Chapter 86

She glanced around at the hotel room as she pulled her things together before leaving for the day. The taxi that would ferry her to the guys hotel would be outside in just a couple of moments. She couldn't stop the sad grin as she looked at the blandness. This hotel room looked just the same as the one she'd stayed in in Sacramento. Of course Motel 6's were clones which was probably why. Hell she was lucky it was a nice Motel 6, had she done this alone it would have been worse.

It hadn't been easy, but she'd finally talked Matt into helping.

"Matt please, you're the only one who can help. I have to do this don't you see?"

"No I don't see. Why not just stay with him? We'll hire more security, things will be safer if you're in the group Sabrina."

"Matthew, I CAN'T. I have to do this. I have to be close, to watch over him, but me being with him could be deadly."

She'd finally talked Matt into helping. It had taken every bit of charm she had, but she'd discarded name after name the morning she'd walked away from Richie's bed. She couldn't put anyone's job at risk, not for helping her. The only safe bet was Matthew. Matthew alone was family. He alone would probably not lose his job for helping her. She couldn't be with Richie, that was too dangerous, but she COULD and WOULD shadow him. Keep a watch for Jared. It was time to take care of that maniac once and for all. If he came close to Richie? She patted the pocket holding the gun she'd purchased. If he came too close he'd be dead.

She hurried from the motel room, and hopped into the waiting taxi, her soft voice giving the address she needed to be at. Within minutes the taxi was stopping and she looked around for a good place to hide. Pulling a wide brimmed hat from her over sized bag and settling it onto her head she stepped behind a rather large potted plant and waited for the band to step outside.

She winced as the guys stepped from the hotel, noted the weary blood shot look in Richie's eyes before dipping her head to hide behind the hat she had on. God he looked so good, yet so bad too.

He looked like he'd lost his best friend. His shoulders slumped as he moved to the car and again she cursed Jared for making her do this too him. "I'm so sorry baby," whispered over bloodless lips."I'll fix this somehow."

She knew they were headed to the arena for sound check. Even now Jon wanted them to run through a few songs before the show. She smiled slightly as she remembered the ticket and laminate resting safely in her purse. She might not be front row, but she would be there, to watch over him. At least she could hear him play, and know he was ok. But he's not okay Sabrina. Didn't you see how weary and sad he looked? She growled at her thoughts. She had no choice. This was how it had to be for now.

She might not have his love, or his bed to share now. But she'd take what little she could. Just seeing him play was something. It wasn't the best, or what she really wanted, but beggars couldn't be choosers.

Richie climbed in the car then slid over near the window and gazed out. He'd had NO luck in finding her over the last twenty four hours. He spent the day calling everyone he could think and had even went out for a few hours to search. He'd found nothing.

Jon hadn't just hired one but several investigators and as yet even they'd had no luck in locating the missing piece of his heart. I will find you Bri and when I do I will not let you go ever again.

What was he gonna do without her in the mean time. He felt like he had lost part of himself. He shook his head as the realization settled that until she came back he'd never be whole again.

Jon nodded to Rich as he settled into the limo, his eyes following friend's gaze. "Any luck man?"

“No. Apparently its like she poofed off the earth. How does one do that anyway, " Richie questioned. "How can someone just be here one moment and gone the next?"

Jon's eyes honed in on a slip of a female partially hidden behind a tree, a frown on his forehead. Fuckin' koolaid drinking fans. Even scoping out hotels. "Fuck if I know man. Why is it the ones we don't wanna see are right there in plain site? Beats the shit outta me."

"I just don't get it . The two guys said they were running checks on her Credit Cards but no activity yet. Hell theres no action on her ATM card either. How does a person vanish without fuckin' money? "

David leaned forward, his voice gentle. "Man Carly called me late last night. Seems someone was hurt over us not trusting her." His gaze found Geena's as he smiled. "She told me that every time Jared's pulled a number on someone she's vanished. Seems its her way of protecting those she loves. She does it so well that no one even has a hint of it coming. Damn if my Ketsl wasn't adamant about me telling you two to apologize to her friend before she got her needles after you."

He cleared his throat and continued. "Just proves she really loves ya man."

Richie groaned as he glanced at Geena apologetically. "Sorry honey, I'm just so worried about her."

Jon listened to David's spiel and Richie's apology as he watched Matt, a brow flicking up to see his brother damn near fidget. Matt didn't fidget or get nervous."What gives man?"

"Wha? Oh nothing, just a rough night thats all. " Matt's glance slid to Richie. God how can I do this to him? He closed his eyes as he remembered the fear in her eyes. Because I promised.

Jon frowned. His brother had that look on his face, the one that screamed, I'm being bad and if mom finds out my ass is toast. He leaned in slightly, his gaze centering on Matt's face. "Wanna try again?"

"Nothing is up seriously. Just Backstage stuff nothing big. What's with the third degree?" Matt asked the question as he licked suddenly dry lips. Fuck he hated lying, especially to Jon who could read him like a freaking book.

Jon's gaze narrowed. Something wasn't right with Matthew, but what? "Yeah you keep saying that."

