Page 6

“I miss you,” Kane confessed, pulling me in for a hug.

He’d snuck off from the fire station, met me around the corner, and gave me the name of the girl. He only had a first name. Said it was Genevieve. It was such a unique name that I figured once I had the flowers and vase delivered to the hospital’s burn unit, they’d know who to deliver it to.

I picked fresh purple and yellow orchards and azaleas and added some daisies with a touch of baby breaths. The vase took more than a day to make, but it was beautiful with a fluorescent porcelain finish. I preferred the stoneware look, but the glazed finish was the perfect touch.

“I bet you are the only one.” I scoffed as he twisted his lips.

He knew I was spot on. Most of the guys couldn’t stand me. I was naturally competitive, and instead of them accepting it for what it was, they shunned me.

“You know how they are, but every day, at least one or two of them asks about you. Chief’s been on our ass with more training since that stunt you pulled, but I know why you did it.” He reached over and laced his fingers with mine. Outside of Germ, he was the only one that did know.

“The death of her anniversary is coming up.” I looked away, my eyes stinging from the tears that formed. “I miss her, Kane. I miss her so much.”

“She’s with you, and she’d want you to be happy, Merci. Why wouldn’t she?”

He turned my face by the chin, forcing me to look at him. I blinked, and a stupid tear fell. He swiped it before he placed a tissue in my hand.

“I know what you should do this year.”

“Yeah, what? Hit a strip club?” He smiled, nodding his head.

Him, Beacon, Drew, Green, and the others loved Legs and Laces . I never saw a group of men that couldn’t wait to see pussy that wasn’t theirs. Germaine dared me to come out once when he and Joreen were going one night. It was after they celebrated a huge milestone for Inkz . It was nothing but a huge room of foreplay in the making. No thanks. I engaged in solo foreplay at home in my bedroom.

“I’d invite you, but you might body slam one of them,” he jested.

“Would not.” I stared through slitted eyes and snorted. “I’m not the least bit interested in any of you.”

Everyone thought me and Kane were dating. We weren’t. We kissed once. It was an awkward kiss after a cheap glass of hooch. We were stressed and studying for the state exam for firefighter certification. When he pushed me on the bed, feeling up my torso, I panicked. Maybe because I was inexperienced or worse… I didn’t deserve it. Survivor’s guilt was the fucking worst.

“I know she wouldn’t want you moping around, and don’t blame Shadow.” He arched one brow, popping a piece of garlic bread in his mouth.

We were at Luigi’s. I had only eaten it at the tattoo shop that day without him. Today they had a few specials and the line, at one point, was out the door which meant we came at a great time. I just hoped I had enough energy to finish this cake stand. A request came through my website. I’d never made one before, but I was eager to try my hand at it.

“You and Germ better leave my baby alone.”

“Trust, the pussy we want to bother ain’t your furry friend,” he teased. I hit him with a napkin. “Aye, girl. That’s assault.”

He looked around when the sound of motorcycles drew closer. He said he preferred trucks, fire trucks, and tractor trailers but I knew Kane. He was intrigued.

“Germ still rides?”

“He does,” was all I offered.

I wasn’t sure what Germ’s status was when it came to the Saint Riderz. That day in the shop, I could tell he was caught off guard. Unlike his usual cocky self, he spoke to Truth like he’d been called into the principal’s office.

Then when Alix came out thirty minutes later, an upset Truth damn near yoked him up outside in front of the tattoo shop. It was then I knew Germ had to part ways with them. He was going to art school if I had to drag his ass there after stripping on a pole on my off days if that’s what it took. I had no fucking rhythm, but for Germ, I’d do anything to keep him safe.

“Tell him I said what’s up.”

He stood up and opened his arms, waiting for me to fill up the space. I did. I needed a hug. I hadn’t had one from him since he came and saw me at the hospital. After that, Chief put my ass on medical leave. He kissed my forehead and hugged me tightly.

“Enjoy life, Merci,” he whispered before he released me. “And don’t rush back to work. Hell, go have sex, and plenty of it.”

“Eww.”

I pushed him away, and when I did, in walked Truth along with a few other club members. He nodded, acknowledging me but glared at Kane. I frowned, wondering what that was about. Kane was in his uniform. Clearly, we weren’t on a date, even though that wouldn’t be any of his business. Besides, I heard he wasn’t the dating kind from the lobby of whores, which was fine by me.

