring out of habit and it brought me back to reality.
Before I could respond, Brandi and Paul came back with our drinks. Brandi handed me a vodka cranberry and I took a sip, trying to calm my nerves. I could feel Gabe’s gaze on my face as I looked around. “I think a band is setting up,” I spoke, barely removing my lips from my straw.
“Oh yeah,” Paul agreed.
“They sometimes have live bands,” Brandi confirmed.
“What’s your favorite kind of music?” Gabe asked and I turned my head and looked up at him.
“I like a lot of stuff. Country, rock, some alternative, pop, R&B…”
“Me, too.” Gabe took a sip of his drink. “I grew up on country because my parents were from Tennessee, but when I was in the army, we’d listen to a lot of different stuff.”
“You two were in the army together right?” I pointed between him and Paul.
Paul spoke up. “Yep, all nine years. We went through basic together and everything.”
“Aw, you two have a little bromance going on,” Brandi teased.
“I love you, man.” Paul swung his arm over Gabe’s shoulder like he had with Brandi. “You’re my best friend.” He said it in a teasing way, but I knew it was true.
Gabe shrugged Paul’s arm off his shoulder and before he could speak, the band started to announce who they were.
“Good evening Vegas! I hope you enjoy the cover songs we sing and some of our originals.”
The crowd cheered and we stepped closer to the stage as people surrounded us. The female singer nodded to her piano player and she began to sing a cover of Many of Miles by Sara Bareilles. Her voice was exquisite.
“Holy shit, I love this version of this song,” Brandi said, swaying to the beat.
Before I knew it, my hips were moving to the beat as well. I looked over my shoulder to where Gabe was standing behind me and he smiled, looking down at my ass. I laughed, turning back around to the stage.
A few songs later, Brandi and I still swayed to the beat as I slurped my drink through my straw until it was empty. I didn’t want to fight at the bar for another one so I stuck a piece of ice into my mouth instead. My gaze was fixed on the stage when I felt Gabe step closer to me, our bodies flush. I was going to step away—that would have been the right thing to do, but I loved the feel of him pressed against me.
He leaned down and whispered, “You know what they say about eating ice?” I turned my head slightly as I felt his breath tickling my ear. “They say it’s a sign of sexual frustration … I can help with that, angel.”
Goose bumps pricked my skin. I didn’t know if it was from his words or from the ice in my mouth, but it didn’t matter. I knew he could deliver. There was something about him. Some guys you can read and know they only know the basics, but Gabe …
I knew he could rock my world.
“I think that’s an old wives tale.” I laughed.
“We could find out.”
I turned and slapped his arm playfully. “Behave.”
“I’m trying, but you’re shaking that ass in front of me.”
I shook my head as I turned my attention back to the stage, but my brain was thinking about everything Gabe could do with an ice cube on my body. My body heat rose even higher.
“We need to go soon!” I yelled to Brandi.
She nodded. “One more song.”
The singer began to sing a cover of Sam Hunt’s version of How Will I Know that was originally sung by Whitney Houston. Her sultry voice silenced the crowd, and all eyes were on her as chills coursed over my body.
Listening to the words, I thought about the man behind me and not the man I was married to. Gabe was promising me he’d protect me. Maybe he didn’t want a relationship, but only sex. Deep down, I knew I wanted to see where our relationship would go. If I were single, I would explore it. Once I left Rich, I didn’t want to jump into a relationship with Gabe. I wanted to take things slow and get to know him because I obviously married a man I didn’t know.
I hadn’t realized that I’d stopped swaying to the beat of the music as I listened to the words. When the song ended, we said our goodbyes, but not for long because we’d see each other at Club 24 in the morning.
And I couldn’t wait.
When I entered my house through the front door, Rich sat at the dining room table, a vodka martini sat in front of him. I swallowed hard—he was pissed.
&nb
sp; I slowly walked toward him, not saying anything. His gaze was trained on my face. I was starting to think I should speak first—apologize, grovel, whatever. Before I could, he stood and I stopped dead in my tracks.
“Do you like testing my patience, princess?” he hissed.
“Come on, honey. I was tired of sitting at home.”
“So you think it’s okay for you to go traipsing all over town?”
“Traipsing all over town? We went to one bar. I had one drink—”
“You could have had a drink here!” he shouted.
“I wanted to hang with my friend,” I whispered.
He stepped closer and I swallowed. “You really are testing my patience.”
“I don’t see the harm in going—”
He grabbed my arms with both hands and squeezed. “It’s not a matter of—”
“Let me go,” I groaned and wiggled. I knew I shouldn’t because he’d only grab me harder, so I reminded him of why he shouldn’t touch me. “Remember I said I wanted to wear a sleeveless dress to your party?” He let go. “And remember we talked about trust? I didn’t do anything to make you not trust me.”
He paused, looking down at my arms, then he rolled his neck as if he were trying to relieve the tensions. “Why do you think it’s okay to do whatever the fuck you want to do?”
“Why is it not okay?” I took a deep breath to calm myself before he really did hurt me.
“I didn’t say you could go.”
“Come on, Rich. You weren’t here and I was bored. I went out with my friend that you know.”
“As well as many men I don’t know.”
“It wasn’t like that,” I lied. “Brandi and I went to have a drink and talk. The only difference was it wasn’t coffee.”
He studied my face and then ran his gaze down my body. “Is this going to be an ongoing issue?”
I looked him straight in the eye, trying not to roll mine. “There’s no issue. I wanted to hang out with my friend instead of watching reality TV.”
He thought for a moment, looking past me and then met my gaze before he spoke and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m going to be spending a lot of time on my campaign. So help me God, if I hear about any man touching you, you’ll pay. It will be your fault because you’ll be in a place you shouldn’t be in and therefore disobeying me. Once that happens, you’ll never be able to leave this house except to accompany me to whatever appearance I need to make to become mayor. You’ll only be allowed to use the pool for your workouts, and if you get fat, you know what will happen. Do I make myself clear?”
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