Free Elemental: Earth by L.E. Washington Page B

knew Dallas wouldn’t join them as long as Gavin was still sitting at the bar. His little brother was loyal to a fault and was constantly wishing aloud that he could do something for Gavin to at least show a portion of his gratitude for the care Gavin has given him all these years. So, between Tessa’s eyes burning holes in the back of his skull and the guilt he felt from ‘keeping’ Dallas from enjoying himself, Gavin decided to leave.
    “I think I’m going to head home,” he began as he dug in his pocket for his wallet. Dallas made a movement to pay for his drinks as well, but Gavin stopped him. “Look, you don’t have to leave just because I am. You have your bike. I have mine. Go enjoy yourself.”
    Dallas’ expression flickered as the vision of a moment alone with Gillian danced through his mind, but then he shook free of it. “Nah,” he said, “I’m good to leave. This place gets so loud and. . . fake and day-glow. It’s sensory overload for me. I much prefer the cantinas back home.”
    The two waved to the table and Tessa mentally sighed. She was ready for this to be finished. She wanted to complete this mission, get away from Zinsser, and move on already. This emotional yo-yo was not doing anything for her, either. She needed off this case and away from Gavin. She needed to preserve herself and preserve her sanity, and the only way she was going to do this was to complete the mission.
    She threw back her third or fourth shot of tequila of the night. I’m just going to have to throw myself at him, no holds barred, no pride, no dignity, she thought. If I don’t then he’s either going to get wise to us or I’m going to go crazy. I need this mission FINISHED! I need to bag these guys and get home. Her stomach dropped as she processed her thoughts. What the hell am I thinking? She realized that she was trying to see them as any other target, but these brothers were not just any other target. True, they were different than any person or being she’d ever come in contact with, and they were all almost too beautiful and perfect, but the real difference, the main difference with which she struggled was-- she couldn’t see any evil or maliciousness in them at all. She didn’t see any danger or any need to “capture” them. She usually had great intuition, and she had always been really good at reading people, and every fiber of her being was telling her that there was nothing “wrong” with these four brothers. For the first time in her life and career, she was questioning the validity of the mission. On top of all that she didn’t know or couldn’t figure out, there was one thing she knew for certain-- she did not want Gavin to leave her, and she was scared—for her own sake—to let him out of her sight.
    I must be drunk, Tessa thought. I don’t have feelings like this. I don’t worry about losing anyone much less a man.
    Feeling even bolder than her usual self, Tessa then picked up her purse and ran out the door without a word to the rest of the table. Out in the parking lot, Gavin had just started his motorcycle and was walking it out of the parking space to head it in the right direction down the dusty strip of road into the cavernous darkness.
    “Hey! Stop! Gavin!” Tessa didn’t know if she would be heard over the grumbles and rumbles of the motorcycle, so she waved her arms crazily and ran towards him at the same time.
    From the corner of his eye shaded by the mirrored faceplate of the helmet, Gavin caught the sight of Tessa in a form he never thought he would see from her-- uninhibited desperation. He didn’t say a word but dug underneath the seat compartment for the spare helmet, handed it to her, and revved the engine.
    Tessa kicked her high heels into the bushes surrounding the bar as she swept her hair back and settled the helmet on her head. Then, not caring who saw what, she climbed on the back of the motorcycle in a very ‘unladylike manner’, as her mother would say-- The