“Trybeing the operative word in that sentence.” One of her auburn brows arched high. “And you’d better not even think about letting her get away with it. You do, I’ll kick your ass.”
“Don’t worry.” Gabe reached out and pressed the emergency button. As the elevator began to move again, he stared back at his wife’s closest friend.
“I think you’re right. I think someone’s trying to hurt Elle, and I’m not going anywhere until I find the son of a bitch.”
“And then?”
Looking as serious as he’d ever been, Gabe vowed, “I’m going to end them.”
Chapter 3
Ellena was dreaming again. She had to be. Her dreams were the only place she could still hearhisvoice.
She usually had no problems finding him. She’d simply close her eyes, fall asleep, and Gabe would be there. But something about this time was different.
The subtle spice of Gabe’s intoxicating scent was much stronger than in dreams past, and his deep, familiar voice reverberated through her system. It was all so real, almost as if he were actually near.
But why can’t I see him?
At first, dreaming of Gabe had been her favorite pastime, but it hadn’t taken long for Ellena to resent her longing, subconscious mind.
Some nights her dreams were filled with smiles and laughter, while others brought with them all the love and passion she’d been living without for the past three years.
Nights like those were both a blessing and a curse. A stark reminder of what she’d once had…and all that she’d lost.
Then there were the nightmares. They occurred less often now, but occasionally, the haunting memories of her past still managed to slither their way in.
No matter which kind—good dreams or bad—Ellena always found her way to him. Then the inevitable would happen and she’d wake up. When she did, Ellena always felt even more empty and lost than before.
The truth was, most days—despite the fact that she was a successful, respected psychologist and self-sufficient woman—Ellena felt as though she were living half a life. Simply going through the motions while she waited for the universe to right itself again.
Deep down, she knew that was never going to happen. Something that had taken her nearly three years to accept.
In that time, she used her knowledge and energy to focus on other people’s problems rather than her own.
It was a classic avoidance tactic, but whatever worked, right?
At least she loved her job. Not many people could say that.
Helping people, especially those who’d risked their lives for their country was the most satisfying career imaginable.
In many ways, being a counseling psychologist for the military was cathartic for her, as well. Helping the men and women in her care reminded Ellena that her problems weren’t all that significant.
Not compared to theirs, anyway.
“I think she’s waking up.”
Gabe’s voice reached her ears once more. He sounded so close.
So real.
The meds the doctors had given her when she’d woken up earlier—after they’d nearly poked and prodded her to death—were still weighing her down. Desperate to see his handsome face at least once before she woke up, Ellena tried following the sound through the dense fog.
She wanted to scream with frustration.
For the first couple of years after Gabe left, Ellena hadlivedfor her dreams. She’d watched the clock incessantly, counting down the hours to those few, stolen moments with him.
Moments that only existed in her head.
