Gabe (In the Company of Snipers, #8)(66)

“What the hell are you doing out here, Boss? What’s going on? Turn around and knock off the black op routine.”

The man lifted his hands but didn’t turn around. The time to be nice was long gone. Gabe snatched the balaclava from guy’s head.

Damn it to hell.

It wasn’t Alex.




Her ears perked up at the thump against the back door. And then her heart. Already in the kitchen, Shelby looked out the window. Gabe had a man at gunpoint, cuffed with his hands in front of him, on the step.

Zack’s hand clamped her shoulder. “Get away from the door. Go sit with Kelsey.”

“Why? Who is that?” She needed more than an order to comply. If something was going on, she wanted to know.

Zack twisted the knob to the left but didn’t open the door, his voice stern. “I said now, Miss Shelby. Sit with Kelsey. Don’t open the front door for anyone. Stay put.”

“You need to—”

“Now! That guy’s the reason we’re here. Now go. Do what you’re told.”

She stepped back, swallowing hard. Whoever Gabe had cornered, he must be dangerous for Zack to be so blunt. He let himself out to the porch and shut the door behind him. Shelby did as he’d asked.

“What’s going on?” Kelsey had actually smiled tonight, but worry lines etched her face now. “Is Gabe hurt?”

“No, he’s got some guy on your back step though.” Shelby peered over her shoulder, frightened for the man she didn’t want to have feelings for. Gabe was sick. He shouldn’t have been outside in his condition, much less working.

In came Zack again. “Kels, I hate to ask, but this guy says he knows you. Says he worked with Alex. I’ve never seen him before. Can you come to the back door and give me a yay or nay?”

“Sure.” She lifted off the couch and followed. Shelby, too.

Zack only let the women peer through the back-door window. Gabe didn’t even look up, his eyes dark, bent on the stranger. And darn. His chest heaved, probably from all that dirty river water. He kept blinking, as if he were exhausted.

The stranger looked up, his rugged face lit with a cheerful smile when he spied Kelsey. He could’ve passed for the Marlboro man. Thick, wavy hair. Mustache. Scruff on his chin and cheeks, but his neck clean-shaven. Handsome. He tipped his head in friendly greeting, like a cowboy might touch two fingers to the brim of his hat.

Honestly, Gabe looked meaner, sick as he was. Shelby relaxed. What was there to worry about?

“I’ve never seen him,” Kelsey told Zack. “Why would he say such a thing?”

He grunted. “To get close to you. Look again. Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. I’ve met a lot of people since I married Alex. I might be wrong. Do you want me to talk to him?”

Zack hesitated. “Only if you stay on this side of the door. Gabe won’t let him get to you. He’s already disarmed this joker, so don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid. Let’s see what he thinks he knows.”

Disarmed? Okay, so maybe he wasn’t so harmless after all.

Zack opened the door, but kept his arm between Kelsey and the screen.

“Mrs. Stewart,” the stranger greeted her amicably enough. “It’s nice to see you again. You may not remember me, but I remember you. You’re as pretty as ever. Hayden Carell, at your service, ma’am. We met in Seattle when you and Alex were headed up North to Alaska for halibut fishing. Remember?”

She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Which cruise were you on?”

A big smile cracked his rugged face. “Now you know better than that. Alex leased a private rig. The Frigid Wind. Remember?”

Hayden Carell didn’t look dangerous, but Gabe did, his elbows cocked, his pistol aimed at the man’s chest. Gabe was sick and breathing hard, but fierce. Angry. His lips were set in a thin hard line that brooked no discussion. His eyes had changed from puppy dog adorable to the feral glitter of an alpha wolf protecting his pack.


So this is what he looks like when he’s ready to lay down his life. Or take one.

“Is he right?” Shelby asked, pushing her glasses up on her nose to see more clearly. “About the fishing boat, I mean.”

Kelsey huffed softly. “I don’t know. The name’s right, but I can’t place him.”

“I’m sure sorry to hear about Alex,” the stranger said contritely, as if he really cared. “And I’m sorry I got your boys here all riled up for nothing, too. The truth is, Alex asked me to check in on you if anything ever happened to him. I’m only following up on my good buddy’s last request. That’s why I’m here.”

“You call creeping around her house checking up on her?” Gabe snapped. “Was that you standing under her bedroom window the other night, too?”

Kelsey gasped. So did Shelby. Darn. The secret was out.

Hayden Carell, if that’s what his name really was, shook his head, releasing a hank of wavy hair over his forehead. He smoothed it back with a big hand as his gaze zeroed in on Gabe. “Kind of hard to walk up and knock on her door with you goons on patrol every hour on the hour. I didn’t think I could get in to see her the way you’ve got the place buttoned up and locked down. Hell. It’s a might safer than Leavenworth.”