Gabe nodded. “Ryker’s guys also found a black purse with your wallet and ID in Sebastian’s apartment. He sent me this.” He held up his phone to show her a picture of the items. “He’s going to send it to me so I can get it back to you.”
“Oh, my god.”
Jenna couldn’t believe what she was seeing. It was her purse and wallet, all right. Her old purse and wallet…the ones that had been stolen when she was mugged last month.
“What?” Elle looked worried. “Jenna, what is it?”
“Those were taken from me when I was mugged a few weeks ago.”
“What?” Gabe and Elle both exclaimed at the same time.
“It happened in the parking garage at the hospital.” Jenna licked her lips. “I know I should’ve told you, but I didn’t want you guys to worry. It wasn’t even that big of a deal, really. All they got was my purse and wallet, but…”Holy shit.“There were two men. I didn’t even connect the mugging to what happened here, but now…” Jenna looked to Gabe. “Are you saying Sebastian and Garcia were the same men who attacked me in San Diego?”
“I’ll look into it to be sure, but yeah. I’d say they were.”
“Why?”
“Walker.” Gabe stared back at her. “Ortiz needed a way to get to him, and we believe his men were watching Adrian for a while before he came to Gulfside Harbor. Those men targeted you because at some point, they realized Walker had a thing for you.”
“Athing?”
It’s more than a thing. Whether anyone else accepted it or not.
“Gabe, I’m thinking the tea you brought me is probably cold by now,” Elle pointed to the drinks still in Gabe’s hands. “Will you do me a favor and go get me a fresh one?”
The big guy frowned and held it out for her. “It’s still plenty warm.”
“The baby would like a fresh one.” Elle was anything but subtle when she shot her husband a look. “Please.”
Picking up on his wife’s blatant hint, Gabe tossed the two full cups into a nearby trashcan, gave Elle a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll take my time.”
Elle was silent until the door shut behind him before speaking again. “I think what Gabe was trying to say was—”
“I know what he was trying to say, Elle.” Jenna shrugged. “He blames Adrian for what happened.”
“You don’t?”
“Of course not! What Ortiz and his men did wasn’t his fault. Hell, they shot him, too.”
“That’s what I told Gabe.” Her friend nodded. “Deep down, he knows that, too.”
“Uh, I think your psych radar might be off a smidge because your husband’s acting like he’s out for blood.”
Elle chuckled, her entire belly moving in synch with her laugh. “Myradaris just fine. And so is Gabe.” She drew in a long breath and blew it out. “He was just really scared for you. And to be honest, I think he’s also little hurt Adrian left without saying goodbye to him. Although, lord knows he’ll never admit it.”
“Now Iknowyour radar’s off.”
“Gabe was really affected by what happened to you, honey.” Elle got serious. “We all were. But given what Gabe said about the way Adrian reacted when you were shot…Jenna, no one was more torn up by what happened than he was.”
Jenna’s heart hurt for the misguided man. “If that’s true, then why isn’t he here?”
With a sigh, Elle settled back into her chair. Resting her hands on her belly, she said, “No one here blames Adrian for what Ortiz did, except Adrian.”
“That’s ridiculous. He shouldn’t blame himself for any of it.”
“Adrian was already convinced that he was unworthy of love before any of this even happened.”
Jenna’s brows turned inward. “How do you know that?”