“No, I don’t want you to explain, just get the fuck out of my room now.” I look directly into those damaged eyes. ”I don’t want you near me, ever,” I say calmly, hoping to get my point across. He just stands there, looking dumbfounded.
I push him at the door, trying to hold back my tears. “Get out, biker trash” I yell, noticing in my time of distress I sound exactly like my mother, and damaging my ego that much more. ”I will not be your shiny new toy whenever you’re bored.” I slam the door in his face.
I lock the door and slump to the floor. How could I be so naive? Did I really think that just because I gave Shadow my virginity that we would somehow be a couple now; that he would suddenly care for me? Man, I’m clueless. I was just new ass to him; a game. His words from our first kiss instantly play in my head, “But in reality, you could never be mine.” I am so angry at myself, how could I see Shadow as anything less than a playboy. Why would he want someone like me, when he had biker babes dropping their panties for him?
“Whats going on out here?” I could hear Bull through the door.
“Eh, she’s not happy I have to follow her around everywhere,” Shadow says. What? This is news to me. Why does the asshole have to follow me around everywhere? As if I wasn’t humiliated enough, now I have to endure being around him 24/7.
“Yeah, I didn’t think she would be happy about it,” Bull proclaims. ”Her mother will be even more pissed.”
“Dani, open up.” Bull demands.
I sit here against the door, ignoring his request. I need time to process everything, alone.
“Darlin, I just need to make sure you're safe. Not only from your mother's shithead boyfriend; we have enemies too. It’s just safer this way. Shadow won't mess with you. If he does he will answer to me.” His voice is sincere; he's just trying to make sure I stay safe. I still can’t bring myself to respond, all I want is to scream.
Now is when I wish I had a best friend; someone I could spill out everything to. They could tell me what to do. I’m sure my shrink, Victoria, would have a field day with all this information. I have to get myself together; I can't let Shadow or that whore, Candy, see how distraught I am. I knew when I let him take me, it might end badly. In all honesty, I would rather live with this regret, than to never have had the experience. I've felt so alive being with Shadow. It is going to be hard going back to the numbness that succumbed me before.
Apparently the safe house has been cleaned and readied for our arrival. I use the time cramming my dirty clothes back into my suitcase to steady my breathing and calm down. I don't know how long I'm going to have to endure Shadow as my bodyguard, but I know I need to keep my wits about me. I go to my mom's room to check on her but she's still trying to gather up all her belongings, so I head out to the parking lot alone.
As I approach the vehicle taking us to the safe house, a blond, curly haired guy with tattoos all up his arms reaches out for my bag. A tattoo on his left hand catches my attention: TCB. My eyes widen; my body goes stiff. This is the guy I used to make Shadow jealous last night; Bobby, if I remember right.
“Well, hello there.” He’s charming, like all of the bikers I've met so far.
“Uh, hello,” I respond, unsure if he recognizes me and feeling like a complete idiot. He has light blue eyes and little freckles here and there across his cheeks. He’s pretty. Yes, a pretty boy. Bobby looks like he belongs on the cover of a magazine despite the tattoos and biker aura. Looking at the knock out grin, I'm sure he is just as much of a panty dropper as Shadow.
“I got her bag, Bobby. Thanks.” Shadow comes up behind me, taking the suitcase from Bobby’s hands. The man is relentless. What did he not understand about stay away from me? What is his angle, to try and keep me as his shiny new toy, or did he feel sorry for me? Either way, I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction!
“I can handle it myself, thank you very much.” I grab the suitcase from Shadow, who won't let go.
“Give me the damn suitcase, Dani,” he barks, with cold finality in his voice.
Bobby’s mouth raises into a Cheshire cat grin. “Trouble in paradise?” he asks amusingly, staring at both of us. I’m sure we look a mess, playing tug of war with a pink suitcase.
“Fine, take it,” I say, letting go. Growling within his muscled chest, Shadow throws my bag in the back of the SUV.
“Can one of you make yourselves useful and grab my bag, it's heavy,” my mother interrupts, stumbling out of the clubhouse doors.
Shadow and Bobby eyeball each other before Bobby gives in and grabs her bag.
My mother and I settle into the back seat as Shadow and Bobby straddle their bikes behind us. The prospect with the Mohawk who brought us from the airport is behind the wheel of the SUV again.
“What’s your name,” I ask, tapping him on the shoulder. “You have driven us around twice now and I still don’t know your name?” I'm surprised at my sudden boldness.