I would lay down my life for her. -Tornado
Like a creep, I watch her sleep. I think of all the nights I’ve laid in this same bed, thinking of her, dreaming of her. It doesn’t seem real that she could be here now.
My body aches to touch her everywhere, not just the hand I hold. I watch as she breathes gently in and out, her golden hair splayed out on the pillow I usually sleep on. She looks like a princess. I feel like a peasant.
“Fuck,” I swear under my breath, and she murmurs in response.
I reach out and touch her cheek and she leans into my touch. She emits a sound of contentment so close to a cat’s purr that I can’t help but smile.She wants my touch. She came to me when she was in trouble. She thought of me.
I’m transported back to that night so long ago. The night I left everything behind. I touch her soft cheek again.
I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to be anywhere else but with her. Fuck, I’d give anything to go back and try…I shake my head.No, I did what had to be done.
I can’t believe she thinks I never loved her. As if I could feel anything else.All the time away from her has done is cement the fact that I will never want anyone the way I want her.
I turn and stare up at the ceiling. Five years ago, I gave her up because of things beyond my control. But now, I’m an adult. And I have friends. Friends that will defend her with their lives just because of how I feel about her. It’s time to call for the reinforcements.
What if it’s not enough? What if we can’t overcome someone so strong? What if…
I take a deep breath. The time for running is over. The time to fight has begun.
I reach for the cell phone on my nightstand and press the familiar name. He answers on the first ring, as always when one of his brothers is calling.
“Tornado, what’s up man?” he asks in his deep, authoritarian voice.
“I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet, Silver.” I pause, glancing over at my girl again. She hasn’t moved. I lower my voice anyway. “I’m going to need your help.” I take a deep breath. “Actually, I’m going to need the whole club’s help.”
“You got it, brother. Always.”
With those simple words, something breaks free in my chest. The family I’ve been welcomed into will make sure she’s safe. She has their protection.
Five years ago, I made the choice to leave. Today, I make a vow to myself and to her to stay. Always.
Chapter Seven
Cat
He’s built a life without me. What would it take to convince him to build one with me? -Cat
I wake slowly, my heavy eyes adjusting to the rays of sunlight coming through the blinds. There’s a moment of panic as I try to figure out where I am. The room is simple. The bed I’m currently in, a large television mounted to the wall across from the bed, a wooden dresser, and there’s a nightstand with a small lamp when I turn my head. I rub my eyes. There’s one picture there.Tornado and me.
I pick up the picture and trace my finger over our young faces. It must have been taken not long before Tornado left. In it, Tor’s arm is thrown over my shoulders and he’s holding me tight. My hair is windblown and I’m laughing, but my face is tilted towards him. There’s a bright look in my eyes, a look that probably hasn’t been there since he left.
The sound of someone clearing their throat makes me jump. Tornado stands in the doorway, his hands in his jeans’ pockets and anembarrassed look on his face. “We were pretty young, back then, huh?” he asks sheepishly.
I sit up in his bed, the covers falling to my waist. I belatedly become aware that I’m only wearing my camisole with no bra underneath. There’s a flare of heat as Tornado seems to notice at the same time I do. I feel my nipples harden under the thin top.
I clear my own throat, embarrassed by my body’s response. “We were. I’m surprised you kept this picture, much less by your bedside. I thought you wouldn’t want any reminders of what you left behind.”
He crosses to me quickly, his booted feet making a clomping sound against the hardwood floors. “I never forgot you, Cat. Never. And I wasn’t leaving you. I was running from things that were too hard for me to confront.” He sits down on the bed and takes the picture from me. “This young kid couldn’t stand up for himself back then, or you. But now I can. Now I have people to fight with me.”
“They’re my family, Cat. Besides my dad, they’re all I’ve had for the last five years.”
My heart squeezes tight, so tight it hurts to breathe. “I would have been there for you if you would have let me. I would have been next to you every day.” I clear my throat. “I finally got it out of your dad where you were. He’s been close-mouthed about it all these years.”
“Cause I told him not to tell anyone. We meet up sometimes. I miss the old man.” His grey eyes soften, and he reaches over to put a finger under my chin. “I know you would have been here. There are reasons I had to leave. Reasons I’ll explain to you one day.”
I nod, even though I’m frustrated as hell by his answer. No matter what he says, something happened that night. Something big enough that made him run from me. I let out a long breath. “I don’t know what to do, Tor. I know I probably shouldn’t have come here. I’m only bringing danger to your door. You don’t deserve that.”
