Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series (8 page)

“Okay, we can continue,” he added. “My private investigators tell me that this one building in the two block area is in a prime location and the only hold-up is that the apartment is for old folks. We could force them out, but this bitch is in our way. Hear me well, the last thing I want is for her to end up in the newspaper championing the cause of these old geezers. And for fuck sake, I don’t want other groups involved.”

“I got it.”

“Keep an eye on her and let me know if she comes back.”

“Yes, sir,” came the expected response.

Ending the private call, he pressed for his secretary. Immediately, a distinguished woman entered, ready to assist. She was his cousin’s wife and completely trustworthy.
What was it that grandfather always said? Keep your family close if you want to keep your enemies at a distance.

Concluding their legitimate business, he asked for her to send for his private investigator whose office was in his building, as well as his head of security. As she left, he mulled over the file open on his desk.
The fucking Elder Care Housing Grant. And the equally beautiful Jennifer Lambert that had spear-headed the project.

His eyes scanned the latest report. Her grant had given the group enough money to have a five-year lease on the building. Rubbing his head, he considered the ramifications of taking her on publicly.
No, not happening.

A knock on his door indicated that his appointment was there. Santo Mancello, head of security walked in first. Tall, dark and ruthless, the Mancello family had served Michael’s family since the time of their grandfathers. Following Santo, Michael’s nephew Frederick, his private investigator, walked in and took a seat. Frederick was still learning the job, but being a quick study and eager to please, Michael was satisfied that his nephew would do well in the family business. As the men sat down in the dark leather chairs, they began their meeting.

By the time they had considered their options, he announced, “I’ve had someone make inquiries to the owner of the building, Mr. Stuart Mason. He’s an old man, lives alone. Seemed as though he would be willing to sell. So, I want Ms. Lambert watched. Discreetly. I want to know who she sees and what she’s doing. If we can provide an incentive to have her bow out of the project, that would be perfect. If not, then perhaps she will open up a door for us to encourage her to abandon. And if not that, then lean on her. But not until I give the order. Someone at The State Capitol is reporting to me and will try to sabotage her efforts there.

“Sir, we also have someone at her workplace that will be reporting to me as well,” Santo said.

“Is there any way that they would agree to move? If you had another cheap building that you didn’t want – would they want to move and then you would avoid the hassle,” Frederick said.

“All the money from their grant has gone into their own renovation and the lease. It also keeps the old geezers in the neighborhood that they were from. Our contact at The State Capitol has indicated that it would still be a public relation nightmare to force the issue. Not to mention that would indicate that I am willing to buy out instead of force-out. And that would be suicide for my reputation as a man who gets what he wants, how he wants it.”

“So for now, keep our eyes open?” confirmed Santo.

Nodding, Michael stood indicating that the meeting was over. “Remember, I don’t want her to know she’s being watched. Not until I give the order to move in.”

As the men left through his office door, his secretary stepped in. “Sir, if there is nothing more, I will say goodnight.”

Turning, he smiled. “That will be all, Eloise. Please kiss your children for me and tell them that we will have you over for dinner soon.”

His secretary beamed as she closed the door. Standing in front of his wall of windows, he looked out over the night skyline of the city. A smile crossed his face as he saw many of the buildings that he had made millions from renovating. The smile left his face as his eyes moved to the distance, on the other side of the river, knowing that a huge block of buildings were ripe for the picking if it was not for the old folks and their beautiful, meddling champion.

T
he afternoon was
cold and Jennifer was about to meet Ross’ bus at the corner. An old man, in a worn coat, stood at the bottom of the stairs. Looking up at her, he asked, “Do you have any food here?”

Sighing deeply, she answered, “We’re not a homeless shelter. There’s one a few blocks over. I can show you where as soon as I meet the school bus.”

“Oh, I got a place to stay. I was just hungry, that’s all,” he said, keeping his eyes on her.

Looking at him with compassion, she added, “Okay. Go straight through the main hall into the kitchen. Tell the woman in there that Jennifer said to give you some food.”

The old man climbed the stairs as she came down. Stopping her with his hand on her arm, he thanked her.

Bestowing a smile on him, she nodded and then jogged down the street, trying to stay warm as she hurried to the bus stop.
Oh, I hope I’m not late.

The bus stopped on the corner and out bounded a bundled-up child, jumping the last step onto the sidewalk, looking around.

“Ross, Ross,” she yelled, waving her arms. “I’m here.”

“Jennybenny!” the child yelled as he threw himself into her arms. “Sis, the field trip was so cool!”

Greeting her brother, she pulled the scarf off of her neck and wrapped it around his neck. “Where’s your scarf? And for that matter, where are your gloves?”

“I don’t know. I may have left them in the museum.”

“Ross, honey. You have to be more careful. Here put mine on,” she said calmly, pushing his hands into her knit gloves.

“I’m sorry, sis. I’ll get more with my allowance when we go to the dollar store,” he said.

“Oh that won’t be necessary. Just try to keep up with the next ones, okay buddy?” she smiled, kissing the top of his head. “Come on, tell me about the museum.”

The two walked back to their building, chatting and laughing, oblivious to anyone watching.

Sitting in one of Alvarez’s SUV with darkened windows, Gabe smiled as he watched the scene in front of him unfolded.
Jesus, I’m such a stalker, but I just had to know.
Gabe knew he had a reputation as a player, but he had never been with a married woman or a woman with a significant other. It just was not his play.
But Ross? Her brother.
Continuing to smile, he started the vehicle pulled into traffic.
Beautiful. Jesus, she’s so beautiful.
As he replayed the scenario in his mind, his smile lessened as he thought about her giving up her scarf and gloves and the child’s comment about the dollar store. Glancing down at his expensive, leather gloves and feeling the heat pouring out of the vent of his new Jeep, he vowed to not waste any more time getting to know her.

