Page 18 of Prospect
Logan kisses Bella on the forehead. "I need to make a few calls."
I'm well aware of all the hoops The Kings went through to make sure I stayed in the U.S. But what if something wasn't filed correctly. The smallest of details can slip through the cracks giving the government reason to take action. It may not have been my choice when my family brought me here, but this is my home. It's the only place I want to be. The only place I know I am safe.
"Hey," Sam grabs my attention. "Baby, look at me." Lifting my chin, he brings my eyes level with his. "Trust the club to take care of everything."
Tears threaten to spill, but I hold them back and focus on Sam's handsome face through watery eyes. "I can't go back." Fear settles in my stomach, and the space around me starts to feel like it's closing in on me.
"Sam, help Sofia inside." I barely hear what Bella is saying through the roaring sound in my ears. I feel my body go weightless as Sam picks me up, cradles me in his arms and carries me inside. Not letting go, he walks into the living room and sits on the sofa.
"Is she okay?" I hear Ben asks with worry.
"She's having a panic attack, but she'll be fine soon. Maybe you guys should go for the day. She'll be tired once it passes," Bella explains to Amy and Ben in a calming manner. I'm too far into my attack to protest or feel embarrassed that my best friend and her boyfriend are witnessing this.
"Could you please have her call me when she feels better?" Amy says her voice full of concern.
"I'll tell her," Bella assures.
"Listen to my voice, baby. Concentrate on your breathing." Sam tries to coach me through it. Focusing on the rise and fall of his chest as he holds me tight, I begin to calm down.
After what feels like forever I'm able to focus. "I'm feeling better," I tell him. Sam slides me from his lap. "Could I get something to drink?" I ask. Bella and I have been through this before, so it's no surprise she already has a bottle of water in her hand.
"Would you like to go upstairs, maybe lay down for a little while?" she asks as I down half the bottle.
I shake my head. "No. If I do that, I will want to stay, and I need to get back to the house. The other ladies and I are doing pizza and Netflix tonight. It's important to me that I spend time with everyone and get to know them."
Bella doesn't try to convince me otherwise. She knows how important my independence is to me. The look on Sam's face clearly says he thinks otherwise. "At least let me take you home," he offers.
"On your bike?"
"You up for it? I can drive your car and get Reid to pick me up from your place."
An image of him driving my small sun yellow car through town causes me to giggle. "I'm up for it."
After Bella fixes Sam and me a light lunch, I decide it's time to go home. Pausing at the front door, Bella and I hug. "Call me if you need anything and try not to worry. This family—your family will move mountains to make sure nothing happens to you," she tells me before letting go.
"Thanks, Bella."
"Momma," I hear little Jake call from the playroom. Bella smiles. "I'll see you later, Sof."
Climbing down the steps, Sam takes my hand and leads us in the direction of his motorcycle. We pause by his bike and I wait for him to slip a helmet over my head. Looking over my shoulder, I wave at Bella who's still standing at the front door.
The ride on the back of Sam's bike was the therapy I needed after receiving that letter. Cruising down the road with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face was all it took to wash away my worries for now. Reaching back, Sam's hand wraps around my calf. Leaning against his back, I wrap my arms around his torso, running my hands across his abs and ride like that the entire way home.
Pulling up to the house, Sam parks his bike in the driveway. After helping me remove the helmet, I climb off the back of his motorcycle. Tucking me into his side he walks me to the front door. "I'll pick you up tomorrow and take you back to Bella's to get your car." We step onto the porch, and he faces me.
"Okay." I wait before unlocking the door for him to kiss me.
"Come here," he rasps. Tugging on the waistband of my shorts, he pulls me closer. "Give me your lips." Waiting for me to take the lead, Sam looks down at me. His hand takes hold of my hips. Placing my palms on his shoulder, I raise on my tiptoes. With the movement my cropped shirt rises. Sam's hands go from my hips to the shallow sides of my waist before skimming his palms higher up my ribcage as my lips descend upon his. Fueled by desire, he deepens the kiss. Parting my lips our tongues tangle together setting me on fire. We've shared several kisses since our first but this one feels different. Once we break free, I feel lightheaded.
"I gotta go, baby."
Nodding, I unlock the door and walk inside the house knowing he won't leave until I have shut and locked the door behind me. Peeking through the window, I watch Sam mount his bike. Bringing my fingertips to my lips, I think about the kiss we'll share tomorrow as I watch him drive away.
The restof the evening flies. The women and I binge watch Netflix while devouring two large pizzas. In food comas, we call it a night. A few hours later I wake needing to go to the bathroom. When I've finished, I shuffle down the hall toward the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. Crossing the living room, I catch what appears to be a shadow pass by the window outside, and I freeze. Thinking my sleepy eyes must be playing tricks on me, I rub them and continue to stare at the window. After a few seconds of watching the window and seeing nothing, I shrug my shoulders and continue on to the kitchen. Downing a glass of water, I head back to bed. However, curiosity and paranoia get the better of me, and I walk over to the window, slightly part the blinds and peer outside. The porch is well lit, and I see nothing out of the norm. It's not until I scan the street do I notice the same truck I saw before, parked across the street. I squint my eyes, but I'm not able to make out much since it's dark outside. Movement from the cab of the truck makes the hairs on my neck stand. The red glow from the end of a cigarette illuminates the bottom half of the persons face. My heart pounds hard against my chest, and everything in me says I should call Sam. Rushing to my room, I snatch my phone from the nightstand and run back into the living room. I look down at my phone screen. "Crap, it's 2:00 am," I whisper. Pulling up Sam's number, I swipe the screen.
"Sofia?"
"Sam," I speak low not wanting to wake the others. "There's a truck parked across the street. I saw the same truck this morning." I hear rustling on the other end of the line.
