“Nessa, take yo’ ass on somewhere. Should have kept your hands to yourself. Go home!” He shouted, startling her.
Her eyes widened and looked a little glossy. It was as if she was seeing the real Duke for the first time. Then glanced in my direction with a scowl.
“Next time, he won’t be here to protect you.” She threatened.
I chuckled, because she didn’t know. Before I became Amore, I could have easily gotten a championship belt for the number of bitches I’d laid out. She’d just become another notch on my belt and I welcomed it.
Vanessa turned and stomped down the steps. Duke watched her until he couldn’t see her anymore, then turned to face me. He shook his head in my direction before taking a seat behind his desk.
“You ready to tell me what’s going on?” he asked.
I let out a quiet exhale.
“Yes, but not here.”
Duke leaned back in his seat, clasping his hands in front of him. I knew he wanted to tell me to go about my business… or maybe I just assumed he did. If I were him, and someone I was interested in seemed to be hiding something from the beginning, I’d feel the same way. But that wasn’t my intent.
I stood my ground, unwavering, needing him to see my sincerity. Duke had started to feel like a safe space to me. And I didn’t want to keep letting my past take my peace… or the life I was trying to rebuild.
His look of disappointment flashed repeatedly in my mind. I wanted, no, I needed him to understand why this was so important to me. Why I was so afraid to share my reality with too many people. Those women back at the bar were a prime example of why I didn’t feel safe in my skin.
“Please… don’t make me beg.”
Duke pushed his chair back from his desk, then grabbed his keys. I watched him intently, wondering whether he planned to send me on my way or give me a chance to explain.
With a tilt of his head, he gestured toward the door. I followed behind him quietly, watching as he locked his office before heading down the steps to the main floor. He held up a hand, stopping me from walking any farther into the club.
I leaned against the door frame and watched as he talked to a few of the men in black thorn vests. They nodded their heads after each word he spoke. I loved how he commanded everyone’s attention whenever he walked into a space. It was one of the reason I’d locked in on him the first time I saw him.
Once he was finished, he turned back in my direction and led me out the back door. Still no words—just action. That seemed to be his way of communicating. It was one of the things I loved about him, but right now… I needed words. Still, I knew I couldn’t ask for too much when I was the one who needed him to listen.
I watched as he pulled the tarp from covering his bike and removed the locks attached. He reached into the storage of his bike, then handed me my helmet he’d gifted me earlier. I gave him a tight-lipped smile, then slipped it over my head. He stoodin front of me to tighten the straps like he had done before everything went to shits tonight.
I needed to let him take care of me. I needed to feel cared for right now. Once he was finished, he got on his bike, started it up, then looked back at me.
“You coming?” he asked.
I took a deep breath, then nodded. I walked over and he helped me onto the back. Again, I wrapped my arms around his waist, sinking into his heat. I needed to feel more than just my anxiety at this moment.
Duke slowly pulled from the back of the club, then looked both ways before pulling onto the road. I didn’t know where we were going, but I knew if he was there, I would be safe. At least that’s how I felt.
It seemed like we’d been riding for forever before he pulled up to a home on the outskirts of town. There was a fence that surrounded the property, but it was a nice family style home with a wrap-around porch. This man seemed to surprise me at every turn. If I had to guess, this wouldn’t have been the home I took him to live in.
He slowly pulled into the driveway, then kicked out his stand so I could get down. I stood awkwardly, waiting for him to tell me where to go or what to do. He had been silent this entire ride, even at this moment. I watched as he walked over to the garage and pressed a few numbers on the keypad to lift the garage door.
I followed close behind him as he walked his bike inside, then closed the door behind us.
“Would you like some water?” he asked.
I nodded, unable to find my words as we walked into the house from the garage. Again, his home was warm, white walls with cream and brown decorations. Pictures of him as a kid, with an older couple, and a few more were all around. If I wasn’t sure this was his house, I was certain now.
I followed him into the open-concept kitchen, the island set up with bar seating. You’d think this man had a wife and kids with how put together his house was.
The sound of his chuckle had me looking back at him.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“You. I can see the questions running through your mind. Ask me. I’m sure I can guess what they are,” he responded.
