Page 15 of Her Nosey Biker
“Why are you so rude?” My voice rises, and again I hear the sigh, then I actually catch the eye roll as he turns to me.
“Cause you are going to give away our position, squeaky,” he says, pointing to the house, and then I notice the two figures standing in front. We hide in the dark shadows of the trees, but we have a clear view of what is happening. There, standing in front of the house, is Jarron, the man I love, looking tortured as he gazes toward the house. The man holding the gun pointed at Finick.
“Oh, hell no! No one points a gun at my baby.” I don't even think; on silent, bare feet, I take off.
Years of being silent, invisible, and hidden from prying eyes come in handy as I slip toward the house. Turning slightly to look back and see if Drake will try to stop me. This time, I’m going for the balls, no mercy, but he is nowhere to be seen. Screw that, though; both my loves are in danger, and nothing is going to stop me from at least trying to help. I get close to the house, grabbing a large brick as I pass, trying to stay as hidden as possible and away from the fire. I can barely comprehend the fact that everything we love, everything Jarron has worked so hard to build, is crumbling to the ground as we speak. Instead, I focus on my mission.
I make my way closer, one slow step at a time. I hear the man-baby bitching about one thing or another, a payday gone wrong or something. His life didn't turn out like he wanted, blah blah blah. That's freaking life! No one's life turns out as they planned, and how boring would that be if it did? Who wants to plan out their future so young, while you're still learning, while there's still time to grow? When people focus on the bad, the good gets lost, overshadowed by what could have been.
Another step closer; this time, I’m four big steps away, and it's close enough to get the attention of my girl. Her soft, too-intelligent eyes flick to me with so much love, so much trust that it almost breaks my heart. If that gun goes off, we’ll lose her forever. I won't let that happen. Raising the brick high above my head, I ready myself to take the last few steps and slam down, but Finick’s flick of acknowledgement must give me away because with lightning-fast speed, the figure turns, and the weapon is aimed at my chest.
“Oops,” I let slip as a roar came from Jarron at the sudden shift.
“GRACE” is screamed into the night, but it's like time slows as an evil smile creeps across that sinister face covered in dark shadows. Staring down the face of evil, I see the end coming. I know he’s seconds from pulling the trigger, but at least it should have given Jarron enough time to get away. Still, it’s a pity I never got to tell him how much I love him. Just as I close my eyes and accept my fate, a flash of fur comes out of nowhere, plowing right into the arm holding the gun and biting down, hard.
The bastard screams, and I gasp at the sudden vicious sight. Before I can move, another flash comes from the shadows, and Drake tackles him from the side. I can't help but glare down at him as he pushes the guy onto his face, subduing him.
I place my hands on my hips and seethe, “Took you long enough! You couldn't have done that before the gun was pointed at me?”
“A thank you would work just fine, Squeaky,” he says, again sighing. I’m pretty sure that's the only language this guy knows how to speak. Before I can tell him to cut it out with the nickname, I’m being wrapped in familiar, strong, safe arms.
“I thought I'd lost you. I’m so sorry I left you. I should have been here. I should have…”
“Shhh, shh, it’s okay. I’m safe. I’m here,” I tell him as I turn and place my hand on his cheek. Waiting until our eyes meet, I give him a soft smile, my lips gently touching his. He exhales so deeply that it's as if he's been holding it in all day. How long had he been torturing himself, thinking I was burning alive in that house?
“I couldn't get to you. I was trying, I swear.”
“Hey, it's okay, Jarron. I promise. I know you would have made it to me on time. You would have saved me. The big jerk got there first, but I know I would have made it back to you,” I tell him with utter conviction in my voice. I hear Drake murmur behind me, but he stays quiet.
“I’m just so glad you're safe,” Jarron says, burying his face in my neck and taking a deep breath. Behind us, the fire rages on, but I can see flashing lights in the distance and know that soon we will find steady ground. For now, I’m safe, I’m alive, with him.
“I couldn't leave you without telling you,” I say, smiling as I run my fingers through his hair.
“Tell me what?” he asks, lifting his head to look at me.
“I love you. With everything in me, I love you.”
And the fire in his eyes far outshines the one burning around us.
EPILOGUE
LOOT
SIX MONTHS LATER:
“Ithink I’m gonna call it a day. I still have a few reports to go over for the club.” I sigh, placing the nail gun down and stepping back to survey our latest work.
“I still got a couple hours left in me,” Drake says, not looking up from placing the metal on the side of the new updated barn. I smile and shake my head; after the night, everything came to light with Remi. Drake was almost taken back to the institution where he had been locked away.
I could see the devastation on his face when he thought he had to go back there. I made a few phone calls, and before I knew it, a car arrived to pick up Remi, and Drake was cleared as a voluntary resident. This meant he could return only if needed, but not forced. Ghost always coming in clutch. I truly don't know how he does it.
Still, Drake didn't have anywhere to go. He seemed lost, and after sitting down and realizing all the lies Remi had told us, it was easy to finally, if not get over, then at least heal the past.I asked him if he would stay in town and maybe even consider prospecting for the club. He’s still milling that one over. I offered him a place to recuperate, though. Eddie helped me out and set him up at the motel for a bit, but Drake came out almost every day to help me fix the fire damage to the house and barn.
Luckily, since the house was made mostly of stone, the structure stood tall. Don't get me wrong, the place was still wrecked, but the bones stood firm. The barn, on the other hand, was a completely different story. However, as it got rebuilt, I also added a small apartment upstairs. It was my idea, but Grace pushed for the addition, knowing exactly what it was for. We got it set up quickly, and Grace made it comfortable with all her charm. Then, we both asked Drake to move in there.
At first, he refused, and it took him time to warm up to the matter. However, Grace made a comment at dinner one night about how I wouldn't be able to do the work alone before the baby arrived, and that was it. He heard the baby needed him, and he didn't think twice. The two got closer after Drake saved her that night, but Drake still held the whole world at a distance. Still, Grace is the only one who gets close to the softness inside. I still feel guilty for leaving him like I did, for locking him away.
“You know, I never said sorry for leaving you in that place,” I start, but his sharp eyes turn to meet mine.
