Page 45 of Bleed Me

Scorch helped me off the floor as the Stall door shut behind all the Club Officers, who were about to discuss how nuts I was. This was it. I was about to be kicked out or killed. I didn’t blame them one bit.

Art walked in, quickly assessing something was up. “What happened?” Diesel and Scorch helped me to a stool as Art came to me. “Is this because of Justice this morning?”

Comically, Scorch warned, “I wouldn’t mention that name right now.”

Diesel laughed at him. “Truth, brother. Wait,” he glared at Art, “what happened with you and Justice?”

Scorch took a huge step back and mumbled, “Pokin’ a bear.”

“Me?” I asked Scorch. “I tried to protect her?”

Diesel adjusted his stance as if the ground under his feet was suddenly getting hot. “Yeah, kid.”

“But… But… Then why did I hurt D—”

Diesel raised his hand. “Don’t get in a tizzy until we know what’s going on.”

“Tizzy?” I balked. “What I did to—” I peered around, then whispered, “Delilah is nothin’ to downplay.”

His voice lowered. “Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid. You feel me?”

Not interested in ‘feeling’ his powerful fist, I grumbled, “Yes, sir.”

“Now, do you have any memories yet? Of what happened with her?”

Rubbing my forehead that wanted to explode, I answered, “No. But… some of my childhood memories have returned.”

All three men had a case of ‘Stiffening Spines’. I couldn’t look them in the eye. It was like they knew what I had been through. I felt like a neon sign shone above my head, with a red arrow pointing to me, “Took it in the ass! Right here!” So, I got up and headed for the stairs again. “I’m out.” I needed to crawl out of the cave that was suddenly feeling like a dungeon.

“Giver, wait…” Diesel tried.

I ignored them.

Art is the one who got me to stop. “He’s good to her.”

I still couldn’t face them—too ashamed—but waited for more information.

Art chuckled, but it was drenched in pain. “A boxer. Can you believe it?”

My eyes slid shut. She always complained about my temper and fighting at school. “She hates fighters.”

“Ain’t that just how life works? You think you know what you need, but ya don’t know shit.”

As if I could feel that girl slipping away, I grabbed my chest while opening my eyes to see the stairs I’d be climbing in seconds. “Is he good? To her?”

I can’t be sure, but I swear I heard his voice crack. “I think he’d die for her.”

That may sound Disney-like to some, but Art was trying to hit me deep. Only someone who truly saw Delilah’s magic would do such a thing like get all sappy and die for the girl.

Just like I did.

Entering the first floor, I darted out the front door, desperate for air. The sun was a welcomed sight. I stopped and basked, soaking in the Vitamin D, leaning my head back to inhale. I was full of mixed emotions. A part of me was so damn grateful Delilah had a good person to love her. I knew he was good because she had a grave-diggin’ team of illegal bikers watching her back. If this boxer had the slightest bit of a possibility of bringing her harm, he’d be gone.

The other part of me was jealous. Mad jealous. Until I caught a member, Rattler, bitching at a brand-new Prospect. “Did you just touch that bike?”

The young guy, who appeared as confused as I was months ago, just stood there as if not sure whether to piss himself or run for his life.

Rattler scolded, “That’s your Road Captain’s bike, you dumb fuck! She will kill you. Then burn your body. Then sprinkle your goddamn ashes in her morning cereal, moaning that you taste delicious...”