My fingers curl on my thighs. “So you made yourself bait.”
Gabriel studies me. “That’s one way to put it.”
Anger and frustration twist inside me. “Why?”
“Because now we have confirmation,” Gabriel says, counting each point on his fingers. “Tony Rossi is operational. Darrow is bribing our people at the docks. And they have a plan to handle us.”
The casual way he discusses becoming a marked man sparks anger, hotter than it should be. This isn’tabout Micah anymore. It’s about Gabriel deliberately putting himself in danger.
“That’s fucking stupid!” I slam my palm against the dashboard. “You didn’t have to turn yourself into a target!”
Gabriel studies me. “Why do you care?”
The question catches me off guard. Why do I care? I shouldn’t. Gabriel is just a rich Alpha who forced his way into my life. He can’t be anything more.
“I don’t want Micah’s brother-in-law getting himself killed,” I deflect, staring out the window. “Micah doesn’t need that.”
“Right.” Gabriel starts the engine. “It’s all about Micah.”
He pulls away from the curb, the car sliding into traffic with the same smoothness that defines everything he does.
“What happens next?” I ask, refusing to acknowledge the concern picking at my senses.
Gabriel checks his mirrors before answering. “We find out everything we can about this Darrow guy.”
“And when Tony sends his people after you?”
He smiles like he’s already planned the outcome. “Then we’ll be waiting for them.”
The plural catches in my ear.
NotI.
We.
I turn toward the window, watching buildings blur past, trying to ignore the way my pulse quickens at the thought of Tony sending someone after Gabriel.
Trying even harder to ignore the reason why I care.
9
The bass line from Foundation burrows into my bones as I adjust the earpiece in my left ear and move toward my post, scanning the early crowd.
After setting the bait for Diaz, Gabriel and I returned to my apartment, where he made phone calls to dig up information on Darrow while I got ready for work.
What he found wasn’t good for us.
Gregory Darrow is ex-military turned private security. On paper, he’s an asset protection consultant for shipping companies. Off paper, according to Gabriel, he runs interference for black market operations.
Gabriel was still trying to find a picture of theman when I needed to head into work, so I had brought him with me and placed him in the VIP section, with much speculation from my coworkers.
Marcus sidles up to me. “Couldn’t you have held out another week?”
My jaw clenches tight enough to crack teeth. “Fuck off. It’s not like that.”
“I’m starting to think you’re protesting a little too much.” He claps me on the shoulder as he passes, a stinging slap I don’t flinch from. “Rox is crowing her victory, so expect to hear from her tonight.”
I shove him away and settle into my position near the entrance, back to the wall, arms crossed over my chest. The music pulses, lights flashing as I scan the crowd, like any other night.
