Page 9 of Thor

Viper releases her and she disappears down the hall yet again. I stand there nervously, awaiting what’s about to happen.

Chapter Six

THOR

Asudden splash of ice-cold water wakes me from my drunken slumber. I shoot off the bed, pissed and muddled. Opening my eyes, I’m met with a furious gaze from Cara.

“Get up and get dressed. Madison is here.”

Hearing Madison name crumbles all my anger and replaces it with disgust. Not for her but for myself. I’ve been living my life, running through women while she’s been antagonized for years at the hands of a man who took a hand in raising me.

My father passed away when I was two to cancer, so Thomas stepped up and helped raise me. I never would believe in a million years he could be capable of something like this. A year after I took off, I gained the courage to call him and ask him why he would hurt me this way. The fucker made it seem like Madison had chosen him because she wanted someone who was going to make something of himself.

After I graduated from high school, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my future. I’ve never been into school so when he tried to get me to go to college, I declined. Then he tried pulling me into politics with him and I absolutely did not want that. After many failed attempts, he let it go, telling me I was going to be flipping burgers for the rest of my life.

Now, I have learned just how far his betrayal went and that Madison was completely innocent. I can’t stand to even look at myself in the mirror.

I scowl up at Cara before lying back down on my now soaking-wet bed. I don’t care. This bed feels much like I feel on the inside. Cold.

“Get out, Cara,” I warn.

I hear her shuffle to the door and I’m a bit surprised it was so easy to get rid of her. Five seconds later, I’m scolding myself for foolishly believing it could be so easy when she throws another fuckin’ pot of water on me.

“I said, Get. Up.”

I’m off the bed and in her face in a second. Cara doesn’t flinch. Why should she? I would never raise a hand to Cara, but she could kick my ass, no doubt. Not because I’m still a bit drunk, but because the woman is trained in every martial arts you could think of. The guys and I know exactly what this little woman is capable of.

“Cara, just let me be!”

“No, I won’t. I love you and I’m not watching you drink yourself into an early grave! Yes, I completely understand how you feel, but that woman out thereneedsyou. Despite what she thought for the past ten years, she came here asking for your help. Don’t let her down by wallowing in your misery.”

My shoulders sag as tears burn my eyes. Cara quickly wraps me in her arms. “How was I so blind?” I croak out.

“Thor, anybody would have believed what you did. You didn’t have to guess what happened. You saw it. It just so happens it didn’t go down the way you thought. No one is blaming you. Thomas is responsible. As soon as you talk to Madison and clear the air, that motherfucker is going down.”

I chuckle and take a step back. She can go from comforting me to promising vengeance on my behalf in a second. Cara smiles up to me and pats my shoulder.

“Go get cleaned up. I’ll keep Madison company while she waits for you.” Giving her a skeptical look, Cara raises her hands in defense. “I promise not to do anything to scare her off.”

She turns away and walks out the door, and I get into the shower. The hot water is most certainly welcomed on my cold skin. I can’t believe she threw two pots of water on me. Then again, yes, I can. I know she was coming from a place of love and concern, so I can’t be too mad at her.

After I’ve showered, I trim down my beard and bring my hair back to life. The Ol’ Ladies are always trying to find out what I put in my hair, but it’s my little secret. After I’m satisfied with my appearance, I go into my closet to get dressed. Grabbing a gray t-shirt and a pair of jeans, I put them on, then throw my boots on and then my cut. As I step out of the closet, I turn back and eye the trunk that’s buried in the back. Quickly walking back inside, I open it and grab Madison’s helmet.

I kept all the things that reminded me of her. I couldn’t let her go completely. Over the years, I thought I would be able to trash it but every time I tried, I couldn’t do it. Locking up my room, I head for the common room with the pink helmet tucked under my arm.

Viper stops me as soon as I make it into the room. “Good to have you back, brother.” Clasping hands, he brings me in and slaps the back of my shoulder. Nodding, I search the room for Madison and spot her at the bar with Cara, Sara, and Bianca.

Blade and Bianca arrived late last night from their honeymoon, but I didn’t get to welcome them home. I was drowning in a bottle of Jack, trying to numb the pain. Sara taps Madison’s shoulder and whispers something to her. She turns and focuses on me.

Striding for her, I offer her my hand and help her off the bar stool. She gazes down at the helmet tucked under my arm and I watch her eyes gloss over. “You still have it?”

Shrugging my shoulders, my cheeks heat. “Can we go for a ride to talk?” Her face mirrors uncertainty and a bit of fear. “Maddy, it’s me. I would never hurt you.Ever.” Sighing, she nods and lets me lead her outside to my bike. She’s dressed perfectly for a ride. She is wearing a long-sleeve purple shirt and a pair of jeans paired with ankle boots.

After I strap her helmet on, I put mine on and straddle my bike. Madison hops on without guidance and wraps her arms around my waist. It’s like we haven’t missed a beat. She used to love riding on my bike. From the time I was sixteen and I got my first motorcycle, I would take her on rides almost every day.

We take off out the gate and I drive to the little creek where I go when I need a little quiet time. There’s hardly anyone ever there so we should be able to talk without distractions. After thirty minutes, we arrive at the spot, and I park my bike. Maddy hops off and I quickly follow suit. I open the saddlebag and grab the blanket I always keep in here for when I come to the creek. I lead her to the grass and spread the blanket for us to sit. We sit in silence for a few minutes before I say the words that hold no weight for what she’s been through.

“I’m sorry, Maddy.”

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