by T. L Hodel
Come on, baby, wake up. Let me see those beautiful blue eyes.
“You should go get some sleep.” Shelby laid her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll stay with her.”
“No.” I lifted Riley’s hand, pressing it to my lips and kissing each tiny finger. “I’m not leaving her.”
“Micha, you haven’t taken a break. You have to sleep.” Shelby sighed. “Even those gruff bastards out there take shifts.”
The hospital staff wasn’t too happy about being taken over by a bunch of rowdy bikers, but they didn’t really have a choice.
“Her father seems fine,” I grumbled, glaring back at Derek asleep in the chair.
“He went home yesterday, now it’s your turn.” Shelby frowned at me. “Seeing you like this isn’t going to help her any. Go get some rest . . . just a couple hours.”
I huffed out a sigh. Shelby was right.
“Fine,” I growled, taking one more look at my mouse before standing up. “I’ll be back in two hours.”
I should visit Mase anyway.
“Fine go,” Shelby said, ushering me out.
Tanner was leaning against the wall outside Riley’s room. “Got kicked out?”
“She told me to get some sleep,” I grumbled, glaring at the now closed door.
“You should, you look like shit.”
“Thanks.”
I started walking away, but Tanner called out, stopping me.
“We commandeered a room down the hall. You can crash there if you don’t want to leave.”
“Yeah,” I said, a little shocked. “Thanks.”
“If you give me your address, I’ll send someone to pick up some clothes.”
I cocked my head at Tanner. “You wanted to shoot me the other day . . . why help me now?”
“I watched you run through a hail of gunfire for that girl, and since then you’ve done nothing but sit at her bedside.” His chest rose with a long sigh. “I’d say that earns you some points.”
Huh? Looks like the psycho was coming around.
“Doesn’t mean I like you,” he pointed out, “I just won’t shoot you.”
“Fair enough.” I snickered. “I can accept that.”
“Good, now go get some sleep.” he said, and walked away, leaving me to do just that.
A shower and some sleep did me a world of good. I felt like a whole new man. I even stopped in to visit Mase on my way to Riley. He was leaving for rehab in a of couple days, and I wanted to see him before he went. Mase told us everything. About the paternity papers, how he remembered what our mother did, and the drugs. It was happening right under my nose, and I didn’t see the signs. Part of me wanted to blame myself, but as Mase pointed out, I had to let him grow up sometime. As much as it hurt to do, I’d have to start letting him make his own mistakes.
“You’re gonna have to tell her, you know?” Mase said.
“Tell her what?”
“It’s not that hard to tell someone you love them.” He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Come on, you can practice on me. I love you, Mase.”
I cocked my brow at my brother sitting in a hospital bed, grinning like an idiot.
“See, I almost died and you still can’t say it.”
“I can say it,” I argued.
Mase looked me right in the eyes and said, “You’ve never said it to me.”
I opened my mouth and closed it again, because I knew he was right. Why was it so fucking hard?
“I gotta go see Riley.”
He didn’t say anything. I knew what Ryker made him do, and though I didn’t blame him for it, he blamed himself. He asked not to see her when she woke up.
I paused at the door and looked back at him. “I do, you know.”
“I know.” He nodded. “Now go see your girl.”
I gave him a smile and left, walking two doors down to Riley’s room. I froze outside the open door. My mouse was awake, sitting up in the bed talking to Shelby. I stood there staring at her bright eyes, thinking I was dreaming. I wanted to rush in there, but my feet wouldn’t move.
“If you love her, you’ll let her go,” Chase said from behind me, “Tanner was right, she doesn’t belong in our world.”
I should listen to him. Turn around and walk away, leaving Riley to live a happy life, while taking the dangers of mine with me.
“I can’t.”
Chase released a long sigh. “Yeah, I know. Just promise me something,”
“What?”
“Promise me that she will always come first. That no matter what, you’ll pick her. Don’t make the same mistake I did.”
I looked back, seeing the pain in his eyes and promised, “Always her.”
He didn’t say anything else. Just nodded and walked away.
When I turned back, Riley’s eyes were locked on me.
“Hi.”
She sounded so small.
“Hi,” I said and stepped in.
“I’m going to go find your dad in the cafeteria.” Shelby kissed Riley on the head and left, closing the door behind her.
