Page 9 of Wicked Revenge

I need to learn everything I can about how this town runs now. The last time I walked these streets freely, I was a naive child who couldn’t see past my own childish ideals. Seeing what I’ve seen, enduring what I have, I refuse to watch everything become a tumultuous disaster.

When I escaped, I didn’t look back, until now.

Hopefully, when Ella comes over tonight, she can give me the intel I need.

The spot where I park Nightshade comes into view. I’m glad this hidden path is even enough that riding her out here isn’t too dangerous. She isn’t really meant for off-road, but I’ll make do until I can freely drive in and out of town. Uncovering my bike, I smile to myself.

When Dax gave her to me, I was so intimidated. My confidence in myself was so low. Learning to master this bike gave it back to me. I became a completely different person when I let go of the fear holding me back. Riding her makes me feel free.

After I pull away the dense green brush covering her, I put my helmet on and roll her out into the pathway. Mounting her, I revel in the rush I feel. There is nothing else that compares to the feeling.

The smooth rumble of the engine vibrates between my thighs, sending that familiar thrill through my veins and washing over me like a comforting breeze.

The ride is kind of long, about five miles out of town, but it suits my needs. This far into the woods, I don’t have to worry about the small roar she gives when I take off down the path to my new cottage.

It’s quieter than most bikes; Dax modified it for me to keep me concealed while I’m hunting.

The sun has set a little deeper by the time my cottage comes into view, the tree’s thinning only slightly around it, but still it’s surrounded on all three sides by the forest, with the rocky river bank on the left side.

The ambiance of it looks like someone took a fairytale cottage straight out of a storybook and dumped it in the middle of the forest.

After pulling around to the shed and locking my bike up, I grab enough firewood from beside the shed to keep warm tonight before making my way inside the house. I’ll have to chop some more soon.

Winter isn’t here yet, but the nights still get pretty cold here in the fall.

***

The warmth of the fire from my room has trickled throughout my small cottage as I sit at the table in the kitchen, looking over my files on the town's criminal organization.

It’s getting close to two in the morning; Ella should be closing up Twisted pretty soon.

I’ve decided that even though I don't know her now, she was my best friend for eighteen years, and I need an ally in this town if I’m going to tear the corruption out from the root. I trust her, and I can’t really explain where I’ve been all these years without telling her everything that happened and what I’m doing here now.

The food I bought for the cabin when I came here has dwindled down to almost nothing. I had another apple when I got home and heated a lone can of soup from the bare panty. Grocery shopping has to happen soon.

Delivery isn’t an option, and shopping in town where someone might recognize me isn’t either. Maybe I can ask Ella to bring some tomorrow. I can’t exactly haul a lot of groceries on my bike anyway.

The roar of an engine coming down my driveway catches my attention. I blow the candles out on the table, plunging the house into darkness, and move to the window to take a peek.

One headlight tells me it’s a bike, the rider gets close enough for the moonlight to reveal to me it’s an opalescent white. It's a similar model to mine, but louder, and lacking the amount of modifications.

I grab my dagger from my thigh holster and ease to the front door. The darkness allows me to slip outside without being seen, just as the bike comes to a stop in front of the cottage.

I keep my back along the wall, my black hoodie and pants helping to conceal me in the darkness, as the driver dismounts and removes their helmet.

The long blonde braid that falls down her shoulder has me breathing a loud sigh of relief, and causing her to startle and drop her helmet as I emerge from the shadows, putting my dagger back in place.

“Fucking hell, Rae, I almost pissed myself!” Ella yells as she clutches her braid and tries to calm her racing heart. “What the fuck were you planning on doing, girl, stabbing me?”

“I didn’t know it was you,” I respond calmly, ignoring the stabbing remark she made. I don’t want her to fear me. “Come on in, I hope you brought some food because I’m fucking starving out here.” I turn around and head back inside to relight the candles on the table.

She stands there for a moment just staring at me, before reaching down to grab her helmet and securing it to her bike, then following me inside, and shutting the door behind her. She leans against it, her hand to her heart as she looks around.

She is still just as gorgeous as she was earlier, but now she wears a white leather jacket over her corset top. Her knee-high lace-up black boots and leather pants are still the same.

She takes a moment to gaze around the cottage, the interior following the color scheme of the exterior, with matte black on the smooth walls, and beige and gold patterns accenting the stunning woodwork and craftsmanship.

The kitchen cabinets and drawers are black wood with beige scrolling painted on the doors with shiny gold knobs, with the appliances in all black. The countertops are solid chunks of butcher's block stained black with gold accents on the edges and corners with the small kitchen table and chairs following the same theme.

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