“Or, in my viewpoint, I don’t want it anymore ... whatever package appears.”
Their eyes dueled, his flashing in anger that Ginny believed herself capable of fulfilling the hopes and dreams he had built in his mind with Taylor. He didn’t give a fuck if he was taking what she was saying out of context; he needed to make it plain that whatever momentary connection they made yesterday was just that and nothing else.
Her resolute gaze became tender, shining an inner strength into him, letting him know she wouldn’t back away, despite his refusal to acknowledge the instant attraction between them.
“Life is always everchanging; that’s what Viper, Winter, and I were discussing when you came in.” Diverting her gaze from him to Viper, she said, “I’ll think over what you said and let you know my decision.”
“Don’t do anything rash, Ginny,” Viper warned.
“I’m not going to make any promises I can’t keep. It was nice seeing everyone again.” Turning toward him, she held her hand out. “Gavin, meeting you was a bright spot in my trip home. Take care and try not to give Rider too hard a time.”
Her eyes dared him to take her hand. Unable to resist the challenge, his automatically raised. The palm of her hand against his had goosebumps traveling up his arm, reminding him of that long-ago afternoon on the beach when he was in high school. Turning their hands to the side until the back of her hand was upward, he removed his hand to stare down at the scarred flesh on Ginny’s hand.
“What happened to your hand?” he asked thickly.
“I got it being too impatient to wait.” She dropped her hand to hide it against the side of her pants. “That’s one of the benefits of getting older, like I told you. I’ll never make that mistake again. I can wait for what I want. You all have a great day.”
Reaper watched her leave, wanting to go after her.
As soon as she was out of eyesight, it was as if the bright sun outside had dimmed, even though the sunlight shining in the window was just as bright.
“God, I miss her so badly.”
Reaper jerked his head toward Winter when she spoke the thought that he wouldn’t allow himself to say, even in his own mind.
“She had the whole club organized. I still haven’t been able to find my favorite coffee cup lid after she quit.”
“I miss her every Monday when I post the club jobs and have to listen to everyone complain,” Viper muttered.
“What was the decision Ginny said she would think over?”
Viper’s expression turned grim. “I had to tell her that neither Rider nor Shade were going to be able to fly back with her tomorrow, and I would be taking their place.”
“You told me last night I would,” he ground out.
“And we spent most of the night arguing, with you saying you wouldn’t. You left the club with your saddlebags this morning. Seemed to me you were planning on leaving. Ginny has made only one stipulation with The Last Riders protecting her, and that’s being kept informed. With me taking over for Shade and Rider, I didn’t want to spring it on her tomorrow.”
“What in the fuck is there for her to think about?”
“Ginny isn’t cool with me leaving Winter and Aisha. Someone has been watching Rider and Jo’s house, which is why I told you last night he couldn’t go. She’s afraid that it’s her stalker, and if that’s the case, Winter and Aisha could be in the same danger with me going. Ginny also asked if that was why Shade wasn’t going, and I had to admit it was in part, and that Lily is also pregnant. Her contract is almost up with Mouth2Mouth, and she hasn’t decided what she’s going to do afterward. Rider and Shade think she’ll make a run for it and go where the stalker can’t find her. Unfortunately, if she does, we won’t be there to protect her.”
“Fuck.”
“The Last Riders owe her. If her house hadn’t been blown up because of us, she wouldn’t have been in Queen City in the first place.” Viper’s grim visage showed it was yet another blame he placed on his shoulders.
“Talk to Shade and Rider again; get them to change their minds. Hennessy and Core can come back from Ohio and watch either Jo or Lily.” Reaper tried frantically to find any option other than himself.
“You don’t think I’m up for the job of watching Ginny?”
Reaper knew he was walking on a minefield if he answered. He should just fucking walk away, but he had been on too many military missions not to offer his opinion. And, if Viper went with Ginny, the stalker wouldn’t hesitate to take him out to get to her.
“I think the man after Ginny is shady as fuck or he wouldn’t have gone this long without being caught. It’s going to take someone just as good to catch him.”