“That’s a relief. And the job’s wrapped up? The company’s stable?”
“Yes. Colt wasn’t the only person injured in that mob, and a lot of the employees were taken to the hospital. After that, some union negotiator stepped in and put an end to it, the way it should have happened all along. I expect the team by morning.”
“Good.” Because Gabe was coming to request some time off to take care of business in Denver with Felicity.
Carson leaned forward. “And just so you know, none of this means I’m sidelining you. Since you came back, you’ve been a hell of an asset. And with the new training facility going live next quarter…” His mouth wore a rare smile. “I could use a man with your background to help build it into an exceptional program. If you want in, the door’s open.”
He’d been drifting for so damn long he almost didn’t recognize the feeling.
Belonging.
His throat was tight. “I’d like that.”
Carson gruffly cleared his throat, like he was emotional too. “Thought you might.”
But Gabe wasn’t here just to feel good about the day. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the key.
He pushed it across the desk to Carson. He picked it up. “Safe-deposit box?”
He nodded. “Before I tell you more, did you find anything on Henry Alder when you ran the background check?”
“Not a lot. You probably saw the printouts—things that can be found in any online search. His only living relative is a nephew.”
The will. The contents of a safe-deposit box would also be in the will.
“Henry hid this key in one of the books he sent Felicity. A book that had meaning between them—that started their friendship.”
“Go on.”
“He wanted Felicity to have the key to his safe-deposit box.”
“Any idea what’s in it?”
Gabe drew a deep breath. “That’s what we’re going to find out. We’re leaving for Denver. Now. If you can spare me.”
“You’re one of us now. Black Heart Security. If you want it, it’s yours. She’s already your first assignment.”
Gabe’s chest tightened with emotion. “I think she’s my forever assignment.”
Carson issued a chuckle. “We all saw that coming.”
They both stood, and Gabe rounded the desk to shake his boss’s hand. But Carson—and all the Malones—were more than his teammates. They were his new brotherhood.
Carson clapped him on the back. “Bring her home safe.”
When Gabe got outside, still reeling from everything, Felicity was already in the truck. Her bag was tucked neatly at her feet.
He knew her well enough to recognize her expression as a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
He climbed behind the wheel, and they hit the road.
The hours to Denver passed with conversation and spells of quiet as night closed in around them and the day caught up to her. She slept a little on and off. Each time she woke, she smiled at him in that sleepy way that made him forget the wreckage he carried.
While she slept, his mind went over the intel. The break-ins, the nephew set to inherit everything…everything except whatever was in that safe-deposit box. But was this all connected? It was still possible it was someone just trying to drive Felicity out of that space or, though farfetched, the teens that the cops named as suspects.
Gabe kept a hand near Felicity’s thigh as he drove, his thumb brushing her every so often just to assure them both they were still together, still fighting for answers and the peace that he wasn’t giving up on for either of them.
When she opened her eyes to see the dark shapes of the mountains looming in the distance, she let out a small gasp of awe. “The skyline’s beautiful.”