“Need me to hang out longer?” Kane quizzed. His eyes lingered where the Saints were.

“I think I’ll be fine. I have a run to make and a few deliveries.”

We hugged once more.

“Hopefully, I’ll get my clearance, and it’ll be us two back together again.”

He slid his arm around my neck and walked me out the door. Although I didn’t look, I could feel Truth’s eyes on me. I didn’t know why, but I could. Once out the door, a quick glance confirmed it. He was looking at me. Fuck.

No sooner had me and Kane came out, there was Truth. Instead of speaking, he walked in between us, bumping Kane’s shoulder and with nothing in his hand.

“Yo, man. That was?—”

Truth’s glare was like a silent stop sign. I wasn’t sure what that was all about.

“Thanks, Kane.” I quickly rushed in and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll call you later this week when you’re off. Friday, right?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled, still eyeing them. “Friday.”

I walked away but made sure Truth knew I wasn’t happy about that stunt he pulled when I flipped him off. He laughed, but I knew better. Anytime he saw me, I knew he’d have plans to tap dance on my fucking nerves. I guess my time at Inkz was up. Germaine would have to forgive me since I didn’t want or need to see him. Fuck Truth and the Saint Riderz.

“Fuck no. Not now.”

My car wasn’t working, and Kane wasn’t picking up. After what happened a few days ago, I figured he was still upset. He probably felt I was hiding something. I wasn’t. If anyone knew I wasn’t interested in dating outside of Germ, Kane should have. I fished my cell phone out, trying my luck with Germ. I wanted to make it to the post office before they closed.

“Come on, Germ. Pick up.”

I hit the map feature and mapped out the distance. I had two pieces, and if I carried them carefully, I could walk, or I could catch a Lyft. I just didn’t see me wasting thirty bucks to go up a few blocks. I tapped his name again, and this time, it went straight to voicemail.

“That damn Joreen. It probably was her ass.”

She was in her feelings since Germ wanted to buy me a car… or a bike. I didn’t need one of those. I needed my 2012 Mitsubishi Galant I purchased after saving up money from my first year on the job.

I hauled the two boxes out of my car and steadied them in my hands. I refused to pay a Lyft once I remembered rent was due. Germ was making money, but he was also spending too. If it wasn’t on more supplies or overhead at the shop, it was on bills and dumb Joreen.

It didn’t matter, though. I don’t care how much he made. I was the oldest, and I was determined to find out the latest fees at Ritzer Art School. They were creeping up steadily, but I had more than half tucked in a box in my bedroom closet.

As I walked, people on bicycles zipped past me. I decided to cross the street since it had less foot traffic when a truck came rushing toward me. He almost hit me, but I’d cleared it just in the nick of time.

“Fuck you!” I belted out, adjusting the bun of braids I’d pinned up.

“Damn it,” I muttered when I stepped on a pebble or shoelace. I’d double tied them, or so I thought when my ankle twisted, and I fell to the ground.

The boxes flew in front of me, one tumbling into the street.

“Noooo!” I saw it shatter into pieces when not one but two cars rolled over what was left of it.

“Shit, shit, shit.”

I sat up with closed eyes, close to tears. This day couldn’t get any worse. It couldn’t until I heard his voice, which sent chills up my back. The hairs on my neck stood up, and my skin was clothed with sweat as the sun bore down on me. Great, I’m sure I looked like a fucking wet dog. I could feel my hair sticking to my skin.

“You plan on just sitting there?”

“Listen, leave me the fuck alone.” I could feel the goosebumps peppering my skin the more he stood there as my eyes took him in. He wore a simple, white tank covered with his Saints vest. His perfect biceps and pecs were on display that I admired without trying until I noticed that cocky ass grin on his face.

“Or else?”

That little smirk that stretched into a smile told me that would be too much like right. Since he didn’t specialize in right, what came next was him literally picking me up and placing me on the ground.

“Did you just touch me?” I huffed with clenched fists, feeling the electricity where his hands once were. My mind was filled with rage but my stomach fluttering to my lip I’d bit down on out of frustration said otherwise.

