He smiled down at me and shook his head. “I brought you another change of clothes. When I went to get Neo, I grabbed a few things for you.” He walked back into the room and presented me with a bag containing the red strapless summer dress and gold sandals that I had attempted to wear the first time he was at my house. “I really like this dress, but if you want something more comfortable, I brought this, too.” He said pulling out a neon pink Nike jump suit and some Nike Shox.
I laughed, “How about the sweats today and the dress after I’ve had a real shower and a chance to shave my legs?”
“I could shave you,” he said wiggling his eyebrows. My stomach flipped. The thought of him shaving me did delicious things to my insides. “I know that look. Come on and get dressed, or we will never make it out of this hospital,” Luke said laughing. I agreed.
After I was dressed, my teeth brushed and my hair piled on my head, my Greek god and I headed out. Luke held my hand in one of his and with the other carried both bags and led me to the nurse’s desk.
“Miss Knox, we’re glad you’re feeling better,” the lady at the nurse’s station said while ogling my man. I decided to let her slide. Hell, I couldn’t blame her for looking.
“Thank you,” I said signing the papers and handing them back to her.
“Also, here is Dr. Yarborough’s card. He asks that you call him on Monday.” I took the card, nodded my head and headed toward the elevator.
“Is the doctor fond of you, Miss Knox?” Luke asked once we were inside.
“Not that I’m aware of, why?” I asked curiously. What was he playing at?
“It’s not every day the good doctor gives his business card to the patient for them to follow up with personally.” Shit. I just shrugged my shoulders in response as the elevator descended and we landed on the second floor parking garage.
Chapter 20
As soon as we stepped out of the elevator Luke had me in his arms. He hugged me tightly holding me close to his chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist and inhaled the scent of him. “God, I missed you.” He whispered in my ear, showering me with kisses. “I’m so sorry that I couldn’t be here.” I silenced him by placing my finger over his lips.
“Don’t. You’re here now and that is all that matters.” And it was.
He smiled and kissed my forehead then scooping the bags up off the ground, he led me to the truck. I expected him to open the passenger side door, but he didn’t.
He stopped and said, “I feel like you have been gone for months instead of days. I want you next to me.” I didn’t argue. I liked being up under Luke. I was relieved when I was finally seated. Just the short walk had winded me. “You okay, babe?” Luke asked concerned.
“Yeah, just a little tired… and hungry.”
“What do you want to eat?” he asked pulling the truck from the parking spot and driving one handed while the other arm was wrapped around me.
“Ward’s. I want a Big One combo with fries and a coke and a hot fudge sundae,” I said resting my head against his arm.
He smiled. “Anything for you, darlin’.”
We pulled into the nearest Ward’s, which was only about a block away. I managed to scramble from the truck with only a little assistance from Luke. “I can carry you, baby. Just wrap your arms around me.” He said looking down at me while I was leaned up against the side of the truck. His offer sounded wonderful. Being completely immobile for three days was taking its toll on me.
“People will laugh and stare,” I said pouting.
“Who gives a shit,” he responded, not caring.
“No, I’m fine. Let’s get in here before I eat you.” I said forcing a smile and trying to make a joke. Luke was skeptical, but slowly walked me with his arm around my waist into the greatest fast food chain in the South. I didn’t have to repeat what I wanted. Luke ordered my food and sat us at a table near the front. Probably so I wouldn’t have to walk so far.
When our food arrived, I couldn’t help the excited smile that broke out over my face. This was going to be fabulous. I never looked up as I shoveled half the burger in my mouth and dipped my French fries into my ice cream.
“Um, there is plenty more where that came from. You can slow down, ya know.”
I took a break, long enough to look up at him and hold his gaze, while I took a large pull from my coke, keeping my face impassive. He was the first to look away, smirking. I continued eating and when I caught him looking once again, the amusement faded when I opened my mouth-full of food.
“Very classy, babe,” he said laughing. I joined in with him and sat back full and satisfied. I had only eaten about half, but it had taken me less than five minutes and I had never felt more pleased with my decision to come here.
“You ready?” he asked willing to give up over half of his food to leave with me. I shook my head and waved a hand at him.
“Nah, go ahead. I need to sit a second.” He shook his head laughing under his breath.
When I’m at home, alone and I finish eating a big meal, my favorite thing to do is to belch and relieve the pressure. I would never in a million years have done that in front of Luke, so I don’t know if it was my body’s way of thanking me, or God’s way of punishing me for the sin of gluttony, but before I could stop it, the loudest most obnoxious belch came from my mouth, drawing the attention of everyone in the building. I quickly covered my mouth and was sure that I was seven shades of red when Luke’s face slowly rose up to meet mine. “Oh, my gosh. I am so sorry. I don’t know what happened,” I said mortified. I was surprised to see Luke doubling over with laughter. I had never heard him laugh like that before. There were actual tears running from his eyes and down his face.
“You think that’s funny?” I asked amused.
“I swear, I knew that was going to happen. Damn, baby. You deserve a medal for that one,” he said still laughing.
“Well, I’m glad you find it so funny,” I said straightening in my chair and trying to hold on to what dignity that I had left.
