"Well, I only just found out a few hours ago, but she said at first she received flowers, then someone was leaving notes on her truck, things like that. Then she said she thinks whoever this person is, was in our room at the dorm we were staying in a few months ago. And tonight, we went out to eat and when we got back to our apartment it was trashed."
Not able to stand still any longer, I begin to pace. My vision starts to blur and my fingers twitch. I need to hurt something, someone. I need to wrap my hand around the motherfucker’s throat who dare thinks they can harm my woman.
"Is that it?" Logan breaks in.
Shaking her head back and forth, "No."
Just then Bella comes up behind us and walking up to Alba’s scared friend.
"You must be Leah."
Immediately, I notice that she’s been crying. Her face is red and her eyes are swollen. When she walks past, she completely ignores me as she grabs Leah’s hand, "Come on, my sister is asking for you." Stopping at the end of the stairs, Bella speaks quietly to Leah while pointing in the direction of Alba’s room.
Turning around, she motions to Logan. All the men are silent as we watch Bella and Logan having an intense looking conversation. It fucking pisses me off. I want to know what the hell is going on. Logan pulls Bella into his arms and gives her a kiss before she heads back up the stairs and to her sister. My brother’s grim face has my stomach clenching.
"We need to call church,” Logan demands. And fuck me—I know whatever he has to tell me is not going to be good.
Five minutes later I’m sittin’ in church smokin’ a cigarette waiting for my brother to speak. Once Logan takes his seat, I watch him signal to Reid and Quinn. Both get up from their chairs and stand in front of the door, blocking the exit. Snapping my head in Logan’s direction he holds my stare refusing to waver. When he speaks, he keeps his eyes trained on me.
“We all heard what the friend just informed us of a few minutes ago. Alba started receiving some flowers her first weeks of school. Later someone started leaving notes on her truck. The first time she realized some fucker had been in her room was the first weekend she came home to visit five months ago. Alba told Bella that the sick fuck had rummaged through her underwear drawer. She confessed there have been several more incidents since then, but this last one was her breaking point. When Alba and her friends arrived back home after going out to dinner, their apartment was torn apart. Alba’s sonogram picture was pinned to the wall of her bedroom with a pocket knife." Pausing, Logan cuts his eyes over to Jake, then over to the door where Reid and Quinn are still standing guard. My gut is telling me it’s for my benefit, because I’m about to lose my shit over what’s coming next. I feel it deep down in my bones. "Written on the wall above the pictures was the message—"Get rid of it or I will."
Standing abruptly, my chair goes crashing into the wall behind me. In a few short strides I come toe to toe with Quinn and Reid.
"Get the fuck out of my way,” I demand.
Reid denies my command, causing me to see red.
"Sorry, brother. I can’t do that."
I clench and unclench my fists. I’ve never hit one of my brother’s but at this moment I’m seriously considering it. I get further into Reid’s face, "Step aside, now." The venom in my voice evident.
Unflinching, he still refuses. "No."
I go to lunge for him, but someone must have anticipated my move. Suddenly, I feel an arm wrap around my neck and I’m pulled backwards. Crashing into the table behind us and then falling to the floor, I am now being held down by Logan and Reid. With a roar, I free one of my arms and thrust my elbow backwards, catching Reid in the nose causing blood to spurt out. The next thing I know Jake is now on my back with his knee digging into my spine and his forearm across my neck and I continue to struggle against him and Logan.
"Gabriel, you need to get your shit under control." Prez grinds out.
"Some motherfucker is threatening to hurt my woman and my baby!" I bellow.
"Yes, but Alba is here and she’s safe. So, you better get yourself together so we can handle the situation." Jake is right. She’s here and she’s okay, and I need a clear head.
Taking a few deep breaths, I allow myself to calm down. Feeling my body relax, Jake and Logan release their grips on me and allow me to stand. Running my inked hand over my face, I cut my eyes over to Reid who has taken his t-shirt off and is holding it to his nose. Striding up to him, I apologize.
"I’m sorry, brother."
Removing his shirt from his nose, he gives me a slight smirk and slaps me on my shoulder.
"It’s all good, man. I’ve had worse."
Picking my chair up and taking my seat at the table along with everyone else, Prez doesn’t waste anytime getting down to business.
"First things first," he says looking at me. "You claimin’ Alba?"
Nodding, I reply, "Sí Yes, she’s mine."
Chapter Fifteen
Alba