Page 2 of Salvation

He extended his hand. “First time for everything. Hold on tight, okay?”

With shaking fingers, I grasped his hand and climbed on behind him. The leather of his cut was smooth under my palms as I wrapped my arms around his waist. I heard three more motorcycles and noticed the men were also from the Reckless Kings.

“Ready?” Hawk called over his shoulder.

“Da,” I whispered, tightening my grip.

The engine roared to life, vibrating through my entire body. We took off, the world blurring around us as we sped away from the school grounds. Away from my nightmares.

I pressed my face against Hawk’s back, the wind whipping my hair. Part of me still couldn’t believe this was real. That I was escaping. That someone had come for me. “Where are we going?” I shouted over the engine’s rumble.

“Somewhere safe,” Hawk called back. “Our compound. You’ll be protected there.”

Protected. The word sent a shiver through me -- of fear or hope, I wasn’t sure.

As we rode into the gathering darkness, I clung to Hawk, to this stranger who’d become my unexpected savior. My mind raced with questions, with doubts. But for now, I let the roar of the engine drown out my thoughts, focusing only on the road ahead and the promise of safety it held.

Tears stung my eyes, instantly whisked away by the biting wind. My chest ached with each ragged breath, emotions churning like a storm inside me. Gratitude and terror warred for dominance.

“You okay back there?” Hawk’s voice barely reached me over the engine’s roar.

I nodded against his back, not trusting my voice. My fingers dug into the leather of his cut, anchoring me to this surreal moment.

The scenery blurred past -- trees, buildings, flashes of light. My mind struggled to process it all. What would happen to me now? Who were these men? Could I truly trust them? Even though he’d said Oksana sent them, maybe I shouldn’t have trusted him. And yet, why else would he have known my name or where to find me?

Before I could spiral further, the bike slowed. We turned onto a gravel road, the change in terrain jolting me from my thoughts. Ahead, a large compound loomed, encircled by a high stone fence. As we approached, the gates swung open. The sudden cacophony of noise and activity hit me like a physical force.

Motorcycles revved. Men shouted greetings. Music blared from somewhere. The scent of gasoline and cigarette smoke filled the air. Hawk pulled to a stop, and I reluctantly loosened my death grip on him. My legs trembled as I dismounted, nearly buckling beneath me.

“Welcome to your new home, sweetheart,” Hawk said, his voice gentler than I expected.

I blinked, overwhelmed by the sea of leather-clad figures surrounding us. Some eyed me curiously, others with open suspicion. “Who’s the girl?” a gruff voice called out.

“None of your damn business,” Hawk snapped back. He placed a protective hand on my shoulder, steering me toward a large building. “Let’s get you inside.”

I stumbled along, my heart pounding. “I… I don’t understand,” I whispered.

Hawk’s grip tightened reassuringly. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters for tonight.”

As we entered the building, the noise faded. I took a shaky breath, trying to center myself in this strange new world.

A tall man with dark, tousled hair stepped forward from the shadowed interior. His presence commanded attention, but his eyes… they were unexpectedly gentle. “Yulia,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. “I’m Kye.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “How do you know my name?”

He smiled, the expression warming his features. “We’ve been expecting you.”

My heart stuttered. “You have?”

Kye nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’re safe here, Yulia. I promise you that.”

Something in his tone, in the steadiness of his gaze, made me want to believe him. I felt the iron bands of fear around my chest loosen even more.

“Come,” Kye said, gesturing toward a nearby room. “We need to talk.”

I hesitated, glancing back at Hawk. He nodded encouragingly. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Kye’ll take good care of you.”

Taking a deep breath, I followed Kye into what appeared to be an office. He closed the door behind us, the click seeming to echo in the sudden quiet. “Sit, please,” he said, indicating a worn leather couch.

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