by Brook Wilder
“For what?” She asked softly, staring wonderingly up into his face. It was almost too handsome to look at and she let her eyes flutter shut as he leaned his forehead against hers.
“For being honest with me.” Honey finally said. His warm breath swept across her cheek, teasing her lips and for a long moment all she could do was sit there, listening to the birds and steady sound of his heartbeat. Hers was still racing, partly from the rush of the mad dash getaway, and partly because of the wild happiness that flowed through her.
“I’m sorry, Honey,” Elle breathed out the words, barely more than a whisper.
“Hush,” As he spoke his lips brushed against hers, a feather light touch that had chills racing down her body, “There’s nothing to apologize for.”
“No, there is.” She said, leaning back enough so that she could meet his gaze, so that he could see the sincerity shining in her own. “I tried to push you away for so long. Because I was too afraid of my own feelings. Of…my very self. And I was scared of letting myself get hurt.”
“Elle, it’s okay–.”
“No, let me finish.” She interrupted him, waiting for him to nod before speaking once more, “I…I was a coward. And because I was so afraid, I hurt you instead. And I’m so sorry. I know I’m not the easiest person but I promise that I’ll do my best to be honest with you.”
“Well, I know how seriously you take your promises.” Honey whispered, a small happy grin hanging on his lips as he caressed her cheek.
“Very seriously.” Elle breathed softly, suddenly breathless. Honey leaned close again and Elle had to fight the urge to let her heavy eyelids drift close. She wanted to see him. She didn’t want to miss any more than she already had. She thought he was going to kiss her but at the last minute, he stopped. Honey flicked his dark gaze once more up to hers, and she almost gasped at the raging fire burning in their depths.
“Say it again.” He whispered hoarsely, his voice rough and gravelly in a way that had moisture pooling low and sweet at her core.
“What?”
“Say it again. I want to hear you say it again.” He repeated his question and it finally broke through her lust induced confusion. Elle moved so that her lips were just hovering about her because when she spoke she wanted him to be able to feel the words as well as hear them.
“Honey, I love you.” She whispered, kissing him softly like a dream. Suddenly his hands were running up her thighs, picking her up and shifting her around until she was still sitting on the bike, but sideways now and he was pressing tight into the vee of her open thighs.
He kissed her then, and it was like something out of a movie, or a book. So soft, so gentle, with just the right amount of pressure to have her leaning forward and begging for more.
“Tell me again.” Honey whispered the words against her lips and she nearly giggled again.
“I love you.” She said, and he swallowed the words with his next kiss, harder this time, drawing her deeper and deeper until her whole world was him.
“Say it one more time.” He begged her, and this time she did giggle. She was so full of joy that she couldn’t hold it in.
“I love you, Honey. I love you. I love you. I love you.” He kissed her then, a kiss so devastating that she didn’t think she could have said anything at all and all too soon he was pulling back, his eyes dark and luminous on her.
“I love you too, Elle Watson.”
Chapter 30
The ride back towards the farm was almost magical for Honey. He felt like he was driving through a dream. A dream that he never, ever wanted to wake up from. He could feel Elle real and solid at his back. She was holding him so tight that he could feel her heart beating out its steady rhythm against him even through the thick leather of his jacket.
Something had happened back there, after he had managed to get past the Nomad bikers that had been chasing after them. When they’d been parked there, in the middle of the nowhere, surrounded by the towering mountains and crystal clear blue Colorado sky. He had looked down at her as she’d said those words, and everything had changed. He had changed.
Those three magic words had fallen from her sweet lips like a spell, and they had…done something to him. He felt different, like he was riding out of that small deserted stretch of a road a different man than he’d been when he had first arrived there, and it was because of her. Because of Elle. Because of her love for him.
She loved him. Over and over he repeated her words in his head, like a record on repeat because he didn’t want to forget the way her voice had softened as she’d said it. Or the way her eyes had met his, strong, sincere, letting him know that she meant every word to the depths of her soul because he’d been able to see it in the dark depths of her fathomless gaze.
I love you. I love you. I love you. Like a mantra, like a totem, he repeated them. The words echoing back on themselves until it was just a cacophony of sound that filled him with lightness, with a sheer, wild happiness that he’d never felt before. That he never thought he deserved to feel.
It’s a forty five minute drive back to Honey Bud Farms from where they’re at but he stretches it to an hour and half because he hates the idea of this ending. Just riding with a motorcycle between his legs, the woman he loved holding on behind him and the sun shining down. Nothing could ever be better than this. He thought he would die of happiness if anything ever was.
But finally, he didn’t have a choice and turned onto the highway that would lead them back to the farm, and Joel and Carla and the rest of the guys waiting to hear how things had gone down. About as he expected it would, honestly.
