Page 42 of Pike

“He’s dealin’ with this shit,” he tells me.

“I know.”

“You can’t leave him.”

“I didn’t plan to.”

“That’s good. Really good. He’s gonna need you when he crashes, and I don’t know how long that’s gonna be, Feather.”

“I’m here, Mask. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Not even when he pushes you away?” he pushes. I know what he’s doing. He’s making sure I’m strong enough to handle this. To handle his rejection while he’s healing, and I am. I know I am. If I can handle Blake, I can handle Pike.

“Not even then. I can handle this,” I reassure him as tears still fall down my cheeks. I’m trying to be stronger and keep my head held high.

“He watched his friends, his family be killed tonight. I won’t go into detail, but he saw it all.”

“That’s not going to be easy to get past,” I warn him.

“I know that. That’s why I’m askin’ you if you’re strong enough to handle this. If you’re not, you need to go.”

“I got this. I can do this.”

“You’re a strong girl. Stronger than we gave you credit for. If anyone can deal with this, I’d say it’s you. He’s gonna push you away, Feather.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“You love him?”

“I think I do. I feel strongly for him, Mask. I don’t want to lose him either.”

“Then you do what you need to do. You force your way past the trauma and let him know you’re here.”

“I can do that.”

“Good. Go check on your man.” I nod my head and wipe the tears on the back of my hand before heading out of the office. I walk straight through the main room, catching some stares from the girls and a few guys as I make my way down the hall. I walk into Pike’s room as the guys turn to look at me.

“You shouldn’t be in here right now,” Free says as I hear the shower running.

“I’m not leaving.”

“Leave, Feather.” I shake my head.

“I’m not leaving.”

“He told you to leave,” Pike’s deep voice thunders through the room as I look over at him standing in the bathroom doorway. He’s in nothing but his briefs, bruises, and cuts across his body. I swallow hard as his eyes find mine.

“I’m not leaving, and that’s the last time I’m going to say it,” I tell him, holding my ground. In seconds, Pike has me pinned against the wall, his nostrils flaring as he stares down at me. The guys are at his back, trying to pull him away, but he’s focused on me.

“I said to leave.”

“I said no.”

“You’re makin’ a mistake, Jailbait.”

“No, I’m not. I’m making a choice, Pike.” His eyes flash with something dark, but he doesn’t let go of me even as the guys pull at him. His hands are clamped around my shoulders, pain shooting through my body, but I don’t move. I’m not going to either.

“Come on, Pike. Ease up, brother. You’re gonna hurt her.”

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