Gentleman Wanted 6

Gentleman Wanted 6
Gent

“So has anyone actually seen or heard from Young Blood?” Wicked’s voice was soft, but somehow, it carried around the room. Maybe it was because it was so quiet around the table. 

I didn’t see the point of the question; he had been asking it for weeks. Ever since the day we had arrived back. 

“Nothing.” Truth sounded angry. And I knew why. Out of all of us, Truth was the one most likely to be able to find someone even if they didn’t want to be found. He had found Gem and me after all.

Gem.

Just the thought of her name was enough to send a shiver through me. I had barely seen her. A glimpse here and there of her and Bobby. She would give me a small uncertain smile and then go about her day.

Like we were strangers.

Like we were god damn strangers. 

I missed them both. I tried to hide it, but I did. I found myself wondering what she was doing at the most inappropriate times.

Like now, when I should be concentrating on the business at hand. 

“He’s in the wind. Gone.” Truth shook his head, his lips set in a thin line. “Like a fucking ghost.”

Slowly Wicked sat back, the chair creaking under his weight. “I’ve asked Cali…” 

He didn’t get to finish. Truth whirled on him with a snarl, his eyes blazing. “You asked my pregnant fiancé to find out info on a snake who tried to kill an unarmed woman and child because she might have seen something?”

Of course, no one actually knew whether Young Blood had been the one to pull the trigger on Fender or us for that matter, but it was suspicious. 

“Cali has contacts we don’t. She can ask questions.” Wicked ignored his younger brother’s outrage, his hands steepling under his chin. “She’s not in any danger, Truth. I wouldn’t put her or my unborn niece or nephew in danger. She’s just sitting at a computer and making some calls. Gemma’s been helping her. I think they are mostly just gossiping and talking babies.” He gave a sarcastic laugh.

I barely paid him any notice. My ears had pricked up at the sound of Gem’s name. 

I had to stop doing this. Thinking about her, especially when there were so many other things I should be concentrating on. 

“But I can put someone on them if you like?” Wicked’s eyes narrowed as he gazed around the table. They turned to slits as he settled on me. 

My breath caught in my throat. Was he going to ask me to play babysitter?

Part of me wanted to be outraged. I had spent almost a year babysitting a woman I wasn’t involved with. Bringing up a child that wasn’t mine. 

But a small part knew it was just the excuse I needed to talk to her. And god, I needed an excuse.

“Gent, can you arrange for some of the prospects to go and hang with them?”

My heart fell. 

Fuck.

There went my chance to try and talk to her. 

“Yeah, I can do that.” This was all such a mess. I had to get over myself. I was a grown-ass man; she was a woman. If I wanted to see her, then I should just go and see her.

Heaving myself up from the chair, I paused, my eyes catching Wickeds. He had a knowing smile on his face as he nodded his head to me.

He didn’t have to say anything. He knew where I was going, and it wasn’t to any damn prospect.



“Gem isn’t here.” Cali hovered in the doorway of Gemma’s small apartment. I had spent a good hour riding around town trying to find them. To no avail. 

Going to Gemma’s poxy little flat was the last place I could think of. Where else would they be?

My eyebrows slammed down. What the hell did she mean Gemma wasn’t there?  “Where is she?” I couldn’t help the worry that tinged my voice. It was dark. And I didn’t like the idea of Gemma wandering around in the dark by herself. Which was stupid, seeing as she wasn’t my responsibility anymore.

There was that word again. Responsibility. 

Something flickered across Cali’s face. It shut down entirely, and I knew instantly that she didn’t want to tell me. 

“Gent.” She looked away guiltily.

Sighing, I closed my eyes. “Just tell me, Cali. I just want to make sure she’s safe.” 

“She’s just gone out for coffee….” Another equally guilty look swept across her face. 

It hit me then. Cali didn’t want to tell me because Gemma was on a date. It was surprising how gutting that thought was.

Gemma was on a date. 

She had moved on, so much quicker than I had thought possible. Not that there was anything to actually get over. I wanted there to be, though.

I wanted her to miss me as much as I missed her.

“She’s on a date?” I sounded flat. Emotionless. 

“It’s just coffee and….” Cali tried to back peddle fast. “She doesn’t even really like him. He did her a tattoo and kept asking….”

It was like I had been gut-punched. She was on a date with another artist? Like she was trying to replace me in her life totally.

Something must have shown on my face; Cali’s hand came down on my arm. “Gent, it’s just coffee.”

“Doesn’t matter.” I shrugged, trying to play down the warring emotions in my chest. “Where’s Bobby?”

“Sleeping. I’m watching him.” 

“Why don’t you head home? Truth will be wondering where you are. I can watch Bobby.” And have a serious talk with his maddening mother. 

“Gent, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re both obviously mad at each other for something, and…”

I cut her off. “I’m not mad at her at all. I just haven’t seen Bobby for weeks. It will be good to spend some time with him.”

Cali’s eyes met mine. She didn’t believe me, and that was fine. I wouldn’t believe me either. 

“Fine Gent, but don’t upset her, ok? Promise me you won’t fight.”

“I don’t want to fight with her, Cali. I just want to talk to her and spend some time with Bobby. I’ve missed him.”

Our eyes met. And then slowly, she nodded. “Fine, but don’t make me regret this, ok. I will kick your ass.”