Chapter 106 – Dealing with Gabe

They turned to look at Jack. Nathan was standing behind Jack supporting him. What Gabe couldn't see, but the others could, was the anger that was in Jack's eyes. Doug and Lee had seen it before and it was usually right before he lashed out at his mother for something stupid that she had said about him. Unfortunately for Doug and Lee, they had seen that look more than they wanted to admit as of late. They also knew that they had to be ready to step in and help defuse the situation. It was Doug that also saw the anger in Nathan's eyes. Beyond that, Doug saw that Nathan was standing with Jack in more ways than one. Doug wondered if it came down to it, would Nathan choose his long time friend or would he choose them. Doug hoped and prayed that Nathan would stay with them.

"If you would have asked, instead of assuming things." Jack said.

"What are you talking about?" Gabe said.

"Michael was upset that he had worked for Dad for a few years and then Dad brought in Nathan, who none of them knew, so they didn't trust him." Jack said. "Nathan was brought in because he had skills that Dad thought were important. More importantly than that, Dad knew that there were few people among our current security that I really fully trusted. Which is why I have mostly refused to have security. I WILL NOT have people that I don't trust on my security detail. It is one thing to sit in a vehicle and follow us around or sit and guard a building that I am in. It is a totally different thing to have them close by where they can hear everything I say. My father, grandfather and Devin all know how I feel about having someone being my shadow twenty-four hours a day. I was seven when I learned to ditch security. After I met Doug and Lee, Dad backed off on security unless there was a direct threat. Especially since we ditched them regularly.

Additionally, Dad brought Nathan in to look like a part of my friends group to cut down on the gossip when we were out. I know that Dad and Devin were worried about the tabloids. I trust Nathan, I have since the first moment I met him and I am very good at reading people. He said he trusted you. More importantly, he said he trusted you with Allie's life. Maybe you can start acting like it, otherwise you can tell us what you know and leave. You have done nothing to show that I can trust you. I don't want any more tension around here. There is enough drama going on. I am not afraid of Kensington and I am not going to allow you to smear my fiancée or my friend.

I didn't trust Michael to be close protection, which is why he wasn't assigned to the detail no matter how much he thought he deserved it. On top of that, I wasn't happy with the way that he looked at Elizabeth when we were in the city last Friday. He was in the building and despite having no interaction with us, I didn't like the way he was leering after her. I had a conversation with Devin and I have no idea why he was sent here other than to be extra follow security. Devin knew that I wouldn't have allowed him to be close protection under any circumstances. I barely tolerated Adam to be on my security detail. Adam has never liked that I have wanted to live my life and be out in the community as I saw fit. He told me more than once, I should just stay on the ranch to make his job easier. One time he said 'that I should be lucky he 'lets' me go to shows and stuff'. Adam wanted the paycheck, he didn't want to do the work. Michael felt he deserved more because he had worked for my father for a few years. Doug and Lee will tell you that Nathan is the first security that I haven't ditched within a day. Nathan may have originally been hired by my father through Devin, but his pay has been taken over by myself.

Technically, Nathan works for me and any security we have when we leave the farm is being paid for by me and my Grandpa John. He knows that I am responsible enough to assess the risks. And my grandfather trusts me to know what I need. The reason that my Grandpa John and not my father is a part of this is that John is the head of Thornton Inc., which is where the money for security comes from. Which means I am the boss, authority given me by my grandfather, when it comes to what happens and who is in my detail.

As long as the situation/place is relatively safe, I can say what we do. There are very few situations where I can be overruled. Don't believe me, ask Kevin and Brandon. They found out the hard way this morning that I am the boss and I will do as I want. I understand the security concerns, but I am not going to let a bunch of overgrown spoiled toddlers be able to dictate what I can and can't do. I have a lot of business that has to happen and I will do it. Jumping is part of that business. I will not take unnecessary risks, but am not going to hide. The only people that will be in my detail when I leave this farm are people that I trust and that will include or not include you. You have a very short time to prove that I can trust you or you will not be here. I don't care who you are – I don't trust you, you are done.

I have had this conversation with my Grandpa John. He knows that I know the importance of security and he understands that I want people I can trust. It is more important than ever right now that I have people around me that I can trust and Grandpa John agrees. I am sure that Grandpa John has talked to the head of the New York FBI office about you and had a thorough background check done on you. He won't fire you until he meets you. If you want to help Nathan, you are going to have to convince me that you are trustworthy and that you should be here. So if there is anything that you are not telling us, you need to be honest right now."

