by Debra Kayn
"Hi." Bree waved back, separating from her husband, and came to Gia's side. "Are you leaving?"
"No. I'm waiting for Swiss. He's inside." Gia shivered.
Bree frowned and cocked her head. "Come on in and wait where it's warmer. It's practically freezing out here tonight."
"Thanks. I'd like that." Gia walked beside Bree.
"It's almost too cold to walk to the pond after the sun goes down and we haven't even entered fall yet." Bree swung the front door and held it open. "The weather is crazy. I went swimming earlier to cool off, and now everyone is trying to warm up. Someone needs to punch Mother Nature in the face."
Gia laughed. "No kidding. I can't get used to the dip in temperature at night, but I'll take it over sweating to death during the day."
Inside, Battery came over, whispered in Bree's ear, and then walked across the room. Bree motioned for Gia to follow and led her to the couch. She sat down, glad to have someone to sit with her.
"Raelyn was asking about you today when I dropped off Dukie at the bar." Bree turned sideways on the couch. "She thinks you're good for Swiss."
"Oh." She leaned back in surprise. "I don't know about that. I'm mostly a pain in the ass. I think he'd like to have his regular life back."
"How are you doing with everything?"
"Okay." She wrinkled her nose. "I spend half my time wishing everything was over and the other half wanting the problems to disappear without any more trouble. I hate what's happened, and it makes me angry that I've involved other people."
Bree's gaze softened. "Don't think that way. I've had my own trouble in the past. Trust me, when it's all over, you'll be glad that you came to Swiss."
"Maybe." She gazed around the room. Swiss still hadn't appeared, and her stomach tightened.
"Hey, don't worry about him. The guys disappear and talk all the time. Swiss knows you're safe here, and everyone will look out for you." Bree leaned forward. "If Battery suspected anything happening, he wouldn't allow me to be around you."
"You're sure?"
Bree nodded. "One-hundred percent."
The music changed. Gia looked out at the others. Most everyone had coupled up, except for a few men who stood around the bar on the other side of the room. She couldn't find Darcy and wondered where she'd gone.
At the level of flirting and touching happening in the room, she suspected the backroom that Darcy and Mel mentioned was where couples went to get some privacy. Boundaries seemed unimportant to the others. There were even two women hanging on one biker in the corner and neither women wore any kind of top. Their bare breasts out in plain sight and enjoyed by more than a few men who kept ogling them.
"This all must seem a bit much for you, huh?" said Bree. "The later it gets, the wilder the party. A few years ago, I used to hang out and drive Battery crazy by being down here. Now, we usually stay upstairs when everyone starts getting...friendly."
Gia looked down at her hands in her lap. "It's a little awkward. I keep telling myself it's no different than a club scene in Seattle."
"I wouldn't know about that. I've lived with Battery since I was sixteen." Bree waved her hand in front of Gia's shocked expression. "No, no...don't think what you're thinking. It's a long story. But, I grew up around everyone here. They party hard. They enjoy women. But, you won't find more loyal and dedicated men anywhere."
"Swiss is like that."
"They're all that way. A few are a little rougher around the edges, but when it comes down to it, we're all family. The best family I've ever had." Bree smiled gently, and her attention was dragged away to the area behind Gia. "Ah, there's Swiss now. I told you he wouldn't leave you for long."
Her rapid heartbeat at Swiss's name gave way to irritation. She had no right to be upset that he'd left her alone at the party or that Darcy practically staked her claim on Swiss. But, she was hurt.
Chapter Twenty Five
His plan to make Gia want to reach out to someone in the form of a phone call failed when Bree brought her back inside the clubhouse. Swiss walked back into the main room. Time was running out.
He understood her way of thinking enough to know asking her outright who she called would make her retreat. Loyal to a fault, manners that verged on too polite, Gia would do something reckless to protect someone else or if she believed a friend was in danger. Coming straight out and confronting her about the phone call she'd made could push her away and he needed her close to protect her.
