Page 66 of I Promise You
“Buenas noches, ladies. You ain’t gotta tell me twice,” Texas says through a smirk while he takes off his mask. His black wavy hair is ruffled up, playing with a toothpick in his teeth. He grabs his camouflage ball cap, with the Texas flag displayed in the center of it, from his bag, placing it on his head before walking out.
“All right, Grim, just let me know if I have to come back.” I yawn, straightening my back before swinging my rucksack over my shoulders as I exit the conference room.
Then Creature follows behind, and Rooker and Grim are left alone. As soon as we leave, the Admiral walks into the building. He’s dressed casually in sweatpants and a dark navy-blue shirt.
He tilts his head, acknowledging us, as he swings the entrance door to the building open.
“Good job tonight, boys. Get some rest.”
Creature and I nod in his direction. He makes his way into the conference room with Grim and Cobra without another word. In some ways, the admiral is just like Danny, always serious and never knows when to stop working.
The December air is cold and fresh. The temperature is still manageable. My combat boots thud over frozen grass, the moon lighting up my all-black bike.
I throw on my bike helmet and start it. The engine rumbles and I race out of the parking lot.
The wind hits me like waves as I drive. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers play through the system as I speed my way home.
It’s around three in the morning and there’s hardly any traffic. I exit base, passing by the gate guards, going down the empty highway.
When I get off the highway, I stop at a red light and plant my feet back on the ground, waiting for it to turn green. I stare at the lights and feel my eyes growing heavier.
I’m so fucking tired…I hadn’t realized it when I was at work, but now it’s taking over me like a drug. I shake my head to wake myself up.
Finally, it turns green, and I shake my body as a cold shiver runs down my back.
I need to get home and rack out; my date with vodka would have to be postponed.
As soon as I accelerate, I don’t even pass the other side of the intersection.
Before I realize what’s happening, my world spins like a carnival ride at the local fair. I feel a harsh impact, and I’m off my bike, my body and bike floored, scraping and skidding on the road.
I roar in agony as I feel a burning sensation through my body, over my clothes.
Sharp pain shoots through my nerves, and I feel like I was just hit by a car. It felt like I was gutted in the stomach, making it hard to breathe, and the last thing I heard before the devastating impact was tires screeching.
There’s broken glass everywhere and my bike sits next to me.
As the adrenaline courses through my veins, I’m scared to move. I just got hit by a car and I don’t know the extent of my injuries.
I keep reminding myself to stay calm as I take off my broken helmet with trembling hands. The glass in it has shattered and I can feel one of my eyes swelling already, as if I’m about to have a black eye.
I blink three times, hoping it’ll make everything stop spinning. My vision is solid, and I’m good to fucking go.
“Holy shit,” I groan.
I’m alive…
I’m still alive.
I don’t know how, but I’m thanking God for that, but my solace is short-lived.
I throw my helmet to the side as I lie on my back, trying to catch my breath. I can hear someone walking toward me, but why aren’t they apologizing? Why aren’t they freaking out like any other average person who hits someone in an accident?
They hike over the glass and broken motorcycle parts, and I try to sit up to greet the person who just hit me with their car.
I’m halfway up before a heavy boot is pressed on my chest and I’m pinned to the ground.
“What the fuck!” I growl and grab onto their feet, ready to twist it off me.
