Free Tribes of Man: The Beginning [Tribes of Man] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Kiel Nichols

suspicion if he just accepted everything at face value. Wijinicki knew him too well. “I actually met her through my brother. He wanted me to look into what happened to her to see if she was still in danger. Unfortunately, I’ve come to the conclusion that she definitely is in danger. I’ll be glued to her side until we figure it out.”
    Wijinicki must have understood and approved of what Gideon said, because all he said to it was, “You know to keep us in the loop.”
    “You betcha.” Gideon gathered Raina into his arms. He was aware of the fact that she heard the entire exchange with the detective. “I’m taking her home now.” He gave Wijinicki her address and phone number and his own cell number.
    “I’ll tell you what. Bring her in tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. If I need her sooner I’ll call and let you know, OK?”
    Gideon was relieved by the reprieve, if for no other reason than because it showed that Wijinicki trusted him.
    “Will do. Thanks, man.”
    “Miss Kallan,” Wijinicki said loudly and slowly. “You can go on home now, OK? We’ll talk again tomorrow.”
    “Thank you,” Raina answered. Her tears had nearly run their course, and all she had left was a few hitching breaths, a stuffy nose, and weak knees. The sedative had been a low initial dose. All it managed to do was to relax her.
    Gideon began walking her toward his car. When they got to the edge of the crowd by the parking lot, camera flashes started going off in their faces. He was grateful that Raina couldn’t see them. He’d had cameras in his face before, but he guessed that she hadn’t.
    They worked their way through the throng of reporters who were throwing questions at them. Raina didn’t say anything. She just huddled into Gideon’s arm.
    After they reached his car, he unlocked the door and helped her slide into her seat. As soon as he got into his own, his cell phone rang.
    “Hey, Gid. I was trying to catch up to you, but the crowd was too thick. Is Raina all right?” Bryce’s anxious voice came over the line.
    Gideon answered, “She’s as good as can be expected. We’re going to her house. Meet us there.”
    No, Raina said. He’s not part of this. Kristano won’t come if Bryce is at the house.
    “Raina’s going to be a little bit out of it,” Gideon said to Bryce. “They gave her a sedative and said she’d be out all night. I’m going to stay in the guest room tonight. After what’s been happening, I think we need someone with a weapon guarding her.”
    “I can stay, too,” Bryce said, almost antagonistically.
    “Sure,” Gideon said. “I just wanted to let you know that you didn’t have to. Like I said, she’s going to be sleeping.”
    Bryce just grunted, said, “I’ll see you there,” and hung up.
    “You need to tell me everything. Who is Kristano? What do you mean the guy was standing in you? What the hell really happened?” Gideon’s voice was rough with concern.
    I told you, Kristano’s the guy from my room. Raina was too tired to talk out loud. He saved my life. He protected me just like he said he would.
    “Don’t romanticize this guy,” Gideon said harshly, feeling the pangs of jealously.
    Raina shuddered, I’m not. I’m safe with him, but he let that girl die without even trying to help.
    Gideon responded to her sadness with the intimacy of his mind. Do you think he could have saved her, too?
    No, but he didn’t even try.
    Gideon was quiet for a minute. Would he have put you in danger if he tried to save her?
    Yes, Raina answered. He said he couldn’t keep me hidden if he helped her .
    Then he did the right thing.
    Raina started to cry again. My life isn’t worth more than that girl’s life. He shouldn’t have sacrificed her for me.
    “Yes, he should have.” Gideon’s voice was implacable. “He did the right thing, and I feel better that the person protecting you is capable of making the hard choices.”
    My life isn’t more valuable than hers, Raina repeated.
    It is to me.
    Raina