If he didn't need more details, he'd admire her for standing strong and protecting those close to her. But, he needed names and connections. All he needed was a definite subject to point him in the right direction. She couldn't go on living each day not knowing if something would happen or not.
She also couldn't return to Seattle without proof that she was safe.
Gia looked at him approaching her. His gaze connected with her, and she turned her attention back to Bree. He growled. She gave him nothing, except a snub.
No interest, no lingering look, no warmth.
He'd succeeded at pissing her off.
Bree glanced between Gia and Swiss, and then raised her brows in curiosity. Swiss veered from going to the couch and instead walked over to the men gathered around the counter. The last thing he wanted to do was answer questions from two women. Neither one of them would want to hear what he had to say tonight.
LeWorth held up a bottle of whiskey. "You in for a shot, Swiss?"
He shook his head. The second he sent Gia home to Seattle he planned on taking his good friend Jim Beam to bed with him.
"Did you hear there's a new business opening up off of First Street?" Grady flicked his hair behind his shoulders. "An outdoor supply store. I ran into the owner when he was coming out of the shop after picking up his car. He says he's going to carry a whole line of rifles and pistols, plus dish out hunting tags."
"Who's supplying the weapons?" asked Battery.
"I asked him." Grady took a drink. "He's getting most of his inventory from the Lightfoot Militia and getting the rest from wholesalers."
"So, Bantorus Motorcycle Club will be supplying the arms to the militia, and they'll transport to Haugan." Battery stroked his beard. "Why don't you make contact with the owner again, Grady. See if you can get Ronacks in to cover the business and stress how the territory works. That way we can keep the lines between Bantorus MC and Ronacks from blurring. I'd like to keep our relationship with them friendly."
"Will do, Prez," said Grady.
Battery stood from the table, paused, grabbed his phone out of his pocket, and read the screen. "Everyone, hold on. It's Raelyn."
Swiss stepped forward. If Raelyn needed anything at Pine Bar and Grill during working hours, she was to call Rod. She was only to call Battery if it was an emergency.
"Slow down, Rae." Battery held up his hand and put his finger in his other ear. "How long ago? Which direction?"
Swiss looked over at Gia and found her in conversation with Bree, unaware of anything else going on in the room.
"No, keep the men with you in the bar. I'll take riders out with me and have a look around." Battery pointed to Sander, LeWorth, Grady, and then pointed at the door.
Swiss moved out of their way to go to Gia, knowing he wasn't needed, and Battery grabbed his vest.
His body hardened at attention.
"Okay, got it." Battery lowered his voice into the phone. "Keep your eyes open, Raelyn, and be smart."
Battery disconnected the call and turned to Swiss. "The woman came back to the bar, stepped inside and spotted Raelyn, and took off. She sent the prospect and Choke outside to follow her. Apparently, the woman took off in a navy colored sedan with Washington plates. They didn't get a read on the plate."
Swiss balled his hands. "This could be it."
Battery planted his hand in the middle of Swiss's chest. "I need you here to take care of your girl and Bree. Don't let them go outside."
He gritted his teeth and nodded in acceptance. For how much he wan
ted to find the woman in question, he wouldn't allow anything to happen to Gia. For all he knew, the woman was a ploy in a man's game and the first chance he turned his back, the killers would get to Gia.
"I want in on it if it turns into something more," said Swiss.
"I'll call when I know something." Battery hurried over to Bree, whispered in her ear, and kissed her forehead.
Bree looked to Swiss and stood from the couch. He walked over before Bree could get the idea to find out more details. He'd need Bree to keep her head and help him distract Gia.
"Do you know what's going on?" Bree's eyes bore into him.
He recognized more than concern. It wasn't long ago, the Russians came after Bree, and her life was in danger.
"Raelyn wanted someone to come over and check the place out. She's fine, and business is open." Swiss pointed at the couch. "Visit with Gia. Battery will be back in a half hour, tops."
He sat down on the arm of the couch beside Gia and put his hand on the back of her neck. Her muscles constricted from his touch. He leaned down and kissed her temple.
