Page 27 of Gator: One Love


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Gator hesitated for a moment before recounting Marvin’s abusive behavior towards Sylvie, how Marvin had been at the bar with another woman on his lap, and how Gator had mistakenly thought Sylvie was his wife. He knew now that Sylvie and Marvin were separated, but Marvin continued to hassle her.

Bruno listened, his expression a blend of concern and anger. “That son of a bitch,” he muttered under his breath.

Gator was surprised at Bruno’s reaction. Why would he give a damn about Sylvie anyway? He didn't even know her.

“I’ll keep an eye on Marvin and make sure he doesn’t cause any more trouble for Sylvie,” Bruno promised.

Gator raised an eyebrow. “What’s your relationship with Marvin?”

“None. Why?”

“How are you going to make sure he doesn’t cause trouble then?”

“I’m a cop.”

Gator laughed. “Well, I’ll be making sure too.”

“No!” Bruno responded sharply. Gator was taken aback by the intensity of Bruno’s response. Before Gator could speak, Bruno continued, “I don’t want you to get in trouble, Gator.”

“Don’t worry about me. I can handle a gator. I can handle that fat bastard.”

“It’s not that. We both know you can, for sure. But too many people already know about your threat towards him, so if something happens, you’ll be the first to get blamed.” Gator nodded. “So, leave it to me. It’s my job.”

“OK,” Gator agreed, knowing full well that he’d rip Marvin's head off if he so much as lifted a finger to Sylvie, and he didn’t care who knew he’d done it.

Bruno clapped Gator on the shoulder and said, “Let’s go inside... Baptiste is probably waiting to buy me a beer.”

As they entered the bar, Gator couldn’t help but glance back over his shoulder, thinking about the comments Baptiste had made about Bruno’s car. He brushed it off when they found Baptiste nursing a drink at the bar, with his gaze fixed on the television screen above. As they approached, he turned to them, a grin spreading across his face. “About time you two showed up. I was getting tired of drinking alone.”

Bruno smiled, taking a seat next to Baptiste. “Well, we’re here now. Where’s my beer?”

As the night wore on, they talked, drank, and laughed together, until Bruno got a text and said, “Gotta rush. Cop stuff.”

He didn’t realize how loud he’d said that, getting a few looks from club members nearby.

“Joking,” Baptiste said to them.

By then Bruno was rushing outside.

* * *

Sylvie’s heartraced as she entered the hospital, the smell of disinfectant and the hum of fluorescent lights amplifying her anxiety. She rushed to the reception desk, desperately asking about June’s condition, the location of her injury, and if she was okay.

A wave of relief washed over her when the nurse told her that June hadn't been shot, but her concern remained, remembering the blood she had seen pooling on the porch.

“Are you family?” the nurse asked, in a gentle tone.

Sylvie shook her head. “Um…no, but June doesn't have any family. I look out for her.”

The nurse hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Alright, you can see her. She’s in room 212.”

As Sylvie entered the room, she saw June sitting up in bed, her head wrapped in a bandage. She rushed forward, stopping just short of embracing her friend, uncertain of the extent of her injuries.

June, sensing her hesitation, held her arms up. “Give this old lady a hug.”

“Are you sure?” Sylvie asked cautiously.

“Of course,” June replied with a warm smile. Noticing Sylvie’s gaze lingering on her bandage, she added, “It’s only a flesh wound, but there's not a lot of flesh on this old head, so it looks a lot worse than it is.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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