Page 6

Xavier

A couple hours into the drive, four more bikes pulled up beside us.

I was surprised that Venus and Piston didn’t veer off and leave the escort to us, Kiss of Death, but Oktober moved alongside Piston; the two fist-bumped in greeting.

The whole convoy continued on like nothing was amiss.

I had to smile. Prison had been hard. Fuckin’ hard.

But the connections and family I’d made there were the closest and most supportive I’d had.

“Two escorts,” Tiny chuckled softly. “Right. Bet they had to make the rest of the guys stay home.”

I was grateful Tiny was considerate of Tillie and kept his voice down. She was sound asleep in my arms. Once she’d finally settled against my chest, she didn’t move except for her steady breathing. If she let out a small, delicate snore now and then, I’d never tell her.

“Fuckin’ missed the guys. And home.”

“You had a job to do. And you know you could have come home once you finished. Why the fuck did you stay in that hellhole so long anyway?”

“You really have to ask me that?” I glared at him over Tillie’s head.

“Yeah. You coulda been home instead in some cell like a fuckin’ animal.” Tiny frowned at me through the mirror. “Her?” I knew what he meant.

“Yeah.”

We were silent for a while before Tiny spoke again. “Worth it.” It wasn’t a question. Tiny could see me. He’d always seen me, even when no one else could. We’d been in the same foster home as kids and had stuck together. Even when sticking together meant we both got in trouble with the law.

“Was.”

Yeah. We were guys. Why waste breath on a full sentence when a couple words would do?

We stopped an hour outside of Nashville when Tillie stirred. “Where are we?” She didn’t lift her head, just shifted her position slightly and snuggled in deeper. I grinned, rubbing her back again.

“Just pulled into a truck stop,” Tiny supplied cheerfully. “You ready for some chow?”

Then Tillie stiffened, her eyes flew open. “Ohmigod!” She pushed up but I held her still, not wanting her to bump her head on the roof of the truck.

“Easy, honey. What’s wrong?”

“How long have I been asleep? And straddling your lap?” She sounded so mortified I couldn’t help but laugh.

“You were sleeping so peacefully, there was no way I was waking you.” I helped her sit up slowly. “Besides, I liked knowing you were secure where you were.” I smiled at her as I brushed a lock of hair off her cheek.

She gave me an adorably confused look. “But I was sitting in your lap.”

“Exactly.”

Her eyes got wide and she snort-laughed before covering her mouth with her hand. Tiny chuckled and I knew my grin got wider.

She scowled and wagged her finger to scold me. “It’s not nice to laugh at someone when they accidentally snort.”

That tickled even me and I chuckled, pulling her to me so I could drop a kiss on her temple. “Come on, Little Piggy. Let’s get you some chow.”

Tillie sighed, shaking her head. “That’s not going away anytime soon, is it?”

“Honey.” Tiny turned to look at us from the front seat as he spoke.

“You’re about to enter a place where every single man in the area is going to look at you and see a little sister.

We are gonna bug the shit outta you. We’re also going to protect you with our lives and run off any potential boyfriends on general principle. It’s what big brothers do.”

Tillie looked from Tiny to me and back. “I don’t have siblings.”

“You’re fixin’ to, baby.” I gave her ass a light swat through the blanket still draped around her. “Go on, then. Up you get.”

Tiny opened his door and hopped down to fuel us up, leaving us in the truck to untangle and get out at our leisure. Tillie slid off my lap. As she did, she rubbed over my cock for a brief moment when she shifted her weight. She sucked in a breath and stiffened when I hissed in surprise.

“I’m sorry!” She looked panicked, holding her weight on her knees, still on either side of my hips. “I didn’t mean --”

“Shh, baby. It’s fine. Normal reaction to a beautiful woman.” I rested my hands on her hips lightly. “I’m not gonna jump you or hit on you or do anything else to make you uncomfortable. OK? I just want you safe and comfortable. You were so sound asleep, I hated to wake you to make you move.”

Her breath came in deep, rapid breaths for a couple seconds, then she nodded her head.

I could visibly see the second she saw the sincerity in my expression.

“I’m sorry. It’s not that I think you’ll hurt me, Xavier.

Of all the people in the world, you’ve earned my trust. I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to…

” Her face grew red and she waved her hand in the air.

