“Next time, act like it's friendly.”
I watch as Victor’s face spreads in an evil grin. My back stiffens, and a tremor passes down my spine as I feel the eyes on me. I turn, and my eyes land on Gabriel’s tense form. His jaw is tightly closed, his eyes blazing daggers at me.
No, not at me, but behind me. My brows furrow as I turn around and try to figure out what’s going on.
“Well, is this the great Gabriel? I didn’t expect to see you here since you retired and all.” Victor’s voice drips with sarcasm.
Okay, they know each other, but obviously don’t like each other. Boris curses, his hand curling into a fist beside him. I glance at Naomi, who is surprisingly still and has a guilty look on her face. I feel like I’m in a movie, looking at a scene and having no part in it. I hop from the ring just as Gabriel reaches it, and before I can say anything, he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me to him.
“Nothing to say? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. After all, I got what I came for.”
I don’t look at Victor, my focus on Gabriel, trying to decipher his reaction and the tense grip on my waist.
He glances at me; his eyes darken when he sees my split cheek. He reaches for my chin and tilts my head to the side before focusing on Victor, who is now outside the ring. Naomi is fidgeting with her things, and Boris is nowhere to be seen.
“Why are you here? I thought I made it clear the last time I saw you not to cross my path ever again.”
Victor smirks. “I’m not here because of you. You remember Naomi, right?” His eyes sparkle like he has something Gabriel doesn’t. “She's getting ready for her biggest tournament, and Boris was helpful in letting her fight with Valentina since we’re in town.” He looks at me and Gabriel’s hand around my waist. “So, I heard you got married.”
Gabriel loosens his grip on my waist and gets in Victor’s face. “I will say this once and only once. STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE!”
Victor chuckles, but Gabriel ignores him as he takes my hand and leads me away from them.
“Get your things; we’re leaving.” His voice is a whisper between the grunts, bags, and other fighters.
“What’s going on, Gabriel?” I ask, confused and irritated that once again I have no idea what’s happening.
“Not now. Just grab your things.”
“No, Gabriel. I’ve had enough of secrets. We had a deal.”
“I’m not doing this here. Either you walk, or I will make you.”
I stand my ground and cross my arms in front of me. “I’m not leaving; I still have to …”
I don’t get to say anything else before I’m scooped over his shoulder and carried away.
twenty-eight
Gabriel
“He’s probably somewhere underground.” Marco keeps typing on his keyboard. “There is no way he would have ever gotten through any security system or cameras without my program catching him.”
I lean back in my chair. “How sure are you?” I ask. It has been months, and there’s no clue where Sabatini has disappeared to. If we want security again, we need to find him.
He narrows his eyes at me. “How sure are you that Salvatore has lost his mind?”
“I never said that.”
He fixes his glasses. “You said he’s going mad.”
I exhale. “I only said that because he’s working twenty-four hours a day. He’s drowning himself in work like nothing happened.”
“At least you have less work to do, so you can focus on your wife.” He smirks.
I pin him with a warning look. “My marriage isn't your concern.”
He raises his hand. “I’m just trying to be helpful. If I were you, I wouldn’t have left her alone in that gym.”
