Page 56

CHAPTER 55

ALEXEI

“FUCK!” I slam my fist into my front door as her tires screech down the street.

The pain on her face.

I fucked it all up.

I knew I would. I have to make this right.

Grabbing my helmet and keys, I hop on my bike.

She won’t be far, I can catch her.

Filtering through the traffic, cars honk at me, but I don’t care.

I have to get to her.

Up at the next block, I see her white car. Checking left and right, my traffic signal is red, but to hell with it. I hit the throttle and go.

It would be exhilarating if I wasn’t in such a panic.

As I approach her, her light turns green and she zooms off.

Shaking my head, I speed up, enough so I’m even with her.

“Pull over!” I shout, pointing to the wide spot up ahead.

She shakes her head, looking back at the road.

I can’t let her leave.

Edging my bike closer to her, I keep going. I’m dangerously close.

She swerves to the right away from me, and slams on her brakes to pull into the parking spot.

I kick down my stand, and pull off my helmet while stomping over to the driver’s side.

“Open.” I yank on the door.

“Go away.” She mouths.

I shake my head. “You know me better than that. Open the damn door.”

I step back.

“I’m not going anywhere, Lara. I’ll stand here and wait all night and day if I have to. I am never leaving your side. Eternity remember? It’s a long fucking time.”

I hop up on the hood and take a seat.

Fuck it’s warm.

Tapping on her windshield, I wave. I can see she’s trying not to grin.

So I keep doing it, and turn it into the tune to that song she always listens to.

That gets her.

She winds down the window.

“I don’t need saving, Alexei,” she shouts.

Sliding off the front, I approach her window and place my hand on her cheek, wiping away a tear.

I’m going for a new technique. She’s right. She is strong and brave. This isn’t about that.

And she likes my dominant side. So I lean on that.

“I’m not rescuing you. I’m loving you. There’s a difference. Now turn around, get that fine ass back to the house and we can talk there if you want to. Regardless, you are coming home to me. Okay?”

She sniffles and nods.

Poking my head through the window, I kiss her. “I love you, pchelka. Always remember that. No matter what.”

Resting my forehead against hers, I kiss her one last time on the temple. “Please, baby. No more running, only back home to me. I need you too.”

When she nods, I walk back to my bike. Her blinker leads her back onto the freeway, and turns left towards our street.

Good girl.