“You know.” Then she gave a nervous, embarrassed smile.

“I suppose a woman straddling you and plastering herself against your body, any man would have the same reaction, huh?”

“Don’t kid yourself, honey. I most definitely want you.

Just because I ain’t acting on it don’t mean I don’t want to.

But you need a friend right now. Not a horny biker trying to get into your panties.

” I leveled my gaze on hers and held it, needing her to see my sincerity.

“If you decide you want me too, you make the move. Know upfront that I will not reject you, Tillie. But I ain’t bringin’ you home to fuck you.

I’m bringing you to my club so you’re safe and protected until I can get this other shit sorted out.

After that, you can stay with me, or I’ll help you find a place you like where you feel safe.

” I brushed my thumb across her cheek and smiled at her.

“Now let’s get you some food. You must be starving. ”

She climbed off my lap with a shy smile, carefully folding the blanket and setting it aside. Her movements were measured, deliberate, like she was trying to regain her equilibrium after our conversation.

When we stepped out of the truck, Venus and Piston were already lounging against their bikes. Oktober, Chains, Noose, and Griffin formed a loose perimeter around the truck and the gas pumps next to us.

Tillie’s eyes widened as she took in the gathering. “Are they all here for us?”

“For you,” I corrected, placing my hand at the small of her back. The gesture was both protective and possessive.

Venus pushed away from her bike and sauntered over, her pink hair gleaming under the harsh truck stoplights.

“So this is famous Tillie.” Her voice was surprisingly soft for someone with such a deadly reputation, her Russian accent evident but not so thick I couldn’t understand.

The smile she gave Tillie was warm and inviting, despite the freaky-as-shit pink eyes.

“This one” -- she nodded at me -- “called Knuckles S.O.S., demanding we send someone to your new house double time, to get him out of prison, and get him ride straight to you.”

Tillie started, her eyes widening as she swung her gaze from Venus to me. “What?”

“I know it sounds creepy, but I wasn’t about to let you get hurt if I could help it, Tillie.

” I wasn’t sure of how she’d take this part, but that wasn’t really what had me worried.

I knew I’d have to tell her, but I had thought I’d have time to figure out how to word my explanation.

Then I figured out what property Tillie had “purchased” and had to have Knuckles pull a miracle out of his ass.

Which he did. And, honest to God, there was never any doubt on my end.

I knew Knuckles would take care of everything I couldn’t.

“I called my president, and he took care of the rest.”

“But how could he get you out of prison?” She looked at me with hesitation but not fear. Just like a child might look at a doctor after he promises not to give the child a shot if he’ll cooperate. She trusted me but was suspicious.

“I’ll explain it all once we get back in the truck. Tiny is certain we won’t be followed, but I don’t like being stopped too long just in case.”

She nodded. “You’re right. And I trust you.

Even if this is kind of sounding a little creepy.

Sounds like you could have gotten out of prison any time you wanted.

I never kept my life secret. You knew where I lived.

Where I worked. You knew it all. If you meant me harm, you’d have done something long before now. ”

Venus gripped her shoulder in a gentle squeeze. “You keep believing in him, little sister. He is good man, if unorthodox.”

Tillie gave Venus a solemn look. “I know he’s a good man. He’s the only person in my whole life who’s ever taken up for me or cared if I was happy. He never let me leave our visits any way other than with a smile on my face.”

“These men at Kiss of Death make up their minds on spot. Expect Xavier to follow you around like puppy dog from here on out.” She winked at Tillie before sauntering back to Piston and looping her arm through his as they walked into the store.

I leaned in to kiss Tillie’s temple. “Come on, Miss Piggy.”

“Nope.” She shook her head almost violently. “Not happening.”

God, she was fun! “We’ll have to put it to a vote. You know. After I get someone to make you giggle-snort.”

“That’s diabolical.”

“Never said I played fair.”

“I’d be concerned if you tried to convince me otherwise.” Any suspicion or wariness she might have had earlier melted away and she gave me the brightest, most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.

God, I’d never wanted to kiss a woman more in my life!

I could almost taste her sweet lips, feel their softness against my own lips.

I even thought I could trust myself to keep things light, but I was not about to break my word two seconds after I made it.

Instead, I took her hand and tugged her toward the convenience store area of the truck stop.