"Everything okay?" he said against her skin.
"I'm fine."
She never looked up at him. He gave her a squeeze. Mindless rock music blared in the room. He gazed around at the others. Chuck and Jana were getting hot and heavy against the wall. Sander never seemed concerned that his ex-girlfriend played with every member of the club.
Roller, a newer lifer, already had Bethanie's shirt unbuttoned. JayJay entertained Charlene with shots at the table in the corner. Three women he never could remember their names danced for Lug and Round.
Gia remained stiff under his touch beside him. All he could do was wait to make her feel more secure. Hopefully, with the new development tonight in town, and he continued to keep Gia pissed off enough to reach out to her contact, he'd have enough information to end the problems.
"You two hungry?" he asked, thinking of ways to beat time.
Bree laughed. "Is that a hint?"
"Nah, I'm good." Swiss patted his stomach. "Gia made burgers before we came over."
"I bet it's nice to have someone living with you who will also feed you." Bree's teasing smile grew bigger. "Though Raelyn better hope she picks up more business without you coming into the bar three times a day."
"I'll be back to my normal schedule soon." Swiss chuckled. "I miss Rae's desserts."
Gia's shoulders slumped forward. He removed his hand and stood up. If he stayed beside her, he'd make things right.
He hated upsetting her, but it was more important to get closer to fixing her life than for her to enjoy a night out with him. She'd already proven she had a jealous streak.
"I'm gonna grab a bottle of water. Bree? Do you want one?" he asked.
Bree said, "No, thanks."
He walked a few steps and turned around, "Oh, fuck. Forgot. Gia? How about you?"
Gia shook her head. He'd reduced her to not talking to him. Good.
He strolled over to the refrigerator. The guilt knowing he'd put her in the position of relying on him being around and her disappointment in something as simple as staying by her side, which obviously meant a lot to her, wasn't sitting well with him.
He understood her reasons. But, he refused to take responsibility for the situation they were both in. One of them needed to break, and it sure in the fuck wasn't going to be him.
Swiss opened the fridge, took out a plastic water bottle, and drank half the contents. It only took ten minutes to ride to Pine Bar and Grill. Ronacks should be there by now.
If they found the unknown woman who had visited the bar, he could ease up on Gia. He wouldn't need her making a phone call to find out more. A simple interrogation and he could have the woman blabbing who she worked for and why she was in town.
He sniffed and wiped his mouth with his forearm. Fuck, he needed a drink stronger than water.
"Yo, Swiss." JayJay leaned against the fridge. "Where did the others take off to?"
"The woman we've been looking for showed up at the bar and then took off. Prez took the others to see if they could find her."
"Good deal, man." JayJay nodded. "How's your woman taking the news?"
His woman.
Swiss tossed the water bottle into the trash. "Keep your voice down. She doesn't know."
"Yeah," mumbled JayJay. "I'm toast, anyway."
"Crash in the backroom." Swiss eyed Charlene. "Take Char with you."
JayJay grinned. "That's the plan. Catch you tomorrow."
"Right," muttered Swiss, watching his MC brother lumber off.
Before Gia arrived, it would've been him borrowing the backroom and taking one of the women for a few hours of fun. He gazed at Gia, who also watched JayJay half-carry Charlene across the room while his sloppy attempt to undress her left both of them laughing.
His stomach tightened. The unmasked longing on Gia's face hardened his resolve to keep everything within boundaries for both of them. The last thing he needed was a woman wanting in his life and Gia would be better off without him. Her life was in Seattle, not Haugan.
His phone vibrated. He put it to his ear. "Yeah?"
"No sign of her," said Battery.
"Fuck," he muttered. "How can she get away?"
"You know as well as I do that the interstate makes Haugan vulnerable. I've sent LeWorth and Grady east and called Kurt with Bantorus Motorcycle Club to watch the west side of the interstate. They're going to be on the lookout for the car and meet with our members later if they arrive. Until then, all we can do is wait," said Battery.
