Page 76 of Saviors

My heart slammed into my ribs with such force I was waiting for one of them to break. Fear coated my mouth, making my tongue stick. My limbs screamed from being held tight for so long. Tears rolled down my cheeks from having my eyes glued shut.

I couldn’t look. Couldn’t breathe. The air around me was too fast, whipping across my skin.

This was a bad idea. So stupid. What made me think I could do this? Probably the same delusion that made me hook up with three guys.

I was in a full panic attack when I felt a warm palm on my calf. My body jolted. My fingers released, then tightened on Connor. I had a fistful of his shirt when I heard his voice through the speaker in my helmet.

“Breathe, little bloom. I’d never let anything happen to you.”

I didn’t know if I believed him, but my body did. My thighs and fingers loosened their grip. My eyes fluttered open as he ran soothing circles into my leg.

My heart rate slowed. The air flicked across my exposed skin. I could smell a freshness in it, like the grass when it rains.

The scenery flashed by. All I saw were shapes and colors. It was beautiful. It was as if I was looking at the world from the outside. From a place where I couldn’t be touched.

I felt free. Safe.

Soon, the surroundings changed from trees to buildings. The air turned stale as we drove through the city. I was starting to recognize places here. The community center. The street where the club was, but we didn’t turn towards them.

We kept going until we reached a building all by itself. Cars filled the parking lot more than seemed usual for a Thursday. As we pulled in, I saw the sign above the door.

My stomach lurched for a second when a memory hit me. The night they’d saved me, or maybe the day after. I wasn’t sure; it was all a blur. But I remembered the bright neon sign for this restaurant. Remembered my first bite of food in months that hadn’t been drugged take out.

The deafening sound of the motorcycle shut off. My muscles twitched from fear and the loss of the bike’s vibrations. My mouth watered. I hoped it was from the delicious scents carrying to me.

“Why did you bring me here?” My voice was muffled through the helmet I hadn’t taken off. I didn’t want to because I was praying we’d leave.

Connor’s fingers were warm as he pulled the strap at my chin. His touch sent a new vibration through me even as I tried to fight it. I didn’t resist as he drew the helmet over my head, setting it on the seat behind me.

His palms were comforting as he slid them through my hair, moving down to grasp my cheeks. His thumbs swept across them. “Because I know how you are about food and I trust the chef. He was one of our kids at the community center. That’s where he learned to cook. We helped him get the job before he aged out of foster care.”

“That was nice of you.”

He shrugged. “It was self serving. We love his food.”

His hands slid down to mine, and he pulled me from the motorcycle. I hid my smile as he led me to the door. They all pretended what they did wasn’t important. Saving me. Teaching the kids. They acted like everyone helped others. As if everyone was as good as them.

But I knew they were different. Their kindness couldn’t be found everywhere in the world. It was the first time I’d experienced it.

He pushed the double wood doors open, leading us into the restaurant. It was more upscale than I expected. The lighting and music were low, setting the ambiance. There were white tablecloths, lanterns, and wine glasses on every table. Each one was filled with couples in suits and dresses. Waiters walked around in vests and white shirts.

I felt out of place in my jeans and boots, but Connor had insisted since we were taking the bike. Eyes flicked our way as we were directed to a table in the back near the kitchen and bar. I’d seat us here too if I was the owner.

The glances didn’t stop as we read over our menus. I tried to ignore it, but my skin was buzzing from the attention. I was supposed to be in hiding. Staying away from anywhere Simon could see me until we found my brothers.

“We should go.” My voice shook as I whispered.

Connor’s eyebrows shot up as he set his menu down. “Why?”

“People are looking at me.” My heart beat faster as I saw their gazes quickly turning when they noticed us watching. “What if someone tells Sim-.”

“Violet.” He cut me off before I was forced to say the name. I hated even thinking it. “No one knows who you are. No one is going to hurt you. We won’t let them.”

It shouldn’t be that easy for him to calm me. But it was. I trusted them with my safety. My body. My life.

“Besides, they’re not staring at you. My brothers and I own a lot of businesses in the city. We’re well known.”

That made more sense. And if I saw him in a tight t-shirt stretched across his muscles with disheveled blonde hair, I’d be looking too. My pulse slowed as we placed our orders. When the waitress was gone, I focused on Connor again, vowing to ignore everyone else.

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