Hiding From Danger (Danger Incorporated Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

have any choice.” She looked up at him and placed her hands on his chest. “And none of this was a game. I do…care about you, West. More than anyone in a very long time. But that doesn’t change why I have to go. I’m so sorry.”
    West jerked away from her touch. “Bullshit. No one is running you out of town. You’re leaving of your own free will and by God I want to know why. What’s so scary that you have to run from town to town?”
    He paced a few steps and then turned back so they were practically nose to nose, more tears dampening her cheeks now.
    “Goddammit I’ve been patient, waiting for you to let me in but my patience has come to its end. I’m tired of the secrets, the subterfuge, and the avoidance of anything personal. I’m tired of playing the sweet, understanding suitor. You’ve pushed me too far, babe, and the bill has come due. You’re going to march your sweet little ass back up those stairs and we’re going to sit down. Then you’re going to tell me what…in…the…hell…is…going…on. Are you dying? Are you a CIA spy? Are you on the run from the law? What the fuck?”
    Gigi buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as more tears fell. This time West couldn’t remain unaffected by the anguish pouring off of the woman he cared so deeply about. With a muttered oath, he hauled her into his arms and stroked her hair, speaking in soothing tones that everything was going to be alright.
    Of course he had no idea if that was true but it sounded good right now. He let her cry it out for several minutes, his shirt front sodden. She hiccupped a few times and then pulled away slightly so she was looking up into his eyes.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t cry very often.”
    West hadn’t known Gigi long but he had a feeling truer words were never spoken. “I think maybe those tears have been building for awhile, babe. Can we go upstairs now so you can tell me what’s going on here and why you were leaving in secret?”
    She hesitated for a moment and then nodded wearily. “Okay, but you won’t change my mind. I really am going. I have to.”
    West slammed the hatchback on her vehicle closed. “Fine. Let’s go upstairs. I haven’t had near enough coffee for this.”
    They walked slowly back to Gigi’s apartment and he settled her on the couch. There were a few boxes stacked up by the door that she hadn’t had a chance to load into the car and he was once again slapped in the face by how few possessions she owned. He should have known she’d try something like this. Anger at himself clenched in his gut and he had to swallow against the acid that had crawled up into his throat.
    “I’m going to make us some coffee and then you’re going to tell me the truth. Finally.”
    She pointed to a box on the floor. “All the non-perishable food is packed up. I was going to drop it at my neighbor’s door on the way out. The coffeemaker is in the other box.”
    Muttering under his breath, he retrieved the coffee and started a pot. The aroma of French roast beginning to fill the air in the small apartment. Leaving it to finish, he sat down across from her on the faded ottoman, his elbows on his knees, marshaling every ounce of patience he had. If he pushed too hard, she’d stubbornly clam up and that would just piss him off even more. They didn’t need this conversation to go down that death spiral.
    “So why were you leaving?”
    Gigi’s teeth sunk deeply into her bottom lip and her hands visibly shook. With fear? What did she have to be afraid of? Not him, surely?
    “I–I can’t stay. I’m looking for my brother and sister. I think I have a lead on Zach. He might be in Las Vegas so I’m going there.”
    It was the first personal thing she’d ever told him and he breathed easier that she hadn’t tried to tell him a big fat lie. From her stormy expression it was clear she was being truthful, and it hurt.
    “How did you come to be separated from your siblings?” He hoped asking a