Blending Into Gray

Chapter 23

Roman and I huddled outside of Giana's shop, waiting for her to get back to us after work. All we needed to know was whether or not she had another bike that we could possibly borrow.

We stood in the back alleyway, near the rear door, out of sight of the main entrance to the shop.

Frankly, that might have been a good thing.

The new Hero and Villain being seen in public together - in more ways than one - might have been just a bit too shocking.

I pressed my hand to my jacket, hearing a crinkle from the inside pocket.

Yep, still there.

So Roman and I might have taken the pictures with us.

If my father couldn't stop him, maybe, at the very least, these pictures could give him a moment of pause.

Or maybe not.

But it was still worth trying.

Just then, Giana's back door jingled from the automatic sensor above the entryway. Both Roman and I turned to look, seeing Giana with a wry smile on her face.

"Here, you two," she nodded, and held out a fist.

I held out my palm, cupped upwards, and she dropped a set of keys into my hand.

Opening my hand, I noted that they were, indeed, the keys to her own motorcycle that she usually used.

Raising an eyebrow at her, I held the keys out, pinching them with my thumb and forefinger to make a point.

She needed those to get around.

She didn't have another bike, we were literally taking hers right out from under her, practically.

Her emotions held a grim determination, and a sincerity that was almost unusual from her.

"Take them," she nodded.

I was still skeptical, and evidently it showed.

"Really," she insisted, her emotions just as no-nonsense as her face. "You need it, and if it'll help you, then by all means use them. I loved Damian too, and that bastard deserves what's coming to him for hurting my friend. Make him pay."

She was almost snarling at the end, a disdainful look on her face at the prospect of Geoff. Her emotions were just as disgusted as she looked.

Glancing sidelong at Roman, I noted his slight surprise at her ferocity, and saw him shrug.

Alright then. I guess we're taking the keys.

"Thank you," I smiled a little at Giana, closing my fist around the keys.

She gave me the smallest of grins, and nodded.

"Give him hell, Elias."

And with those encouraging words, she turned back around and marched back into the shop.

Still clutching the keys, I turned towards Roman, who shrugged, but his amusement was clear.

He thought Giana's ferocity was shocking, but funny.

That's fair.

"I guess I'm driving?"

I gave him a look, a slight question in my face.

"No," he shook his head, understanding me. "I'm not driving, I don't want to at all. My dad, uh, didn't really teach me. I don't think you'd want me driving. Imagine a shut-in driving a motorcycle."