Page 21 of Striker

Striker just smiled and turned back to the stove. “I hope you know I’m driving you to work, and home, and everywhere now.”

I finished the bacon and grabbed a piece of toast. “I know. You and everybody else in this club.” I rolled my eyes and took a big bite. Striker turned and looked me right in the eyes, his smile was gone and his hard exterior was back up.

“Lilah. This isn’t a joke. This is serious. He had a fucking tracker on your truck! He smashed your windows! He’s crazy, Lilah! Fuckers like this don’t just stop. You’re in danger and need to be aware of your surroundings.”

I got up and walked toward the bedroom. “Yeah. I’m fully aware. I found my truck windows smashed, remember? He called me every day, remember? He beat the shit out of me and tried to rape me, remember? So I’m well aware. Thanks for the fucking reminder.” I stomped into the bedroom and grabbed my clothes. Taking a quick shower, I got dressed, threw my wet hair into a ponytail, brushed my teeth and threw some quick makeup on. By the time I got out, Striker was already dressed.

“Just waiting on you to get out of the bathroom. I’ll be ready in 5.” Striker pushed past me and slammed the door.

I sat on the couch waiting for him to be done. My emotions were all over the place and I knew I needed to apologize. Striker was just trying to protect me the best way he knew how. He came out, grabbed his keys, and started to walk toward the door. Standing up, I put my hand on his chest to stop him.

“Striker, look I’m sorry. I’m stressed and scared and there’s just so many emotions and I took it out on you. I’m sorry, babe.”

He bent down and kissed me on the forehead. “I know, Little Lark. Take it all out on me. I can take it. Now let’s get you off to work.” He grabbed my hand and we made our way out the door and down the stairs. Striker gently put my helmet on and kissed me on the cheek. “I love you, Lilah.” Then, he turned and put his helmet on and climbed onto his Harley. I climbed on the back and wrapped my arms around him. He turned the key and the engine roared to life. Making our way out of the gate, we hit the road and headed toward the Medical Center.

As we pulled up to my work, I could see the four Prospects waiting out front already. Striker parked the motorcycle and cut the engine right in front of the doors. He took my helmet off and bent down. Our lips met and it was like we were the only ones there. The whole world melted around me everytime Striker kissed me. He pulled back and just smiled.

“Alright, Little Lark. The boys are here and will be doing rounds with each other. Some other brothers will also check in here and there. Call me if anything seems off, okay?”

I couldn’t help but smile at how overprotective he was. “Yes sir.” I winked and stood on my toes to kiss him one last time. “I love you, Striker.”

He slapped my ass as I turned around, “I love you, Little Lark.” I was on cloud nine and there was nothing that could bring me down.

My shift at the hospital was coming to an end. Everything had gone smoothly today and I was making more progress on organizing the rest of the staff. One of the nurses stopped me in the hallway outside my office, “Hey, Lilah. Can you grab me some more bed sheets from the laundry room? Room five and seven both had quite the accident and the new nurse hasn’t shown up yet.”

I took a deep breath and rubbed my temples. “Of course! Grab a nurse from pediatrics to help you out, they’re slow. You just get those patients nice and clean; I’ll clean up the mess. Take a coffee break after that. You deserve it!”

The nurse smiled and headed down the hallway. “You’re the best!” she shouted.

I made my way down the stairs to the basement laundry room. The lights flickered overhead and I made a mental note to get maintenance down here to fix them. Opening the laundry room door, I walked over to the huge industrial washers and dryers. Humming to myself, I grabbed a basket and loaded it up with clean blankets and sheets. There was a rustle behind me, causing me to go silent. Chills spread down my spine, and it felt like there was somebody watching me. I quickly shook the feeling off knowing that the Medical Center was surrounded by the motorcycle club. I was safe and had no reason to worry. It was probably just a mouse, I would have my brothers come and check it out later and get an exterminator out here to check the building. Grabbing the rest of the blankets, I shoved them in the basket and turned around to head back upstairs.

“Hey there, Lilah.” A deep and sinister voice came from the dark corner of the room. Out from the shadows, a tall man stepped out. “Miss me, baby?”

His face came into the light and I gasped, dropping the basket of laundry. “Danny. What are you doing here?” My ex Danny was standing right before my eyes. Something must be wrong, the club was supposed to protect me! Danny laughed a deep, evil laugh.

“Oh, Lilah. I figured my note would be enough notice. I’m bringing you home.”

I looked around the room, seeing if there was an escape or anything I could use as a weapon. “Danny. You need to leave. This is my home. It’s always been my home and you know that.”

His hands balled up into fists as he stepped closer to me. “Lilah. You aren’t safe here. That thug is going to get you killed. Do you know the things he does? Thewhoreshe sleeps with? You’re better than that, baby. You belong with me. In the city, not this podunk town. Come on home now.”

I stepped to the side as Danny got closer. There was nowhere to go. “I’m not leaving. Please go, Danny. Don’t make a mistake. You’ve got a great life in the city. Don’t mess that up over me.”

He stepped close to me, stalking me like a lion stalks it prey. “You just don’t get it, do you? My life isn’t complete without you. We go together. I need you, Lilah. You are so pure and innocent. But you let that disgusting thug dirty you!”

He was getting louder and moving closer to me, slowly backing me into a corner. “Danny, please listen to me.”

He screamed as he took a huge step, getting right in my face, “No! You listen to me! I will end him! The whole goddamn club! You will be mine! You are mine!” Danny took a step back and ran his hand down his face while he let out a sign, “Lilah, please. I don’t want to do this the hard way. Don’t make me hurt you. I will take care of these criminals. They belong behind bars or six feet under. And certainly not with you.”

I pushed Danny back and pointed my finger right into his chest. “My brothers are not criminals! They are good men who take care of their family. All of those men are. Especially Striker! He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be! You disgust me, Danny. Now get out of my face and out of my town!”

Danny’s face turned bright red, twisting in anger. Before I could react, Danny pushed me against the wall and grabbed my hair with one hand, the other wrapping around my neck. “You fucking bitch! How could you! Won’t give it up for me, but will for a goddamn criminal!” He let go of my hair, reached down and ripped my necklace off, throwing it to the floor. Danny continued making his way down the front of my body, trying to push my pants down. “I’ll show you a real man, you cunt!”

I screamed at the top of my lungs, hoping somebody would hear me. Reaching up, I jammed my fingers in his eyes and kicked as hard as I could. “Ahhh goddamnit!” Danny pulled my hair even harder, trying to force me to the ground.

All of a sudden the door to the laundry room flew open and Doctor Hank came storming in, “Lilah!” Danny threw me to the ground and ran toward the doctor. He pushed the doctor to the ground with such force I could hear his head bounce off the concrete floor.

“No, Doctor Hank!” Danny ran out the door and into the hallway. I rushed over to Doctor Hank as fast as I could. “Hank! Are you okay? Can you hear me? Oh God.”

---