Page 50 of Missing Marcus

Knight leaned back on the sofa and swiped a hand across his face. “It’s no secret I struggled with my team toward the end. I accepted the black ops mission to terminate my contract early. The last year with Gabby felt like a chore. I provided everything for her, a house, nice car and access to our bank accounts. Whenever I came home, she and I fought over stupid things. Everything snowballed between the tension on the team and coming home to a strained marriage and I didn’t understand why.”

“Did you ask Gabby?” Abe asked as he sipped his beer.

“I tried fixing things by joining the black ops mission, and in exchange, my contract terminated upon completion. I finally accomplished my task, and when I returned home, I found Gabby sitting up in bed, and a man walked out of our bathroom. I automatically assumed the worst. I gave her until the next day to remove her things.”

Wolf let out a low whistle. “I take it then you didn’t address the situation on your trips home. Did she try talking to you about how she felt? I can’t imagine she didn’t feel the strain between you two.”

“I didn’t. After seeing the other man, I refused to talk to her until we met at the attorney’s office. By then, I imagined everything at its worst. I struck out at my wife and wanted to hurt her as much as I thought she hurt me.”

Abe raked a hand through his hair and leaned back in his chair. “Damn, Knight. You didn’t give her time to explain?”

He shook his head. “I was still reeling from the mission, and the shock of the scene sent me spiraling. I didn’t know she moved to Seattle until I received a call from the hospital saying she was involved in an accident and she forgot to remove me as her emergency contact. I walked in to find her on the maternity ward and pregnant.”

Wolf glanced at Abe. “She called Alabama and Caroline. She asked if you told us she cheated.”

“Yeah,” he murmured. “Then I stuck my foot in my mouth by asking if I fathered the baby. I insisted on taking her home and she lied about where she lived. I took her to a ‘friend’s apartment’ in a shitty area and discovered she lived there. Because I tried to destroy her, she slept on an air mattress, pregnant and counting pennies, worried about having enough money for maternity leave.”

Abe scowled. “I can’t imagine you not helping with the baby. Why didn’t she tell you?”

Sighing, Knight admitted, “She did. She texted me one evening and asked to talk to me. I texted back, demanding she speak through my attorney.”

“I’m sure that went over like a lead balloon. You explained how you fucked up with Gabby. What happened with the team?” Wolf asked, sipping on his beer.

“Those guys seem tight. They operate as one. Saint invited me to meet up with them. When we arrived, the entire pool area was filled with kids and their wives including my sister. When I say they care for each other, I’m not kidding. It’s like a giant love fest cult. The men helped with the kids while the wives chatted and then packed everything up before sending them on their way. Then, we discussed business.”

They gazed at him, confused. “What’s wrong with them helping their women and children? It’s their family,” Wolf inquired, trying to figure out why Knight found the situation strange.

“I don’t know. It felt weird. Saint told me what the team went through when they lost three teammates. Nobody comes out of this unscathed, and they sat around the pool caring for each other’s wives and kids like one big happy family. It seemed like one big lie,” Knight struggled with why he felt the way he did.

Wolf’s brows furrowed as he stared at him. “Let me ask you something. If Abe went away for the weekend and Alabama needed help, who do you think she’d call?”

He rubbed his forehead as if he didn’t understand why she needed to call anyone. “I don’t know. Gabby handled everything on her own.”

Wolf frowned and shook his head. “You’ve known my wife for a long time and how she earned the moniker Ice. There’s not a doubt in my mind she couldn’t handle anything thrown her way. It doesn’t mean she should. I’m her partner in everything. When I’m not here, one of my brothers steps in for me if the need arises. She’s one of the strongest women I know. As her husband, I’m her helpmate, her lover, and her best friend.”

Knight shook his head. “I did things for Gabby. I made sure she didn’t want for anything.”

“Wait a minute.” Abe’s hand went up as if to stop him. “I don’t think you’re understanding what Wolf’s telling you. A spouse doesn’t cheat if you’re meeting all her needs at home.”

“She never complained about anything. When I returned home, I ensured her car got serviced, my check went into the account and I never once complained if she went on a shopping spree or when I came home to find out she had torn a wall down and painted the entire kitchen.”

“You handled her physical needs. What about her emotional ones?” Abe asked.

“She seemed happy,” he faltered.

Abe sighed. “Let me tell you a story. My wife cleaned businesses at night when I met her. I spun up on a mission and when I returned, I discovered an ex-girlfriend of mine accused her of stealing. Instead of supporting her, I railed at her because I hate liars. When my team set me straight, I returned to apologize, but she left. My team and I searched endlessly for her and finally lured her in to speak with me through her attorney. My team supported her. They cared for her when she refused to let me. They set me straight and called me on my bullshit.”

“How did she take you tricking her?” he asked.

“I didn’t go in right away. My friends spoke with her and protected her from me because I acted like a fool. They made it clear she had a choice.”

“What did you say to her to convince her to take you back? I fucked up royally and I overheard Gabrielle tell my sister she wanted the divorce finalized. I’m concerned for her safety and the baby’s. She worked for an accounting firm and discovered a file linked to human trafficking. Gabby didn’t have a car accident. Someone tried to hurt her. I took her to Bryanna’s and she found out I told my sister she cheated on me and left on her own. I don’t know if she’ll allow me to stay close after she tried discussing the custody situation. If something happens to her, and I can’t find her…”

Abe glanced at Wolf, who nodded and disappeared from the room.

“Knight, do you love Gabby?” he asked.

He nodded. “I love her more than anything.”

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