Chapter Fourteen
Maddy
“Bye, Ms. Burton,” Lucy waves. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Thank you, Lucy,” I smile. “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning.”
To say I’m exhausted would be an understatement. Today is my first day back at work since I was taken. I almost forgot how much energy it takes to keep up with these little monkeys.
I take a few minutes to clean up the class and check the silent room. Then I spend the next half hour preparing for tomorrow’s lessons.
By the time I’ve finished, I’m equally exhausted and starving. Knowing that I don’t have anything in the freezer at home, I place a quick order before leaving. I don’t live far from the school so I’ll make it there before the food does.
Fifteen minutes later, I’ve parked my car and am heading into my apartment building, food in hand.
“Well, hey there, stranger,” my downstairs neighbor, Link, says. “I haven’t seen you in a long while. I figured you met some hottie and left us.”
I laugh and give Link a one-armed hug.
“Was just staying at my parents for a little while,” I say.
“Well, you’ve definitely been missed. What happened here?”
I look at the spot above my wrist that Link nods to and try not to wince. Most of the burns Patricia inflicted on me weren’t too bad and the marks have all but faded. However, there are roughly five that I was told will scar. This is one of them.
“It’s a burn” I shrug, hoping to avoid any other explanation.
“Damn. I’ve gotten a few of those myself. Well, anyway, I need to head to the store and get that husband of mine some socks. I can’t for the life of me figure out how he keeps putting holes in them. See ya.”
“Bye,” I wave and continue my way to the elevator.
I type in the code for my floor and wait. There are only four apartments per level with mine being on the second floor. Daddy wanted me to take the ninth-floor apartment because it was one of only two on that level and much bigger.
I told him he was certifiably insane. Why in the world would I want something so big for a single person? Not to mention the hassle of keeping the entire thing clean. Daddy may like to live a lavish lifestyle with fancy cars and massive homes, but I’ve never wanted that. My parents’ bank account has never been a goal for me.
I want a small home that will be just the right size for me and my future husband and children.
King pops into my head but I quickly shove him back. I’m only imagining him in my future plans because of the couple of times he’s shown interest in me.
I won’t forget his words. I won’t forget the way he made me feel when he all but threw me out of that building. I won’t settle for someone like that. I may not be supermodel beautiful, but I’m not ugly. One day, my prince will come. One day, I’m going to fall in love with someone who loves me for me. Someone who trusts me completely, regardless of what others may say or do.
The image of King’s face resurfaces and I punch it in the face.
Freaking Jerk.
Digging through my school bag, I find my keys and let myself into my apartment. It’s already nice and toasty in here. Laying my bags and food down, I grab my cell and call dad.
“Hey Cookie,” he greets. “How was work today?”
“It was good,” I smile. “I missed those little ones like crazy.”
“I’m sure you did, honey.”
“I just wanted to call and thank you for stopping by and turning the heat on,” I say, pulling out the burrito I ordered. “It’s freezing out there and would have been just as cold in here.”
“I haven’t even left the house, Maddy,” he tells me. “It was cold the last time you were at your apartment. You probably just forgot to turn it off then.”
That doesn’t sound like me. I’m always careful about making sure the big stuff is off when I leave.
“You’re probably right,” I admit. “Actually, I think the last time I was here was when King brought me over to grab my school things. It was cold that day. Anyway, Daddy, I’m going to eat, shower, and then relax for the rest of the day.”
“Alright, Cookie. Call me if you need anything. Love you.”
“Love you, back.”
I put my dinner on a plate, grab a bottle of water, and head to the living room. The second I turn a corner, I see a figure, scream, and drop my plate.
“Man,” I sigh. “Not my fruit salad. I was really looking forward to that.”
“Fruit salad with a burrito, baby?”
“Don’t judge me,” I glare before picking up my burrito, stepping around the broken plate, the spilled fruit, and cottage cheese. With a sigh, I flop down onto my couch. “What are you doing here, King? How did you even get up here? You need a code to the front door, a different one for the elevator, and a key to my apartment door to gain access.”
He simply relaxes back on my chair and smirks.
Realization hits me and I toss my burrito on the coffee table and pull out my phone.
“I hate you.”
It only takes seconds for my ex-best friend to text me back.
“Love you, too, Shortcake. Hear the man out.”
“How did you get a key?” I ask, refusing to look at the man stinking up my chair.
I’m never going to be able to go to that part of my living room again without King’s scent invading my body.
I have to move. Maybe even toss out that chair. What else has he touched? You know what, it doesn’t matter. I’ll start from scratch.
“Blackhawk sent it to me,” he admits. “He’s a good man.”
“He’s dead to me,” I say, turning my glare from my phone to the uneaten burrito.
“We need to talk,” King says softly.