Gabe turned and looked at Margaret, Doug and Lee.

"He can't be serious." Gabe said.

"He is totally serious." Nathan said. "You are not acting like the friend that I have known for years. Start acting like it or I will allow Jack to kick you out. I agree with Jack and the others here. They have accepted me and never treated me like I was less than because of my background. Are you going to start? I thought I knew you, but I don't know this Gabe standing there."

Gabe stood there slack-jawed looking at Nathan. Nathan took a deep breath and launched into Gabe again. There was a part of Jack that wanted to step in, but there was a bigger part that knew that Nathan needed to do what he was.

"What, Gabriel." Nathan continued. "Because of Jack, I have a wonderful job with great pay. Jack and Doug have asked me to stay on after this thing with the Kensingtons is resolved. Which it will be, whether you like it or not. Whether you interfere or not and if you aren't truthful, I will make sure that Jack and his grandfather know the truth about you. I am not going to let you ruin the best job that I have ever had. Don't stand there looking at me like that. You admitted before that I was the one person that knew you better than anyone the last few years.

If you screw with me, I will let Jack bury you. Not only that, I will help him. I have been having so much fun jumping with Jack and Doug. They tell me that I can ride any time I want. You know how much I love to ride. You may be my oldest friend, but you are not acting like it and I am wondering why. I have my thoughts, but you need to explain.

Devin Thompson was the one that suggested to Mr Thornton to bring me on. I was one of half a dozen profiles that Devin gave Mr Thornton. He said that after he met me, he knew I was perfect for the job. Not only was I well trained, but I was young enough to appear to be one of their friend group. Add on top of that I can ride and I am Catholic, I was perfect for the job, just like Devin thought. Thatwas why I got the job.

Actually becoming friends with Jack, Doug and Lee has been a bonus. I have yet to meet the senior Mr Thornton, but I look forward to it. I know that he doesn't believe what is being said about me. I know that because if he did, from everything I heard about him, I wouldn't be here."

"Nathan." Gabe said.

"No." Nathan said. "You said you wanted to be here to keep me safe while I protected Jack and Elizabeth. Yet, you come in here looking for dirt and a scandal like you are the one working with the tabloids. So what is really going on? And don't you dare lie to me."

"Let's go sit in the library." Gabe said. "No need to air all the dirty laundry in front of everyone."

"Fine." Nathan said. "Jack, Doug and Lee are coming as well, especially since I don't trust you right now. Gran, do you want to join us?"

Gabe glared at Nathan, but he had no standing to object. Gran was glad that Nathan invited Jack, Doug and Lee to sit in on the meeting. There was something about Gabe the Gran didn't like and the last thing that she wanted was the tension that Gabe was bringing. There was enough family drama going on without the tension that Gabe brought.

"No, you boys go work it out." Gran said. "I have other things to do."

The boys went to the library. Nathan shut the door, locked it and pulled the shades down. Nathan took a couple deep breaths before he turned around and faced Gabe. Nathan couldn't believe that Gabe was being the way he was. Jack had immediately gone to the far side of the room and was standing in front of a bookcase in the far corner. Doug could tell that Jack was seething, so he left him for a moment. Doug and Lee looked at Jack and couldn't figure out what he was doing. They shrugged their shoulders and stood there in case they were needed. They were looking between Jack and Nathan while keeping an eye on Gabe as well. Neither Doug or Lee wanted Jack to attack Gabe, even if it would have been justified. Neither knew how Jack was going to react having been pushed past the breaking point. They knew that Jack had been upset earlier, so with Gabe pushing him Doug and Lee both expected Jack to physically lash out, which didn't happen very often.

Gabe could see Jack playing with a book, he didn't think anything of it. Gabe just figured that he needed something to keep his hands busy so pulling and replacing books was doing that. Jack was seething, but he knew that he needed to remain in control. He moved a couple books around on the shelf and then he stood there for a moment with an open book like he was looking for something. He put his hand on the page he had opened it to and then waited a moment, then closed the book, putting it back on the shelf. Jack pulled out his phone, checked something and then returned it to his pocket. Doug and Lee were confused as well, neither had seen Jack behave like he was.