It had seemed to be going fine at first. She’d been gone for a long time and fear had started to plague him, shouting at him to go after her but then she’d come stumbling out on her own. He still didn’t know what had happened to tip them off that she wasn’t in Viper’s camp, and he also didn’t know what sort of repercussions would come of it. But he knew there would be. And he knew that he wouldn’t like them. Damaris, the leader of the Nomads had a reputation for being merciless on those he thinks have betrayed him.
Damaris had a tenuous control over the Nomads, any loyalty there was inspired by fear and nothing more but like Sparkplug had told him, fear went a long way, and so did cash. Which, he knew from experience, was a big motivator for most of the members. And not just in the Nomads. But in the Cruisers, too. At least the new ones.
The thought had a pang of sadness surging through his chest. The family he knew was long gone, twisted by Viper’s greed and jealousy. He would fall, just like all punks would, but there was a rift now, between Joel and the rest of the crew, and Honey couldn’t help but wonder how they would be able to bridge it.
His mind kept going back to the Nomads, though. He knew that everything within the Dirty Cruisers would get worked out in time, especially once the farm started bringing in revenue. Then Viper wouldn’t have an argument to stand on. But the Nomad’s worried him.
Honey thought of everything he knew about the crew, most of which he’d learned from Sparkplug, and he knew that there would be some sort of retaliation from the rival members. He didn’t know how, he didn’t know what or when, he just hoped that they would have enough time to come up with that plan b that Joel had been talking about.
He still hadn’t come up any answers as he pulled onto the gravel driveway that lead to the farm and he felt Elle sigh behind him.
“I wish we could just keep riding forever.” She whispered at his back and he felt warmth shoot through him as she echoed his own thoughts back to him.
“Me too, baby.” Honey said, meaning every word, “But we got to let Joel and everyone else know what happened so we can figure out what to do next. My guess is that the Nomads haven’t exactly been standing still while we’ve been driving around.”
He felt a moment of guilt, knowing that he’d intentionally stretched out the distance to get back, stalling just so he could savor the moment a little longer.
“I know,” She sighed, “We have a duty to do. I just wish–.” Elle’s words cut off abruptly on a sharply indrawn breath as they pulled in the farm’s parking lot and Honey saw immediately what had caught her attention.
Parked haphazardly around the gravel lot was at least half a dozen, maybe more, unfamiliar motorcycles. They were left as if they’d been parked in a hurry, some even dropped to their side in a sign that whatever went down must have been important because no biker would ever just leave their motorcycle like that to get scratched up from the crushed rocks underneath.
“Honey, who are they?” Elle asked shakily as he hastily threw the kickstand on the bike Tucker had loaned him and took a closer look. He had to bite back an angry curse as he saw an insignia on one of the bike’s bodies.
“The Nomads.”
“What? Are you sure? How would they– It’s so soon! It’s too soon! We didn’t even get a chance to warn them, they probably didn’t even know what was coming and it’s all my fault! I never should have agreed to the plan, it was too risky and now they could be hurt, they could be–.”
“Elle, calm down,” Honey said softly, even though it took an immense effort to moderate his tone, “Calm down, baby, this is not your fault.”
“No, it is. It is though, Honey. I was the one who went there. I was the one who lied to them and they figured it out. If Scorpion hadn’t walked in–.”
“Wait, is that what happened? Why you came tearing out of there like your ass was on fire? That asshole saw you?”
“Yeah. I had almost made it outside when suddenly he was there. Just…there in front of me. I thought Sparkplug was going to draw him out.”
“Me too,” Honey said, thinking. He hoped that Sparkplug was okay. Obviously, something had gone south and tipped Damaris’s right hand man that something was happening, he just prayed that Sparkplug hadn’t paid the price.
“Something must have happened then. Do you think he’s okay?” Elle asked, once more echoing his own thoughts out loud but all he could do was shake his head. He had just opened his mouth to speak when a cry split the air.
Elle head whipped to the right, staring as if she could someone see through the tall fields to the source of the sound.
“It’s Carla.” She whispered, an expression of pure horror drawing over her face as all the blood drained from her cheeks, leaving her a ghostly pale white.
“Elle, we’ll figure this out, okay? We’ll figure it out. I have to call the cops. This is bigger than us now. You need to stay here, and stay safe, okay? Promise me, Elle.” Honey cupped her chin in his hand, drawing her face back until she was looking at him, “Promise me.”
“I pro–.” But before she could finish another cry rang out and this time she flinched as if it was her own shout of pain.
“Carla.” Elle whispered, “I know it’s her. She’s in trouble.”
“Elle, please I need you to stay here. Promise me you’ll stay here while I figure this out.” Honey pleaded once more but her horrified gaze firmed into determination and he only had a moment’s notice before she was tearing off in the direction of the cries, in the direction of her friends.
