Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Bourbon?” I say in confusion.
Gabe’s attention comes back to me. “I’m so sorry this happened but you’re safe now.”
Leaning down, he presses his lips to my forehead and then takes my hand. He leads me over to Ethan and says, “Watch her.”
I’m dumbfounded and utterly confused as Gabe moves to the G Wagon. He opens the rear door and walks back around holding a case of what I’m assuming is bourbon… Shadow Reserve they called it?
He sets it down on the ground though and looks at the man in the suit. “You said she’d be unharmed, Rafferty. But your guy hit her. Bruised her. That can’t go unpunished.”
Tugging his cuff down, the man clasps his hands before him. “So I did. What did you have in mind?”
Gabe rolls up his shirt sleeves and then removes his watch, shoving it down into his pocket. “I want five minutes with your guy.”
My head whips toward the man who hit me and he remains stone-faced, awaiting his boss’s direction.
“No,” I exclaim and try to move to Gabe, but Ethan holds my hand tight. Gabe doesn’t even glance at me, his eyes pinned on the man he wants a piece of. I turn to Ethan and hiss, “What the hell is going on?”
His green eyes meet mine and I see censure in them. “We have a lot to talk about. But later. I want to watch Gabe kick this guy’s ass.”
“Very well,” the man named Rafferty drawls in an attempt to sound cultured yet slightly annoyed. He looks at Bellamy and jerks his head toward Gabe. “Please avail yourself to Mr. Mardraggon.”
Without a word, Gabe and Bellamy square off. Gabe’s body is taut as the blue-eyed man circles him, fists raised. The headlights throw stark shadows, making the scene feel more like a duel than a brawl. Bellamy lunges, throwing a heavy punch aimed at Gabe’s head. Gabe dodges to the left, and I gasp as Bellamy’s fist passes just inches from Gabe’s face.
Counterattacking, Gabe throws a quick jab that connects with his opponent’s jaw, but it’s a light touch, a warning. Bellamy sneers, wiping his mouth, and charges again. This time he’s faster, his large fist catching Gabe off guard and landing a solid hit against his cheek. I cry out and squeeze Ethan’s hand hard, fearful of what might happen.
Gabe stumbles backward but recovers quickly. Rolling his shoulders, he waits for Bellamy’s next move. He’s overconfident and charges without thought. As he comes forward aiming for another heavy blow, Gabe steps inside his reach, delivering a sharp uppercut to the man’s stomach. It knocks the wind out of him, and he doubles over.
Not giving my attacker a chance to recover, Gabe grabs the back of the man’s head, pulling it down as his knee comes up, striking the man’s face. Blood spurts from his nose, causing him to roar and swing wildly. Gabe easily backs away from the sloppy attempts to strike him.
When Bellamy lurches upward and throws his fist, Gabe blocks the clumsy effort and delivers two rapid strikes, one to the kidney, another to the ribs, each hit precise and forceful. The thug cries out in pain, his body curling defensively. Gabe steps back, watching as the man struggles to maintain his footing and it would be a good time to walk away. But Gabe isn’t done.
With an almost gleeful look of determination, Gabe advances on Bellamy, now panting heavily, his face etched with misery and smeared blood. I watch astonished as Gabe throws a series of hard, fast punches, targeting the head and body, each strike delivered with fury and protectiveness. The man tries to retaliate, but his punches are slow, easy for Gabe to sidestep.
Finally, with a powerful right hook, Gabe sends the man crashing to the ground, unconscious. Standing over his fallen opponent, Gabe breathes heavily, his fists still ready, his body primed for more, but the fight is clearly over and I wonder if he feels vindicated in some way. I know that I didn’t mind watching, now that it’s all said and done.
Gabe reaches into his pocket and pulls out his watch. As he fastens it back on his wrist, his gaze moves to Rafferty. “I assume we’re done and that I won’t see your guys anymore.”
Rafferty smiles and steps forward, hand outstretched. “Pleasure doing business—”
“Fuck off,” Gabe growls and nods down at his man on the ground. “Or else I’ll put you right down beside him. If I see you or your men anywhere near me or mine, I’ll throw the full power of my empire behind destroying you.”
The smile slides from Rafferty’s face and he flushes red. With a curt nod, he says, “Understood.”
Gabe, Ethan and I stand still as Rafferty gets back in the Mercedes. The blond goon helps Bellamy up from the ground and they leave in the SUV. It’s only then that a long, pent-up breath is released and my shoulders sag.