“Thank you, Felipe.”
His guard nodded his head and turned to leave.
Gabe had nothing to go on. He picked up the file on the man with Laura’s words ringing in his ears. Another picture of her fell out of the file. She was a pretty girl, no denying it. Slightly mousy features a teenager would have. Her body had already developed. The shape of her could easily draw every single male’s attention, and he had a feeling the man in that photograph was the result of her cynicism.
Slapping the file closed, he got to his feet as another knock happened at the door.
“Come in,” he said.
“Sir, Anya is outside, waiting.”
He blew out a breath. Anya was an ex-lover who had enjoyed spending his money for as long as he enjoyed being between her thighs. She hadn’t been anything special. Easy. She’d whined all the time, and he’d found her utterly droll. Many times, she’d brought up the subject of marriage.
“Get rid of her,” he said.
Felipe nodded. The man knew how to do his job.
He had a date somewhere else. He left his office and made his way down to the car.
“I just want to see him. It’s really important,” Anya said.
“You need to leave,” Felipe said. “You were aware of your time with him being over.”
“He loved me.”
“No, I didn’t,” Gabe said, stepping toward Felipe, who had his hands on the woman, trying to restrain her.
“Please, Gabe. I need you. I’ll do whatever you want.”
He saw the look in her eyes. The dilated pupils. He’d suspected she was using, and now he was completely convinced. At the time, he’d offered her a full-expense-paid rehabilitation. Drugs were always supplied, and he had a portion of the pie. He’d never given them to Anya, nor had he ever taken them himself. The world, when it came to drugs, was a messy one. He didn’t like it, but he also knew the market.
“Listen to me closely,” he said, stepping toward her. “You will leave. If you come here again, I will have no choice but to call the cops and have you arrested.”
She burst out laughing. “Go ahead. I’ll tell the cops everything. I know a lot about you, Gabe.”
He wrapped his fingers around her neck. “If you know so much about me, why are you standing in front of me, threatening me?” He squeezed even tighter. This woman sickened him.
As far as he was concerned, he was through with her.
Throwing her away, he turned to Felipe. “Handle it.”
He turned on his heel and climbed into his car. Two of his guards climbed into another and proceeded to follow him. He drove toward the diner. It just so happened, this was one place he didn’t actually own.
Stepping out of his car, he made his way into the diner and found her already serving.
Families and couples were spread out while the singletons sat at the bar. The scent of greasy food filled the air as soft music played. Children’s laughter with the occasional squeal filled the air. All of it screamed it was the wrong place for him, and yet, he took a seat, watching as Laura helped with a young family.
He saw a woman on her own with four kids. Laura helped put the baby into a high chair.
Seeing her holding a young child did something to Gabe. He’d never considered kids. The world he lived in didn’t exactly allow for love or a family, but the sight before him couldn’t go unnoticed. She looked natural.
With the baby in the chair, next, she helped the little girl to sit. The woman thanked her repeatedly. Once everyone was sat down, Laura took out her notepad. The woman reached out, touching Laura’s arm and pointing at the door.
In a matter of seconds, Laura turned toward him. She pocketed her notepad and pen. Nothing in her stance gave away the fact she’d caught sight of him.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I came to see you. Rough night?” He pointed toward the table.
Her gaze followed his finger and she shook her head.
“No. Her husband is supposed to be joining them. The man just got a brand-new job and they recently moved to the city, but the kids are having a hard time adjusting. This place makes them feel like home.”
“You got all that?” he asked.
“Yes, and I help her often. Her name’s Cynthia. She and Frank are a lovely couple. They’ve just fallen on bad times.”
“But you don’t believe in love.”
She rolled her eyes. “Cynthia and Frank are one of a kind. You’ll see.”
He watched as she poured a cup of coffee and three milkshakes. She’d also brought over a baby’s bottle, which she warmed in the microwave. She tested the temperature on the inside of her arm.
She carried the drinks over on a tray, and he noticed she also took over some coloring sheets with crayons. With the table settled, she returned to him. “What can I get you?” she asked.