“Thank you, doc. I really appreciate it. Here take this.” I hand him an envelope of cash that I got out of my safe earlier. Thanking me, he turns and walks out the door.
“Alright, we going to race there?” I ask, grabbing my keys, but Damien yanks them from my hand.
“Oh, you got jokes today, huh?” He chuckles, holding my keys in the air just out of my reach.
“I will fucking stab you, give me my keys.” I raise a brow and jump into the air to reach them. He just tosses them over to Reyes, then looks down at me and grins, then leans in.
“Don’t forget, Little Viper, I love when you get stabby. Seeing you bleed is my favorite thing. Maybe I should let you make me bleed next time,” he whispers, moving my hair away from my face and sucking the sensitive spot on my neck.Fucking Christ. No panties are safe anymore.
“Fine, you can drive.” I roll my eyes and walk to the garage door.
“I knew you’d see it our way, Babygirl.” Reyes chuckles, hot on my heels as we walk into the garage.
“You know I will drive again, right? For fuck’s sake you guys, I’m okay. I can still shift gears, especially now that the damn cast is off. I don’t see the big deal,” I say and slide into the passenger seat of my own fucking car.
“We know you CAN, baby. It’s just the fact that we can drive you too, so just let us. Please?” he says, shutting my door as Damien gets in the driver's seat, starting up the car and rolling the window down.
“See you there?” I ask with a raised brow as Reyes leans into the window.
“Always, Babygirl. Anywhere you are is where I’ll be.” He smashes his lips to mine and immediately pushes his tongue past my lips. Sucking his tongue into my mouth, he groans and pulls away. “Be safe. I love you.” And hearing those three words again gives me butterflies.
“I love you too, Loverboy,” I reply, and it puts the biggest grin on his face. He pushes off the car and walks to his truck.
Looking over at Damien, he has the cheesiest grin on his face.
“What the fuck is that look?” I smile over at him.
“I know we’ve said this time and time again, but it’s just nice to see him happy. See you happy, and fuck, it’s just nice to be happy for once in my life,” he replies, putting his hand on the top of my thigh and squeezing as he backs out of the garage and pulls down the driveway.
“It is, huh! I feel guilty because Luis isn’t here. Surely he knows we’re doing everything we can to save him though, right? I wouldn’t ever leave him behind, or any of you for that matter,” I say, looking at him while he drives.
“We all know that. One day at a time, Angel. Today safe houses, to put your mind at ease, and if you want to talk about those nightmares, just know you can always talk to us,” he replies, glancing over at me.
“I know. I just need to make sure everyone is safe first. Then maybe we can talk about it,” I say and turn to look out the window, watching the lines on the road as we drive, not wanting to think about the nightmares.
Before I know it, we’re pulling through the gated compound, and the same ole’ security guard Ramone is standing at the gate. Damien rolls down the driver's window. The guard looks over at me sitting in the passenger seat and doesn’t even say anything. Just waves us through with a smile on his face.
“You just are VIP wherever you go, huh?” Damien chuckles, pulling through the gates as they open, Reyes pulling in right behind us.
“Duh,” I sass, then flip my hair and laugh.
So far, everything seems normal here, and the kids are out playing like always. The coming and going doesn’t seem off. Maybe it was just a nightmare, nothing to stress over. Damien parks the car, and Reyes parks his truck next to us. Before I can open my door, he hops out and opens it for me.
“Chivalry isn’t dead.” I chuckle, and he just rolls his eyes, grabbing my hand and helping me out of the car.
“Never for you, Babygirl.” He smiles as Damien walks around the back of the car.
“Alright, you lead the way, Angel,” he says and laces his fingers with mine. I look down, and each one of my hands is holding theirs, and I know I’m safe. That all three of them will help me battle every demon I have.And I’ll help rip apart every one of theirs.
Walking up to Lilly’s house, I can already hear Blakelyn laughing, and it makes my heart melt. Reaching up, I ring the bell and wait for the door to open. Her small feet come pitter-pattering across the floor, the door creaks open, and as soon as she sees me standing there, she pushes past her mom, runs and jumps into my arms. I twirl her around, her blonde hair flying around us before squeezing her tight against me in the biggest hug.The hug I needed most.
“I missed you,” she says, pulling back to look at me, and gah, I missed her smile.
“I missed you so much too, sweet girl,” I reply and kiss the top of her head.
“Mama said you were in the hospital. Are you okay?” She tilts her head, and the smile drops from her face.
“Yes, I’ll be okay. I just had a small wreck, but everything is all good.” The lie tastes bitter on my tongue, but she doesn’t need to know the truth. She’s just a kid. The guys clear their throats, and Lilly invites us in. Walking in, we all go into the living room and sit. I have a lot to catch up on, and I know Lilly can help give me the answers I need.