“We really don’t,” I say. “I don’t have anything I need to say to you and I don’t want to hear anything you have to say to me. Maybe that’s harsh, but I honestly don’t care.”
“I need to explain why I said those things,” he tries again.
“Dillon has already explained,” I tell him. I wonder if it would hurt if I tossed that burrito at his head? But then, I wouldn’t have anything to eat.
Sighing, I grab my water and take a drink.
I’m not really surprised the man is in my apartment. Heck, I’m not even mad. I’m just so dang frustrated. Why won’t he just leave me alone? How am I supposed to move on with my life if the person responsible for so much pain is always in it?
“I’m sorry that I didn’t believe you, baby,” he says, ignoring everything I’ve said. “Everything in me told me that you were telling the truth. I was angrier at myself for thinking I was tricked then at you.”
I simply look out the window. We’re not too far up so there isn’t a great view, but it’s better than looking into King’s eyes. He could so easily have me fall right back into almost love with him with a simple look. It’s best to avoid that.
“I didn’t mean those words,” he continues. “I was hurt, angry, and embarrassed. I wanted you to feel the same way. I didn’t mean a single bit of what I said. If only you knew how beautiful I think you are you would never doubt me. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
“King,” I sigh for what feels like the hundredth time in ten minutes. “I know you didn’t mean them. I know why you said them. I even understand why you didn’t believe me. None of us knew I had an evil twin out there who looks one-hundred percent identical to me. I forgive you.”
Making a decision, I look into his eyes. The strong and confident gaze that I once knew is shrouded in sadness and a little fear.
“But it doesn’t change the impact of what those words did to me. It doesn’t change that my heart breaks every single time I think about them. I really do forgive you. But I just can’t forget. I’m trying, King. I’m trying really hard to forget. I don’t want to remember them. I don’t want to remember you or your family. Because every time I do, my heart rips apart. I would rather be tied to that dang chair receiving burn after burn then remember your words because it hurt far less.”
King doesn’t say anything for a long time. When he stands I just watch because this will be the last time I see him. He’s about to walk out of my life for good this time.
So, I’m shocked to my very core when he moves my coffee table and kneels down in front of me. He’s so close, but he doesn’t touch me. He simply crouches there.
“Eyes, baby,” he says softly.
I don’t want to. I rather like looking at the button on his cut. I wonder why he doesn’t have a title? I know he’s a patched member but I don’t think he’s an officer.
“Are you not an officer in your club?” I ask, fully aware I’m avoiding hearing whatever it is he’s wanting to say.
It takes him a few seconds before deciding to answer.
“No,” he says. “I was once asked to be the enforcer, but I didn’t think it was fair to give me such a big job knowing that I would have to leave at any given moment if I accepted an offer.”
“An offer being someone’s hitman?” I ask.
“Yeah, baby,” he answers. “I help the enforcer, Viper, when he needs it. I allow them to use my name when someone needs to be scared.”
The Obsidian Guardian. Yeah, that should be his title.
“I don’t think it’s fair that you don’t have a patch with a title,” I mumble. “Maybe they can make a new officer chair labeled the Guardian.”
“Maybe,” he chuckles. “I’m sure Ghost wouldn’t be opposed to the idea if some pretty lady would suggest it.”
“I’ll call Bitsy and Sophie later on,” I say, more to myself than anything. “I’m sure they can talk him into it.”
“Eyes,” he repeats.
I guess that part of our conversation is over.
I wonder if they make cuts in pink? Surely not all bikers like black leather. I look up to ask just that when his look stops me cold.
Fire. So much fire is looking down at me that I’m surely going to burn.
“You’re fucking beautiful,” he whispers. “Absolute perfection. I will stop at nothing until you believe me. I hate that I hurt you. I will never forgive myself for the sadness I’ve caused you. For the pain that you’ll always have when you look back on that horrible fucking day. But know this, my sweet girl, from this day forward, I will do everything in my power to make your life easy.”
“King, I don’t think…”
“Even if I’m not part of it,” he interrupts. “I fucked up. That’s on me. The last thing I want to do is to cause you more pain. I came here to tell you that I’m walking away. But I’ll never be far. I will protect you until the day I die. Even if it’s from myself.”
He’s walking away? Why does the thought alone hurt so badly when it’s what I’ve wanted for weeks now?
The tears fall before I can stop them.
“No matter what I want,” he continues, reaching up to wipe away my tears. “No matter how I feel, I will always put you and your feelings first. If, at any time, you need me, simply call and I’ll be right here. Live your life, baby. Heal your heart. Forget all about me and my club. You deserve all of the happiness. I love you so much, my sweet girl. I love you enough to walk away.”
With that, he kisses my forehead and leaves my apartment.
No, strike that, he leaves my life.
And that hurts far worse than his words ever could.