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“Can’t know for sure unless I can find a link between a bidder and an account. But that’s a good enough reason for them to go after Gia. She’s definitely not safe out there.”
That’s all I need to hear to run from the clubhouse and go after Gia.
I call, “Gia, wait up!” as I jog after her, taking my time to catch up to her because she’s clearly upset and ready to explode.
“Just fuck off, Preacher. Please,” she adds almost as an afterthought. “I’m fine. I can take care of myself, and I don’t need you or anyone else to worry about me.”
She’s marching away, growing closer to the fenced-in exit, and I pick up my speed.
“Gia, come on.”
She stops abruptly and turns to me, fire flaring in her eyes.
“What the hell do you care anyway, Preacher? I mean, according to all of you, I’ve just made a mess of everything.”
Her chest heaves, and I can see her pulse pounding in her throat. She’s upset and angry and probably feeling a little defensive.
“Calm down, Gia. Wilder can fix anything, but the guys aren’t entirely sure they can trust you. It’s something you have to earn and blowing up and running away won’t help.”
“Yeah, well, join the goddamn club because I’m not sure I can trust any of you either! And you know what? I don’t care. It’s not like you’ll be around twenty-four-seven anyway, so as far as I’m concerned, I just hope Ro and I get the hell out of here before the Iron Kings catch up with me.”
I reach for her, and she takes a step back.
“Look, Gia, I’m not going to let that happen. I’ll be here whenever you need me, I swear.” I take her wrist in my hand and rub my thumb back and forth over the soft skin covering her pulse.
Gia yanks her wrist from my grasp and steps back, shaking her head.
“I wish I could believe you, but I don’t. You seem like a great guy, Preach, but you should’ve fucked me last night when you had the chance. Have a good life.”
This time when she leaves, I give her space but only enough to go back and get my bike.
I follow Gia for a few blocks before I slow down and edge up toward her. “Gia, get on the bike.”
“Nope.” She keeps walking, occasionally glancing over her shoulder as if she’s genuinely worried I might do something to her.
“Gia,” I growl. I stop and get off my bike, following her until I pass her and get in her face. “Get. On. The. Damn. Bike.”
She flashes a sweet smile. “No, thank you.”
“Gia, you’re not safe out here alone. Get on the bike and let me take you home.”
Her shoulders sink but only for a moment before she straightens her back and walks around me. “I’ll take care of myself, Preacher. Or…maybe I won’t.”
I don’t like her defeatist attitude one bit, and I won’t let her out of my sight to forge headlong into danger. “Dammit, Gia, you’re not safe. The hackers know your name. They might even know where you are. Let me get you someplace safe, and then I’ll leave you be, all right?”
“Don’t worry. I can get back home.” She tosses a wave over her shoulder and picks up her speed.
“Home? If you go home and they come looking for you while Kathy is there, what do you think will happen to her? Are you so pissed at her that she’s acceptable collateral damage?”
“Fuck you, Preacher. It’s not like you or your assholebrothersgive a shit what happens to me anyway.”
“Dammit, Gia, you know that’s not true!” I get in her face again and fold my arms as a barrier between us. “Be pissed off all you want, but get on the damn bike, or I’ll put you on it myself.”
She hesitates for a long moment before she throws her hands up and shakes her head. “What the fuck ever.”
The ride back to my place feels never-ending, and when we get there, Gia is as quiet as I’ve ever seen her. She looks around my place with very little interest. Instead, she just stares out the front window.
Silent and sullen.