Normally when Jack was seething, he would withdraw and think things over or he would be pushed too far and start to lash out. It wasn't that Jack was violent, but he could say things that could cut to the core. Doug was afraid that Jack had been pushed too far and he was going to lash out physically at Gabe if he kept pushing. Doug knew that Jack had been pushed close to his limit and Gabe, going after Elizabeth, was going to push him over that line. Doug was afraid that Jack was going to seriously hurt Gabe if he kept on about Elizabeth.

Doug knew that Jack could fight and had seen him in the gym when they were lifting so he knew that Jack was strong. Obviously anyone that pushes around thousand pound animals has to have a degree of strength, but for Jack it went beyond that. Doug had seen Jack deliver a punch that could take most people down, but he didn't do it that often so most didn't know that Jack had that kind of strength or that Devin had taught him how to fight on a professional level. Doug even wondered if Thomas and Charlotte knew that Jack had been taught to fight by Devin. Doug also knew why Devin had taught Jack to fight, it was a way for Devin to ensure that Jack was safe and could take care of himself if the need would arise.

As Jack turned to go back to the group, he saw Nathan's face and knew that he was going to lose it on his so-called friend. As mad as Jack was, he knew that Nathan was just as mad. Jack closed his eyes for a moment and said a quick prayer. He knew that things might get worse before they got better, but he knew one thing, and that was Gabe was either going to prove that he could be trusted or he was going to be shown the door. If the latter happened, Jack knew that he was going to have a conversation with his Grandpa John and what he did with the information was up to him. Jack also knew that if Gabe was shown the door, that they were going to have to be there to support Nathan.

"What the hell!" Nathan yelled. "What the hell is wrong with you Gabriel. How could you think I would do something like that!?"

"This whole situation sounds fishy to me." Gabe said. "The Kensingtons are saying that Miss Thatcher and Charlie have been in a relationship for close to three years. They have offered proof, including photos of Miss Thatcher and Charlie together. They turned over proof of an engagement ring, along with a wedding that has been planned for the first part of September and a honeymoon that has been booked for the rest of the month of September. Why would they go to all that expense if it wasn't true. I have called some of the vendors and they have verified that they have been contracted for a Thatcher/Kensington wedding. From what I understand, it is both mothers that have been planning this for a long time and it is going to be a huge society event to kick off the fall. All of this is backed by her family, including her sisters. Her father has also produced a contract agreeing to the arranged marriage that was signed by Miss Thatcher before her sixteenth birthday. Her father is a well respected lawyer, why would he make this up.

Suddenly, Miss Thatcher accuses Charlie of hurting her and then runs off with Thornton here who has a well documented dispute with the Kensingtons. They are saying that you all are holding her against her will and forcing her to say it was Charlie that hurt her. Her radio silence hasn't helped her case. Maybe if she would have remained in the city, things wouldn't have gotten so bad. She is engaged to Thornton and there are rumors that security is sleeping with her to get/keep his job. What the hell am I supposed to believe? This sounds like Thornton was jealous of the Kensingtons and has taken Miss Thatcher as an act of revenge. I mean there are several officers that are questioning the actions, especially when people up here were led to believe that Thornton was in a long term relationship with another lady and according to her and her family, he is engaged to her. She even said something about you moving up here so that you can get married and start your life together."

"You could have talked to us." Nathan said.

Jack was seething even more. He had an idea who Gabe was talking about, but he couldn't believe it. If what Gabe was saying was true, Jack was going to have more problems to deal with and the people spreading the lies were not going to like the outcome. Jack could see Doug and Lee were also extremely angry at Gabe. For the moment, Jack was going to let them argue as he knew he needed to keep a level head and think things through. Jack also knew that he would have to keep Doug in check, because he could get a little hot blooded at times.

"You little ….!" Doug yelled.

"Dial it back, Doug." Jack said evenly, cutting Doug off.

Doug just looked at Jack, but then saw the look on his face and took a step back. Doug took a deep breath before he stood his ground and spoke to Gabe.

"I was there the day that Charlie Kensington and his frat buddies had a hold of Elizabeth." Doug said. "My father personally came down and took the report. He believed her. There were marks on Elizabeth's wrist that are consistent with Charlie Kensington's hand, ring included. Add to that, the tracking app that has been traced back to the Kensington family. Besides all that, you didn't see the fear in her eyes or hear it in her voice. You didn't see how her father dismissed her feelings. Elizabeth has admitted that her family has known the Kensingtons for years. I want the photos turned over to the NYPD and analyzed. I would bet my trust fund that they are doctored. Hell, did you even have then analyzed or did you just take Kensington's word for it. It sounds like you are working for the Kensingtons to build a case against Jack here. Because you don't sound like someone that is a friend to anyone in this room.

