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“I’d give you the whole fucking world.”
“Dale.”
"I would. I'd keep you right here in the shelter of my arms forever if I could."
While that was incredibly romantic it only reminded me that I still felt like a prisoner and a pretty little pet he wanted to keep locked away and safe.
“No.” With a sniffle, I shook my head, pushing him away. “I’m not a bird. You can’t keep me in a gilded cage forever, Patriot. I’m a human being. I’m alive,” I shouted, pounding on my chest with a fist. “I’m fucking alive. I breathe and I bleed. Don’t you get it?” My voice was so loud I knew everyone in the Crossroads could hear our argument and I didn’t care. “I can’t live like this. I’m not a pet or project.” He blanched with my words. “I want more. I want to fly! I want to soar!” Shoving him in the chest, I managed to knock the big biker backward a step as his mouth dropped open. “I want to be free!”
Patriot blinked, lifting his hands in surrender. “I don’t keep you in a cage, Mimi. All I’ve ever done,” he replied quietly, “was try to help you.”
Deflated, my head hung down and I knew my outburst must have stung. “I’m sorry, Dale. I know.”
“No need to apologize.” He moved forward and tilted my chin up. “I don’t see you as a victim, Mimi. I see you as a survivor.”
“You see too much,” I announced through sudden tears. “I’m like Sybil. A dozen different personalities.”
He cracked a smile. “I see you, pretty girl, and I’m not goin’ anywhere. I’m not giving up. I promise.”
He filled me with hope and his belief in me never wavered. Even when I was tempted to let all the bad shit that happened overtake me and my emotional wreckage was more than I could endure. Patriot knew exactly how to respond. He took all that pain, anger, and doubt away, saving me from the worst of it. Even if that meant saving me from myself.
His head lowered and a light kiss was dropped on the tip of my nose. “I’m your lifeline, remember?”
Sighing, I responded with humor, knowing if I didn’t, I would only burst into tears and a sobbing mess on the floor. “More like a punching bag.”
“I’m your rock, sunshine. Kind of hard to destroy.”
“Come on. We’re going for a ride.”
“W-what?” she asked, stammering over her words. “Are you kidding?”
“Nope.”
I sure as fuck wasn’t.
We had less than three days before shit was going down with Jones and Resnikov. No way would they make a move yet since it could compromise their shipment. This was my last chance to take her out for at least a week.
Jones texted my phone a few times but I ignored his attempt to lure me in. Asshole was getting what was coming to him and my Reaper couldn’t wait for him to beg. Right before I reaped his worthless soul, I would make sure he knew this was all for Mimi.
My hand slipped into hers and I led her outside to where all of our bikes sat in a long line of sleek metallic paint and chrome that shined bright as a new penny in the Nevada sunshine. Beautiful fucking sight. The midday sun made each one sparkle. Never saw anything so goddamn perfect. Prospects did a fine job of keeping them clean enough to eat off.
I tugged Mimi over to my bike and she flashed a grin, glancing at the tank. “Wow. You literally puke patriotism, you know that?”
The entire tank was painted with red, white, and blue and glistened as we stood there. She was right. Those stars and stripes defined who I was and I was proud of that fact.
Squeezing once, I released her hand as I reached for a helmet. “Yeah. I like my flag on everything. A mark of ownership and pride for me,” I admitted. “You’re gonna have to wear a helmet whenever you ride. No compromise on that. Same with keeping your skin covered and boots on those dainty feet.”
She nodded, excitement dancing in the blue of her eyes. “Uh huh.”
Only took a few seconds to place the helmet over her long hair and tighten the strap beneath her chin. “Lookin’ like a badass biker chick, sunshine.”
“Yes! Then get me on this motorcycle!” she shouted as one of the prospects snickered.
“Where do you think you’re goin’?” I heard a familiar voice call out.
Rael was leaning against the side of the building, ticking his head toward me and Mimi. “No one goes out alone.”
I flipped him off. “Stop bitchin’ and ride out with me.”
