Page 75 of After the Burn

I knew that because I used to be one.

It worked. His jaw tightened before Beck’s voice echoed from farther down the street. “You coming, bitch?”

Mace narrowed his eyes. “We’ll see who’s the bitch real soon, punk.”

Beck threw his head back, laughing, even as Adrian gave me a warning look.

I knew he was telling me to be cautious around Gideon, but I wasn’t worried. Ben taught me how to handle men like him before I could ride a bicycle.

“This way.” Gideon motioned us down a quiet hallway lined with old offices.

Maps covered nearly every wall. I could hear radios crackling from somewhere deeper inside the building. People moved quickly without running.

Organized chaos.

He walked into a large room and took a seat at the head of a long conference table. “Please, ladies, have a seat.”

I took the seat to his right, and Lila sat beside me.

“No guards?” I questioned.

“If I believed I needed them, you wouldn’t be sitting here.” Gideon smiled in amusement as if two girls like us couldn’t possibly be a threat.

Good. I loved being underestimated.

He folded his hands together. “I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me.”

Was he serious?

“I wasn’t exactly given a choice.” I widened my eyes in innocence.

“There’s always a choice.” For several seconds, he simply looked at me. “You remained remarkably calm outside.”

“I’ve had worse mornings.” I shrugged.

He smirked. “Indeed.”

I kept my expression blank, but his condescending personality was really pissing me off. This guy had been safe inside these walls, while little old me was avoiding flesh-eating infected and getting my brains blown out by fucking bikers.

“Do you understand what’s going to take place later today?” Gideon asked me, still smiling.

“No.” This, of course, was a lie, but I wanted to see how he would spin it.

“Two of the most powerful family groups are interested in claiming you,” he said, as if I should be excited.

I tilted my head. “I was led to believe I’d have a choice in the matter.”

“You do.”

“But?”

There’s always a but, and I knew this would be a big one.

“But I also won’t pretend an enhanced woman can safely remain unaffiliated.”

Silence settled over the room.

“I’ve survived just fine on my own.”