Safe from Harm (Protect & Serve #2)(21)

“So he could deny everything as usual? I get threats now and then from the families of people I prosecute,” Elle told him. “Hell, sometimes they come from the general public—people who don’t even know the defendant. It’s usually nothing.”

“Well, it wasn’t nothing this time,” Tom spat. “Gabe could’ve been killed. What the hell were you thinking?”

“Back off, Tom,” Gabe interjected, sitting up straighter in his hospital bed.

“I screwed up,” Elle said, edging back a little from Tom’s anger. “I know that. I should’ve taken the threats more seriously.”

“Damn right you should’ve,” Tom fired back.

“I said back off, Tommy!” Gabe shouted, stabbing a finger in Tom’s direction. What the hell was Tom’s damage anyway? It wasn’t like him to lose his cool in any situation—he certainly wasn’t usually so short with people. If anything, Tom was normally way too forgiving and understanding, in Gabe’s opinion.

Tom’s jaw tightened, but he just shook his head and ran a hand through his dark hair, mumbling something under his breath.

Gabe met Elle’s gaze and held it for a moment. “She couldn’t have known this would happen. None of us could’ve known it would happen. What’s important right now is taking the threats seriously from here on out. I just want you all to watch your backs.”

Joe rubbed the back of his neck, not bothering to hide his concern. “Damn it.”

Gabe knew exactly where his thoughts were going. He was thinking of his pregnant fiancée and how to keep her safe when he wasn’t around. It wasn’t that long ago that he’d almost lost Sadie to her psychotic ex-boyfriend who’d held a gun under her chin.

“I’ll send out another law enforcement awareness bulletin,” Tom told them, “make sure everyone knows that if they see the Monroes to approach them with caution. And we’ll put a deputy on Gabe’s door while he’s here.”

“This shit is becoming far too common,” Kyle said. “If it’s not the Monroes, it’s someone else. When the hell did we become the enemy?”

“Unfortunately, it’s the jerks and assholes abusing power—or perceived to be abusing power—who get all the press,” Elle replied. She turned her gaze on Gabe, something in her expression warming the center of him when she added, “And everyone takes it for granted that you’re always there, protecting us.”

There was a long pause in the conversation until one of his brothers cleared his throat, causing Elle to glance away guiltily. When Gabe looked toward the sound, he found Kyle trying to smother a smile.

“So…” his baby brother said with a significant glance between Elle and Gabe, “I think I’m going to head out. Joe, you comin’?”

Joe, the shithead, was grinning too. “Yeah, I’m right behind ya. You need anything, Bro, let me know.”

Only Tom was looking sullen, his brows furrowed. “Elle, you want me to give you a lift back to the garage to get your car?”

“Your car?” Gabe repeated. “What’s wrong with your car?”

She gave Tom a chastising look. “My tire was slashed when I left the hospital earlier,” she explained, leaving out the rest of the details about the extent of the vandalism and earning a sidelong glance from Tom. “I called Tom to report the incident and asked him to take a look.”

Gabe felt a spike of irrational jealousy at the thought of his elder brother coming to Elle’s aid while he was stuck in a hospital bed. “That right?” he drawled, knowing even as he said it that he was being a jackass. But still…

“Thanks, Tom,” Elle said. “Could you give me a few minutes with Gabe and then I’ll be ready to go?”

Tom gave her a terse nod and slipped out into the hallway.

“What the hell is going on with him?” Gabe mumbled.

“He’s worried about you,” Elle said. “And everyone else. Tom carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.”

That green-eyed monster reared its head again and he clenched his jaw, suddenly wanting to clock his brother simply because Elle seemed to have a decent read on the guy. “You know Tom pretty well.”

Elle shrugged. “I guess so. We’ve worked together a long time. He’s a good guy.”

Gabe grunted, not able to deny what she was saying. His brother had been his hero since they were kids. He’d worshipped Tom when they were growing up, had always tried to keep up, to measure up. And once again, it seemed like he was playing catch-up with Tom.

“Well, you’d better get going,” he grumbled. “Don’t want you to miss your ride.”

She took a few steps forward, coming to the side of his bed. “I’m going. But first, I wanted to make one thing very clear to you, Gabe Dawson.”

“Yeah?” he said. “What’s that?”

She narrowed her eyes and leaned over him, caging him with her arms on either side of his head. “Don’t you ever again treat me like I’m some delicate flower who can’t handle the truth.”

Damn.

Having her that close was tempting as hell. For the first time, he noticed she had tiny flecks of gold in her eyes and a few more freckles on the bridge of her nose than he’d realized. God, she was beautiful—stunning, really. He had to muster all his willpower not to drag her into his arms and kiss the full lips that were currently pursed in irritation. But he forced himself to meet her gaze and lifted a single brow.