Page 17 of Bullet

"You're right. Climb aboard, my lady." I helped Crystal onto the back of my bike and then pulled her helmet on. Her hat was secured in my compartment.

Once we were set, I sped away. Crystal gripped me tightly with her head on my back. Nobody could tell me shit. I felt likethatnigga. My first love, a bonafide baddie, was on my bike.My bike.With her beauty, brains, and body, she could've been anywhere, but she chose to be in this moment with me. I weaved through the lanes, feeling like I'd just hit the winning pick in the lottery. The way my woman made me feel like a man had me internally beatin' on my chest like that gorilla on the Empire State Building. I refused to allow anybody to ruin this second chance for me. Whoever tried would surely get their shit split.

Minutes later, we pulled up to my club, and I parked in my reserved spot. I helped Crystal down and fixed her hair before I placed her cowgirl hat back on.

An apprehensive look covered her face, and I frowned. "What's wrong, beautiful?"

"I'm a little nervous. I don't know how your brothers will feel with me being here."

"They already know you're coming and looking forward to it. The only one salty is Armor, and if he knows what's good for him, he'll keep his comments to himself. You ain't got shit to worry about because you're here with me. If anybody tries anything, that's they ass. So, in a nutshell, we're going to drink, eat, dance, and leave that other bullshit in the wind, alright?"

"I can do that."

"Good. Now let me see that beautiful smile," I directed. Crystal grinned, then pecked my lips softly. "Now that's what I'm talking about. Let's roll, angel."

I grabbed onto her hand and led her past our security guards and into our motorcycle club. Music filled our ears, and the smell of good food wafted into our noses. All the tables and chairs were pushed to the left side of the room to make space for the dance floor. People were already dancing and celebrating. The party was in full swing. Couples balanced their drinks and plates as they walked to their tables with wide grins. There was a table already reserved for us, so I guided Crystal over to it and then helped her out of her coat.

"What you wanna do first?"

Crystal smiled and moved her waist. "Let's dance, big daddy."

"Yes, ma'am." I removed my stuff and guided her onto the floor.

One of our favorite tracks came on, and together, we performed the line dance. We kicked out and then turned to theside. Crystal's face lit up with joy as she performed the steps like she had never forgotten them. The deejay mixed the song, and it switched to another line dance song. We were all surely in the zone as we performed the dances. The "Dodger Blue" line dance started, and we grooved together. It was a line dance curated after Kendrick Lamar's latest song. The song was smooth, and so were the steps. When the music transitioned into some old-school Chicago Steppers music, that was my chance to feel my woman's body against mine.

"How are you feeling?" I queried, holding her firmly against my chest.

Crystal gazed into my eyes as she danced with arms around me. I was too tall for her to reach my neck, but we made it work like we used to. "I'm good, my love. I thought about being in your arms again for the last four and a half years. I hate that I'm here because Pop Pop is sick, but we're here in this moment together. I'm so grateful, you know." She sniffled and wiped her eyes.

I gently kissed her forehead, followed by both of her cheeks. "You know I understand. When I found out you were gone, I slipped into a deep depression. I became meaner and insufferable. My heart was broken. I'd lost the only woman I'd ever loved, and all for nothing. I eventually got my shit together, but I wasn't the same. I was harder, so love didn't live in me anymore. I didn't want to be anywhere near it if I couldn't have it with you."

"I love your transparency. It was the same way with me. If I couldn't be with you, then I didn't want to be with anybody. It has not been easy at all. I've longed for companionship, but since I couldn't have it, I focused on my life and learned my likes and dislikes again. I'm stronger mentally and emotionally. This time, Bulley, I refuse to walk away from you. I don't care what goes down, just know I'm choosing you over peace."

My large hand cupped the side of her face, and I kissed her hard and hungrily. Crystal gripped my shirt, relinquishing all control to me. My mouth moved over hers, taking hostage of her tongue and heart-shaped lips with me. I pulled her closer to me, remembering the reasons I fell for her in the first place. She was a woman, a mother, the mother of my child, to be exact. I could not have begged for a better partner and, soon, fiancée. We parted ways, and I looked into her eyes. "I got plans for us. Things are already set in stone. In a few weeks, we'll be out of this town."

"But what about your family, businesses, and motorcycle crew? I don't want to be the reason you give up on everything you love."

"Youarethe reason I'm leaving and so is Clear. I'll work all my businesses long distance, and we'll fly into town when need be. I will always be loyal to my crew, but I choose my family over everybody."

"Spoken like a real macho man. We're doing this thing called life together forever."

"Forever, my love," I echoed, kissing her lips.

Afterward, I spun her out, and Crystal and I danced to a couple more songs before we agreed to drink and eat. Once she was seated, I walked over to the bar. "What up, Xavier. Let me get two Crystal Bullets and four shots of cognac, and I'll take the house platter."

"You got it, Bulley. I see Crystal is back in town." His old ass winked with a sly smirk.

"Yeah, she is. That's my girl."

"It's always been that way but look at your boy in her face." Paul walked away and placed our order.

I turned to see William Cane Jr. smiling in her face like a lovesick fool as if he didn't already have a readymade family at home. Crystal nodded and tried to be polite, but he couldn't takethe hint. He set his beer down and then leaned closer to her, which woke up the rage in me. I moved to head toward Crystal when Diamond stepped in front of me as if I weren't already irritated. A solemn look covered her face as she held a red plastic cup in her hand.

"I see Crystal is back in town. Does that mean we stop what we've been doing?"

"That's exactly what that means. You know the rules of the club, and you know what you were gettin' into. I can't hold your hand during this time or cushion the blow. You and everybody else in this town know that Crystal's my heart. What we did was cool, but my heart was back, and I refused to jeopardize that for anyone. Are we on the same page?"

Diamond nodded. "Yeah, we're good. I wanted more, but I get it. You're a good man, Bullet. Take care," she softly stated before switching away. It was never in my nature to break a woman's heart, but I'd break a million hearts for my love.

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