Page 43 of Wicked Oath

We go to the road and I just stare at his bike, feeling a bit panicked. “I’m sorry, I…”

“Don’t apologize,” Viper says before picking me up and sitting me on the back of the bike. When he gets on, Talon walks over to us.

“You okay?” Talon asks me.

“Yeah,” I say, and he narrows his eyes at me.

“I’m a bit panicky, but I’m okay,” I clarify.

“Well, just hold onto him and he will get you home as soon as he can, okay?” Talon says.

“What if they come after us?” I ask.

“He’ll keep you safe,” Talon says. “Get going, y’all. I’ll see you soon.”

“Be safe,” Viper says to Talon as he starts his bike. I whine and wrap my arms around Viper, laying my head on his back. Talon rubs my back for a second before stepping back and letting Viper take us back the direction that we came from.

I clung to Viperthe entire trip back to the house. I was so afraid of that car coming back, but they didn’t. The trip was nearly uneventful. I all but ran inside and now I am on the verge of a breakdown as I try to get my riding gear off. Viper is in the bedroom and leaning against the doorframe, watching me.

“Do you need help?” he asks simply.

“No,” I snap at him, but then immediately feel bad. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” he smiles softly.

“Fuck. Why is this so hard? Why can’t I get these goddamn pants off?” I ask, nearly yelling.

“It’s because you are shaking, Laney,” he says.

I try to get the button undone, but just scream when I can’t. “Goddamn it!”

“Alright. Stop,” Viper says. “Let me help.”

“Jude,” I sigh.

“Hush,” he says as he pulls my hands to my side and unbuttons the pants.

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“Anytime,” he says. “Step out.”

I step out of the pants, and he lays them across the armchair before unzipping my jacket and helping me out of it. I sit down and start taking my boots off but he kneels down in front of me and starts untying them. “Talon said… well, maybe I shouldn’t bring that up,” I say, but stop myself.

“What?” he asks.

“He said you lost your girlfriend a few years back?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he sighs and takes one boot off. “Charlotte was a sweet woman. I fucked up and we wrecked.”

“How… did she die?”

“A broken neck and brain bleed,” he says. “When the bike went down, she slammed into a tree.”

“Oh fuck,” I say. “I’m so sorry. Is that why you seem off?”

“Mhmm,” he says unconvincingly as he pulls the other boot off.

“I think I just want to get changed and lie down,” I sigh.

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