Page 53 of Locke

“Good.”

“Yeah, let’s get out of here. I’ll have someone clean this up,” Gunner announces. I nod and pull a cigarette out before lighting it up. Blood stains my hands, but I don’t have it in me to care. He’s dead. That’s all I care about right now.

Chapter 27

Kiki

I think the hardest part of all of this is waiting when the guys go out on a run or out to handle something. It’s stressful.

I woke up alone, and I knew he had left. I didn’t need to ask, but I did anyway, and all I was told was they had a lead on Spike. That stressed me out even more. I don’t know what’s happening. Hodge and Dad both left with him, from what I was told.

“You okay?” Duke asks.

“Do I look okay? I’m stressed, Duke,” I whine.

“I know you are, but they’ll be fine. They have this handled.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m the old wise one, that’s how. You know I’ve known your dad since he was a kid? I watched him grow into the man he is today.”

“Really? I never knew that.”

“He don’t tell anyone much of anything. He was a wild child. Much like you,” he laughs.

“I’m not wild. I just made bad decisions.”

“But those decisions brought you back here, yeah?” he asks.

“I suppose they did,” I tell him with a smile.

“We’re all glad you’re here. I know your dad is, for sure. You make this place better.” His words make my heart swell.

“Don’t get all girly on me, Duke,” I laugh.

“Never, sweetheart. I’m just tryin’ to tell you that this is home no matter how hard it gets. You’ll always belong here.” I lean and hug him now, holding him tightly.

“Thanks, Duke. I appreciate that.”

“Well, I know things haven’t been easy with Locke, but I know that man cares about you. You can see it in his eyes. He’s just a little rougher around the edges, yeah?”

“Yeah, he is, but I love him, Duke. I wasn’t sure I could love anyone, but I feel it.”

“Then you hold onto that, darlin’. You keep him by your side.” The door opens, and the guys begin to filter in, laughing and talking. I watch them, wondering what happened. Then I see him. Locke is covered in blood, while the others aren’t. My mouth falls open as I take him in. Then his eyes find mine. And they lock there.

“Go to your man.” Duke gives me a nudge. I climb off the stool and walk toward him slowly, still taking him in as he eyes me back. The guys all split and let me through and then I’m standing right in front of him.

“You’re covered in blood,” I say as he looks down at me.

“Not all mine.”

“What does that mean? You’re bleeding?”

“Not much,” he answers, keeping his eyes on mine.

“Where?”

“Doesn’t matter.” He leans down and lifts me in his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist and hold onto him as he stalks through the main room and down the hall. We’re in his room in seconds, the door slamming behind us. Then he’s kissing me, and I don’t know if it’s his blood or Spike’s I taste, but I don’t pull away. I kiss him back, loving every second of it.

---