Page 38 of Falling for Her Protector

“But...you shouldn’t go alone,” Lacey tries. I turn back looking her in the eye.

“I’ll be fine. I need you to keep calling and texting her. Let me know if you hear anything,” I tell her before turning and walking away without another word.

I keep my head down as I stomp my way towards the door, ignoring the room still buzzing with whispers. I’m back on my bike within minutes, the cold wind once again biting at my flesh. If Grady has touched her; if he’s even uttered a single word in her direction, he’s a fucking dead man.

27

One Last Stop

Vanessa

My phone buzzes in my palm for what feels like the millionth time since I walked out of the clubhouse. Lacey is definitely persistent. I know she means well, but I can’t bring myself to answer her calls or texts right now. I know if I hear her voice then I won’t be able to leave. Lacey has quickly become a friend – a best friend. She’s the sister I always dreamed of having, and truthfully, I don’t want to leave that behind.

Other than the small motion sensing light mounted on the corner of the small shed, and the glowing screen on my phone, I’m surrounded by the darkness of the forest. It’s starting to get cold and I know I can’t stay here much longer, but I had to make one last stop at the cabin before leaving. I only wish I had the key, so that I could go inside one more time.

My body shivers, feeling the cold ground through my clothes, as I rest against the cabin door. I pull my knees in, hugging them against my chest as my mind floods with all the memories I now have of this place. I knew the first time I saw this cabin that it was something special. And after spending time here with Xavier, I let myself believe that maybe I could have a future here. I guess I was just being naïve to think that the dream would last.

I tap the screen and open my photo gallery, scrolling through my recent pictures. I don’t have many of X., because he doesn’t always cooperate, but I guess that makes the ones I do have even more special. Emotion grips me as my eyes drink in the vision of us together. His bare and tattooed torso, with his thick arms holding me as he tries to steal my phone away, but I continued to snap pictures laughing the entire time. The happiness shines in my face as the annoyance fills his. That day left a lasting memory, and I’m so glad I captured this moment permanently.

I remember dropping my phone, only seconds later, and letting his lips consume mine. My fingers lift and trace my lips. I can still feel the tingle just at the thought of him kissing me.

My mind flashes back to that first night. X. appeared as this hard, larger than life man. He was a strong leader, giving orders to his men while I watched in a daze. His presence was intense and completely captivating. He managed to creep his way into my heart without even trying. And now, even after all the hurtful things he said to me tonight, I find myself torn. How am I supposed to let him go?

I close the gallery, it’s just too much right now. I’ll cherish the photos forever, but I need to focus on what really needs to be done. Pushing out a deep breath, the light goes out and darkness surrounds me. I’ve been sitting still for too long. I wave my arm in the air and the light comes to life, illuminating the small area once again.

“Goodbye,” I whisper.

A sob breaks from deep in my chest and I watch my breath rise in front of me like a small puffy cloud. I drop my face to my knees and my arms curl around, pulling them tighter as hot tears spill down my cheeks. The light goes out again and I let the darkness hold me. I inhale, filling my lungs with cool fresh air, trying to pull myself together. Biting my lip, I sit up taller. I can’t fall apart now.

I force myself to stand and the light shines down around me again. I tap the screen still held tightly in my palm, my thumb hovering over the Uber app. In the distance, the familiar rumbling of a motorcycle approaching causes me to pause. It only grows louder, and I know he’s here.

I knew that coming back to the cabin meant that someone might find me here, but honestly, I wasn’t really sure he’d even be looking. He and Lacey had both been calling and I knew Lacey was worried, and I had fully intended to let her know that I was safe when the time was right, but X. is a different story. He made it clear that I wasn’t welcome anymore. Whatever we had together is clearly gone. But now I have to face whoever and whatever is about to come at me.

* * *

The bright headlight flashes across my face for a brief second before flooding the woods and coming to a stop. The thundering engine quiets and I watch X.’s large frame climb from the bike with ease. His jeans hang perfectly and his worn leather cut clings to his torso as me moves towards me. His face is dark and unreadable, and despite the heaviness hanging between us, I let my eyes linger on the vision of him standing before me.

“You know, you’ve got a lot of worried people out looking for you?” a small wisp floats up in the cold air as his question hits me.

My anger begins to resurface, burning in my chest. What right does he have? He’s the one who told me to go. I finally turn away, dropping my eyes to the ground.

“Nothing to say? Is there some reason you didn’t answer a single one of my or Lacey’s calls or texts?” his voice raises as his annoyance breaks through.

“You told me to leave,” I answer, feeling no need to explain myself to him.

“I did. You’re right. I was angry, and I know I took it out on you. I’m sorry for that, but you could have still answered,” he clarifies, acknowledging his earlier behavior.

“Why?” I question, sounding like a child.

I don’t really want to do this with him; it’s too hard being this close. A deep laugh vibrates from his chest, echoing through the quiet night. I feel my eyes go wide at his unexpected response.

“Are you kidding me right now? We’ve been out looking for you for hours. We thought...I thought that the Vipers might have found you again,” his voice breaks and I hear the fear and honesty in his words.

“But you told me to go. I just did what you wanted. And don’t worry, I’m not staying here. I just needed to see it one more time,” my words tumble out and his eyes widen in response. He takes a large step, closing the distance between us.

“What do you mean?” his eyebrows pinch in question as he detects the underlying emotion in my words.

“I’m leaving...” I breathe out and he stumbles back.

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