“How’s Mason?”
“He’s good.” I inched closer, afraid that if I touched her, she’d disappear. “Going to rehab in a of couple days.”
“I know,” Riley said. “Shelby told me.”
“Oh.”
I stood there watching as her eyes shifted around the room, looking at anything other than me. She was right there, awake, and I couldn’t think of a fucking thing to say.
“She also said that she had to pry you away from my bedside.” Her watery eyes rolled up and met mine.
Open your fucking mouth! Say something!
“Why are you here, Micha? You made it pretty clear that you didn’t want me.”
Finally, my feet fucking moved.
“I don’t want you,” I said, reaching out to touch her face. “I need you.” I sat on the bed and cupped her face, holding her forehead against mine so I could feel her breath. “I love you, baby. I should’ve fucking told you that night, and I’m so fucking sorry I didn’t, but I’ll never leave you again. You’re going to hate me sometimes, probably even want to kill me . . .” I kissed her forehead. “But I’ll always be there.” I kissed her cheek. “To kiss you.” I kissed her nose. “To fuck you.” I kissed her quivering chin. “To hold you.” And I kissed her lips, wet with her tears. “It won’t be the normal life you want, but it’ll be ours, and perfect.”
She looked at me with so much emotion shining in her sapphire orbs, I couldn’t breathe.
“Someone once told me, normal sucks.”
I smiled down at her. “Sounds like a smart man.”
“Actually, he’s kind of an asshole.” A smirked pulled at her perfect pink lips. “But I love him.”
“I love you too, baby.” I said, and took those perfect lips to show her just how much I needed her.
Epilogue
Riley
“Pass me the socket wrench.”
I scrunched my nose at the tools, trying to determine what tool Shelby was asking for.
“Here you go,” I said, passing her something I thought matched the name.
She grumbled out a sigh and shook her head. “I don’t know why you didn’t just get a new car,” she said, reaching past me to grab the correct tool. “God knows you can afford it.”
I rolled my eyes. I had the same argument with my dad. It had been two months since the Ryker incident, and one of the first things I did was get my license, which entailed taking Logan’s insane driving lessons. He was worse than my dad – who I was talking to now. Our relationship wasn’t great, but we were getting there.
“First cars are supposed to be junkers,” I pointed out.
“They’re also supposed to run.” Shelby shifted her eyes my way. “You could’ve picked something else.”
I liked the yellow bug. It was sitting all alone in the back of the lot. I knew how that felt. Before Micha, I was alone, drifting through life happy to be invisible, and afraid to open up to anyone.
I still didn’t like attention and Micha was still an arrogant, demanding, asshole, but I never felt more loved.
“How about I go get us something to drink?” Hydration was definitely where I would shine in the car fixing category.
“Got any beer?” Shelby asked, “I’m gonna need a drink after fighting with this thing. I think your car hates me.”
“She’s just temperamental.”
“Just like her owner,” Shelby muttered.
I smiled and skipped inside the house. Rosy made some cookies and I wanted to get some before Logan got home and ate them all. I don’t know where he put it all, but holy crap could that guy eat. Sometimes all this was a little surreal. Less than three months ago I was living in a rundown apartment, praying Mom wouldn’t drink that night. Now all I had to worry about was school and grades, almost like a normal teenager.
Well, that and Chase. He left town a month ago. Said it was time he faced his brother and took control back. Though I didn’t want to see him go, I got it. He’d been hiding just like me, and as safe as that was, it felt so much better when you came out in the sun. He was still protecting me hours away in Miami. He called every day just so I’d know he was okay.
Mason was also taking control of his life. He wouldn’t see me before he left for rehab, but I wrote him every week, and he wrote back. He was working with the counselors and opening up. Micha was a pissed that I wouldn’t let him read our letters. I think he was just worried about his brother, but he had to let Mason learn how to take care of himself.
My heart warmed when Micha walked in the kitchen, looking good in a pair of dark jeans and white shirt. One look at his raw knuckles and I knew where he’d been. Every time I had a nightmare, the next day he’d go visit Ryker. I didn’t know why they didn’t turn him over to the police, but I didn’t ask.
Micha told me The Order of Ravens and Wolves was real, and I understood that he had to do things but I didn’t ever want to know about that part of his life. Yes, he was a monster, but he was my monster.
