Page 50 of Locke

“We don’t have time for this shit,” Hodge can’t hide the urgency in his voice. He’s right. We need to get out of here. Locke pulls back and pulls me out of Hodge’s arms and into his. Then he lifts me and carries me out of the alley behind the bar around front to the bikes.

“You’re gonna hold onto me, yeah?” I nod my head as he lifts me onto the bike before he climbs on, and like a baby monkey, I cling to his front.

He takes off, following the guys as we go. I breathe him in, loving the way he feels against me. I’ve missed this. Missed him. I need him in my life. There’s no doubt about that. Yeah, he fucked up, but we all do.

I stay clinging to him all the way to the clubhouse, and only when we arrive home do I let go. He climbs off the bike and helps me off when I see my dad. He looks concerned. Almost panicked. The others are outside waiting, too, even Duke.

“It’s okay. You’re safe,” Locke whispers near my ear. I turn my head and look up at him, unsure what to say here. I nod and turn back to my dad as he walks toward me. That’s when tears spring to my eyes. He grabs me, pulling me into a hug and holding me tightly.

“You’re alright, sweetheart. We’re gonna take care of that motherfucker once and for all.”

“I’m sorry,” I cry into his chest as he holds me.

“Don’t be. You had a hard time, and you needed a break. We all get that way. I should have had someone on you. That was on me. It’ll never happen again,” he tells me. My heart jumps in my chest as I cling to the man who has given me so much in life. The man who has always been there when I needed him.

“I won’t do it again.”

“Let’s get you inside,” he says. I nod my head and start to follow him, then immediately look for Locke. He’s talking to Hodge and Remy, but he must feel my stare because he turns his head, and our eyes lock. He nods once, letting me know it’s okay to go and that he’ll be coming. I give him a soft smile and allow my dad to lead me inside.

Everyone starts talking and going on about how they’re going to kill Spike for this, but I just need him. I need Locke. And just as he walks in, I turn and run into his arms. Tears fall down my cheeks as I hold on tightly. He lifts me in his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist.

“It’s okay, baby. I promise.”

“I can’t let you go.”

“You don’t have to. I’m not goin’ anywhere,” he tells me.

“Clean her up, Locke. We’ll talk tomorrow. For now, we’re lockin’ down the club,” my dad tells him. I don’t look up. I can’t. I can’t let go of him.

Locke says something I’m not listening to as he carries me toward the rooms. I keep my face nuzzled in his neck as tears continue to flow.

When he walks into the room, he closes the door behind him and sits on the edge of the bed with me still in his lap.

“I need to look you over. I need to see where the blood is comin’ from.” I shake my head, holding on tighter.

“I need this,” I tell him.

“I know you do, but if you’re bleedin’, I need to stop it.”

“I’m fine. Just hold me, Locke. Please.” And he does. He holds on tighter than he ever has before. He keeps his arms around me, keeping me pinned to his body when the words slip out of my mouth.

“I love you, Locke.”

Chapter 26

Locke

I froze. I fuckin froze when she said it. She pulled her head back and looked me in the fucking eyes, and I knew, fuck I knew she meant it. And I love her too. My heart and my head are at war over saying it back, though. I don’t want to lose her. I don’t want anything happening to her.

“Kiki, I-”

“You don’t need to say it back, Locke. I get it. I just needed you to know that.”

“That’s the thing. I wanna say it back. I do love you, Kiki. I never thought those words would leave my mouth again, but you … you’re everything to me.” she smiles softly at me before lifting her head and pressing her lips to mine. I let her kiss me. I let her take what she needs right now before I pull back and smirk at her.

“You’re hurt.”

“I’m fine.”

---