GABE (Silicon Valley Billionaires 2)

“I haven’t done anything.” Yet. I jutted my chin out. “And I can’t fight with you about what I haven’t done. I can, however, worry that you’re about to get yourself shot.”

He sighed and cupped my chin. “We’re just doing preliminary legwork. I guarantee you we won’t find anything tonight—the only lead we have is where they dumped the car. Looking for Hannah from there is…”

“Is what?”

A glimmer of sympathy lit his eyes. “It’s like looking for a blonde needle in a haystack.”

I nodded. I either refused or was unable to cry at this point; I wasn’t sure which.

“I forgot to tell you something,” he said. “I had a call from my vendor in London—she heard about the sale.”

“What? Heard about it how?”

“She wouldn’t tell me that.”

I stood up and started pacing. “Who would’ve leaked that news, especially to one of your partners? Everyone who knows is aware it’s confidential!”

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

“Li Na won’t like it either—and I can’t let that be a problem. Did you tell your brothers?”

“I mentioned it. I didn’t want to tell you and make you upset, but I also didn’t want to hide it, because…you know. We aren’t doing that.” He stopped me from pacing and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “But I want you to know that I’m going to handle it. You have enough on your plate right now.”

“I appreciate that, but please keep me posted. And just so you know, when Li Na does get in touch about the trade, I promise to tell you everything.”

“Good—that’s reasonable.”

“In exchange, you have to be as reasonable about what she wants, given the circumstances.”

“I promise to be reasonable. As long as she doesn’t touch a hair on your precious blonde head.”

“Gabe!” Ash called from down the hall. “Let’s go!”

I pulled away from him reluctantly. “Why are you doing this tonight? Is it going to be dangerous at all?”

“It won’t be dangerous at all—only dangerously boring. But I can’t stand sitting around here, not doing anything. I talked with Leo and Dave today, and got them to look at the new Skype feed, but they can’t come up with anything. We’re at a dead-end. And then I get this call for my vendor… Going with Ash tonight will give me something to do besides just go crazy. Does that make sense?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“What will you do while I’m gone?”

I forced myself to smile. “Keep working. And worrying.”

He kissed the top of my head. “I love you, babe.”

“I love you too.”

I followed him to the door, wanting to beg him to stay. “I went to visit Wesley today. The nurse said his vitals look good, and that the doctors would be in this afternoon. I’m going to call the hospital to see if there’s any update.”

“He’s a fighter, like your sister. They really are perfect for each other.”

“I just hope they’re both going to be okay.”

Gabe came back and swept me into his arms. “They’re going to be okay. I promise.”

That wasn’t his promise to make, but I still clung to it—and him.

He kissed me one last time as he headed from the room. “I’ll call you later. Try to get some sleep.”