"I'm going to take Gia home. Maybe the mysterious woman is hiding until she can get her opportunity to approach Gia." Swiss cupped the back of his neck and stretched his back.
"There's always the chance we're running toward a dead end."
"Let's hope not." Swiss exhaled loudly. "I rather get this settled sooner rather than later."
"Tell Bree I'm heading home. You can go ahead and leave. I double checked with the others who are on guard duty tonight, and it's been quiet at the duplex since you left. Before you go, speak with Roller and tell him he's to stay with Bree until I get back."
"I'm on it." Swiss disconnected the phone.
With nothing nailed down, anything could happen. He'd be alert and on guard, not knowing if the woman was a distraction to thin the club or if they were all on a wild goose chase.
"Roller?" He motioned his MC brother over.
"What's up?"
"Prez wants you to stay here and keep Bree inside," said Swiss. "I'm taking off with Gia."
"No problem." Roller lifted his Red Solo cup and spit the juice from his chew in it. "I was going to stick around longer anyways."
"Good. Before you go entertain Bree, gather two members who are sober to escort me home." Swiss slapped Roller on the arm and walked over to Gia.
Once the women said their goodbyes, he led Gia outside. Without saying a word, she climbed on behind him, and he rode back to the duplex. As usual, he took a couple of different side streets and made sure the only one following him was a Ronacks member. He also checked on the two other members who were close enough to have the block covered before he parked at the curb in front of the duplex.
Gia walked beside him to the door. He was no closer to bringing her situation to an end, but one thing was for sure. He'd succeeded in pissing Gia off.
Chapter Twenty Six
When the loud rumble from the biker riding past the duplex on his nightly watch failed to wake Swiss, Gia slid out of bed, grabbed one of Swiss's T-shirts, and hurried into the kitchen to grab the cell phone Swiss had given her a few weeks ago. Tonight would've been the perfect time to use someone's phone at the clubhouse, but Swiss leaving her to her own company had distracted her.
She stepped over and glanced back in the bedroom. Swiss continued to sleep. He rarely slept for more than two hours at a time. She'd need to hurry.
Going quietly into the bathroom, she shut the door and turned on the light. H
er hands shook as she slipped the shirt over her head. She looked forward to hearing Bianca's voice. Lately, everyone in Ronacks, including Swiss, seemed to keep her on the outside.
They dealt with the situation privately, never including her or letting her in on what was going on. Earlier—last night, she suspected the men had come looking for her again. Even Bree couldn't cover for her husband's quick exit or Swiss hovering when he was perfectly fine leaving her alone earlier during the party.
Swiss had acted strangely all day. He remained quiet, refusing to talk, when they got ready for bed, and when she laid down naked beside him, he ignored her. She'd told him good night, and he'd grunted in reply.
She looked all over the phone for anything that stood out as being a traceable phone. It was a cheap one, probably bought right off the shelf. To be safe, when she finished the call, she'd run it under the faucet and then put it in the trash. She trusted no phone, not even one supplied by Ronacks for her use only.
If they wanted to keep secrets from her, she wouldn't feel guilty about keeping her one contact to Seattle to herself. Bianca couldn't help the club, and she had an invested interest in finding the killers. Trinity had been her coworker and Bianca's best friend, a fact that neither one of them knew until she'd blabbed everything at the woman's shelter.
She tapped out Bianca's number and put the phone to her ear. It was the middle of the night. Bianca had to be home.
"Hello?" said Bianca.
"It's me. Gia." She forced herself to whisper through her spike of adrenaline. "I am so glad to hear your voice."
"Oh my, God. Where have you been? I've been worried sick not hearing from you."
"With Swiss. The men after me are here. They found me and slashed my tires and left a message on my car, and ran over one of the Ronacks member's motorcycle." Her voice trembled. "Ronacks are protecting me, but they haven't seen the men after me in over a week."
"What? The men are in the same town?" said Bianca, louder and more awake.