“Oh, come on, babe. Don’t be mad. It was funny,” he said trying to suppress his laughter.
“Whenever you’re finished, I’m ready.”
He stood up and disposed of our trash, then stood next to me and bowed, holding his hand out to me. “Who says chivalry is a lost cause?” he asked grinning like a fox eating yellow jackets. I couldn’t help but grin with him as I took his hand. I glanced out at the people looking at us around the restaurant. Everyone seemed to be smiling and sighing as if they were looking at a couple in love.
I followed Luke out the door and once in the truck I laid my head on his shoulder once again. We were a couple in love. I loved this man and in my heart, I knew he loved me too.
“Will you come home with me, babe?” Luke asked while tilting my head up to look at him. “I want to take care of you. I need to.” At that moment, he could have asked me to jump off a bridge and I would have. The yearning and need in his eyes had my heart feeling as if it would burst.
“I would love that,” I said pulling his face to mine and kissing him. The kiss was soft, sensual and intimate, just what I needed. My whole body warmed and tingled with his touch. He wrapped his arm around my waist and I curled into his side. I didn’t want to think about anything. I only wanted to live every moment as it was given to me. I knew first hand that life was short and I would not take it for granted. I closed my eyes in hopes that I could rest for a few minutes. I was full and tired and the past couple of hours had me weak and exhausted. Just fifteen minutes, and I would be fine.
I awakened with a jolt. Luke’s grip tightened around me as the truck swerved off the road. “Fuck!” Luke yelled. I opened my eyes and we were on the side of the highway.
“What’s wrong?” I asked sitting up. I looked at the clock and it was a little after three. I had only been asleep about twenty minutes.
“Blow out. I just put new tires on this truck,” he said mostly to himself. “Stay in here.” I watched him in the rearv
iew mirror as he bent down and surveyed the damage. He returned to the truck to retrieve the tire tool and I noticed the look on his face was that of confusion and something else; worry?
“Everything okay?” I asked cautiously. He smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes.
“It’s fine, babe. Just a flat.”
I wondered what was on his mind as I watched him through the mirror taking the lug nuts off to change the tire. A loud roaring sounded behind us and I saw Luke shake his head then stand up to face the motorcycles that were suddenly surrounding us. They were everywhere, casing the truck in from all angles. I panicked when I noticed the red and gray vests that they were wearing.
They had come for us. I didn’t know if it was him or me that they wanted, but they had us now. There was no way we could get out of this. Luke had sent Regg and Kev home, which left him alone and vulnerable; just as Red had said. I understood now why he needed the protection. I didn’t know what their problem was with Luke, but judging by the way they glared at him, it was huge.
I was in the driver’s seat with my face and hands plastered to the window. A man walked up to Luke and put his finger in his chest, Luke swung and connected with his left jaw. He was immediately grabbed by several others and pinned against the truck. I opened the door to get out. I wasn’t sure what in the hell I was doing, but I would not let my man be beat to a pulp or killed without trying to intervene. I had no idea what these guys were capable of, but whatever punishment they expected Luke to endure, they would have to give me, too.
“Dallas, stay in the truck!” Luke bit out through clenched teeth. My eyes found his and I knew he meant what he said, but I couldn’t leave him.
“Well, look who we have here!” the man said rubbing his jaw. I had seen him before. His eyes were cold and mean and the big scar on his face made him even more evil, if that were possible. He smiled, but there was absolutely no warmth in it. He turned, walking towards me and I heard Luke struggling with the other guys, trying to break free.
“Don’t you fucking touch her!” he yelled at the man. There was no panic in Luke’s voice, only malice. I knew that if he touched me or even got too close that Luke would try to keep him away from me. I quickly jumped in the truck and locked the door. The man stared at me with cold eyes, full of fury, as he stepped away and walked back in front of Luke.
Shit. I had to do something. I could call Regg, but he was too far away. I fumbled around in the truck to find my phone to call 9-1-1. I’m not sure why I opened the glove compartment. Maybe my instincts were telling me there was something in there that would save us. Maybe I had watched one too many actions movies. Whatever the reason, I reached over and opened it to find an 9mm hand gun resting on top of the truck manual.
I was smart with guns. I had carried one for years after my parents died, because my father had forced me to take classes on how to protect myself. There were about twelve bikers outside the truck and I had ten bullets in the clip. Chances were, these bikers were carrying also, but as I looked through the back glass at the men surrounding Luke, I knew that I had no choice. No one on the highway had bothered to stop. The few cars that we did see kept right on going, paying no attention to what was happening around them. Our only chance was this gun.
I could easily put the truck in drive and leave Luke to fend for himself, but I was not that kind of woman. I loved this man and I knew that if given the opportunity, he would give his life for me. I didn’t know how things were going to play out when I stepped from the truck, but I sent up a quick prayer to God, asking that this turn out in my favor.
Holding a gun made me feel powerful. Even around all these grown men, who could have had twenty guns to my one, I felt untouchable. I had tough skin for a reason and now was a damn good time to use it. No one seemed to notice my presence until I flipped the safety and loaded one into the chamber of the gun. The sound was unmistakable and echoed around us.
