We let it go. I don’t argue with women I’m not friends with or fucking. I’m not her father or her keeper, so if she wants to take the risk, that’s on her. Though if Hannibal goes down and she ends up with road rash all over her bare legs, she might understand why we told her to change.
“Fuck, are you sure?” Hannibal yells, catching my attention. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
He glances at Monica, then turns and walks over to me, his expression serious. “I’ve gotta go. It’s an emergency. You know I wouldn’t bail otherwise.”
“You okay?”
“Yes. No. I don’t fucking know. I can’t talk about it now. I’ve gotta go. Monica, you need to get off my bike.”
He walks over and steadies the bike as he helps her off. She hurries over to me with a smile on her face as she gets on behind me, her hands sliding around to my stomach. I grit my teeth so hard I hear them crack.
“I’ll explain everything to Amity,” Hannibal promises before getting on his bike and speeding off, leaving me to wonder what the fuck’s going on. Nothing ever rattles Hannibal, but whatever that phone call was about did.
“What’s Amity got to do with this?” Monica asks with a huff.
“She’s my woman, which means she’s the only one who rides behind me on my bike.”
“It’s just a ride. It doesn’t mean anything. Besides, this isn’t the first time.”
I close my eyes briefly because she’s wrong. No matter how I spin it, Amity’s gonna be pissed. But I can’t leave her on the side of the road, not with her stalker lurking around. I don’t say anything else and head to the studio, knowing the sooner I get there, the sooner I can put some distance between us.
Thankfully, she doesn’t try anything stupid, maybe sensing that she’s pushed me to my limits. When I park and climb off, I take a deep breath like I’d been holding it the whole time she was behind me.
“Thanks, Genesis.” She pulls off the helmet and hands it to me. I keep it for Amity, but knowing I just broke my promise, the thought of Monica wearing it turns my stomach.
“Keep it in your trailer in case you need it.” The prospects usually bring one, but if she has one of her own, that’s even better. I’ll pick Amity up a new one on the way home.
“Monica. Good, you’re here,” Stefan calls, waving her over. She walks off, cradling the helmet.
I blow out a relieved breath and turn just as Amity’s RV pulls in. I check my watch and frown, knowing she’s not due on set for a while. I wait for her to park before walking over. As soon as mygirl opens the door and jumps down, I’m right there, pulling her into my arms. I kiss her hard, pinning her against the side of the RV until we’re both breathless.
“Wow, that’s some greeting. It was almost enough to make me forgive you for disappearing on me this morning. I thought we were riding in together?”
“We were, but something came up. Why are you here so early?”
“Stefan called. He needs me to reshoot something. I texted you when I couldn’t find you. I was worried.”
I pull out my phone and see it’s still onDo Not Disturb.“Shit, I’m sorry. If it makes you feel any better, all I wanted was to be with you.”
“I mean, it helps,” she teases as I grab her hand. “Where were you, anyway?”
“Club business,” I answer automatically, just as Monica calls my name.
We both look at her, and Amity freezes, her eyes dropping to the helmet in her hand.
Ah, fuck.
“Just wanted to let you know that I’m heading to hair and makeup.”
I nod and mutter an okay as she walks away.
Amity turns slowly to look at me, not bothering to hide the hurt on her face. “You promised.”
26
AMITY
He runs his fingers through his hair. “I know, I’m sorry. She texted last night, freaked out that someone was watching her and knocking on her door, and I couldn’t get a hold of the prospect we had on her.”