Page 30 of Striker

I sobbed out an ‘I love you too,’ and hung up.

Ten minutes later, Striker was by my side in Billy’s room. Doctor Hank had told him everything. “I just don’t understand how he got past everyone. What the fuck!”

I put my hand on Striker’s arm, my touch calming him down, “I told you. Danny has connections. He probably paid somebody to do it. He doesn’t like to get his hands dirty.” I turned to Billy and checked his monitors. “How are you feeling, big guy?” He smiled up at me; then, quickly put his head down when Striker growled at him and gave Billy a dirty look. I turned and pointed my finger at Striker, the other hand on my hip. “Cut the shit. If you can’t behave yourself, you can leave the patient's room. Are we clear?”

Striker’s eyes got dark, and a devilish grin spread across his face, “Yes, ma'am.” He winked and sat back, legs spread wide, hands laid across the back. I turned back to Billy as I tucked the blanket around him.

“I’m good, Lilah. I just want to go home and rest. I hate hospitals, no offense.”

I just laughed and turned to Doctor Hank. “What do you think, Doctor? I’ll stay at the clubhouse tonight. So, if anything happens, I’ll be right there.” Billy looked up at the Doctor, big pleading eyes, like a little kid begging their parents for candy.

Doctor Hank just laughed and shook his head. “Vitals look good, boy. So, I’ll allow it, but only because you’ll be in capable hands.” He glanced in my direction with a twinkle in his eyes. “Lilah is the best I’ve ever seen, so you can trust her.” He was smiling like a proud parent.

Blushing, I twisted my hands together, “Thank you, Doctor Hank. I truly appreciate the kind words.

We had all of Billy’s paperwork ready for discharge as I wheeled him toward the entrance. One of the other Prospects brought his truck up so we didn’t have to walk too far. “Alright, Billy, you are to go straight to the clubhouse and get right in bed. My brothers will be checking in on you and waking you up every few hours just to make sure you’re okay. I’ll be there in a little bit to check in on you too!” I patted him on the arm and headed back inside.

Striker stood inside waiting for me with all my things. “Uh thanks, but I still need to finish up.”

He stretched out his arms to hand me my bag and helmet. “Nope. Doc said you’re good to go, babe. Let’s go.”

I was a little taken aback, and a little annoyed. “Look, I appreciate the help but I like to finish things at work on my own. I’m a big girl and don’t need you to do every little thing for me. And I certainly don’t appreciate you getting all grizzly on my patient. So you can wait right here while I make sure MY staff is all set.”

I turned on my heel and stomped toward the nurses’ station. I know Striker meant well, but I wasn’t going to put up with that macho-man bullshit. I was more than capable of doing my job and had a certain way I liked to do things.

After checking in with my nurses and Doctor Hank, I was satisfied enough to leave. My temper had cooled down and I felt bad about how I treated Striker. I grabbed a sorry card and his favorite candy bar from the gift shop and headed outside.

Leaning on his sleek, black Harley, was my knight in shining leather. Striker was up against his motorcycle, his black hat was backwards, jeans hugging his legs just right. His black boots were cleaned up and shined like the night stars. Striker had on his leather club vest over a blue flannel, making his baby blue eyes pop. He was a tall drink of water and boy was I thirsty.

Walking over, I handed over the card and candy bar. “Here. This is me eating crow. I’m sorry for the way I acted. Everything is so stressful and I shouldn’t be taking that out on you. So, Striker, I am sorry I was kind of a bitch to you. Forgive me?” He glared at me, those blue eyes staring into my soul. I looked down at the ground, hands twisting around each other.Did I just mess everything up?I finally had Striker back in my life and I was pushing him away. Pushing him away because I was scared. Pushing him away because my feelings for him were so overwhelming. He had scaled my walls and broken them down. My soul felt at home with him and that scared the shit out of me.

“Little Lark, I love you, no matter what. Even when you are grumpy, hangry, sad, mad, happy, all of it. You didn’t have to do this, babe. It’s all good. So let’s get on this motorcycle and get out of here.” Striker smiled and reached his hand out to mine, handing me my helmet.

I threw myself into his arms, “God I love you so much.” I pressed my lips against his, my arms around his neck. Striker laughed and placed my helmet on my head as I pulled away.

“Come on, Little Lark. We need to make one stop before the clubhouse, okay?” He turned the key and the engine roared to life. I nodded and wrapped my arms around his waist. Striker patted my thigh and we were off.

We had pulled up to the lake and Striker led me down to the old wooden bench. The stars and moon were bright above us, covering the night sky like a blanket. They gave a soft glow to everything around us. Striker held my hand and then got up, fidgeting all around. “Levi Daniel Walker! What is going on with you today? You are acting like a crazy person!” He put his hand in his pocket, moving it all around. Taking a deep breath, he slowly got down on one knee in front of me. My heart started to beat faster as he cleared his throat and gazed up at me.

“Lilah Rose Crawford, my Little Lark. I knew from the moment I saw you, that I was going to have you in my life forever. Even as a kid, I couldn't imagine my life without you. You make this big, badass biker fall to his knees in awe of you. Nobody else has that power, but you. Look, I know there will be some tough times, but I want you by my side through it all. I know if I don't ask you to be my wife, I'll regret it for the rest of my life. You are the only one for me. Lilah, you are my everything. You tame my wild cowboy side, make me strive to be a better man, make me want to do everything in my power to make you as happy as a lark. You are my dream come true and I will never let you go again. So, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me, Little Lark?”

Striker held out a small wooden box and slowly opened it. Sitting on top of a small cushion made of flannel, sat the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. Rose gold with a huge diamond in the middle. The diamond was surrounded by a halo of smaller ones, the delicate band had the smallest diamonds down both sides.

“It was my Ma’s ring. Pop gave it to me this morning. The flannel is from one of your Pop’s shirts. Your Ma helped me out with that one.” Tears started running down my cheeks as I looked down at him.

I collapsed to my knees, hands over my mouth, “Oh, Levi! Yes! Of course!”

He wrapped me in his arms, kissing me over and over. “Here try it on. Pretty sure your ring size hasn’t changed.”

Puzzled, I glanced up at Striker. “What do you mean?” He kissed my forehead again and sat me up on the bench next to him. Slipping the ring on my finger, he took my hands in his.

“I was gonna propose when you turned eighteen. I had it all planned out and then... well, you know. But it all worked out in the end, didn't it?” He gazed down at me, all the love I could imagine sparkled in his eyes.

“Yes it did. It certainly did, babe.” I kissed him again before he pulled back laughing.

“Let’s get back to the clubhouse. Everybody is waiting for us. They all knew and are dying to hear your answer.”

I threw my head back and laughed, “Of course they knew! Let’s go celebrate the good news, cowboy.”

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