Gio (Steel Demons MC #6)

Chapter 26

Gio

“W e’re fine, Diesel.” Cole insisted and scrubbed both hands over his face. “We don’t need whatever lesson this is supposed to be.”

Diesel glared at Cole, surprised at his almost defiance. “If you’re fine this shouldn’t be a lesson, just an order for you to follow.” His jaw clenched tight. “Go keep a fucking eye on the Reapers and let me know what they’re up to.” His gaze bounced between both of us and made it clear our personal bullshit would not be tolerated.

“Fine by me.” I didn’t have a problem with Cole. Sure, I was pissed as hell that he thought so little of me, but he was my brother in every way but blood. “I’ll meet you there.”

“I’m coming,” Cole grunted as he caught up with me out in the parking lot.

I pushed my bike to the limit as we rode out of Steel City and through Vegas until we were on the other side where the Blood Reapers had their clubhouse. Unlike ours, their clubhouse was a converted old warehouse that sat in the middle of a now-defunct industrial area. There was a clear view from the building across the street so that’s where we set up.

I knew Cole had plenty to say but I wasn’t in the mood to talk so I waited him out. The first hour was nothing but silence as we watched a few of Viper’s men go in and out with small satchels filled with drugs. In the second hour they did a gun deal with a few Asian guys without any distinct affiliation.

“Leave Harper alone,” he finally said halfway through the third hour.

“I can’t do that. I won’t.” Not only would it hurt Harper, which I wouldn’t do, it would hurt me because I wasn’t ready to give her up.

“You’d really fuck up our friendship over a few fucks?”

I laughed and shook my head. “If you really think I’d risk our friendship for orgasms, then you really don’t know me all that well. Maybe we’re not the friends I think we are.”

“Don’t pull that shit with me, not when you’re fucking my sister.”

“I’m not fucking her,” I spat out. “I mean of course I am, but that’s not all I’m doing Cole. For fuck’s sake do you even know Harper? She’s smart and stronger than she knows. She’s beautiful. She’s fucking incredible. Believe me, I didn’t mean for this to happen, but it did.” I turned back to the Reapers just as a van full of women arrived.

“You like her.” Cole’s voice was filled with genuine surprise.

“Of course I do,” I answered without looking at him. “I’ve known her most of my life, she’s just all grown up now.”

“She lives in California.”

“I know. I also know she hates her boss.” I looked at him. “She’s got more events to plan here.”

“And you think you’re gonna convince her to stay?”

“Not sure. It’s too soon and I don’t know what she’s thinking. We haven’t really talked about it on account of the shit with the Reapers, ya know?”

“Yeah, I know. Just tell me keeping her safe is your top priority.”

“It is. You should’ve seen her when I first taught her to shoot, she had her eyes closed every time she squeezed the trigger. But last night she aimed and squeezed without hesitation.”

“Holy shit. You really like her.”

Yeah, I did. “Shit, look.” I pointed to the row of black vehicles that pulled up outside. One by one the doors opened, and two dozen well-dressed Mexicans stopped out. They were all business as they went inside without knocking. “Ambush meeting?”

Cole squinted. “They’re tired of waiting. They want answers.”

I jumped to my feet. “We need to get back to the clubhouse. Viper thinks we took those drugs and that’s what he’ll tell the Santangelo Cartel when they ask.” I pulled out my phone and texted Slate since he would answer the fastest.

“Harper.” Cole’s voice was frantic and filled with worry.

“I’ll go get her. She’s meeting with Senator Merchant’s chief of staff today about planning a private fundraiser.”

He stopped and his brows shot up. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. She’s pretty excited about it. I’ll pick her up and you haul ass back to the clubhouse and let them know everything we saw today.”

“Yeah, okay.” He nodded but he had more to say. “Keep her safe Gio.”

“I will. I promise.” It was a promise I would die before breaking.