Gio (Steel Demons MC #6)

Chapter 30

Gio

“W hat the fuck were you thinking?” Diesel’s voice was a thunderous roar that echoed off the walls the moment I stepped into our meeting room. I knew I wouldn’t be safe from his wrath and that he’d kept himself in check for Harper’s sake. “Of that stupid fucking things to do, going off on your own Gio. What the fuck, man?”

I shrugged. “I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. I know it was wrong and I’m sorry that I disobeyed you but I’m not sorry that I went after her.”

“I’m not mad you got Harper back either, man. Fuck!” He raked both hands through his hair and let out a long, slow breath. “Just tell me what other damage you did?”

“I didn’t set anything on fire.” It was a lame ass attempt at a joke. “I think that shows incredible restraint.”

Diesel’s mouth kicked up into a reluctant grin. “Asshole.”

My smile joined his and low laughter went up around the room. It stopped as soon as I told them what I’d found, “They had her locked in a storeroom. Inside one of their fucking whorehouses.” The words dripped with venom as they came out of my mouth and I shook my head, angry all over again.

“Otherwise she’s good?” Cole’s voice was tight with both tension and gratitude.

I nodded. “Other than a slap she said she was fine, they didn’t touch her. She’s shaken but okay. Physically at least”

“Thanks, man.”

“Of course.”

“That was really fucking stupid,” Rocky added because of course he did. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

“I know but I didn’t, and I couldn’t risk what Viper might’ve had planned for her.” That was never going to fucking happen.

“I get it,” Diesel said. “We all get it Gio and we’re happy Harper is back safe and sound. But now it’s time to deal with the fallout.”

“Yeah. I killed a few Reapers, and I fucked up some shit, a bar, and some drugs ended up in a bathtub with a bunch of cleaning products. Not much damage, just enough to fuck with them.” That was fun shit, but this was serious. “The house on Oak Street is filled top to bottom with bricks though, and I left it as it is because I assume that’s cartel shit.”

Diesel’s shoulders sank in relief. “Good. So fucking good, Gio. I’m glad.” His gaze met mine and he gave a short, grateful nod. “We only have a couple hours before we meet with Viper.”

“Yeah, and they’ll definitely notice Harper is gone before then.”

I wasn’t so sure. “Only if Viper was acting in good faith and planned to give her back. There was no fucking security where she was being held.”

Diesel and Rocky wore matching expressions of anger and worry, which I understood down to my goddamn bones. “Then a straight trade was never on the table.”

“Exactly.” I smacked both my palms against one of the bar tables as I sat, grunting my frustration. “Look guys, there’s something else.” I sat up straight and looked each of my brothers in the eyes. “Harper told me something she remembered from when she was taken. The Reapers knew she would be there at that office building. They said the bitch said she’d be here . Those are the words Harper heard them say.” The idea of it still pissed me the fuck off. “I have a pretty good idea who their informant is.”

“Fucking Cindy,” Cole muttered. “She warned Harper away from you.”

Rebel shook his head. “Told you about sticking your dick in crazy. No pussy is worth that… or this.” He motioned around the meeting room, empty except for the patched brothers.

“Yeah,” I shrugged. “But that’s what the club whores are for, right?”

“Fuck that,” Hawk spat out. “We’ve all stuck our dick in these girls at one time or another. They are MC property, they’re supposed to be loyal to us, goddammit. This shit can’t stand.”

“It won’t,” Diesel answered confidently. “But for now we need to decide what we’re gonna do.”

“How about we torch that brothel where Gio picked up his woman? They come running and we take ‘em out. Easy-peasy.” His wide grin underscored just how insane this motherfucker was at times.

Maverick gave Hollywood a side-eye and shook his head. “Good to see that prison didn’t cure you of crazy.”

“Never, brother. Not fucking ever,” he laughed.

“I have a better idea, but if mine doesn’t work then I say let’s welcome Hollywood home in style.” I flashed a smile at the only other club member who could rival my crazy.

“We’re listening.” I had Diesel’s full attention.

