“Ortiz,” I hear Mac warn me.
Not feeling like heeding any warning, I get him cuffed, stand up but bend over, grab him by his wrists and his silly-ass hair, yanking him to his feet, turn to slam him face first into the hood of the armored truck. And because I can’t help it, I pull him up a couple inches, slam him down again before I lean over and bite in his ear, “If you ever get near Gabrielle Carpino again, I will rip you a-fucking-part, piece by filthy piece, and kill you with my bare hands. Do you understand me, asshole? You had better heed my warning fuckwad, because I will make sure you will not enjoy it one bit,” I say throwing his words back at him.
I give him another slam into the hood of the truck as I feel strong hands on my biceps pulling me back and hear Mac say, “That’s it, Ortiz. We won’t be able to cover you for any more.”
I yank my arms away, take about ten long strides, stop, close my eyes and breathe deep trying to get hold of myself. I attempt to get all thoughts of Gabby at the hands of that asshole out of my head. Clearing my mind, thinking of Gabby in the shower with me this morning—healed, full of life—I open my eyes and turn to see they have Harper in a marked unit. They’ll transport him to the Omaha PD, process him, and get him ready to face charges. But this time, his charges will include assault and battery.
Getting my act together so we can get on with it, I’m anxious to get back to Gabby to give her the good news she can freely do her part to support the economy again. Feeling my lips barely tip up, I head back in the terminal to get shit done so I can go home.
Chapter Thirteen
Shoes
“I still can’t believe it.”
I mean, really. I’m in shock that Megan has been arrested and is awaiting bail for conspiracy to gun distribution as well as aiding and abetting a felon.
Trevor is being held without bail, an obvious flight risk. His case is going in front of a judge and he will be formally charged tomorrow. Busy from all the action this morning, Jude didn’t get to my house until well after seven-thirty. Tony had come over and no one had eaten yet so we headed to Granite City because they are brewing their seasonal Octoberfest Beer. Octoberfest is one of the best parts about fall. We just got our drinks and are sitting in a back booth in the bar area. Jude pushed me in first, following me in and proceeded to tuck me into his side with Tony sitting across from us.
“That bitch is out of her mind. She’s totally driven by money and greed, Gabby, you’re just too nice to see it in her. Her jackass of a husband dragged her into this, but she’s getting what she deserves by going along with it,” Tony lays it out.
Jude, who gives me a squeeze and I look up at him, agrees with Tony but does it more gently. “He’s right. I know you think she’s your friend, but you didn’t see her interrogated. That woman has the nerve of steel, but she finally broke and started spilling quick when she realized she needed to do what she can to save her own ass. She knew about the gun trafficking business and even where Harper stashed some of his cash. She’s not in as much heat as her husband, but she’s an accessory to many federal crimes. She needs to start being smart and cooperate or be prepared to do some time, losing her kids in the process.”
“But they got the kids back to their grandparents, right?” I ask, concerned about her little hoodlums.
“Yeah, they came immediately. The kids were only with Omaha PD for a bit, but once their drama queen mother was taken away, they started to settle down.” Jude shakes his head, preparing to take another drink of his beer.
The waiter came for our orders and I leaned back into Jude’s side, deciding I need to enjoy my Octoberfest and forget about Megan for tonight. Although, secretively, I can’t wait to call Lilly, Leigh, and Reagan to give them the scoop tomorrow. I also decide to focus on my life getting back to normal again.
The thought of this makes me smile, so I share with my dinner companions, “You know what this means, right? It means I’m a free woman. I can come and go, shop at will and catch up with my life. It might suck to be Megan but it’s a good day to be Gabby.”
Tony grins as I hear Jude chuckle, feeling him lean in to kiss the side of my head. “Yeah, Gabby. Looks like you’re free to do as you please.”
“Well, it’s just in time. I’ve got the Children’s Home charity gig I need to decorate for this weekend.”
It is at this moment about one thousand, seven hundred and forty-four things crash together in my head.
There’s no threat against me. Does that mean Jude will go back to his condo? He’s here with me now, but still, nothing is defined. He’s made it clear he’s interested in me and wants to see where this could lead, but what’s the next step? My life has been upside-down crazy and I’m not sure how Jude is going to fit into my normal everyday life when I’m not being beat up, threatened, or my house is being broken into. Will he want to back-off and slow down now that things are normal? What if he’s one of those guys that needs alone time and I’ve been a burden?
My face must look as upsetting as my thoughts because Jude gives me a little shake. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
I try to fake it. “Nothing, sorry, just started thinking about all I have to do for this event this weekend.” Not sure of how to explain myself, I start to babble on. “Lilly works in advertising, but volunteers to put together this fund raiser event every year and she roped me into decorating.”
“You sure you’re okay, Gabba?” Tony presses, knowing me well.
I pull my beer up to my mouth and mumble, “Fine, just behind on everything.”
I see Tony give a look to Jude and then back to me but keeps on, “I’m just glad I don’t have to dress up this year. Last year’s sucked. How Casino Night turned into formal attire, I have no idea. I’m all up for a Country and Western BBQ and since the practice buys the table, I can’t complain.”
Trying to concentrate on Tony and not Jude, I press, “Who are you bringing this year? And if you bring that bimbo Shayla again, I might throw up on your cowboy boots. Honestly, where you meet these women is beyond me.” I roll my eyes.
Tony has no desire to settle down, which drives my aunt and uncle crazy. He might bring a woman to social events, such as this charity gig, but never brings anyone to a family gathering.
“No, Gabby. Shayla was fun for a while, but I got tired of having to explain everything to her. Not the sharpest knife.” He winces. “I haven’t decided who to bring yet. I have a plethora of choices.”
“Gross,” I mutter.
Luckily, we were saved by our food as the waiter starts plopping down our dinners. “Here we go. Bruschetta Salad, Adult Bock Mac and Cheese, and a Bleu Peppercorn Burger. Let me know if you need anything.”
I look over and Jude is grinning at my salad, so I immediately go on the defense. “What? This salad isn’t about the salad, it’s about the bread. Look at this, six enormous slices of garlicy, buttery and cheesy crostini.”
As Jude takes a big bite of his burger he doesn’t say anything, just shakes his head. I dig into my bread and salad, listening to Jude and Tony talk football. I find myself start to worry about what’s going to happen now that Trevor Harper isn’t on the loose. During the past three and a half weeks, I’ve felt a lot of things, but not the loneliness that I’ve become used to. I like Jude being with me, in my house, and although I’ve hated being locked up, I love having him around. Now I wonder if I should have guarded myself more, not let myself become accustomed to him and enjoy the easy feeling he gives me.