"Ok if you must know Des and I had a fight last night. Happy now big brother," Matt growled.

Jon pulled his phone out and dialed quickly, grinning at the voice on the phone. "Hey sweetie. How's it goin? " He listened a few minutes and laughed, "Oh? Yeah I"ll see it. So tell me. How bad was the fight?" His brows went up as he turned his gaze back onto his brother. "Oh? No fight? Thanks babe. See you soon,"

He closed the phone and shook his head. "When ya wanna lie to me man, make it a better one."

"You're an ass? You know that right? You just caused one now. Thanks brother." He turned his head away and continued. "I don't have to tell you shit Jon, "Matt spat "Just because you're my brother don't mean I have to tell you everything."

Jon's grin slid onto his lips, "Just because you're my brother doesn't mean I can't fire ya for breaking contract. Justc because your my brother doesn't mean you can get by with insubordination to the boss. Just cuz..." His voice trailed off as he pinned Matt with a gaze, "Dunno what you are up to man, but best ya just spit it out. I got enough fuckin' drama right now."

Matt cursed. "Fuck , you wanna know a'right!" Bri forgive me. He muttered to himself for a few moments as he collected his thoughts. "I know where Bri is or I did know. She came to me and asked me for help. She wanted to stay close to Richie, keep to the shadows, but I warn ya if you go to her she will totally run for good." Matt winced, ready for the fallout that was about to hit. "Shit you know me Jon, just like you, gotta help a lady when they ask."

The name Bri filtered into his thoughts, someone had been talking about her. Turning his gaze, a brow lifted to see Matt furious. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"Bri asked me to help her stay in the shadows. To be here but not be here, if that makes sense."

He leaned forward. "She's gonna follow but not be a part of us? What the fuck? I can't keep her safe if shes hiding."

"I tried to tell her that, she won't listen at all. She believes its better this way and she said if anyone tries to find her she will be forced to just go for good."

Richie's brow arched as the first smile in twenty four hours lit his face. "So shes gonna play hide n seek eh? What all she gettin' ya to do man?"

"I'm just making sure of her travel arrangements, that she has a hotel in each city and a ticket to each show man."

Richie's grin grew. Well that explains why her cards aren't being used at least. "Thank you man. Now all I need is the hotel info, and a way to get a key to her room. She won't get a chance to run." He leaned back, his eyes closing. She hadn't vanished totaly. He still had a chance.

"Sorry man. I didn't mean to lie. I hated doing it but she was so adamant about it."

"She's persistent. How long were you able to hold out before ya said yeah?"

'Not long to be honest . She just wanted to protect you, actually, all of us. She hated to involve even me but she had no choice. She said Jon wouldn't fire me. I tried to tell her that he sure as fuck would, but I couldn't change her mind." He shrugged slightly, "she's something else for sure."

"Fuckin' right I would." Jon's voice intercepted the conversation. "This time I'll cut you slack. Had you been stubborn we would have had no chance to find her or help her without massive amounts of people searching."

Geena shook her head as a tiny trill of hurt and humor mixed. " And you all thought it was me. "

Jon grimaced at the hurt sound of her voice, his arm going around her to pull her into a hug. "I am so sorry baby. And to think, it was my own brother." His eyes widened dramatically. "Im blasting my baby and its my brother. Ya know there might be a song in that."

"Oh you gotta lot of kissin' up to do," Geena bit back a smile.

His head dipped down to nuzzle her neck, his voice rumbling over her skin, "Oh I can kiss and make it better. Don't you doubt it."

"Its gonna take more than that," Geena pouted. "I ain't gonna fall for all this here," she waved her hand around.

He leaned in further, his tongue flicking along her ear lobe. "How's about just a little us time soon's we hit LA Baby?"

"Ummmmm I dunno. Don'tcha have to go to the studio or something? "

He groaned slightly, "Yeah we do, well me that is. Obie's got some shit needs doing, but I'll have time after Baby." He chuckled as Richie growled, "Oh shut up fuckhead. You'll get your info and I bet you'll be finding her before Im outta the studio."

"And you two thought we were bad with the lovey dovey shit," Richie complained.

Geena snorted, " He may be be but I aint."

He started to laugh to the point he could feel the tears sliding down his cheeks. "G, took ya for a lot of things. but not for lying. You both got it bad. You outta just fess up to it." He snorted as Jon flipped him the finger, his own rising in the standard salute. "Yeah yeah, like I can't see it man?"

"Fess up to what great sex,"Geena retorted.

Richie's voice went high and almost feminine as he imitated Geena, "She only did what I'd do to protect someone I love." He glanced back at her and grinned. "SO you didn't say that?"

"Yes I did asshole, not like we gonna be walking down the aisle anytime soon though. God why is it Jon's an ass to Bri and you're an ass to me? What the fuck I do to you man?"

He couldn't tell her that alot of the frustration was simply because she was here and Bri wasn't, although it was a part of it. Mostly its just how they were with each other. He leaned in closer, his long finger going out to flick her nose. "Ya fell in love with my bro. Welcome to the family. This is how we are with each other."