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He doesn’t reply, just watches me, simply staring, taking me in.
“I have a workout to get to. Come on. I’ll let you bust my balls for the next hour. Then we’ll see what we can do.”
An hour later, he is pouring sweat, and I feel like I’m just getting started.
“More!” I yell.
Tank pushes harder then drops from the pull-up bar.
“Damn, Des, what the hell? You’re a hardass, but you’ve never been this hard.”
I look at him, wide-eyed. It’s the truth. I have never pushed him this hard.
“The walls are closing in,” I whisper.
Sympathy shows in his eyes. “I know that feeling all too well.”
He does. Rehab almost killed him mentally. For a man who has never known what it is to be still, to slow down … For a man who lives his life on the go, being held back by his own body, his own limitations, was mentally exhausting.
“Let me make a call,” he says as he wipes his face on a hand towel. “I can’t make any promises. We’ve gotta talk to Roundman.”
I nod my understanding. “Tank—”
“I get it, but you’ve gotta get it. You mean something to the club, to me. Not just because you train me. You’re like the ball-busting little sister I never wanted.” We both laugh. “All the guys look out for you. You’re part of our dysfunctional but functional family. We’ve gotta make sure you’re kept safe no matter where you go.”
Tears fill my eyes. The Haywood’s Landing Hellions care more about me than anyone in my life except my baby sister … who is gone. They have my back. Now, if only they could find a way to keep me safe yet give me back some sort of life outside of this compound.
Two days later, I am packing my meager belongings into a bag with the destination unknown. Tank and Roundman called a sermon to discuss my options. I don’t know what that means other than, when sermon is called, the Hellions gather, and no ol’ ladies or outsiders are welcome. They go into what they call the cave and don’t come out until business is addressed.
Tank came out with Boomer, and I was told to sit tight.
This morning, I was told to pack up. Boomer is on his way over to talk to me. I don’t know much about Boomer. He is quiet. I do know he came here from the Catawba Hellions chapter. He is former military and has the body to show for it.
The knock doesn’t surprise me. I move to the door, opening it to find Tank and Boomer on the other side with Sass behind them. I step back and let them come inside.
Sass rushes past the two bikers and hugs me tightly. “You saved my man when I failed him. You fought side by side to get Tank strong again. Forever, me, this club, and my man have your back. You don’t have to leave, but I get it,” she whispers, squeezing me. “Love you, girl. Always.”
I fight back the tears as I look at the man who is built like a tank and is just as powerful in mind and spirit.
“I’ve got an Army buddy who was in an accident,” Boomer begins. “He needs someone trained in physical therapy who can handle the lifestyle we live. He’s part of the Regulators MC down in South Florida.”
I nod my understanding as Sass pulls away but holds my hand.
“The Regulators own and operate two strip clubs, Alibi and After Midnight. You’ve gotta know going in that anything you see, you hear—”
“I didn’t see, and I didn’t hear,” I interject. “Been there, Boomer. I am blind, deaf, and a mute if anyone ever tries to talk to me, whether patched in or not. I know nothing more than how to make a man cry over a six-inch leg lift.” I know the deal.
Tank and Boomer laugh, and Sass squeezes my hand proudly.
Boomer pulls a folder from under his cut “Medical information so you can make a care plan. You’re gonna ride down in the back of a truck, hidden as part of a transport. We don’t know if we’re being watched and don’t wanna risk you being found. Once you get to Florida, you will be taken to Hammer’s where you will stay until we can clear up this situation—”
“Or you wanna come home,” Tank interrupts. “If you wanna come back, we’ll get you home, anytime, day or night. You have my word.”
I can’t stop the tears from falling. I finally found my place, in an extended family of sorts, yet I am walking away for my sanity. I can’t stay hidden forever. I don’t know what Suzie got into, but I just can’t hide out forever with the Hellions and put them in danger in the process. All I see is the negative here. At least helping Boomer’s friend will put some positive back in my life.
