Page 52 of Flyboy's Nightingale
“The problem lies that the one thing that could hurt me the most, is inside these very walls.” Riley’s words bring me up short.
I open my mouth to tell her I’ll never hurt her again, only I can’t find the right words to express that promise. I’m saved from saying anything when my phone starts ringing beside me. I pick it up to see who it is, mildly annoyed when I see that it’s Pretty Boy. Thinking back to his surely demeanor and bad attitude lately, I check my own shit before answering.
“Hey, brother, what's going on?”
“Prez has called church,” Pretty Boy snaps.
“What the fuck? We just got out of church!” Adrenaline pumps through my system with the order because something has to be seriously wrong for us to be called back after such a short period of time.
“Look, asshole, I'm nothing more than a messenger. If you want answers, call someone who cares enough to answer those questions. Right now, it’s not me. So, get your ass to church ASAP.” Pretty Boy hangs up without another word spoken. I pull my phone from my ear, looking at it in disbelief.
“What’s happened?” Riley’s voice brings my eyes from my phone and over to her.
“Something’s gone down. We’ve got church,” I tell her, swinging my legs off the bed.
“That can’t be good seeing as you guys just got out of church a couple of hours ago.” I look over my shoulder when Riley is done speaking, seeing her wringing her hands together in her lap, reminding me that even though she’s faced so much turmoil in such a short period of time, she’s still feeling terrified.
“Riley, church can be called for any reason. From something to do with the shooting this morning, out of town brothers coming in, to bringing in someone new.” I decide to let her in just a little more. “What is it you think the club does?”
Her eyes snap up from her lap with a shocked look, sputtering, “What any club does that holds the amount of power as yours does.”
“Yes, we do things that are considered morally gray, but the main focus of this club is to help people in need, as well as run several businesses in the area that bring in pretty good money for us. However, we also provide security to people for things that others might want,” I clarify for her.
“Well then, I better stop being so self-centered and focused on myself so that you can get to church,” she whispers, giving off the vibe of a child being reprimanded.
Prez’s words hit me in the chest, making it ache. This woman is way too good for me, hell, she’s too good for the world at large much less this life we lead. She honestly believes that everyone's life and happiness is more important than her own. I shouldn’t lay my claim on her, bringing her back into a life that she’s worked so hard to get away from, only I’m not like her; I’m a selfish bastard.
“Hey! It’s okay to think about yourself. To put yourself first. So, if this has anything to do with you, I’ll tell you what I can. Now, I’m headed to church. When you’re ready for company, text one of the girls to hang out with you.” Leaning over, I kiss her gently on the forehead before taking her lips in a long fiery kiss.
Reluctantly, I pull away before I get carried away. “A man could get lost in you and those lips. I’ve got to get going. If you need anything, text one of the Ol’ ladies or a prospect. Got me?”
“I got you! I’m fine, I promise.” Riley’s shyness is such a contrast to everything about this place.
I finally work my way off the bed and onto my crutches, heading out the door. Time to go see what fresh hell is coming our way.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Riley
I watchas Flyboy leaves the room, fighting the anxiety escalating through me. I can do this. I’m safe in his room and no one is going to hurt me.
“Yeah, there was a time you believed that somewhere else, too,” the snarky bitch in my head snaps.
The thought brings a storm of memories and emotions that I’ve been able to keep locked away for so long I could almost pretend that they never existed in the first place. Laying back on the bed I close my eyes and relax into the pillows. I’m praying that this time I can work through the anxiety enough to be able to handle things better.
The first time the VP of my dad’s club snuck into my room. The first time my piece of shit sperm donor didn’t protect me. The first time doing unspeakable things to me was a game to the men of the club. Memory after memory assaults me as I let the tears fall. Tears that I’ve been holding onto since the day I ran like the hounds of hell were chasing me. Time washes awayas tears cascade down my cheeks, taking the pain from the past with them one salty drop at a time.
A soft knock at the door turns the overflow of memories into a tsunami that’s been trying to pull me into the undercurrent. I don’t move from my position nor call out to the person on the other side pounding away on the door. I just lay there, praying that whatever comes next doesn’t break me beyond the point of no return. The door silently drifts open before quietly closing again, my body goes stiff when the bed dips. Closing my eyes I try to figure out how I could’ve been so damn stupid and react accordingly to someone coming into the room uninvited. After long moments where nothing happens, I turn to look at the person behind me to find Lil’ Red laying there.
She gives me a soft smile, and the look in her eyes is the same shattered look I’ve seen reflected back at me when I look at myself in the mirror. Lil’ Red reaches out pushing my hair from my face. The soft, kind touch is the last piece my emotional wall needed to crumble.
“It’s okay. You have to let it out before you can heal and move forward.” Lil’ Red’s melodic voice wraps around my wounded soul, providing a small balm.
The sobs rock through my body so harshly that I can’t get any words out through my chattering teeth. Lil’ Red sits up, repositioning us to where my head is laying in her lap. She softly and slowly starts combing her hands through the strands of my hair. The silence is comforting, and I allow myself to grieve all the things I’ve lost and had stolen from me.
“I know that I don’t know the entirety of your story but what I do know, and what I see in you, I can guess the hardships you’ve lived through. I want to tell you a little about my story. Is that okay?” Lil’ Red utters, never stopping her movements.