Also if Jack was going to move up here, why would he have an apartment with Lee and I for school. Jack can't go to school up here and I know for a fact that he has it in writing with his grandfathers that he will attend school and get a degree of his choosing. Also, I want to know who this girl is. I mean I have a pretty good idea, but why don't you name her. What proof has she offered to her relationship and supposed engagement. Personally, if Jack was engaged to someone and a wedding was being planned, don't you think that his mother would make a big deal of it. Don't you think his best friends would know about the relationship and supposed engagement? Also why would Jack bring a girl up here if he was engaged to a different girl?

Jack has never brought a girl up here before. Lee and I are the only friends that Jack has ever brought up here from the city and we have been coming for years, even staying here while Jack and I jumped. We shared tutors while staying here. We share everything, why wouldn't we know about a supposed engagement? Show me proof, beyond a self-serving statement that Jack was involved, much less engaged to this hussy. And yes, I stand by that statement of her. If it is who I am thinking of, she has been nothing but trouble, much like her sisters. What? You can't because there is none. However …."

Jack could tell that Doug was getting worked up and he knew that Doug didn't always have a clear head when he was upset so he put a hand on Doug's arm to silence him for a moment. Doug looked at Jack and knew that he didn't want him to say much more until the knew if they could trust Gabe. There was something in Jack's eye that Doug didn't quit know, but Doug knew Jack and he trusted him to do what was best. Gabe was the outsider here and was the one that had to prove the he was to be trusted. Then it dawned on Doug, Jack was going to give Gabe just enough rope to either hang himself or let it slip who was pushing him to question them. Doug smiled to himself. No one could say that Jack Thornton was stupid.

"Elizabeth told Nathan and I …." Jack said. "She told us that she had only been out once with Charlie Kensington and that was with a large group of mutual friends and she barely spoke to him all evening. I, for one believe her."

"What about the two of you?" Gabe said.

Jack didn't give Doug or Lee a chance to speak. He knew that Gabe was trying to bait them.

"Because we love each other." Jack said. "We trust each other. We admitted we both felt a connection and that was before she knew who I was."

"How do you know that she isn't using you to get money?" Gabe said. "Then she will leave and run back to Kensington. Maybe this was just a way for her to get her hands on your money. I am sure that wouldn't be that far fetched."

"If you can't see that they love each other." Lee said. "You are stupid or are being paid to not believe it. Anyone with two brain cells and a pair of eyes can see that they are meant for each other."

"On top of my father believing Elizabeth." Doug said. "Major Thompson himself believed her. If he felt that there was something off, he would have never allowed it to continue. I also would have never signed the affidavit when he asked me when he was here. He asked if they were who they said they were and here of their own free will. I told them that they were, don't believe me – ask him. Jack may be my best friend, but I wouldn't perjure myself for him. Especially since if my father found out, he would kick my ass and then arrest me, then kick my ass again. My father always taught me to tell the truth. I don't highly value people that don't tell the truth and right now you aren't sitting much higher than a tabloid reporter. Most everyone else in this room know exactly how I feel about them."

Lee stood up and walked over toward Gabe. He stood there for a moment, staring at Gabe. He paced back and forth for a moment gathering his thoughts, when what he really wanted to do was slug him.

"You haven't done anything to prove to us that we can trust you." Lee said. "Doug and I are Jack's best friends. The last thing that we are going to allow to happen is some hotshot asshole to come in here and smear our friend. You are disrespecting him, his grandparents and worse than that, you are disrespecting the woman he loves. Any one of those transgressions alone would be enough to get your ass kicked if we were anywhere other than this house. I wouldn't disrespect Gran like that. And yes, I call her Gran because I never really knew my grandparents and she has been more of a grandmother to me then anything."

Jack walked over to Lee and put his hand on his back. Lee looked at Jack and then stepped back to stand next to Doug. Lee knew that Jack was reaching his limit. Lee also knew that Jack was the one that wanted to be in control and didn't want to make matters worse.

"You said you had information that you needed to tell Elizabeth, Nathan and I." Jack said. "I would suggest that you start talking, because unless you have proven yourself by the time Grandpa John arrives, you will find yourself on the wrong end of an interrogation."

Gabe looked at Lee and Doug and made a small motion with his head. Jack saw what Gabe was trying to do.