taken a liking to Gio.”
“Wow, was that you trying to be subtle? Because I hate to break it to you, pal, you’re about as subtle as your Cuban mama.”
Ace barked out a laugh. “She asks about you every time she calls.”
“I’m sure she does,” Joker said with a hum. Heaven forbid one of her boys not be in a relationship. “Tell her I’m perfectly happy having lots of amazing sex.”
“If you think I’m going to even hint to the word sex while talking to my mother, you’re nuttier than I thought.”
“Maybe if you two didn’t gossip about everyone’s love life, it wouldn’t come up.”
Ace blinked at him. “But then how would I know that my cousin Lolita’s best friend’s father’s second cousin’s nephew showed up to his sister’s quinceñiera party with his straight best friend, and the two got caught making out in the janitor’s closet?”
“I…” Joker shook his head. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”
“See? That’s vital intel.”
“Of course it is.” Joker snickered and shook his head. They went back to watching TV and ribbing each other over nonsense. Joker had just dozed off when Ace’s phone rang.
“Hey, baby. Miss me— What? Are you okay? Are you safe? Hang tight. I’m on my way.”
Joker jolted awake. “What happened?”
Ace hung up and shot to his feet. “I gotta go. Colton went to meet Gio at Nia’s tour bus when someone shot at Nia and Gio.”
“What?”
Chip rolled off Joker as Joker jumped to his feet, his heart pounding in his ears.
“Security thinks they meant to hit Nia and Gio got in the way. Either that or the guy, lucky for us, had shit aim. They tackled him and restrained him. The police are on their way.”
Joker grabbed Ace’s arm. “Is Gio okay?”
“I think so.”
“You think so?” Joker asked, incredulous. He was going to kick Ace’s ass.
“Colton said he looked okay.”
“Jesus Christ! He looked okay? I’m going with you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ll be busy with Colton and Red’s in the middle of a job over an hour away. Plus, he’ll have his hands full with Laz. The moment Laz finds out about Gio, he’ll freak out.”
Ace pursed his lips. “Your argument is sound.”
“Shut up and let’s go.” Of course his argument was sound. He quickly made sure Chip had water in his bowl and some dry kibble, just in case. With a scratch on the head, he told Chip to stay, then quickly left the room.
As soon as Laz discovered someone had shot his brother, he’d lose his shit. “Have you told Red?”
“Unless Colton called him, he doesn’t know. Laz was with Fitz, waiting for Leo and the others.”
Which meant Laz didn’t know. They had some time.
“Colton won’t call Red or Laz,” Joker assured him.
“How do you know?” Ace asked as they hurried to the elevator. Joker did his best not to think of worst-case scenarios. If Colton said Gio looked okay, then it was probably nothing. That’s twice in one day Gio had put himself in harm’s way. For fuck’s sake. The guy was a trouble magnet.
“Gio won’t let him. He’s a stubborn shit.”
“Yeah, I mean, trying to protect his little brother.” Ace shook his head, his lips quirked in amusement. “What an asshole.”
“Shut up.”
With the concert let out, traffic was a nightmare. They’d had to park blocks away and run to the arena. Joker made no apologies to the assholes who didn’t heed his warning and get out of his fucking way. They were still dressed in their uniforms, so flashing their credentials meant they were allowed past the barriers and security behind the arena, where Nia’s ginormous tour bus was parked.
“Where the fuck is he?” Joker demanded of no one in particular. The crowd parted and people got the hell out of his way as he thundered toward the ambulance and the tall figure with broad shoulders he’d recognize anywhere, much to his annoyance. From the looks of it, Gio was alive and well. How dare the bastard cause him concern!
A growl rose up in Joker’s throat. “What the fuck did you—” He stilled at the sight of the bloodied shirtsleeve. He swallowed hard as Gio turned to face him, the left side of his torso bare, his shirt hanging off one shoulder to reveal the white bandage around his arm. It was a stark contrast against his tanned skin.
“Sacha,” Gio said, warmth filling his tone, a warmth that reflected in his dark eyes.
Joker snapped himself out of whatever stupid trance he’d been in and narrowed his eyes