The Darkest Of Light (The Kings of Retribution MC)

"Thank fuck. I’m starving," Quinn says as he quickly plunders in the bag and unwraps one and shovels it into his mouth.

I turn my attention back towards the two screens.

"Brother, I think we have the same man here," Prez says as he looks between the two images.

"Looks like we’re taking us a ride to Bozeman in the morning men. You still keeping this from Alba?" Logan asks addressing me.

"I want more answers before I put this stress on her," I tell him, never taking my eyes off the two images on the screens in front of me, "Reid, can I count on you to protect my woman while I’m out of town tomorrow?"

"We protect our own, brother. You know I will."

Good. Because I’m about to do a little hunting of my own. This motherfucker is a dead man walking.

Chapter Twenty-three

Alba

I just finishing heating up the premade chicken alfredo sauce Lisa made and taking the garlic bread out of the oven when Gabriel comes striding through the front door. That woman put enough food in my freezer to last a month. I’m beyond grateful too, because unlike my sister, I’m not in love with cooking. I only cook because it’s a must, not because I like it. Coming up behind me, Gabriel nuzzles me in the crook of my neck.

"Smells good, babe."

"It does. You have Lisa to thank for it. My sister must have told her how much I like anything pasta because she cooked up every pasta dish known to man."

While Gabriel walks over to the kitchen sink to wash his hands, I go about pulling plates down from the cabinet to set the table.

"Is Austin still outside? Do I need to set a place for him?"

Drying his hands on the hand towel, "No, he went on back to the clubhouse," Gabriel informs. "I told him I needed to talk ya’ about something."

I turn my attention towards him, "Talk to me about what? Is everything okay?"

Taking me by the hand he leads me into the living room. When he sits down on the couch, he pulls me down onto his lap.

"I was at the garage with Quinn and Logan today. They were checking out your truck. After your accident, I had a feelin’ something about it was off. Prez had it towed so we could check it out ourselves."

I take a shuddered breath, "Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like what you found."

With his palm on my hips, Gabriel squeezes gently, "Your brake lines were cut."

Feeling the bile rising in my throat, I slap my hand over my mouth and rush down the hallway to the bathroom. I barely get the lid to the toilet raised in time before I empty the contents of my stomach.

Whoever threatened me while I was in Bozeman has found me, and he’s trying to make good on his promise. In fact, he almost succeeded.

"Fuck." I hear Gabriel curse behind me. Then I feel my hair being lifted away from my face and a cold washcloth placed on my neck. Helping me stand, Gabriel guides me over the sink where he pulls open the drawer taking out a spare toothbrush and toothpaste we keep in here in case we have guests.

After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I meet his concerned yet venomous eyes in the mirror.

"He’s found me, hasn’t he? He tried to kill me. He’s doing exactly what he said he would," I state in a shaky voice. I have held my shit together for months, but right now I feel like all my bravery has run out. "I don’t have any fight left, Gabriel. I’m so tired of trying to hold it together."

Scooping me up in his arm, I bury my face in the crook of his neck as he carries me out of the bathroom and up the stairs.

"You don’t have to fight mi amor my love, that’s what I’m here for." Setting me down on my side of our bed, he takes my face and encases it in his hands. Looking me in my eyes, I see fierceness and determination.

"Baby, no fuckin’ body is going to harm you or our son." Closing my eyes, I nod. "You are the bravest person I know. Had it not been for my own fuck ups, none of this shit would be happening."

I shake my head. "Gabriel, we’re past all that. I’ve forgiven you. It’s time you forgive yourself."

"I’ll never be able to forgive myself, Alba. Knowing you were out there having to go through this pregnancy alone. Feeling like I didn’t care for you... I will never forgive myself for doing that to you. But never again. From now on, I will carry you, Cariño Sweetheart. And I will do all the fighting," he declares brushing my tears away.