Page 24 of Flyboy's Nightingale
She turns to Candy, pointing at her. “I fucking told you something was up with her, and it wasn’t just because she was worried about little Miss Riley here.”
Candy smiles her ever so sweet smile, that doesn’t always meet her eyes. “What I want to know is how she is out here, and not locked in her room with two guards.”
“That’s a great question,” Vixen accuses, narrowing her eyes at the tiny redhead that’s now fidgeting with her hands, looking at the ground.
I shriek, mock-glaring at her. “You haven’t told him yet, have you?”
Lil’ Red throws her hands up, looking at the sky. “I’m not ready to be wrapped in bubble wrap and have who knows how many shadows for the next…forever. You all know that that’s exactly what's about to happen here.”
We all start laughing because she isn’t wrong. That is exactly what's about to happen when Duck finds out that she is about to have his baby. We turn, making our way to the large picnic tables that sit to the side of the club, near the playground that had just been started being constructed the last time I was here. Nostalgia mixed with jealousy settles hotly in my chest. There was a time my father’s club was like this, until the drugs seeped their way into every part of the club, turning what were good men into complete monsters.
Once everyone is seated, I exhale, trying to find the words that I need to tell these ladies what’s going on, when Blue bursts out the front door with several platters in her hands. She’s making her way over to us with a bright smile that grows even bigger when she spots me sitting at the picnic table.
“You did come. It’s so fucking good to see you, my love!” Blue chatters, placing the platters on the table while wrapping her arms around me from the back. “Lord, woman, you're going to waste away to nothing. We really need to feed you.”
“There is enough here that a few missed meals aren’t going to cause me to waste away,” I snigger, squeezing her arm.
Blue smacks me on my behind as she makes her way around the table, taking a seat with the rest of us. Once she’s seated, we all start making our plates and talking about everything that’s been going on in our lives since the last time I saw them, six months ago. I’ve only ever laughed this hard with Avery, and it’s been way too long since I’ve laughed and been this carefree. I hate that I’m going to ruin all the laughs we’ve been having with the shit that is taking over my life. I know that I’m going to be waiting until Blue leaves because her only answer will be to takeit to the guys, and I just cannot do that. Just as we finish eating, one of the two baby monitors goes off. Vixen turns to look at hers, seeing baby Torch standing in his baby bed, bouncing up and down.
“Oh, my perfect grandson is awake. You ladies continue having fun while I go and have some cuddles with that little angel.” Blue claps, standing and rushing into the clubhouse.
“That kid is not an angel, more like a little monster taking after his fucking daddy,” Vixen grumbles in mock irritation.
Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat, twisting my hands, trying to figure out where to start. Knowing that the very beginning, isn’t going to work, but they’re going to have to have enough to understand.
“Spit it out. The only place to start is where you can. Then you work your way through the harder parts,” Candy says out of the blue, shocking me when she reaches out and places her hand on mine.
I look up and into the faces of all the women around me, seeing nothing but encouragement.
“I cannot start at the beginning, that would open up cans of worms that no one is ready to deal with,” I state. clearing my throat, I sit taller. “I’m being stalked and followed. I know who the person is, and why they are here. I just don’t know what to do about it if I decide not to run again.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“You’ve been keeping this to yourself?”
“Why the fuck haven’t you said something?”
They all start talking over each other, looking shocked and worried. Shame and fear causes me to turn away, wrapping my arms around myself in doubt.
“No, no. We aren’t upset with you, just shocked. Finish telling us what you know and what you’re needing from us. Can I ask just one question?” Edge squats in front me so we areeye level. Nodding, I worry about what she could want to know. “Why didn’t you say anything to Flyboy or one of the other men?”
“To be honest, I shouldn’t be telling you ladies. The men cannot get involved in any way, please.” I beg her knowing what would happen if they were to even get a hint of what’s going on with me.
“Riley, we love you!” Vixen shouts, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “But you know that if there is something going on, the guys need to know in order to protect us. To protect everyone if this jackass is bringing trouble to our town.”
“That’s the thing. Don’t you see if they get involved I-I-I-I.” I start to stumble over my words as true fear erases all rational thought. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to any one of you, or the guys, and bad things will happen.”
I let it go. The anguish, heartbreak, torment, and anger burst out of me like a dam bursting free. The sobs rack my body. After all this time, I’m finally broken and too tired to keep fighting.
CHAPTER
FOURTEEN
Flyboy
Therapy was absolutely grueling.I’m fucking exhausted and ready for a fucking shower. I’m even more pissed off that Riley wasn’t there when I arrived. Avery said something about her having a lunch date. My willingness to continue therapy went out the fucking window. Only, Avery didn’t give a fuck and pushed me harder and harder. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything she has done getting me back on my feet and my hand working again.
When we pull back into the clubhouse, the angry cloud that is ever-present over my head lightens ever so slightly when I see her car sitting there. The prospect turns the cage off and opens the door, and that’s when I hear the sobbing. Looking over, I see all the women of the club gathered around someone. The long dark hair and curves I would know anywhere tells me the sobs are coming from the woman that haunts every moment of my being. Reaching over, I grab the crutches that I was approved to use today.
