Page 164 of Straight to Me

“If you’re having sex, I’ll kill you for answering. You dirty bitch,” Bex says.

“Stop!” I’m not sure who I’m talking to.

“Look, Jess and I will pick you up in two hours. Be ready to hike.” She hangs up.

I drop the phone to the bed, arching my back as his fingers start entering me again. “I should punish you for answering that.”

I smile enjoying every movement he makes.

“Shut up and make me come, slave.”

Bending over the sink, I spit out toothpaste and rinse my mouth, knowing full well what I’m doing. I can feel him hardening again as he begins kissing my neck stood behind me. “If I didn’t have to be somewhere today, I’d keep you bent over that sink.” I smile teasingly in the mirror at him.

“I need to get ready,” I say laughing, turning to the shower. “Where’re you going today?” I ask, stepping in and turning on the water.

Dean picks up a towel, wrapping it around his wet body as I let the water run over my head. “If I tell you it’s nothing, would you accept that as an answer?” I rub at the condensation on the glass pane to stare at him pointedly. “Didn’t think so.”

He rubs his head dry with another towel, shaking off any extra water.

“What is it?” I push.

“Me and Rocco have a sit down with the Sodom Saviours today.” Palpitations pop in my chest instantly. That is definitely notnothing. “A mutual friend tells us they’re willing to negotiate. I’ll be at the clubhouse all day talking them out of their retaliation.”

“How?” I can’t believe we’re having this conversation as I lather my hair with his shampoo, taking an extra moment to breathe the scent in before closing the cap.

“Best guess? We offer them something they can’t refuse, in exchange for peace.”

“Will they stop wanting you dead?”

He sprays himself with deodorant so casually, I can’t believe the calmness he has while talking about this. “They’ll never stop wanting me dead, Mads. Look, don’t worry. I gave Travis the morning off as you asked but this is good, it means I can keep you and everybody else safe if a deal is struck. I messaged Jess saying where’s likely to be safest for your day out today. All you need to do is call me or Travis if you need us.”

I can’t tell if the hot water is adding to or calming my nerves. “Don’t worry? Normal people get told not to worry about running out of milk or being late for work. You’re asking me not to worry about men wanting you dead.”

“You’re not normal people anymore, babe.” He leans his head round the glass. “If that scares you, tell me now so you can go back to normal, otherwise you’ve got me forever, abnormal and all.”

Holding his mum’s necklace in my fingers, I consider what this ultimatum means. His eyes move to watch my hand. I realise there’s still a lot for us to talk about but I’m sure of my answer. “Forever,” I say, stepping towards him and kissing his lips where I leave bubbles on his face.

He smiles resting his forehead to mine. “I love you. Enjoy your day. I’ll call you later.” He winks at me then leaves the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Jess pulls up in her car outside VP’s place. I straighten my backpack over my shoulders, ready for a girls' adventure day out.

When Bex says ‘hike’ she usually means short walk with a boozy lunch. Considering Jess is driving and Bex is almost eleven weeks pregnant, I can’t see myself being the only one drinking fizz with my sandwiches. Therefore, I wore my camping boots, one of Dean’s jumpers and my winter body warmer ready for some actual walking.

I have no clue where VP suggested we walk as we drive out of town. However, a major giveaway that he knows people out here, comes from the pub we park at. Sporting Harleys out front, the pub looks exactly like the kind of place he and Travis would ride to. I’m guessing he knows people inside as well. We don’t stop inside though, instead we park up and gather our bags before heading out for our hike.

Over fields we walk, following footpaths and climbing gates to the very top of Pendle Hill. The scenery quite literally takes my breath away; miles and miles of roaming countryside elegantly lit by the glowing sun.

We stop for lunch at the top where we picnic near other ramblers, all enjoying the weekend air like us. “So, how’d it go last night?” Jess asks, passing me the flask of hot chocolate she brought with her.

“Fine. We made up.”

“We know that, you little minx! I told Jess about you answering the phone this morning during sex.” Bex scrunches her nose laughing at me.

“How did you know I was having sex?” I smile bashfully.

“Oh, please, Madison. It’s written all over your face. You did lots of making up, didn’t you?” She smiles raising her eyebrows at me. Her cheeky face makes me break, laughing as she and Jess sit closer wanting all the details.

“We did lots of making up, alright. We didn’t really get a chance to talk about anything, but we’re better off together. That’s all we need to know.”

---