“Our informant. She can call them with more information that will give us the edge.” It wasn’t a fully formed plan, but it had to be enough of a plan to work. “She can tell them we’re going to get Harper from the brothel and when they show up, we’ll deal with them however our Prez sees fit.” Silence fell around the room, and I waited for all the reasons my plan was stupid and wouldn’t work.

“That’s a good start.” Diesel grinned. “If you left the Santangelo product alone, I say we call them too.” When his grinned turned devious I knew whatever the plan was, it would be fun. “Gio, go get Cindy.”

My heart pounded against my chest as I got to my feet and headed to the bar. My hands balled into fists as my feet moved forward, anger pulsed through me, and I wanted to strangle the woman. “Fine.” The last person I wanted to talk to was Cindy, but she had to answer for her crimes, and I needed to be there to make sure she did.

“Cindy,” My voice was as light as I could make it. She sat around with the other club girls at one table while the old ladies and Harper were gathered at another. I caught Harper’s eye, and I could see she had an idea what this was all about.

When Cindy realized it was me, her blue eyes lit up and her red lips parted into a happy smile. “Hiya Gio.” She stood and sauntered over to me, oblivious to the turmoil twisting inside of me. “What’s up?”

“Come with me.” I kept my voice low, and I didn’t wince when she wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Thought you’d never ask,” she cooed and looked over her shoulder, no doubt to make sure Harper saw everything.

My woman was surrounded by Petyon, Ellie, Laura, and Grace and each of them threw dirty looks at Cindy. But Harper’s gaze was firmly fixed on me and when I gave a subtle shake of my head, she returned it with a subtle nod of understanding.

“Later.” I mouthed the words to her before I led Cindy past my room and to our meeting room.

“Hey, I thought we were going to make up for lost time. I’m not even mad that you basically ghosted me for weeks for her.”

“I didn’t ghost you, Cindy.”

“Got distracted,” she replied with a laugh as she rolled her eyes. “Whatever. We’re gonna be good together. You’ll see.” It was only when she came face to face with dozens of angry expressions that she finally realized what was up. “Gio, what’s going on?”

I shoved her forward until she came face to face with our prez and VP. Diesel growled out, “Who did you tell about Harper’s whereabouts?”

She blinked, batted her long lashes slowly as if she could seduce her way out of this. “I don’t know what you’re talking about I don’t know anything about her.”

“Don’t lie to us Cindy.” Rocky used a soft, honeyed voice, the good cop to Diesel’s bad cop which she hadn’t seen yet. “Just tell us who you spoke to.”

She opened and closed her mouth a few times before she shook her head and flashed a bright smile. “Look guys, I don’t know what she told you, but I didn’t tell anybody anything.”

I wasn’t taking anymore of her shit, I pulled out my gun, holding it against her temple. “Wrong fucking answer, Cindy. I will end you right here and now, but the only shot you have of making it out of here alive is to tell the fucking truth.”

She sucked in a terrified breath, her tear-filled eyes met mine. “That is the truth.” She squealed when I applied more pressure to her temple.

“Wrong answer. The guys who took her told her it was you so tell us who you spoke to, or better yet, call him. Now.”

She stomped her foot and turned to face me, forcing the gun against her forehead. “You were supposed to be mine, Gio! Mine, not hers!”

“Shut the fuck up and make the call.” All I needed was one little push and I would squeeze that fucking trigger.

“I don’t know the number,” she shouted, her voice was thick with fear and her eyes wide.

“Well then I guess you’re useless to us.” I wrapped my index finger around the trigger and dug the barrel into her flesh.

“Okay, wait! I’ll call, okay? I’ll call him!”

“Do it now and don’t make me ask again.”

“Gio, please.” She looked at me with pleading eyes, hoping I would save her but that wouldn’t fucking happen. “Don’t make me do this.”

“You did this to yourself.” I shook my head. “You almost cost Harper her life.”

“So what? She could have any guy she wants, why did she have to take mine?”

“She’s my fucking sister,” Cole roared. It was in that moment we all realized that Cindy was done. No matter what happened she couldn’t stay with the Steel Demons.

“Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll make the call.”

Damn right she would.