Idiot number three runs to the doors and opens it, yells something I can’t decipher, and a few moments later, people start pouring out the door, looking for the cause of the trouble.
“Shit.” I leg it over my motorcycle, insert and turn the key as I scramble to start the beast. I maneuver from the curb and turn my head. “Hold on.” Then I speed away just as the mob throws beer cans and bottles at us.
She does as she’s told, for once, wrapping her arms around me as we take off into the night. “Holy crap, babe, that was close.” She buries her head into my shoulder and a warmth spreads through me.
It’s wrong to feel this way and not say something. I mean, in the beginning all we did was flirt incessantly, but I knew even then I couldn’t give a woman like her what she needs. I shouldn’t have led her on, not that she saw it that way because we quickly became friends and hung out. Nothing more.
I’m not good for her.
I’m not good for anyone.
I’m broken.
Sometimes I don’t know if I can ever be fixed. A part of me hopes so, because a long time ago, I used to feel like I could do anything.
Then the unthinkable happened.
My life was abruptly taken, and that ended my childhood at thirteen..
I left everything behind. My life. Family. Friends. But I had no choice. I found myself in a cat-and-mouse game, unaware thatIwas the mouse.
I don’t even ask. I just drive back to my apartment.
It’s the only place I know I can keep her safe, and I won’t let anything happen to her. Over my dead body.
Maybe I have taken it upon myself to be extra protective of her, but that’s my nature. Hell, for years it was my job.
I push the anger and pain down, way down. Nobody’s got time for that shit tonight, including me. But this isn’t about me, it’s about Nova and why she’s so upset.
I get bars can be scary places, and if she thought she saw Bobby, that could’ve triggered her.
For some reason I’m the only one who can reach her when she gets like this. Nova knows she can rely on me to be there. I know from past trauma myself where a person goes when they need to feel safe, and that’s inwards.
I pat her hands as we ride. “It’s gonna be okay,” I murmur, knowing she can’t hear me. “I’ll never let anythin’ bad happen to you.”
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that. I keep my promises.
And maybe that’s all I need to know.
CHAPTER
TWO
Nova
I don’t know what I was thinking. Some may say Idon’tthink at all, but that just isn’t true. I don’t mean to get myself in these messes, it just happens.
I thought I could trust Jessa and Em; they seemed like nice girls. Just goes to show what a great judge of character I am.Not.I think they just wanted to get tight with me and then undoubtedly into the Rebels clubhouse. Girls are always asking me for ways to get in there and check out all the bikers. Most of the bikers are already taken or happily married, but some girls these days don’t seem bothered by that. They’re happy to play home wrecker. The one thing I will say about the Rebels is that they ride or die for their women. It’s their club motto.
I realize we’re going to Sawyers, and for that I’m glad. I’ve been living with Payden, one of my friends and the club’s lawyer, but I don’t need her to see me like this. She’s got a shit ton on her plate with work, and I don’t want to stress her out. Plus, she’s good friends with Willow, Haze’s wife who is also a cop, and I don’t need her on my case, and the boys, too.
The truth is, I panicked. I was being pushed and shoved around and my friends bailed. I didn’t know what to do. If I’d called Brew or Haze, they’d have a fit. Logan would bring his double-barrel shotgun, and no doubt any other weapon of choice he could think of. Sawyer, however, my best friend, always pulls through. I hated having to call him, but because he’s a night owl, I was hoping he’d already be up so I wouldn’t feel so guilty, not that it would matter. Sawyer would always come.
When we pull into his garage, he shuts off the engine and the roller door closes behind us. I pull my helmet off, then use his shoulders as a leaning post so I can get off the bike. I have to say, the rumble of those straight pipes does something to a girl, and it’s lightened my mood a little.
Sawyer runs a hand through his hair, pulling off the bandana. I will not deny that he isn’t good looking. He is. Exceptionally. And when I first met him, I truly thought we’d bang in the first couple of weeks. What I’ve learned over the last year is that Sawyer isn’t like all other guys.
I mean that with sincerity. He’s…different.Maybe it’s me. I don’t think he’s into melike that —but then again, he is always the one who starts with the innuendo and flirting. I supply the dirty jokes, some of which have him rolling around laughing. It makes me happy that I can make him laugh because when Sawyer laughs, the entire world lights up.