“Want a cookie?” I asked, taking a bite out of one and moaning when the chocolate chips melted in my mouth.
Micha scooped me up in his arms and said, “I think I’d rather taste yours,” before he slammed his lips down on mine.
I moaned and swirled my tongue around his. He growled, lifted me up on the counter, and pushed his way between my thighs, making my clit throb. This was definitely better than a cookie.
“Where’s Logan?”
“Fuck Logan,” He growled against my mouth and popped my jeans open. “You’re all mine, and I’m fucking hungry.”
He always was after he vented his anger. The last time he went to see Ryker, he fucked me for eight hours straight. I had other plans. Micha hadn’t let me go down on him yet. I don’t know if my threat to bite it off detoured him or if we were always in too much of a hurry for me to do it, but this time I was going to get my taste.
“Tell me again,” I said, slipping my hand inside his jeans to fist his hard cock. “What happens if I say no.”
“I’ll fuck that smart mouth of yours,” he purred while sliding his tongue down my neck.
I leaned in, nipped on his earlobe and whispered, “No.”
He kissed the sensitive spot behind my ear and felt him smile. “Get on your knees.”
I obeyed and hopped off the counter to lower to my knees. Once I was down there, I wasn’t so sure about this anymore. Staring at the large bulge, I licked my lips and looked into his chocolate eyes for reassurance.
“Do you have any idea,” he said, swiping the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip and tugging my mouth open. “how many times I’ve pictured those perfect lips wrapped around me?”
“Well, don’t let me stop you.” Logan strutted in the room, ruining our moment.
Micha grumbled and pulled me up to my feet. “Asshole.”
Logan smiled and blew a bubble with the gum he was chewing.
Since when does he chew gum?
Micha arched a brow at Logan and asked, “Are you chewing gum?”
“Yup,” Logan said shifting his gaze to Shelby as she walked in the room. “Cherry . . . my favorite flavor.”
Shelby rolled her eyes and groaned. “Well, I got it running,” she said to me. “Don’t know for how long though.”
“Thanks,” I said, backing up into Micha, so I could stroke him through his jeans. His fingers tightened around my hip, making me smile. “You still coming over Saturday?”
“Can’t.” Shelby shook her head. “I’ve got a date.”
Did Logan just growl?
“Okay, how about Sunday then?” I asked as I continued to stroke Micha through his jeans.
He groaned and whispered, “You’re about to get fucked in front of your friend, Mouse.”
“Sure, I gotta go. I’m on babysitting duty tonight.” Shelby said goodbye and left.
Logan watched her go, eyes narrowed, and then walked out himself. Once we were alone, I jumped away from Micha, before he could rip my clothes off.
“Ah, ah, ah.” I sang, smiling sweetly at him. I liked our games and was in the mood to play. “I want a ten second head start.”
“Fuck that!” He growled, tearing his shirt off. “You get five.”
I spun on my heels and ran.
“One.”
Dear Mason,
I know things can get lonely in there, and I’m glad to hear you made a friend. Things around here haven’t really changed much. Your brother’s still an ass. Logan’s still a slut, and Parker is still playing football. Okay, I know, I should actually make an effort to get to know him. Silas is cranky as ever, I think a little more since you’re not here. But don’t worry I’ve been keeping him company for you. You were right, he really doesn’t like talking about feminine hygiene.
I haven’t heard from Chase in a couple of days. Tanner did send me a few texts though, and I’m sure he’d let me know if something was wrong. I’m using that to not freak out. The tattoo parlor is doing okay, but the guy they hired to run it is an idiot. I might have to run him off.
Shelby’s parents are getting divorced, so she’s kind of been down in the dumps. I’ve been trying to be there for her, but there’s only so many times I can watch The Notebook. Don’t forget, you owe me an A-Team marathon. I think I’ve earned it. Might throw Airwolf in there too.
Ashworth isn’t the same with out you. Classes are boring, and I’m trying to keep Mrs. Grier company, but I just don’t have your charming smile. Plus, I’m pretty sure she survives on a diet of souls. Anyways, we all miss you, and are so proud of you. Keep up the good work, and I promise when you get home, I’ll help you nut-punch Silas.
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Love always,
Riley.
Contact
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