He sucked his teeth then proceeded to brush specks of dirt off my arms and legs as if he had the right to touch me. All the while I stood, my mouth hung low with no protest in sight. Imagine me, mouthy, quick comeback Merci, and in this man’s presence, I could barely formulate complete sentences as he invaded my space.

When he rose, he shook his head before his eyes dipped and he grunted. He quickly picked up the box that hadn’t been destroyed with clenched jaws. After he examined the box, he took a deep breath as he watched the cars and trucks go by, destroying what was left of the one that was in the road. I guess he had a thing for rescuing shit that didn’t belong to him, but I won’t lie, his concern did soften my rage… a little.

“Where to?”

“Meaning?”

“Your whip’s not working, so where to? Or you like walking although your car is right there?” Damn, he was observant. I had no clue he knew what my car looked like.

He took a step closer, and he did that weird shit I found him doing earlier—studying me. This time, I chose to ignore him. He was nothing but trouble, and dusting a few specks of dust off didn’t change who he was. Besides, I had one vase that could be shipped off. The least I could do was take care of that. I’d have to reach out to the other buyer and work something out, which would probably include a refund.

“Truth, is it?” I arched my brow with crossed arms.

I wasn’t about to fall victim to those chocolate brown peepers coupled with his cedar-colored skin. Never mind his fully tatted arms his tank had exposed.

He snickered as if I was a comedian that had just told a joke.

“Anyway.” I waved him off since it was clear he was here to waste my time and make me feel bad in the process. “Is this the part where you chastise me for coming to my so-called rescue without me asking you to?”

“Mercilyn, is it?”

My head involuntarily leaned back as I frowned. Who the fuck told him my real name?

“One, tie your fucking shoestrings, and you wouldn’t have fallen. Two, bring your ass on.”

He motioned for me to follow him as if he ran me. He ran the Saints. All they were in my eyes was a bunch of followers who walked around dressed alike as if they had no individual identity.

When he realized I wasn’t following him, he sauntered toward me with a sinister grin on his face. I took a step back or two. He scared me shitless even though I put up a front. I’d heard shit the more I looked into them and it only confirmed why I had to stand my ground. I also knew that he had better not touch me. I watched him closely with one hand meshed in the pockets of his jeans, the other holding his helmet. Sweat trickled down my face and neck then in between my breasts.

The breeze blew as his eyes lowered, and his tongue slowly swiped his bottom lip. I felt a pulsating between my legs as he practically had me under some spell without touching me. My eyes betrayed me that lowered and blinked at the length of his manhood. It sat up high, curved to the side, and was almost the length of his damn thigh. I gulped when the space between us had vanished. He was damn near on top of me. My chest heaved as my mouth hung low.

Was he about to kiss me? Of course, he wasn’t... until he did.

I could feel his breath and taste the remnants of weed he’d smoked and the mint he’d eaten. I was so caught up I didn’t realize my mouth was still open when he pulled away. My peepers shot open, and there he stood with a grin on his face. Fuck me. I wanted to faint.

“You know this is harassment,” I mumbled in embarrassment.

I roughly swiped my lips, pushing away anything that reminded me we’d just kissed. Instead of responding, he bent down, yanked at my shoestrings, and tied it. They were Vans that were dated but my favorite pair. When he was done, he shoved them underneath the tongue of my tennis shoe and grabbed his precious helmet he’d sat on the ground.

“This way, they won’t fall out again.”

“This way, they won’t fall out again,” I replied, mocking him in a whiny tone.

He muttered something else under his breath. I think I heard “crazy ass,” yet it was him that was fucking with me.

“Screw you. Now, can you move?” I waved him off, but he didn’t budge. What was up with him? Instead, the corners of his lips curled as his way of antagonizing me.

“Cool. Figure out how to get home, but don’t say I didn’t try to help your mean ass. Couldn’t fucking smile if you tried. The fuck made you so miserable?”

“Says the man that practically knocked over an innocent man the other day. Sounds pretty miserable to me.”

“You mean back there at the pizza shop with ole boy? Your little date?” He grinned.

“It wasn’t a date,” I countered until I realized I didn’t owe him any explanation. “Look, can—" His smile was short-lived when he looked down and picked up my hand, cutting me off.

