Page 92 of Angels & Whiskey
I stilled at the words that rolled off the tongue of the man I didn’t want to see.
Before I could turn around, I heard Gabe say, “I’m assuming you’re talking about me, asshole?”
Rich was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. He turned when I did as Gabe came up behind him.
“Tell me, Captain, did you think stealing my wife would somehow destroy me?”
My body tensed as I waited for Gabe to answer. I felt like a giant as I looked down on them from the chair I was standing on. My heart started to race as I looked on and my palms became sweaty. I wanted this to be a dream—to wake up in Gabe’s bed again and stay there until I met with an attorney.
“I can’t steal something that doesn’t want to be with you any longer,” Gabe barked.
Rich chuckled, still leaning on the wall. “Did you seek her out to get to me?”
“What?” Gabe asked, jerking his head slightly back in shock.
“You can’t tell me it’s a coincidence you two know each other and you’re helping her?” Rich pointed his thumb toward me.
Gabe chuckled. “You’re so full of yourself, even after all these years.”
“You always wanted to get me discharged.”
“This has nothing to do with the army, asshole. This has to do with Autumn!” Gabe snapped.
“And what about you, Lieutenant?” Rich asked Paul.
“I don’t have to tell you shit,” he hissed.
Paul stepped forward next to Gabe. I hadn’t seen him until he did so. Then I saw Remo come around the corner and take a step too. I felt like I was trapped in the room. The only exit was the doorway that all four men stood in.
Rich snickered and turned his gaze back to Gabe. “I’ve been waiting for the day to fuck up your world.”
Gabe stepped closer, getting in Rich’s face. “My world? Your wife is leaving you.”
Rich laughed again and looked over at me, pointing his thumb in my direction and said, “Her? I don’t give a shit about her. There’ll be others.”
It felt as if time stood still as I tried to process what Rich had said.
Gabe grabbed Rich’s T-shirt with one hand and stepped even closer, noses almost touching. “What the fuck does that mean?”
Rich shoved Gabe back a step. “You should know me by now, Captain. All my moves are calculated.”
Gabe shot his gaze toward me and I stared back, unable to say anything. “Enlighten us,Major,” Gabe hissed.
“Fuck off,” Rich spat.
“Then tell me!” I yelled. All heads turned in my direction.
“Why should I tell you anything, cunt?”
I sucked in a breath as Gabe grabbed Rich’s shirt again. Paul blocked Remo with his entire body the best he could and Gabe yelled, “Don’t fucking call her that, asshole.”
“I can call mywifewhatever the fuck I want and I suggest you let go of me before my man here takes action.” Rich nodded in Remo’s direction.
“I’m not scared of either one of you.”
Rich snickered again and Remo went to take a step to move around Paul toward Gabe, but Paul wouldn’t let him pass. I stepped off the chair and begged for Rich to tell me what was going on. “Just tell me what you mean. If I’m replaceable, why are you even fighting us?”
“Because!” Rich yelled, snapping his head toward me. “It takes time to make the plan work. It’s been four years with your ass and you’re still giving me a hard time.”
