With a shared a look of understanding, Nate slid the mangled piece of metal into his pocket. “I’ll let you know what I find.”
“Thanks, Carter.” Gabe glanced over his shoulder. “I’m gonna get back in there. I’ll shoot you a text in a few.”
“Sounds good.”
His team turned to leave, but Gabe quickly added, “Watch your six. If they came after her here, there could be someone waiting for her at home.”
The others’ eyes hardened as Matt spoke up. “If there is someone there, we’ll be sure to give them a proper greeting.”
With a single nod, Gabe slid the door open and returned to Ellena.
A little over two hours later, they were at the hotel. As asked, the guys had gotten some things from Ellena’s house and had her bags waiting for her when they’d arrived.
Sensing she needed a few minutes alone, Gabe had insisted she take a hot shower while he ordered them some room service. Thankfully the hotel’s kitchen was open 24/7.
He glanced at the narrow door. Their food had arrived a few minutes ago, but she still hadn’t come out.
Torn between leaving her be and needing to have her in his sights every fucking second, Gabe went to the narrow door. Using his knuckles, he gave the wood a gentle tap.
“Elle?”
There was a second of silence before he heard a soft, “Yes?”
“Food’s getting cold.”
Another pause. “O-okay.”
Her voice sounded thicker than normal, and when she opened the door, Gabe understood why.
She’s been crying.
His heart broke. “Sweetheart…”
“Something smells delicious.” Putting on fake-as-hell smile, she moved past him. “What did you order?”
She didn’t want to talk about it.Message received.
“I wasn’t sure what you were in the mood for, so I got a little bit of everything.”
“I guess so.” Ellena chuckled as she looked at spread of food covering the portable cart. “Have you eaten?”
“I was waiting for you.” Gabe shook his head, willing himself to ignore how beautiful she looked.
Wearing a modest pajama set and no makeup, the woman shouldn’t be so damn tempting. Still, it was all he could do not to reach for her and start unbuttoning her top.
Almost as if she could read his thoughts, Ellena’s gaze remained locked with his a second longer before she picked up a plate and began making her selections.
“The weather’s nice,” she commented. “We could sit out on the balcony and eat.”
Gabe grabbed a plate of his own. “I don’t want you out in the open.”
“Oh. Right.” Her shoulders fell, making him feel like a giant prick.
Carrying her plate to the room’s small table, Ellena pulled out a chair and sat down. Joining her, Gabe waited for her to take the first bite before digging in.
She grinned. “You don’t have to do that, you know?”
“What’s that?” He took another bite of his burger.
