Page 44 of Creep
Instead of outright answering, I try to get more information first. “Wh-what happened?”
Prophet shakes his head. “A clusterfuck, that’s what happened. He was running from the cops, literally, right behind me, but his damn necklace caught on the wire when we were jumping a fence, and that absolute maniac went back to gather the pieces. I told him to leave it, but he wouldn’t listen. It made no sense for all of us to get arrested, so we left, but now he’s behind bars. If we bring them an alibi, they’ll drop the charge.”
It’s as if a guillotine blade has dropped on my neck, because my heart already knows what I’ll do. I’ll make this choice out of my own volition, because I know what necklace he stayed back for. The one he promised me to protect.
He got arrested because he stopped to gather all the pieces of my gift. He’s either that sweet, or that thoughtless. How could I possibly say no to him?
“Y-yeah, sure, I’ll provide the alibi.”
Thank you for the push, Universe. I guess.
Chapter 19
Creep
Somaybesomeofthe cargo in the warehouse we have in town is illegal. Still doesn’t make it right to steal from us, does it? In turn, how is breaking the thief’s fingers a crime? You have to be a special brand of dense to try stealing from Vulture Hollow MC, so maybe I should have expected him to press charges on top of that.
I don’t know, and I don’t care, because someone provided me with an alibi, and I’m leaving. I imagine the guy has already enjoyed a one-on-one with Prophet or Road, so neither he, or anyone from his group will be trying that again.
I half expected to be getting out sooner or later, it’s not like I’ve been caught sawing off someone’s leg to turn it into feed for thegraveyard chickens. What I’m most annoyed about is that the precious gift from Angel is now broken, and I swear, if even one stone is missing, I’m gonna torch the whole damn police station.
The officer shoving the tray of belongings toward me is clearly annoyed by my presence. This is a small town, so me being let out means she has to pause whatever YouTube video she’s been watching and follow all the necessary procedures, because she’s new in town, and still worries about making a good impression.
She recites how much cash I had in my wallet, then mentions the candy I carry on me and a few other necessities. I was worried the cops might want to confiscate my iron, and my favorite knife, but they’re both on the counter, along with the broken necklace, which I gather into a piece of paper, then fold all the edges to create a secure pouch. I’ll need to have it put together as soon as I’m out of the station, because I can’t show my face at Angel’s without it being whole. He’d likely take it away, thinking I can’t take care of his things, assume I was careless, or worse yet, just tell me to go to my cave with disappointment in his pretty blue eyes.
I can’t have that. Not after what he said at breakfast, and I’ve had more time than I’d like to think about that moment. He’s unsure of me and where we stand, whereas I’ve never been more certain of anything. I spent a lot of time in the cell mulling over what I can say to him, how I can entice him to be mine when he’s sitting on the fence at best, already looking over it at worst.
As soon as I have all my stuff, I’m headed out where no doubt my pack of Vultures awaits. It’s at times like this when I don’t feel like I’m a disposable piece of the club. The guys show up, sometimes even when I don’t want them to, when I don’t want the attention and the spotlight, but I can trust they’ll have my back. Prophet was annoyed that I stayed to pick up the necklace pieces, but he wouldn’t abandon me or withhold help for a while,so I learn my lesson. Something my aunt was always more than happy to do.
The last of the sun blinds me as I head for the glass doors leading out of the station, but I focus on my feet and walk outside. My friends are only shadows in the bright red landscape I see through my lashes. But then, one figure steps forward, and my heart leaps, because I would recognize his shape anywhere.
Angel’s wearing one of those cozy cardigans he seems to like so much, wide, lightweight pants, and sandals with thick soles that give him an extra inch of height. Did Prophet convince him to pick me up?
How embarrassing for him to see me coming out of jail. Sure, he knows I’m an outlaw, but I wanted to wait with the reality of it bursting our bubble. Then again, I killed a man in front of him on the day we met, so maybe that’s not a dealbreaker.
I look up at him, and suddenly my carefully crafted speech on how I will take care of him, how I will try so hard to meet his expectations and prove myself to be a good choice drizzles out of my brain, replaced by the kind of anxiety I never feel when I have to punch someone.
Because what if he says no? The stakes are so much higher than life or death. And on top of that, my club is here, watching us.
Angel’s face is so sweet when he stops right in front of me, eyes reflecting the light streaming through the windows of the police station. Before I can think things through, he’s taking a deep breath, hands hovering on either side of me as if he wants to grab my arms and decides not to at the very last moment.
A twitch passes over his features. “Are you for real? You got caught because of my necklace?”
Oh fuck. I should have worn it inside my top at work, but I was too vain. Too proud of the gift. “I… um… I want you to be myboyfriend,” I choke out, because I’m no pussy. I will die on this fucking hill if I must.
Angel’s mouth drops open. “What?”
I can tell it’s bad because instead of cracking a joke at my expense, Yeti turns around with his hands on his nape, pretending he didn’t see anything.
“Iwantto define it.” I stand my ground, staring right into his eyes to make my point clear.
Angel licks his lips, then reaches up to push some stray hair behind his ears, and his eyes linger on my chest before shooting up to meet my gaze. I feel like it’s burning me, a hot stream encircling my neck and then reaching all the way to my crotch.
I’ve never wanted anyone this much.
If he says no, I will lower my head and accept my fate, but if there’s even the slightest chance that he could like me back—
“Okay. I’ll be your boyfriend,” Angel says softly, Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallows.
