Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 93984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93984 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 313(@300wpm)
Justin bonked him lightly on the head before walking farther into the living room toward the sofa and coffee table. “Not even close.”
Gabriel joined him on the sofa and helped him clear off the table while Justin spread out the plans. The building was only five years old, and Gabriel was hoping that the areas marked for Hamilton’s and Elba’s offices were unchanged. The faster they were in and out of Iaso, the better.
“The gardener cover is going to get us into the offices, but cameras are still going to be watching us,” Justin argued.
“That’s why you’re going to hit the security guards and equipment while I’m working my way up to Hamilton’s office,” Gabriel countered.
“You think Hamilton is behind the murders?”
“I think either Hamilton ordered the hits, or Hamilton and Elba did it together. If it was Elba alone, then Hamilton is clearly the most clueless company chairman in existence.” Gabriel looked over at Justin and frowned. “Two of his lead researchers drop dead at nearly the same time, and he doesn’t think it’s strange. Not likely. Hamilton has to know something.”
Justin snorted. “I’ve known more clueless company leaders, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
“But not the most likely answer.”
“And what if we don’t find the proof we need at Iaso?”
Gabriel shrugged. “Then we hit them at home. We make them talk.”
“Bloodthirsty bastard,” Justin muttered, but Gabriel swore it sounded more like an endearment than an insult. Justin started to point at the plans again, but he stopped and scratched at his side, swearing under his breath.
“What’s wrong?” Gabriel twisted where he sat on the couch next to Justin, trying to get a better view of what was bothering him.
“Stupid stitches itch.”
“You haven’t taken them out yet?”
Justin shook his head, looking uncomfortable and embarrassed at the same time. “I can’t. I…seeing something in me like that…makes me squeamish.”
Gabriel pushed to his feet. “Those need to come out. Stay there.”
He jogged up to his room and grabbed his shaving kit, cursing himself. Considering the number of times they’d had sex, he should have been paying attention to the fact that Justin was still wearing the protective bandage on his side. He should have taken those stitches out a couple of days ago. His side should be completely healed by now.
Justin frowned at the kit. “You’re not allowed to operate on me anymore.”
“I’m not digging in your side. I’m just going to take the stitches out.” Placing the kit on the sofa, Gabriel kneeled on the floor next to Justin and lifted the side of his shirt up, forcing the wincing man to hold it out of his way. A waterproof bandage was on his side, looking clean and fresh. At least he was changing that daily.
“Wait a minute! Are you a slow or fast bandage remover?” Justin demanded.
“Well, we can certainly discuss which you’d like me to be.” Gabriel had barely finished the sentence when he pinched the corner of the bandage and ripped it off Justin’s flesh in one fast pull.
Justin yowled like a scalded cat, cringing away from Gabriel. “What the fuck!”
“Shall we discuss it now or just move on?”
“Bastard! That hurt! Thank God I’m not a hairy man.”
“Yes, but it’s over now. Hold still.” Gabriel plucked the tiny tweezers and scissors from his kit. The thread he’d used to stitch Justin’s side closed was barely even in his flesh any longer. Just a couple of snips and a few tugs. As Gabriel removed the little bits, he glanced up to see Justin purposefully looking down at the kit rather than where Gabriel was working.
With the threads clear, Gabriel grabbed an alcohol swab and wiped across the area to make sure it was clean. It was still a little pink, and a small line marked where he’d been stitched up, but it wasn’t too noticeable.
“There. You’re all good now,” Gabriel declared, barely resisting the urge to place a kiss to the now healed spot. He was getting far too sappy, and it needed to stop.
As Gabriel put away his instruments and gathered up the trash, Justin snagged his hand and turned it upward.
“What about you?”
Gabriel looked at the bandage across the heel of his palm, covering his own stitches. “Mine could come out. I meant to do it yesterday and forgot.”
“Let me.” Gabriel lifted both eyebrows at him and Justin made a noise. “For some reason, things like stitches only bother me when they’re in my body. It doesn’t bother me to see them in someone else.”
Gabriel sat at Justin’s feet, his hand resting in the man’s lap while Justin removed the bandage. With the same care that Gabriel had shown, Justin carefully removed the stitches and wiped the area clean with an alcohol swab. There wasn’t a twinge of pain, only the gentle caress of his fingers as he worked. Gabriel was mesmerized by the man. No one had ever touched him like this.