Page 20 of Ride or Die

Because she was charitable like that.

Gio’s onyx eyes travelled over her, and he tucked his hands into his suit pockets. “I missed you.” His voice slithered over her like grease.

She scrubbed around each nail, slow and methodical.

He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. “You done playing hard to get?”

Riley’s mouth tightened. “I’m… washing my hands.” She shook the water off and grabbed a folded towelette from the counter, too aware of his gaze crawling up and down her back.

“The trip was too long. And Nico was annoying.” His lip curled in the mirror, and he straightened the gold cross that hung around his neck.

“That’s unfortunate.” She put her back to the wall, shoulders dropped and off-centre. She kept still, her face polite but not encouraging. Unremarkable.

“It was unfortunate. Very sad.” Gio pushed off the doorframe, grin widening. Something glimmered in one of his teeth. New jewellery?

“Come on,” he coaxed. “It’ll be fun.” His voice was unaccented, but he had his brother’s charm. Riley did get how she and many others had fallen for it. He moved closer.

He had embedded a diamond in his tooth.

“Not for me.” Her heart thudded with every step he took. Gio was the shorter, more muscular version of Nico, with all of the good looks but none of the restraint. His cologne was spicy, cloves and cinnamon, edged with the tang of something acrid.

They’d been playing this game for too long.

Something predatory hid in the black of his eyes, and it made her skin cold and itchy.

“You need to stop,” she said, polite and firm. She pressed back into the wall.

Gio paused halfway across the bathroom.

“Stop what?” The chiding tone dragged sharp nails up her back, and she straightened.

She never should have let this go on.

She was a Sinclair, and she knew better. Something squirmed deep down. This wasn’t her fault. But it’s your responsibility. Her dad’s voice was strong, resolute.

Her arms dropped to her sides.

“Dumb isn’t a good look, Gio. I’m not interested. I never will be. Move. On.”

Gio gave her a slow, deliberate smile as he closed the space between them. Her skin prickled. He didn’t usually take “no” very well.

Which is why she’d never really said it.

“That’s unfortunate—” He brushed her cheek with the back of his finger. Riley refused to flinch, digging her nails into her palms.

“—because I am very, very interested.”

Gio stood between her and the exit. Metal coated her mouth as adrenaline poured through her.

“Don’t fucking touch me. Ever.” Riley didn’t recognize her voice, cold and burning. She was close enough to see the flicker of alien interest in Gio’s eyes, like he’d enjoy her refusal. He covered it with a mocking smirk, and Riley clenched her hands harder, knuckles aching with the pressure.

He was dangerous. Not just “boys being boys.” Unsafe.

“You’re cute when you try to act brave,” he murmured. “Come find me when you’re done playing around. I’m not waiting forever.”

You sure are.

He turned and left the bathroom, and the door banged shut. Riley drew in a shaky breath, and then another. Her mouth set in a hard line, and she held up her trembling hand, closing and opening. She shook it out. Then she left the bathroom and walked straight down the hall to the HR office.