I stop when we get to my little house. The place I called home just a few weeks ago is no longer my space of solace and safety.
Salvation feels my hesitation and stops next to me. “What is it?”
“This was home for me, doesn’t feel like it anymore,” I say, taking the first two steps onto the porch. We now stand eye to eye, my hand still in the warmth of his.
“Wow! You are hidden out here. I parked my Harley next to your ATV over there on the side of the porch.”
I don’t want to cry, but I can’t stop it. “How can I stay here now? I was safe here. How did he find me?”
“Max, I’m sorry I didn’t get to you sooner.”
“You saved my life.”
“But not before they hurt you.”
“But they’re both dead now, right?”
“They’re ash,” he scowls, his brows furrowing and his beautiful lips curling into a snarl.
“Is it wrong that I’m glad?”
“These men tried to kill you. They tried to force an animal out of you that you don’t have and then hunted you down. So no, it’s not wrong that you’re glad they’re dead.”
“Good.”
“Max?” Salvation pulls on my hand and wraps an arm around me.
“Yes?”
“Go home with me. Let me make you feel safe again.”
That sounds like the best idea I’ve heard in weeks, and I don’t argue. I don’t want to argue. “Okay.”
I lead him inside my home. My tiny little existence in the mountains that I was sure no one knew about, now makes me feel exposed and naked. I have to leave.
As I gather some things to take with me, I wonder where Salvation calls home. “Salvation?”
“Yes?” He appears in the doorway to my bedroom, leaning against the wall with arms crossed over his chest.
“Where’s home for you?”
“Texas.”
“Oh wow, you live all the way in Texas. Is it a good place to live?”
“We hardly see snow like you have here, but it’s pretty.”
I gather my bag, throwing it over my shoulder. I pick up my glasses as I pass my night table and slide them on my face. I’m sad to leave this house, but maybe one day, Salvation will bring me back just so I can visit. “I’m ready,” I say.
“We’ll come back in a few months, okay?”
“Okay.” I’m riding off into the sunset with a complete stranger. I know this. And to a normal person, this would make no sense, but to me, it feels like this is how it should be. I should be terrified, but I’m not.
Salvation takes me outside; I make sure the door locks securely behind me and I follow him down the steps to his motorcycle parked right next to my four-wheeler. I had so many fantastic rides through the mountains and the snow. I’m sure going to miss it here.
He helps me onto his bike then climbs on in front of me, wrapping my arms around his body as he starts up the bike. The engine rumbles under me and I hang on tight. “Ready?”
I bury my face in his back. “Yes.”
63
Salvation
It’s been two long days of riding to get back to Texas, but the clubhouse finally comes into view. I pull through the gate slowly riding up the gravel. I park my bike, kill the engine, and help Max climb off. She stretches her legs and arms, and I watch her with lust-filled eyes.
She’s a little nerd and damn if she isn’t fucking cute. Her long brunette locks are twisted into a knot on top of her head, and her blue-rimmed glasses magnify those brown eyes of hers. I tower over her when she stands close to me.
“You’re staring at me, Salvation.”
Busted. “Sorry, you’re just so damn cute.”
“Duh,” she sasses me, reaching for my out-stretched hand.
“Welcome to the DLMC, Max.”
She cranes her neck to look up at me. “The DLMC?”
“Dark Leopards Motorcycle Club. This is home.”
She smiles a cock twitching smile and pops up on her tip toes to lay a kiss on my cheek. I’d like it to be my lips, but hopefully that comes later.
I take her inside the clubhouse to introduce her to my family—a family of people who have incredible powers, strengths, and senses. When the door shuts behind us, all eyes gathered around the bar lock on Max. It’s Ridge, Andi, Jude and Sharayah.
“Oh my gosh! Salvation, you’re back!” Andi runs out from behind the bar, throwing her arms around my neck.
“Hey, doll face,” I say, hugging her back. I’ve always had a certain bond with Andi, she’s like my sister and I’d do anything to protect her. “Andi,” I say, when she pulls back to look at me. “This is Max.”
Max smiles shyly, red creeping into her cheeks. “Hi.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you. Welcome to the DLMC,” Andi replies, giving Max a little wave.
One by one, club members come over to welcome me home and I introduce Max to each person. Lux is the last one to come in, he’s carrying my kutte. He lays the leather across the bar top to hug me. He holds out a hand to Max.
Max looks up at me as if she’s asking for approval, and I nod. “It’s okay, baby, this is Lux, he’s the president of the DLMC.”
“Hi, Lux, nice to meet you,” she says quietly and dips behind me.
“So, you’re the one who’s been giving Salvation, here, shit,” he says with a slight smirk handing me my kutte. “Here, I’m sure you missed this.”
Max grabs my t-shirt, her fingers digging into the skin of my back. “I’m sorry,” she whispers so low, her voice is barely audible.
Asshole.
Bite me fucker.
“Relax, sweetheart,” Ridge says. “He’s just giving you shit.”
I slip my kutte on over my t-shirt and now I feel like I’m home. “I did miss this.” I look to Lux and the rest of my family. “It’s good to be home,” I say, reaching behind me, bringing Max forward and pulling her into my chest. I can tell she’s on overload.