“Wait! Elle, stop!” Honey called after her, but he was afraid to shout too loud, afraid to draw any unwanted attention in their direction. He reached out, trying to stop her but it was too late. She was already disappearing into the first row of crops.
“Fuck!” Without any other options left, he ran after her.
Chapter 31
The tall plants whipped her cheeks as Elle ran past them but she didn’t even notice. The only thing she could focus on was the shouts and yelling that drew closer and closer. She had to find them, she had to try and help her friends. It was all her fault that this had even happened.
Guilt, cold and greasy and slick settled uneasily in the pit of her stomach, urging her on. She’d made a promise to Carla, to do everything she could to help the farm. She’d made a promise, and she always kept her word, no matter what. That thought had her charging forward at a reckless speed and Elle gasped when she ran out into a small clearing. She had to windmill to stop herself from falling flat on her face, or running smack dab into Carla’s back.
She gasped in dismay to see Carl and Hot Wheels surrounded by four of the Nomads, and what was even worse, one of them was their leader, Damaris. Elle shuddered at the look in his eyes, pure malice, and underneath that, joy. He was reveling in the fear he was causing. Even his men looked a little uncomfortable but they held their post, making sure that neither women could run while their leader confronted Joel.
“Carla!” Elle hissed, still hiding behind her friend. Carla turned to give her a shocked look that turned quickly to dismay.
“Elle, what the hell are you doing! Get out of here. Run while you still can. Before they see you. Please!” Carla pleaded but Elle just shook her head.
“No, I got you into this mess. I’m not going to just leave you guys alone.”
“Then you’re a damn fool,” Hot Wheels added quietly, careful not to draw too much attention, “But a loyal one.”
“Honey is right behind me. He said he was calling the cops–.”
“Well, thank god there’s at least one functioning brain between the two of you.” Hot Wheels said but Elle could hear the relief in her voice. They were genuinely terrified of what the Nomads would do. That thought had her looking over just in time to see Damaris strike out, hitting Joel across the face.
“No! Stop it!” Carla shouted, but the leader of the Nomads didn’t even look over.
“What the hell do they want?” Elle muttered.
“Control of the farm,” Carla finally answered, “One way or another. Just like he threatened before.”
“But they can’t just come here and take it like that. It’s not legal!” Elle protested, horrified.
“Hah,” Hot wheels snorted, “You really think they give a damn about legal, sugar?”
“Well, no, I guess not–.” Elle bit off her words as the rustling of the plants gave way to a new, familiar face. And not the face she’d been hoping to see.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Hot Wheels spat out the words as Viper pushed through, shooting a gloating grin at Joel as he stepped up beside him. He was all condescending arrogance with the leader of the Nomads and the other bikers there holding Joel back.
“Viper, I should have known you would be here,” Joel growled out, his words slightly muffled by a bloody lip, “Like a mangy dog scavenging for scraps.”
Viper growled and lunged forward but Carla interrupted, distracting him.
“What are you- How are you– What are you even doing here?” Carla stuttered out the shaky words and Viper just smirked.
“You didn’t think I was gonna let the Nomads have all the fun, did you? Besides, this is my farm now. I have to protect what’s mine.” Viper sneered the last words towards Damaris and the smaller man nearly growled at the not so hidden threat.
“Yours, Viper? My crew is here. Where are your men? Hmm? Where are the rest of big, scary Dirty Cruisers? And how, exactly, do you think you’re going to stop me from taking this nice juicy plum for myself. I should just pluck it up. It would be so easy.” Damaris smiled his snake like smile at Viper then, “I’m just kidding, of course.”
“Of course,” Viper hissed back, and there was a new malice in his beady eyes. Greed had gotten the best of him and he already had a tenuous hold on the Cruisers. He couldn’t afford to look weak in front of the other crew’s leader, but at the moment, he had no choice.
Elle had been hidden behind Carla and Hot Wheels up till then but she felt the exact moment that Damaris saw her, recognized her.
“You!”
The look on his face had Elle stumbling back as fear, potent and raw filled her. She’d never been looked at with such pure hatred before, but there was also a twisted lust in his gaze that had nausea rolling alongside the terror.
Carla tried to block his path as Damaris lunged after Elle but s
he was knocked away with an almost casual blow that had her toppling to ground.
“You should have taken my offer before,” he growled out as he stalked even closer to her, “things would have gone a lot easier for you. But not now. Oh no. Now, I’m going to make it hurt.”
Elle tried to get away and she screamed as she felt the brush of his outstretched hand against the back of her shirt but then it was gone and instead of falling into his clutches, he was just…gone.
She looked back in shock to see Damaris being pulled rapidly away from her and for a moment she didn’t understand what was happening until she saw the man directly behind him. Sparkplug! Hot Wheels lurched, recognizing him at the same time, tracing his obvious black eye and what looked to be evidence of a bloody nose with a look so full of love that Elle had to look away for a moment.