*

Driving to the
restaurant, Jennifer wondered if he would be there. Her giant.
That’s such a childish way to think of him. Gabe. His name is Gabe.
Stop making him more than he is. Just a man. A player. An over-confident player.
As she pulled the old truck to the dumpster, she saw him step from the shadows, a smile on his face.
Okay, an incredibly gorgeous, well-built
hunk of a player.
Licking her lips nervously, she looked up in his face as he stepped up to open her door. Wincing at the screech she noticed that he did not seem to pay attention to the old jalopy.

“Hello, Jennifer,” he greeted as he assisted her down from the truck.

She couldn’t help but smile. He helped her down from her rusty, old junker as though she were alighting from the carriage to the ball. “Hi, Gabe.”

“I’ve already been inside and gathered everything that Carlos had for you.”

Looking over, there were several cardboard boxes filled with bags neatly stacked by the kitchen door. Before she could comment, he turned and lifted them easily, walking to the back of the truck.

“That looks like more than I usually get,” she said. “Are you sure that’s all for me?”

Gabe smiled down at her as he set the boxes carefully in the bed of the truck. “Well, didn’t know how far you had to carry them, so I put less in each box to make them lighter.”

Turning her stunned look up to his face, she said, “Wow, thank you. That’s really…thoughtful. I just…well, I…Gabe, why are you doing this?”

Looking down at his boots for a moment, he rubbed the back of his neck trying to figure out what to say. “I just want to get to know you, Jennifer. It seemed like helping you was the best way.”

She searched his face, trying to determine his motives, but found nothing but sincerity. Shaking her head slowly, she confessed, “I don’t know what you think to gain. I’m…nobody.”

His head lifted, cocked to the side, confusion in his eyes. “Nobody?”

Her eyes snapped and she placed her hands on her hips. “Gabe. Seriously. Look at me. Do I look like some movie star? I’m just me. Just the real me.”

“I don’t want a movie star. I want to know you. Just you. Just the real you,” he countered quickly.

“This makes no sense,” she said, her hand moving back and forth between them.

“I’m a man who finds someone that sparks something deep inside, something that hasn’t been sparked in a long time, and I want to explore it. And I know you felt it too if that kiss was any indication. That makes sense to me,” he said softly, stepping closer.

She stood there with her head leaned back to peer into his eyes and her heart racing, pondering his words.
What am I doing? This is crazy.

He saw her eyes dart between his as though trying to see inside of him, looking for a lie. Or something to believe in.
Come on, baby. Give me a chance.

Not used to having to work so hard, he found himself holding his breath, hoping she would give them a chance. He saw her eyes drop to his lips and her breathing increase.

Absently pushing her wind-blown curls out of her face, she sucked in her lips before looking down at the ground. Sighing deeply, she looked back up, resignation on her face.

“Gabe, I…I’m a social worker for DSS. A low-level city employee working my butt off to get by. My life isn’t really…um…conducive to dating.”

“Then let’s just take time to get to know each other. Let’s just see where it goes.” He took one more step closer, reaching out to gently place his hands on her shoulders, noting that she did not pull away.

“What do you suggest?” she whispered, her eyes on his lips.

Gabe leaned down, his lips a breath away from hers, and said, “I’d like to kiss you.”

Unable to form any words, she found herself rising on her tip-toes to capture his lips with hers. She heard moaning as he deepened the kiss, then realized the sounds came from her. Opening her mouth to his, she reveled in the feel of his tongue plunging inside. She drank him in. His taste, distinctly him, filled her senses. Winding her arms around his neck, she was barely aware of being lifted as the kiss took on a life-force of its own.

One hand on her ass and the other arm wrapped around her cupping the back of her head, he held her easily. Amazed at how perfectly she fit in his arms, he groaned as his cock swelled, pressing in his jeans painfully.
Always thought a man my size needed a big woman, but this. Is. Perfect.
Her breasts pressed into his chest and her ass fit perfectly.

The kitchen door opened, shedding a bright light into the dark alley, as Carlos looked out at the lip-locked couple again. “Damn you two. What do y’all do, just come to this alley to make out like teenagers?”

They broke the kiss and Jennifer began to squirm to be let down.

“Not letting go yet, babe. Just hang on,” Gabe rumbled. Turning with her in his arms, he nodded to Carlos. “That it?” he asked, indicating the boxes still by the door?

Laughing, Carlos nodded. “Yeah, man. That’s it.” He paused for a second before calling out, “Ms. Jennifer? You okay?”

She smiled his way and said, “I’m fine, Carlos. Thanks for the food.” She watched him wave and then head back into the kitchen, closing the door behind him, once again casting them in shadows.

“Oh my God,” she said. “That was so embarrassing.”

“Nothing wrong with a man kissing a beautiful woman in the moonlight, although I’d prefer it not be in an alley with the smell of garbage floating through the air.”

At that, she giggled and he gently let her down, keeping his hands on her shoulders until she was firm on her feet. Blushing she looked at the ground, not willing to look up at him.

Gabe tilted her head up with his fingers on her chin. “Let’s get this food in the truck and then I’m going to follow you home.” Seeing the question in her eyes, he quickly continued, “I don’t want you out at night by yourself and yes, I know you’ve been doing it for a long time.” Kissing her forehead, he made short work of the boxes, loading them efficiently.

Assisting her into her truck, he waited patiently as she worked to get it started.
She needs a new set of wheels
, he thought, frightened at the thought of her breaking down on the side of the road late at night. She finally moved out of the alley and he pulled in behind her, driving to her building.