Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(41)

Ernie knew how to block his own number, but could someone find out he’d made that many calls to Gabe, even if he deleted them? Ernie didn’t understand all this cyber-techno junk everyone was using today.

He was old school and if he wasn’t careful, Ernie knew Grace O’Sullivan wouldn’t be the only snitch with a hit out on her.

Luke Montgomery was already a target. With that kind of bait, Ernie was betting Gabe would help him stay alive. Ernie just hoped he was still in one piece when Gabe finally decided to get back to work.




The scent of pine filled each breath Gabe took. Luke’s front porch was as close as he could get to being alone. He’d considered just grabbing Deb and heading back to her place to finish what they’d started. Now there was an idea.

If it weren’t for everything around him hitting the proverbial fan. He sighed and pocketed his cell. He’d forgotten he’d shut off his phone before going in to see Wexler. He’d meant to turn it back on after, but Sheriff Tower’s power play had distracted him.

A ton of missed calls greeted him, ranging from his mom to John Garrison, to his brother Zach. Then there was the series of blocked calls every ten minutes or so for an hour. Gabe even had a few from Mylo. He’d never been quite this popular. Unfortunately, he’d only made it through half his voice mails.

John’s had him worried. If the captain had news he risked calling for, that meant something big was happening on the undercover op. Just what he didn’t need, not with Deb’s sister missing and his father’s past swirling around him.

He needed to see his boss. On the other hand, it sounded like his mom knew something, and she was someone he couldn’t look in the eyes right now.

He’d fought her intuition for years to hide the truth. Knots twisted the muscles on the back of his neck. He kneaded them and groaned when the tension didn’t release.

The creak of the front door sounded. He stiffened, gripping the porch rail.

A flash of auburn hair in his peripheral vision made him relax a bit. Deb stepped out on the patio. “You’re off the phone. Was there any news about . . .”

She couldn’t even say the words.

He turned around. “Nothing about Ashley.”

Her disappointment showed, but she, in turn, studied his expression. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. No. Who the hell knows? Things are . . . complicated right now, is all.”

She looked into his eyes. “They love you,” she said. “I can see that. Don’t . . . don’t take it for granted. Work it out.”

He pulled her to him. He couldn’t believe how much she’d engrained herself into his life in just days. How much she saw of the real him, and not the man everyone else assumed. The irony was, this wasn’t how he’d envisioned spending time with Deb during all those long, lonely months in the bar.

“I don’t know what to say to my mom, or John . . . Captain Garrison.”

Deb looked at him, her gaze steady and knowing. “Sounds like she knows you’re investigating out of the bar, doesn’t it? You may not have to say anything to her.” Deb’s expression turned solemn. “My asking for help with Ashley’s disappearance is screwing your job up.”

He gripped her hand. “You’re not the only one who needs answers. There are things I’m not prepared to talk about yet. Family situations that factor in, especially with my mother, but I want to help Ashley . . . and find justice for Shannon Devlin.”

“You can’t do it all, Gabe,” Deb said. “You’ve already done enough. Detective Wexler is on the case—”

“I’m going to help you,” Gabe said. “Look, my mother is almost here and it’s going to get awkward. Just go with me on this one. Maybe your presence will keep her from reaming me too badly.”

Deb shook her head. “Gabe Montgomery, are you asking to hide behind a woman’s skirts?”

“You’re wearing pants,” he pointed out.

“Regardless. You’re never going to make it to superhero status doing things like that.”

Gabe sighed. “My family already has a superhero. My brother Zach was the Dark Avenger. I’m just trying to survive the next few minutes.”

“Your mother can’t be that bad,” Deb insisted.

“You think so?” he responded. “Mom not only inherited the Irish Sight, she got the Irish temper, too. That red in her hair isn’t just for looks. It’s a warning sign for the unwary.”

Deb raised her brow. “Mr. Montgomery, may I remind you that you’re speaking to someone with auburn hair? Very, very reddish auburn hair.”

“Yeah, and I’m not crazy enough to mess with you, Ms. Lansing. I’ve heard rumors. Those guys on your team would rather not spar with you, they say your knee should be registered as a deadly weapon.”

“True.” Deb smiled coyly. “If I get mad at you, though, I think I’ll aim elsewhere. Wouldn’t want to endanger an area I’m looking forward to exploring.”

Gabe perked up, in more ways than one. She slid her gaze over him and grinned.

He groaned. “Whatever you’re thinking, hold that thought.”

Her eyes sparkled and he moved closer and put his arms around her. He lowered his mouth to hers, tasting her lips. She sighed and kissed him back, eager, hot, and wanting. Her hand eased down the front of his body, giving him a soft squeeze.