Perfecting my stance and with confidence that I didn’t know I had, I pointed the gun at the head of the man in front of Luke. He was about ten feet away from me and I knew I could put a bullet through his skull without missing.
“Let him go.” I announced, my voice coming out strong and clear.
“You even know how to use that thing, sweetheart?” he asked me while raising his hands and nodding his head to the guys to let Luke go.
“Would you like me to show you?” I asked him, never breaking eye contact and managing to keep my voice from wavering.
“No, sugar, I don’t,” he said smiling at me. Once the guys let go of Luke, he produced a gun from the small of his back and walked backwards towards me, taking turns pointing it at different ones. By this time, everyone had their hands in the air.
“I’ll see you soon, Frankie, but I think it’s best if y’all leave right now,” Luke said his voice low and commanding.
“You think you’re the only motherfucker with a gun, Luke? Your Bonnie and Clyde show don’t fucking scare me!”
Okay, now I was scared. I expected him to pull out a gun and kill us any minute. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was pounding so hard, I figured they could hear it, and that panicked feeling had settled into my stomach. Somehow, I managed to keep my composure.
“You know me well, Frankie. If you or one of your boys even think about pulling a gun, I’ll have a bullet in your fucking head and you know it. If I go down, you go down with me.”
Frankie seemed to think this over. “Let’s go,” he suddenly announced to the other guys and I couldn’t help jumping at the sound of his voice.
He gave me a smirk and then blew me a kiss. “I’ll be seeing you real soon, sweetheart.”
“Now!” Luke barked. Within seconds, the guys were back on their bikes and heading in the same direction that they came from.
Luke quickly put his gun away and carefully grabbed the one from me. He led me to the truck and I got in. It was like I was in some sort of a trance. Did that really just fucking happen?
He left the door open, but went to the back of the truck to finish changing the tire. I kept my eyes and ears open for the sound of motorcycles, but all was quiet, except for the passing of a handful of cars.
Luke changed the tire in what had to be record time and jumped in the driver’s seat next to me. We were on the highway before he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed someone. “Tiny. I need an escort. I’m on South 45, just outside of Tupelo. I need somebody, yesterday. Yeah, it’s Leaders of Hell. They got me on the side of the highway, but I’m good. I don’t think they’ll be coming back, but just in case. I’ll check in with ya later.” Luke ended the call and waited anxiously, as did I.
Less that fifteen miles later, I heard the rumbling once again. Unknowingly, I grabbed onto Luke’s leg and looked behind us, fearing for the worst.
“They’re with me. We’re good.”
I immediately relaxed. Four motorcycles pulled ahead of us while four fell in behind. Already, I felt safer. I notices that the guys were not wearing the same cut that Luke wore. It was completely different. He must have noticed the confusion on my face.
“They are a support club. They help out when we need them. There is a local chapter in Monroe County, so I knew they wouldn’t be long.”
I nodded my head in agreement, but I couldn’t find any words to say. Luke was visibly more relaxed, too. He reached over and took my hand into his. Just like him, there were times when I really just didn’t want to talk. This was one of them.
I leaned forward and turned up the volume on the radio. I found a rock station and the music matched the mood. I let the shredding of an electric guitar help me relive what had just happened. I’m not sure if it was the rock music or the fact that I had handled that gun like a pro, but it made me feel like a complete and total bad-ass. I looked over at Luke and gave him a smirk. I was rewarded with his signature smirk. I heard him mutter, “Bonnie and Clyde.” I smiled to myself. What a fucked up life we were living.
Chapter 21
&nbs
p; Six rock songs later, Luke finally broke the silence. “You still reliving it?” he asked with no emotion in his voice. I nodded my head and smiled. I turned to face him in the truck, pulling my legs under me.
“I feel like I should be crying or scared right now, but in reality, I feel fucking awesome.”
Luke laughed, “You ain’t right. I bet you have re-enacted that scene ten times and each time you think of something a little more bad-ass that you could have done.” He knew me too well. It was actually a little freaky. I had thought about what would have happened if shots had been fired. I envisioned myself moving like a ninja and me and Luke killing everyone, then riding off on the motorcycles. I day dreamed that we were like the people in the movie, The Matrix, and could dodge bullets by moving our bodies or holding our hands out so the bullets fell to the ground before they reached us.
I was such a pathetic loser, but I didn’t care. It was better than curling up into the fetal position and crying myself to sleep. “Yeah, something like that,” I said laughing.
“You did great, baby. Thank you,” he said taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. “But, if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I’m going to spank you,” he said seriously.
I smiled my big goofy grin. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep and don’t rain on my parade. Admit it, I’m awesome,” I said slicing my hands through the air like the karate kid.
“Does it not occur to you how bad that situation could have gone?” he said trying to hide his smile.
“Not really. I don’t want to think about it,” I responded shrugging, and I didn’t. I knew these guys were bad and I had watched enough T.V. to know that they would retaliate, but we would cross that bridge when it got here.
A Ride or Die Kind of Love Page 94