“That nigga you with have you fighting?” He frowned as if it disgusted him.

“W-what?” I stammered.

Surely, he couldn’t be referencing Kane. He was the sweetest, kindest man I’d ever met. A little too country for me, but he had a heart of gold.

“Look, this is getting to be a little too much. I get you want me to think you’re a nice guy since Germ’s like hella infatuated with you and all, but it doesn't matter. I can see right through you, your little vest, your little brotherhood, and your little bitches.” I gazed down at his length resting on his left thigh.

He laughed because he knew I couldn’t say that was little. Shit, was he even human? Jesus Christ.

He threw his hands up. His helmet was in one of them. He walked toward his bike. It was a Ducati. He’d never know it, but I loved the look of the Ducatis. Germ had wanted one for a while, and even though his Harley Davidson was a used one, I had plans to purchase him one in the future.

Before he slid on his motorcycle, a group of bikers headed toward us. It was about six or seven. It was hard to tell as the sun shielded a complete view of them. It all happened so quickly. Within seconds, Truth pushed me behind him and reached for his waist, but it was too late. They revved their motors and howled before the sound of gunshots pierced the air. He pushed me down to the ground. My body was trapped underneath his. As the sound of their engines faded, he sat up, panic clothing his face as he studied me.

When he touched my face, I shoved his hand away.

“I-I’m fine.” I was fine, except I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.

“I’ma kill those motherfuckers.”

He stood up then extended his hand, waiting for me to grab ahold of it. I hesitated, but when he pinched his lips, I slid my hand inside of his and stood.

“You do know what this means, don’t you?”

“Uh, that someone’s trying to kill you?” I looked around. I was still in disbelief. “I have no enemies, sir.”

I brushed myself off and winced from the pain in my shoulder and recently bruised palm.

“They saw you too. That means you’re coming with me.”

“What?” I gawked. “I can call Triple A! For all I know, they didn’t even see my face.”

My rant was short lived when he attacked my mouth, confirming what I felt since our paths had crossed. I had no clue what the fuck was going on, but my body immediately submitted to his. His tongue and teeth clashed with mine, and when his hands, his huge hands, cupped my ass, I moaned in his mouth. The feel of his chiseled chest and solid arms had me wanting to climb him and take his ass down.

This was wrong… so wrong, but everything about it felt right, especially after a run in where guns were fired and I could have been killed. I knew I wasn’t thinking clearly when I slid my hands down his length. Suddenly, he stepped back. His eyes hung low as he breathed like a raging bull.

I was at a loss for words, panting as I touched my lips which were swollen to touch. His was too, and God, I wanted them on mine again. He put his hands on his hips and cursed underneath his breath.

Damn, was it that bad?

“That shouldn’t have happened.”

I looked around, grabbing my purse that had fallen. My eyes watered, and my vision blurred. My fucking feelings were hurt, and having an audience of spectators didn’t help it as they began to gather around.

After I flung my purse on my arm, I turned to face him and poked him in the chest.

“After today, leave me the fuck alone! I don’t care if an army comes barreling down the street. Act like I don’t exist. Thank you very much!” I turned on my heels as I shoved tears from each cheek. I hated that he’d seen me cry.

“Do I need to pick you up again and spank that ass?” he spat. “The fuck you want me to do, Merci? Say I like you? That I can’t stop thinking about your mean ass who’s committed to looking like you lost your fucking best friend?”

Because I had. He just didn’t know it. I had nothing to say, feeling my shoulders slump. Did he like me, or did he pity me? I wasn’t prepared for either.

“Yeah. I said that shit. You know what!” He threw up his hands. “Never mind.”

“Wait. You don’t like me anymore?” I asked aloud, not realizing I had until I did.

Before he could answer, the cops were barreling around the corner. He moved quickly, jetting off toward his bike.

“Merci, get out your fucking head. Let’s go!”

“Shoot,” I grumbled, and like the women I’d judged because being around a man like Truth made you lose common sense, off I went when I hopped onto his bike.

“Whatever you do, don’t let go. Ever.”

I gulped and nodded because like it or not, I was a hypocrite. He saved my life, and I still wanted Germ to stay the fuck away from him and the fucking Saint Riderz. The question was… Could I?