Page 6 of Gio

“I just sent you the address. Keep Harper safe. Please.”

“You don’t even need to say it, brother. I’ll call when I have her.” I shoved my feet into my boots, slid my phone into a pocket and headed to the front door.

“Where are you going, honey, I thought we were partying tonight?”

I froze at the sound of Cindy’s baby voice, which I fucking hated, but it surprised me because I’d forgotten all about her. “Gotta go. Get dressed.”

She frowned and shook her head. “I can just wait here for you. I know how important club business is. We can have breakfast when you get back.”

“Cindy,” I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I don’t have time for this shit. Get dressed and get out.”

“But we didn’t finish our night.” She looked so fucking hopeful I couldn’t stand it.

“And we won’t. I have shit to do.” I motioned for her to get dressed, scooping up her dress and bra. “Quickly, Cindy.”

“But,” she began and shook her head. I hated that shit, the look meant to be a guilt trip. I didn’t do guilt trips, and I didn’t tolerate them.

“You knew what this was, Cindy.”

Her shoulders fell in disappointment, but she dressed quickly and soon enough, I was on my bike and headed to the location Cole sent to my phone. Harper was on my mind. We’d grown up together, but I didn’t look at her like a little sister, even though I had to. Even though I promised Cole that she would never be more to me than his kid sister, and therefore my kid sister.

That was a lifetime ago, I reminded myself as I pulled up to the two-story bungalow with busted windows and the front door hanging wide open. This was now. Today. She was a grown woman now and I wasn’t the kid she remembered. We were basically strangers. She never came back to Steel City, her job as a big shot party planner in Cali kept her busy.

But she was here now.

I jumped off my bike and pulled out Sasha, my Desert Eagle. She was a big bitch, but she was effective. Nobody was getting up after she tore a hole through them, but they wouldn’t die either. They would only wish they’d died.

The living room was dark, but I could see the lamps had been turned over and the coffee table was busted up, but I was sure the spray-painted threat was a new addition to the décor. I resisted the urge to call out and instead took my time to clear the downstairs before I crept upstairs.

“Harper,” I whispered into the main bedroom while I looked around. The bathroom was still steamy and damp but there wasno sign the intruders made it up here. “Harper,” I whispered again when she didn’t answer.

She’s hiding behind a chest in a closet, Cole had said.

With a smile I opened the door that was too small for a normal-sized man to fit through and slipped my head inside. “Hey Squirt, you in here?”

There was a long beat of silence and then a small, feminine voice that was slightly husky. “Gio?”

I smiled when she stood, showing nothing but her wet hair and bare shoulders. “In the flesh, babe.” My gaze raked over what I could see. “Lookin’ good, Harp.”

She groaned and rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t fight the smile even as worry clouded her eyes. “Where’s Cole?”

“Left on business a few hours ago. Called me to come in his place.” She looked so small and scared, dammit. All my protective instincts kicked in. “He probably didn’t want to worry you.”

“He didn’t say anything.” She wrapped her arms around her waist and stayed planted behind the drawers.

“Probably because he didn’t want to worry you. Come on out and get dressed.” She shook like a fucking leaf and my hands bunched into fists half a dozen times, the need to hunt those assholes down and make them pay for scaring her strong. “Come on, Harper. As much as I like watching you in a towel, you’re probably getting cold.”

That snapped her out of her thoughts, and she flicked a gaze up to me. “Thanks for coming but it sounds like they’re gone.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “They are.” I holstered my gun and stepped out of the closet, treating her like a terrified kitten.

“Good. Thanks.”

“No problem.” I gave her my back while she changed from the towel into pajamas, oblivious to the fact that I stood in front of a mirror and saw every supple curve, every silky inch of her naked body. “Don’t know if you remember but it gets cold at night in the desert.”

She turned and her gaze met mine in the mirror, a blush stained her cheeks. “I remember but I don’t plan on going anywhere until morning.”

“Plans change, sweetheart. You can’t stay here. Not tonight, not for the rest of your visit.”

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