I need to get her away from me. I need to know she’s safe.
“I have to leave tomorrow, and I don’t think it's safe to take her with me.” I tell him the truth. I wish I’d planned what to say to him. But I have no plan. Just the urgency to make sure she'll be alright.
I shake my head, trying to figure out how to tell him without giving him too much information. He’s going to find out sooner or later.
If I leave now, they could follow me. Intel is sure it’s just Ricky that knows. But I don’t trust him or anyone who works for him. He could have men here or others on the way. I can’t risk her getting caught in a shootout. I need protection while I get her to a safe place. Or for someone else to do it.
“You’re going to have to be more specific then, Kade.” Gabriel’s patience is waning.
“I need her to go home.” I hold his firm gaze. “I need her to be safe.” That’s all he needs to know.
Gabriel purses his lips for a moment and knocks his knuckles against the desk.
“You need to tell me what’s going on before I agree to anything.” Gabriel lowers his voice, and I see distrust in his eyes. Fuck, I don’t want to tell him. I need him to do this regardless. I trust him. I know him. I know he’ll do the right thing for her. He'll help her. Even if he slits my throat, I know he'll help her. He's done it before. I know he will. And I have no other choice.
“I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you everything. Just promise me that you’ll find a way for her to get home.”
“You’re going to leave her in that condition, Kade?” he sneers. “You broke her, and now you’re sending her back?” He sounds disgusted.
“She’s not broken,” I respond evenly.
“You’re delusional if you think that.”
“They’re going to kill me, Gabriel, I have no choice.” My body trembles with anger, but also fear for her. I can’t tell him the truth until he promises me. “You’ve done it before. You’ve given them their freedom before.”
“So you want me to take her home because someone’s going to kill you?” Gabriel asks with disbelief.
I nod my head once. “But only if I can’t. I don’t know how much time I have.”
“And can I ask why you’re so sure you’re going to die?” he asks.
I stare into his eyes. “Because Stone is going to kill me.”
“I never quite liked Stone.” He taps his fingers on the desk again and looks past me as if he's debating something. Are you going to tell me why?” he asks.
“She has nothing to do with this.” My blood rushes in my ears. “You’ll help me take her home regardless of what happens between us?” Although it's a question, it comes out as a statement.
His eyes finally meet mine. “I will.” He nods his head with certainty.
“Whatever you want to do to me when you find out, it’ll be on hold until she’s safe.” He nods his head once again, keeping my gaze.
“I’m a man of my word, Kade. Now out with it.”
My chest tightens with anxiety. My hands dig into the armrests even though my gun is burning in my waistband, begging me to take it out. I won’t though. I need Gabriel’s help. If for nothing more than to make sure I can leave here without a tail and get Olivia safely back home. “Stone received information,” I start and then readjust in my seat, exhaling deeply. “Information that implicates me as a cop.”
Gabriel clucks his tongue. “Do you know when and how he received that information?”
I’m caught off-guard by the question, but I take a moment and then answer him honestly. “A little over two months ago, one of his men was discovered to be an undercover cop and at some point, information that linked the two of us together also pointed to me being a cop.”
“I could see how that would be a serious problem.” He presses his lips into a thin straight line. “He knew you were here, and yet he said nothing to me.” I nod my head once. It was only discovered two days ago, but it was confirmed tonight. “And you are in fact a cop?”
I hold his gaze and nod once. My heart slams against my chest.
“She isn’t. She’s innocent.” I'm quick to remind him that she has nothing to do with this.
“Of course she is. And I’ll make sure we get her home since that’s what you want.”
A small bit of gratitude washes through me. My angel is safe.
