Page 33 of Missing Marcus

They pulled into the parking lot. Gabby searched for Jackie’s car. “She’s not here, yet.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “She must’ve gotten stuck in traffic.”

“We’ll give her thirty minutes and then leave,” Knight ordered. “You’re freezing. I don’t know what you’re involved in. Do you think she may be in danger?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m the only one who figured it out. Jackie promised to bring my files where I put the ledgers.”

“What do you do?” he asked her.

She stared straight ahead as she answered him, “I manage an accounting firm.” Turning to face him, Gabby’s face held no emotion or expression. “I quit the diner a year and a half ago when they offered me an intern position and hired me when I received my master’s degree. A transfer to the Seattle office opened up and I accepted it. After all, California didn’t hold anything else for me. You made sure of it.”

Silence filled the car as the damning statement struck him like a blow to his face. Everything he believed shattered before his eyes. While he became obsessed with hunting down a monster, his wife moved on with her life. One, which didn’t include him.

The minutes ticked by and she pressed her face against the glass, searching for her friend.

“Gabby. We need to return,” Knight insisted. “If she returns your call, I’ll come to Seattle and retrieve them. We need to get you into warm clothes.”

Gabby peered at Saint. “Does Serenity have a hotel?”

Saint turned to Gabby. “There’s a bed and breakfast. You’re welcome to return to our house. Bryanna’s beside herself worried about you.”

She turned to scan the parking lot one last time. “I’ll leave Jackie a text. It’s possible she forgot, but I’m worried. I didn’t say anything to her about what I found.”

Taco pulled out of the diner parking lot and onto the road leading to Serenity. “With your condition, I think taking you to Doc and PITA’s hospital for a quick assessment might be better. Plus PITA may have a place for you to stay.”

“PITA?” Gabby asked.

Saint chuckled. “You aren’t the only woman who keeps us on our toes. PITA is our team’s nickname for Kassie. We raced to save her but she saved herself. In the process, she shot Leo in the ass. Our team refers to her as PITA, AKA, pain in the ass.”

Gabby giggled.

“She seems nice. Can you tell Bryanna…I understand. But I’m not ready to speak with her yet,” Gabby confessed.

“Wounds heal with time. Why don’t we take you to the hospital? PITA will check you out. Once we’re assured both you and the baby are fine, we’ll need you to tell us what’s in those files and who’s after you,” Saint said as they drove out of Seattle.

Gabby trembled but nodded. Knight attempted to hold her fingers to offer support and she moved her arm, refusing any comfort from him. The gesture cut him like a knife.

She texted Jackie’s number and waited for a reply.

It’s Gabby. You must’ve gotten held up. An acquaintance of mine will pick up the files from you. Let me know when you receive this message.

Frowning, Gabby placed her phone in her purse.

Laying her head against the seat, she closed her eyes. A few minutes later, her head lolled to the side as she fell asleep. Knight brushed the damp hair from her face. His gaze scanned Gabby from head to toe. Weariness overtook him as he recalled all his blunders over the last year and a half. The Gabby he knew threw her arms around him and kissed him repeatedly until they laughed and forgave each other. While he’d rescued strangers from across the world, he felt at a loss on how to save his marriage.

20

Kassie waited at the door as they pulled up to the hospital’s entrance. Gabby moved to get out of the vehicle when Knight touched her arm. “Wait. I’ll carry you in,” he gently ordered.

Ignoring him, she opened the door. Taco scooped her up and she wrapped her good arm around his neck as Kassie led them to an exam room. The man placed her on the bed before turning and leaving. Knight walked in and stood at the entrance.

Noticing him, Gabby turned to Kassie. “I don’t want him here.”

Kassie approached him. “It’s best you leave. I need to examine Gabby and the baby.”

“She’s my wife and carrying my child. I only want to ensure her health,” he explained as he glanced at his wife.

“No. I’m your soon-to-be ex-wife and you doubt the paternity of this child. I don’t want you here,” she corrected him coldly.

Kassie gripped his arm, much stronger than he imagined from the petite pregnant woman. Her eyes shot fire. “My patient requests you leave. Her health remains my sole concern.”

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