"You need to leave," Gina considered screaming. The paramedics and the cops were close enough to hear her. She took a deep breath, inflating her lungs in preparation.
"Now, you don't need to be doing that," he held up hands which were red and bruised and managed to force a smile. "I just want my sleeve finished off before I go into hibernation for the rest of the month."
"You look like you need the rest of the year," Gina scoffed.
"True," he laughed in agreement. "But the best I can manage is the month. Reckon you can finish this sleeve for me today?"
Gina eyed him dubiously.
"I know Brea was working on it, but something tells me we won't be seeing her again."
"What do you know about Brea?" panicked burned within Gina at the mention of her protégées name. Where was Brea? Had she somehow been caught up in the madness the night before? Gina couldn't bear the thought of it.
"I know she's skipped town."
"Skipped town?" Gina exhaled and leaned back against the reception counter for support. She felt dizzy from worry.
"Yep. With lover boy in tow. They'll be long gone by now."
Gina ran her hands through her hair. So Brea was gone. The most talented artist Gina had come across during her career was now scattered to the wind.
"But she's safe?" she demanded.
"Should be."
"Good." And Sylar? But Gina didn't ask the question. If Sylar had survived, she was certain she'd hear from him sooner or later when he was ready to crawl up out of the woodwork.
"Should you really be here?" she asked her blonde visitor, pursing her lips.
"Probably not," he gave a casual shrug and then winced.
"You should be resting up in bed."
"That an offer to come take care of me?" his eyes sparkled flirtatiously. "I reckon you'd look really good in a tight little nurse's outfit."
"If you want me to finish that sleeve for you, I suggest you stop insulting me," Gina folded her arms across her chest and scowled at him.
"Hey, darling, I was just offering you a compliment. You should learn to take one."
"You were sexually harassing me," Gina rolled her eyes. She wanted to get the guy out of there, but she found herself checking her calendar for the day. She could fit him in for the sleeve if she got to work on him right now. But why wasn't she just sending him away? She didn't need him bringing any trouble her way.
"I didn't mean to offend you," he struggled over to the reception desk and leaned against it so that he was standing beside her. Gina had expected him to smell like stale liquor and dried blood but instead he smelled of oil and shampoo. Fresher than she'd thought he would be.
"If we start on it right now I can finish your sleeve today," Gina informed him briskly, heading towards the treatment room before he had a chance to respond.
"You're bossy. I like that," he commented saucily as he hobbled after her. Gina did pause to hold the door open for him.
"What if the cops find you here?" Gina asked as she started gathering together her tools. She was actually looking forward to working on the guy's sleeve. It would provide a much needed distraction from all her frantic thoughts. She kept worrying about Brea and Sylar, hoping that they were both okay.
"They won't do anything," the guy told her confidently.
"You sure about that?" Gina was wiping down his arm which was surprisingly wound free compared to the rest of him.
"Positive," he grinned at her. "Cops won't be giving us any trouble."
"Weren't you a part of that big fight last night?"
"What gives you that idea?" he laughed.
"Fine," Gina huffed and picked up her needle, about to start work on the sleeve.
"Yes," he conceded quickly, his voice suddenly threatening to crack. "I was a part of the fight last night. But the cops won't bother me. Or you. I run the Highway Reapers, so I basically run this town."
"I see," Gina felt nervous at the gang talk. She'd never wanted to get involved in any of it.
"You stay on my good side and I can bring you lots of work in here and offer you protection."
Gina opened her mouth to protest, but he talked over her.
"Don't tell me you don't want to get involved. Talented lady like yourself should be chomping at the prospect to work on so many guys. Think of the cash flow. And I promise that all my guys would pay you a premium rate."
Gina clamped her lips together. She'd always remained neutral in gang problems. What this guy was proposing would align her to the Reapers. It would put her in the line of fire when the next fight came around. And there was always a next fight. The kind of grudges that existed between the two packs were never settled no matter how much blood was shed.
"You seem like a nice girl," he reached out and grabbed her free hand in his. She was startled by the sudden connection but didn't jump back. "You deserve to be protected," he added softly.
Gina blinked back tears. During the night, she'd lay awake, alone in her apartment terrified that someone would come bursting through her front door, that the next screams she heard would be her own. Where was Sylar? He'd been so concerned about Brea, but he hadn't stuck around to make sure Gina was safe.
"I'd always protect you," the guy squeezed her hand tightly. Gina looked at him and saw that beneath the bruises and the swelling he'd managed to retain his boyish charm. Handsome eyes sparkled at her and she blushed with understanding. His protection would come at a cost, but it was one she would willingly pay.
"So let's get this sleeve finished," Gina sniffed back any tears and focused on the guy's upper arm.
"Yes, let's," he agreed. "And sweets, call me Hank."
"Okay … Hank."
"And you're Gina," he smiled tenderly at her. "I look forward to us getting more acquainted."
Gina blushed. She started to work on the sleeve and tried to push away thoughts of Sylar. If she went with Hank, would she be dishonoring what they had? But then they didn't even have anything, it wasn't like they were exclusively dating, just fucking on occasion. And Gina wanted so desperately to feel protected, to feel safe, to feel wanted. Besides, it wasn't like Sylar was ever going to come back into her life. He'd probably fled town just as Brea had and she'd never see him again.
The nauseating feeling she'd woken up with flared up again as she worked on the sleeve. On two occasions, Gina had to stop and steady herself, fearing she might throw up. But she managed to stay composed and she completed the sleeve. All the while, Hank kept flirting with her so that when they said goodbye and he reached to kiss her, Gina didn't push him away. Hank placed a strong hand upon her cheek and pulled her lips towards his. He was a surprisingly gentle kisser. Gina melted into the embrace. Hank's kiss was everything she'd needed – it was soft and reassuring.
"Until next time," he promised her huskily as they parted.
"Yeah," Gina smiled at him, suddenly feeling all girlish and self-conscious. She watched Hank leave, grateful for the new man who had walked into her life.
Chapter 100
Brea slept contentedly beside Miles. She felt reassured by the steady, constant beating of his heart, which she could feel through his chest like an unrelenting drum. By the time the early morning sunlight was streaming in beneath the curtains, Brea felt refreshed. She sat up and stretched and for a blissful moment she was happy. She was with Miles and that was all that mattered.
But then the memories of the previous night crashed down on her like a tsunami, threatening to drown her in negative emotions. She remembered how Sylar had walked away from her, had gone to fight a battle which wasn't even truly his. Why hadn't he chosen to turn his back on it all like Miles had?
"Morning," Miles croaked the greeting, his voice hoarse. A dark shadow of stubble had gathered along his jaw line making him seem even more dangerously sexy.
"Morning," Brea pushed away her negative thoughts and leaned down to gently kiss Miles on the lips. As they connected, he released a groan of contentment and looped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him. Brea wanted to get lost in the moment, in the kiss. But Sylar's name kept pinging around her head like a bell. It was almost deafening.
"My brother," she panted as she pulled back from Miles, seeing his face blanche with disappointment.