Page 66 of Flyboy's Nightingale
“That’s what I like to hear. Anything else before we dismiss to get shit done?” Steel questions.
“I want Mouth Peace with me for this. I’ve got a feeling he’ll be a great asset for me,” I throw out.
Steel gives me a nod before banging the gavel, effectively ending church. Everyone stands, clearing out to go and take care of their tasks. I wait at the table for everyone to exit. Just as Mouth Peace goes to leave the room, I kick a chair out from under the table. He looks at it, then looks at me. I nod to the chair not saying anything.
“I don’t have to take orders anymore,” he states, crossing his arms over his chest.
“No you don’t. Take a seat so we can go over a few things,” I agree, realizing just how much shit this man took when it’s not in his nature to do so.
Slowly, the man takes the seat, watching me closely.
“First, I want to say thank you for takin’ care of Riley the way you have. I know I haven’t been the best or most pleasant, but I do appreciate it,” I confess.
Mouth Peace snorts, then conveys, “Fucking right you’ve been a complete dick.”
I chuckle, because the man no longer has to filter or try to mince his words.
“Fair enough! You’re in school to be a biochemist, correct?” Mouth Peace nods at my question. “Okay, here is what I need, and this is what the plan is.”
I spend the next twenty minutes talking over my plot for the pest problem, and how we plan to solve it before we head out to set the stage. That's exactly what this is going to be, the show of a lifetime.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Riley
Watchingas Flyboy makes his way out of the room, the events of the last hour come rushing back to me. The tears that never seem to stop falling these days, break free. Making my way over to the bed, I flop down, staring at the ceiling, letting the tears fall, washing away the many years of heartbreak, devastation, and fear that has been my life for so long. My gut tells me that when Flyboy returns, my immediate problems won’t be as severe anymore, and I don’t know where that’ll leave us.
Standing, I start to gather all my stuff. I want to be ready when he gets back and decides this is over now that I’m no longer in danger. I know in my heart and soul that I love this man. There will never be another who can compare to him. I don’t know how he feels. I know he talks pretty and says all the right things. What I don’t know, is how much of it is real or how much is to make sure I stay put. Just as I shove the last of my bathroom stuff in my travel bag, my phone starts vibrating on the bedside table. Rushing, I answer it without looking to see who it is.
“Hello?”
“Hey, girl! I need some girl talk before I kill this insufferable man,” Avery snaps into the phone.
I choke on the part laugh, part sob that gets stuck in my throat. “What has Ax done now?”
“What do you mean what has he done? What hasn’t he done?” Avery huffs.
“Avery, are you okay? You and Ax never go at it like this,” I wonder, her distraction helping to subside the flowing tears.
“He’s being completely crazy! He won’t let me go anywhere or do anything unless one of the guys is with me, and it’s making me crazy!” Avery is hysterical. I can picture her throwing her free hand into the air, pacing the room she’s in.
The already shredded part of my heart turns to dust, knowing I’m causing so much strain and stress in my best friend's life. I can’t give her any information; hell, Ax probably knows more than I do anyway.
“Avery, first, I need you to take a deep breath. Second, we both know that because of my past and family, you’re in danger. Ax would be lost without you. You know I’m right.” I’m sure to be stern but not mean.
Avery sighs, and the sound of her sitting in her office chair makes me smile. “I know you're right. I just miss you, and I’m so worried about everything, that having a man on me twenty-four seven is so hard.”
“It’ll be over soon, and then, we can go back to our normal, everyday lives. Going to brunch at Out of the Pan and Into the Fire, and wine induced sleepovers!” I put as much excitement and emphasis in my voice as I can possibly manage at this point.
“What're you talking about, woman? Your life is going to be different having that sexy as hell biker man all up in your stuff. Once this is all over, you’ll get to see what it’s like to try and bean independent woman with an Alphahole standing right behind you.” Avery chuckles at her own joke.
“I don’t know. What if this is all just an act to keep me here? When the danger is gone, is he still going to feel the same? Am I only in love with him because he is saving me?” The tears are back, causing me to growl in frustration.
“Wait, wait. Did you just say that you’re in love with him? Riley, that’s freaking amazing! Have you told him? What did he say? Give me all the details.” And just like that, my best friend's problems are forgotten and my love life is the center of attention.
I tell her everything that has happened since the last time I talked to her. We spend the time debating whether or not he loves me. She tries her best to convince me that Flyboy does love me and simply hasn’t figured it out.
