Loving Me, Trusting You(60)

“Can I get you anything, babe?” Gaine asks me, but I just shake my head and crawl into bed. When he slides in beside me, I stiffen, but I don't push him away. With his hard warmth wrapped around me, I'm asleep in minutes.

What wakes me up is the sound of footsteps in my room. And it's not just one person, it's several. My eyes burst open and my hand creeps towards the nightstand. I stuck my tire iron in there, just in case something like this happened.

“She asleep?” I hear a familiar voice ask. It's Austin.

“Musta had a real good time up on that roof,” Beck says and then, of course, he laughs.

“Don't you motherf*ckers know how to knock?” I snap as I sit up suddenly and cause Kimmi to jump. Her blue and silver earrings swing like pendulums.

“Jesus Christ, Mireya. What's your problem?”

“What's your problem?” I growl at them, wondering where Gaine's gone. I can still feel him wrapped around me, moving inside of me. Goose bumps break out across my skin as I glare at the three of them. “Why the f*ck are you sneaking into my room in the middle of the damn night?” I grab the clock and spin it to face me. It's three in the Goddamn morning.

“We did knock. You must've been out like a light,” Austin says, putting his hands on his hips.

“And?” I ask, stifling a yawn and surreptitiously stretching out a hand towards the spot where Gaine was sleeping. The sheets are cold. “What do you want? I have to say, breaking into my room this late at night is a little weird, even for you.” The three of them exchange glances.

“Mireya,” Austin begins and then pauses. “Is Gaine here? We've got something we want to say to you, but I'd sure like it if he were around.” I squeeze my fingers against the sheets.

“You haven't seen him?” I ask, and Austin shakes his head. I glance over at the bathroom door, but it's wide open. There's nobody in there. A cold feeling begins in the base of my spine and starts to work its way up. “Maybe he's at the bar?” I ask then, thinking that it wouldn't be surprising if he'd gone for a drink. I know this isn't easy on him. I know … that he loves me. I get it. I did. I just can't reciprocate it right now. It isn't good for any of us. I think of Crystal and wonder if she's still alive. Either way, if my enemies are willing to take their anger out on a complete stranger, someone barely related to me, how will they be if they get their hands on someone else, someone like Kimmi? The fiery lesbian would not do well being ground to dust under their boots, forced under their bodies. I can't let that happen.

“Just came from there,” Beck says with a grin. “Didn't see him.”

I look around and spot Gaine's suitcase. It's still there, where he left it, but the boots he kicked off by the dresser are gone. My heart starts to race and my pulse quickens. No, he wouldn't. Would he? I start to get a suspicious niggling in my gut, one that makes me white hot with fear.

I throw the covers off and ignore the fact that my ass is hanging out. I move to the window and check the parking lot. Fucking Christ. My eyes dart around, trying to make sure I haven't missed it, but no, Gaine's Tiger is gone. He's gone.

“Holy shit,” I growl, my knees going weak. I grab onto the windowsill for support and lower myself slowly to the floor. “This can't be happening.” The pieces start to click into place.

“What's going on?” Austin asks, moving over to me and helping me up. His brown eyes bore into mine, completely serious now. “Talk to me.” I shake my head and push away from him, stumbling back into the nightstand.

“I've got to go,” I whisper, turning to my bag and digging out the first outfit I can find. I slip Gaine's shirt off and Beck whistles appreciatively. I ignore them all.

“Goddamn it, Mireya,” Austin says, moving closer to me, not at all bothered by my nakedness. “You're a part of this f*ckin' group whether you like it or not. You're not going anywhere. Doesn't matter if their grudge is with you or not. Fuck with one of us and you f*ck with all of us.”

I slip my shirt on and toss him the meanest glare I know. Okay, his words are sort of nice to hear. But it doesn't matter. I can't even think about that right now, can't think about anything except Gaine. Because I know where he is, and where he's gone.

“I'm talking about Gaine, you idiot,” I snap at him, dragging my pants on and buttoning them quick as I can. “He's gone. He left.”

“Left?” Kimmi asks, and then something clicks. Her eyes go wide and she moves to the window to look. “He left,” she says, shaking her head and spinning around quickly. “He's going after them alone, isn't he?”

“What the f*ck do you think?” I scream at her, sitting on the edge of the bed hard and slipping on my boots. This is all my fault, the reason I wanted to leave. Tears prick my eyes, but I push them back. I can't lose it now. If we hurry, there's still a chance we could catch up with him. If he gets there before we go, he's toast. I can kiss Gaine Kelley's strong arms and gentle smile goodbye. If that happens, if he dies, I don't know if I'll be able to take it. If I lose him … I stand up and grab my keys, sticking my tire iron into the back of my pants.

“Where do you think he went?” Kimmi asks, adjusting her red leather corset and biting at her lower lip. “We've been riding for hours. They might not be anywhere near us right now.”