Gabe: The Alvarez Security Series Read Online Free Page A

up. Ross is waitin’ for you.”
    With that incentive, she took the stairs two at a time, all the way to the third floor. Walking down the well-lit hall, she ignored the peeling paint and worn tiles. Getting to her apartment, she tapped out the special knock on the old wooden door and heard the sound of several locks being unlatched. Throwing open the door, she was almost knocked over with a bear hug from Ross.
    “I missed you,” he effused.
    Laughing she replied, “I wasn’t gone that long, you know.”
    “I know, but I can’t go to sleep until you get home.”
    Lifting one eyebrow, she asked, “Well, are you ready to head to bed now?”
    “Oh yeah.” He grabbed her hand and led her toward the back of the small apartment. Hopping into the bed, he grinned as he turned toward her.
    She walked over, love shining in her blue eyes, and grabbed the covers to pull them up. Tucking him in, she whispered, “I love you, Ross.”
    “I love you too, sis,” came the reply. “Tell me a story.”
    Piling up on the bed with him, it only took a few minutes for her to regale him with tales of dragons, little boys being rescued, beautiful fairies and tonight she couldn’t help but add in giants. In a few minutes, he fell asleep and she gently stood from the bed, careful not to wake him.
    Kissing the top of his blond head, she left his bedroom making sure the night-light was on. He may be eight years old, but Ross still liked having some light at night.
    Walking back into the kitchen, she ran a glass full of tap-water. Taking a large drink, her mind wandered back to the man she encountered in the alley. Arrogant giant, thinking of him standing there in his immaculate tuxedo. Well, gorgeous, Greek god-like arrogant giant , she admitted to herself. He was huge and even though most men seemed large to her five foot, two inches petite frame…he was larger than most by far. His muscles were hidden beneath the expensive fabric, but she had no doubt that they were there if his square jaw and thick neck were anything to go by.
    A warm feeling began to curl in her stomach and descend as she imagined what it would be like to be held by him. Then the image of the woman who was a dead ringer for Alicia Morgenstern came to mind. Arghhh…she called me alley trash! What a bitch. Glancing down at her apparel, she paused. Jeans that she had had for years and were worn at the knees and seat. A jacket that had been given to her for the purpose of staying warm on the nights she went to pick up bread, but it too had seen better days. The image of the woman in her sky-high heels, black evening dress with a slit up to her thigh showing off impossibly long legs, and her boobs. Good Lord, those things looked like they needed their own zip code.
    Sighing, she walked around the bar toward the tiny bathroom and stripped as she ran the water into the tub. It was an extra small tub, but it was a feature of the apartment that she loved. Turning, she looked into the mirror. Long, tangled blonde curls hung down her back. Pulling it up on her head, she noticed her slightly pointy ears giving her the elfish look she always hated. Clear skin, blue eyes. Glancing down, she knew she had curves that were generally hidden under large clothes, but nowhere near the monster curves of the woman clinging to the giant.
    Forcing herself to put him out of her mind, she took a quick bath and then climbed into bed. She normally fell asleep thinking of all of the things that needed to be done the next day, but tonight was different. This night, a handsome giant filled her dreams.

CHAPTER 2
    T he morning sun peeked through the old blinds and pretty pink curtains in Jennifer’s bedroom as her radio alarm began blasting country music. Slamming her hand on the snooze button, she needed the extra ten minutes. Ross had other plans.
    “Jennybenny,” he yelled from the bathroom. “You gotta get up.”
    Weren’t kids supposed to want to sleep late? Maybe the alarm is wrong. Sitting