Healing Gabe (The Last Hangman MC #3)(7)
“Thanks, Brother. I’ve talked about it with Ant and Cabe, and they were there to help me through it but it’s still suffocating. The Kings are the reason why I joined this club, they are also why I refuse to get close to any women as well as why I lost my parents, raising Nicole on my own. They are responsible for a lot of f*cked up shit that has happened in my life and I need to deal with it on my own. I will not bring anyone down with me. That’s why I’m taking it so hard that Line and you nearly died a month ago, he was one of theirs and I couldn’t protect you two.” I sigh rubbing my face.
“You don’t realize it Gabe, but you have a whole family here who are all there for you. Sure, we joke around and all that shit but I meant what I said. Talk to us whenever you need to. You’re always there to listen to everybody’s problems but you never talk about yours. Sometimes it’s good to let it all out. Think about it. And as far as Line and I are concerned, it’s not your fault. We have never blamed you and never will. I feel responsible for you getting hurt after asking you to keep an eye on Line and Ally that day. If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been injured, yet again. Seriously though, Gabe, you call us and we will be over with sleeping bags, pyjamas, popcorn and all that other girly sleepover shit.” Aleck finishes chuckling.
“Piss off.” I chuckle shaking my head. “Thanks, Brother, besides I haven’t been able to fully talk about it and don’t want to subject anyone to that darkness.”
“You’ll be okay, one day you’ll wake up and I promise you won’t feel the darkness anymore. You just have to open up to someone and stop pushing anyone who’s trying to help you out away.” Ant claps my shoulder again and I wince.
“For f*ck’s sake will you stop doing that, f*cker.” Aleck and Ant both chuckle.
“Sorry, Brother.” Ant grins and the three of us walk out of the Chapel and join the others. Aleck heads straight to Line. Do I wish I could have what they have someday? Yes, of course but I know it’s never going to happen, I won’t let it. I don’t want to risk a repeat of what happened to Annie. I can’t go through that again.
******
January 23, 2015
I’ve been seeing Annie a lot lately, nothing has happened. I respect her too much to rush anything or even try something with her. She’s a true angel that I just want to protect and keep happy. She’s coming over again today whilst Nicole is staying at a friend’s house for her first slumber party. My baby sister is growing up so fast. I took the day off to be able to spend as much time as I can with Annie, it’s not like we can spend much time together in public, what with our belonging to enemy clubs.
I smile when I hear the doorbell ring and immediately make my way to the front door and let her in. She’s beautiful with long dark hair, beautiful green eyes, soft pouty lips that I’ve been dying to kiss. She’s any man’s wet dream.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Gorgeous.” I smile kissing her head and take her jacket. “How was the drive over?”
“It was alright. We managed to lose one of my uncle’s minions, well, I hope we did.” She sighs.
“Hey, it’s gonna be alright. No matter what, I’ll always be here to protect you and keep you safe. It might not have been the best idea coming over so often but I can’t help it. I need to see you.” I smile at her and wrap my arms around her.
“Thanks, Gabe. I just wish we could be like any other couple and go out instead of sneaking around and hiding. It’s so frustrating, but if I want to be at least a little bit happy it’s the only solution I have. It’s not just because you are part of a rival club.” She sighs. “Trent wants Viv to be with the Kings VP and me with their Prez. He says it’s the only way they will secure the alliance. I hope it never comes to that, just thinking about it makes me sick.” She frowns, hearing all of that infuriates me.
“I will never let such a thing happen, Annie. You understand that? Never! I’d rather be dead than have you or Viv end up with those f*cking *s. How can they even think about doing such a thing? This is the twenty first f*cking century!” I sigh and kiss her head. “As long as we are together, I’ll protect you, always.” I look down at her and smile. She smiles back at me and licks her bottom lip. I don’t know if it’s an invitation to kiss her but I take it anyway.
I brush my lips over hers softly, cupping the back of her head gently, bringing her closer to my lips. When she doesn’t pull away or push me away I deepen the kiss, pressing a bit harder and lick her lower lip, causing her to moan softly. I gently caress the tip of her tongue with my own. She presses her body flush against mine, wrapping her arms around my neck. I pick her up and she wraps her legs around my waist. I walk over to the couch, never breaking our kiss. I lay us down on the couch with her on top of me, not wanting to pressure her into anything she isn’t ready for.
Just as she’s slipping her hands under my shirt, she is ripped off of me, I look up to see Jared smirking at me with a gun aimed at my chest.
“Goodbye, Gabe.” He laughs darkly and pulls the trigger, not missing his target.
I wake up with a start, covered in sweat, my chest aches, my heart pounding, the bed a mess. It was just a f*cking nightmare.
I’ve spent these past couple of months at Ayd’s parents’ cabin by the lake in Grand Isle.