Page 26 of Graves

“No, I’m?—”

“We’re her ride,” Gabrielle practically scoffs before she begins giggling.

I cut her a glance that has her giggles dying before turning back to face Blake.

“I don’t want you getting in a car with someone that’s been drinking. Wait for me? I’ll make this quick.”

Blake smiles and nods when her friend cuts in, again.

“Aww, that’s so sweet! You’re so sweet! Why aren’t you that sweet to me anymore?” she complains, smacking her husband’s arm.

He winces at the impact and rolls his eyes before sending a gooey look to Blake that has my fist clenching in my lap.

“Because you’re not as breakable as Blake. She needs someone to dote on her.”

“Fuck you,” Blake scoffs with a chuckle, assumingly taking his words as teasing and not the hidden promise I plainly see them to be.

Yeah, the fuck she’s going home with them. If Mr. Aranda has it his way, he will no doubt leave his wife passed out in the car while he tries to take advantage of Blake. Not gonna fucking happen.

I bend down, pressing my lips to hers once more in a kiss that is definitely not appropriate for the restaurant, but it is for marking my territory. When I pull away, I don’t spare the two idiots across the table a glance as I look at my woman.

“Wait for me,” I say softly, but in a tone that brooked no argument.

She smiles up at me shyly as she nods, and I give her a quick wink before standing.

“Nice to meet you, Gabrielle, Christian,” I say, allowing my distaste for his name to linger on my tongue.

He frowns slightly at that, but his wife is oblivious as her hungry eyes rove over me, settling on my crotch. Okay, could this woman be any worse?

“Please, it’s Gabby.” She giggles before hiccupping.

I hum under my breath but don’t give her anything else before turning to Blake.

“See you soon, babygirl.”

I wrapup our quarterly meeting as fast as possibleand am out of my seat as soon as it’s acceptable. With a quick shake of the hand, I’m on a mission to find Blake. Glancing down at my phone, I see several more missed phone calls from an unknown number. I know who is trying to get a hold of me, and I know it’s gonna bite me in the ass if I don’t get in contact soon. I’m not ready yet, though. I need more time. I need to get her out of here, somewhere safe.

She mentioned that she loved San Diego, and I immediately started sending her condo listings after that. She’s laughed off each one, and I’m not sure if she doesn’t take me seriously or if she’s not willing to accept my offer. I’d whisk her away right this minute if she’d let me, but I just don’t think she is there yet.

So, for now, I dismiss the notification and look up to find Blake waiting for me in the front waiting area, alone. I grit my jaw in irritation at that. If Gabrielle was a good friend, she would wait with Blake before abandoning her, and if Christian wasn’t a piece of shit, he would wait to make sure the girl he’s very clearly hooked on wasn’t left alone for anyone to take advantage of. Whatever, I’m glad they’re gone, and I’m glad she was a good girl and listened to me.

When she sees me, her smile is wide and makes my chest tighten at the sight alone. I can’t fight a small smile of my own when she looks at me that way. Fucking hell, I don’t think I’ve smiled as much in my entire life as I have over the last two months. She’s changing me, I can feel it, but fuck if I want to fight it.

“How was your lunch?” I ask as I pull her into my arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before walking her outfront. I hand the valet my ticket, and he jogs off to get my car.

“Good. Gabby got a little too drunk, so Christian took her home shortly after you left.”

“That happen often?” I ask.

Blake lets out an airy laugh as she nods. “More than you know.”

I want to ask her why she surrounds herself with people like them. She can clearly do better. She is totally oblivious to Christian’s affections, so it can’t be an attention thing. In fact, Gabrielle seems extremely threatened anytime the spotlight shines off her for even a moment. That makes for a terribly one-sided friendship, and my babygirl deserves a hell of a lot better. Something tells me that conversation won’t go over well. So, for now, I’ll stay silent, be there for her the way people in her life should, and I’ll be keeping an extra-careful eye on Christian Aranda.

When my car pulls up, I grab the car door, opening it for her before moving to the driver’s side. I tip the valet, and then we’re off. I easily maneuver through the streets, pulling up to her apartment in no time.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?”

“It’s my first night off in ten days. I’ll probably lay in bed all day and relish every fucking bit.” She smiles.

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