Read Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series for Free Online Page B

grasping the twins.
    “Honey, did you get that drunk man of yours?” the red-head said slyly.
    Her friend, the busty brunette giggled as she grabbed Gabe’s arm. “Come on in, Gabe.”
    Vinny and Gabe growled simultaneously, trying to disentangle themselves from the grasping claws of the two. Sending them back inside, Gabe turned just in time to see the woman between the two older men in the truck as it pulled quickly from the parking lot.
    “Fuck,” he bit out. “I just found her only to lose her again.”
    Vinny, rid of the bar trolls, moved up beside him slapping him on his shoulder. “Yeah, but this time, bro, you’ve got more than you had.” Smiling at Gabe’s questioning look, he continued, “I got her license number.”
    Sighing deeply, Gabe smiled. “I owe you, man. I owe you.”

CHAPTER 3
    H enry looked up as Jennifer headed toward the back door. “You don’t have to go, you know,” he called out.
    Turning, she smiled, rolling her eyes. “I’ll be fine. Cora is watching Ross and now that the truck is running, I want to get more food.” Walking to the door, she gave a wave and headed out into the night.
    The old truck rumbled into the alley behind the hotel and she pulled as close to the kitchen door as possible. The driver’s door screeched horribly as she opened it to hop out. The door became stuck so she leaned her weight against it to close it all the way. She glanced over at the dumpster and saw several boxes stacked neatly as though someone had known she was coming. Carlos must have left them for me, she thought, grateful that she did not have to dig through the trash. A sudden memory washed over her as she remembered her encounter with the handsome man when she was here the last time.
    Hearing a noise near the kitchen door, she turned expectantly. Eyes bright, her exclamations of greetings were stuck in her throat as a figure moved out into the light. Gasping, she stepped back. Him! Jesus is he everywhere? What’s he doing here?
    Gabe, having come for the past two nights only to go home disappointed, found his heart pounding at seeing her again. The blonde curls were tucked under a knit cap this time, but some had escaped and blew around her cheeks. Dressed similarly to the first time he saw her, he noticed the warm but worn jacket. And her eyes…sapphire crystals focused on him.
    Giving his most charming smile, he pushed off of the brick wall and walked over to her truck, careful not to move too quickly nor too close. He snagged the boxes from the ground, asking, “Are these good enough for what you need, Jennifer?”
    Stunned into silence, she just nodded before she quickly reacted. “How do you know my name? And what are you doing here?” Walking to the back of her truck, she stood next to him, glaring up.
    He saw her stalk over, both admiring her courage and strangely angered at her lack of concern in talking so boldly with a large stranger in a dim alley. While he would never hurt her, she could not know that. Leaning against the truck, he casually crossed one tree-trunk leg over the other.
    “Thought I’d come help you out,” he said, turning on the charm once again.
    Jennifer gave an unladylike snort and rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you missing your movie star friend? Or wait, maybe the half-dressed woman from the bar?”
    Irritation flashed through his eyes for a second, then he answered, “Nope. I’m here to see you tonight.”
    “Me? What makes you think I could afford you even if I did want an escort?” she said indignantly, pushing by him to move toward the kitchen door.
    “Afford?” he asked, eyebrow lifting in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    Not even turning to look at him, lest her eyes give away her interest, she said, “I heard what your movie star said. She said you were her escort, so I figured she paid you to do…um… that.”
    Laughter rang out from the kitchen door as Carlos came out. “Escort service? Oh Gabe, that’s a good