Chapter 10 Confession
? Arden ?
I called what came next the good days. They were the only ones we ever really got as Creed, and we took full advantage of them. By the end of the second night in the penthouse, my body wrapped up in Rafe's, Kane burst into our room.
"Hey!" I shouted, scrambling for the covers.
Kane slapped a hand over his eyes. "Oops." Then he peeked through his fingers. "Hot, though. Kinda figured that's what was going on in here."
Rafe huffed, tucking the blanket firmly around me and wrapping me in a protective hug. He glared at Kane, lifting a hand. If you knew that's what was happening, then why the fuck didn't you knock, asshole?
Kane dropped his hand and lifted his other, drawing both of our attention to the sets of keys dangling from his fingers. His smile was wide as he jiggled them. "Because I've found something better than sex, my comrades."
"Debatable," I grumbled.
He cocked a brow. "I see you're back in the game, Miss Creed. Well done."
I rolled my eyes, but Rafe hugged me tighter. I squirmed, gasping and unable to sign at him to stop. I kicked at his calf and he reluctantly released me enough to breathe again.
"Get up. The two of you clearly don't realize what keys these are." Kane tossed two sets onto the bed and turned on his heels. "Let's get the fuck out of this bitch."
Thorne popped his head in before the door shut, his smile matching his brother's. "MTT 420RR Turbine Superbikes, Arden. Four of them."
My eyes widened, and I scrambled from the confines of the comforter, startling Rafe as I plucked one of keys into my palm. "Oh, fuck me," I muttered.
Rafe's nostrils flared in amusement. I thought we'd already checked that off the list.
I shook my head. Rafe, these are crazy bikes. The top speed is over 250 miles per hour, and they're limited, built-to-order. I've never seen one, let alone been able to ride one.
His brows lifted in surprise, and he picked up his own set. Damn.
If there's four, then that means the Buyer wants us to take them, right? I chewed on my lip, concern edging in. I mean, why would the Buyer leave us keys?
Rafe's gaze darkened.
You know what, I don't care. That's a damn good death, in my opinion.
I slid off the bed and went straight to the closet, rummaging through until I found a pair of pants that might fit me and a tshirt.
I threw them on with a pair of boxers in the drawer, beaming when I found a pair of boots in the far corner in my size.
There was a similar set for Rafe and I tossed them behind me.
I whipped around, hurrying to leave his room and head to mine to get my leather jacket, but he scooped me around the waist. I let out a squeal of surprise as he turned me to face him, the darkness in his eyes traded back for the endearment he'd shown me while in bed.
You're cute when you're excited, he signed and kissed my cheek.
"Yeah, yeah, buddy. It's time for me to go ride something other than your dick.
Sound good?" I patted his chest, snorting when he scowled.
I pressed onto my toes and kissed him hard, his arms tightening around me.
When I drew back, he was grinning again, his eyes crinkling in amusement.
Don't worry, I signed. Thorne and I can teach you and Kane how to drive them.
His grin widened. I know how to ride, Arden. Had to for a few jobs.
Thank goodness, I admitted and lunged away while I still could. I have no intention of slowing down for you.
"I think I just came," Thorne said, crouched on the ground, head between his hands, eyes wide as he stared at the set of four bikes lined up in a private garage. We'd found a separate elevator in the penthouse and taken it on a whim, considering its only button led to BASEMENT 1.
Kane swung a leg over the one at the front and let out a long groan.
Normally, I'd tell them they were being gross, but I was also on the verge of an orgasm. I was never going to last once that motor got running. Jesus Christ.
Even Rafe was enamored, circling the navy blue one at the rear and running his fingers over the matching helmet.
I walked up to the matte black one with a red pin-stripe, keeping myself from drooling as I took hold of the handle bars and swung my leg over. I mean, Jesus Christ.
But all four of us stiffened when the garage door rolled upward. My head jerked to the upper corner, noticing the first camera we'd seen since entering the penthouse. My eyes narrowed, my jaw tightening. So. Someone was watching us.
Just beyond, the city traffic blared, the last rays of the sunset trading for the hustle and bustle of nightlife.
Hooking the keys on my belt, I took a breath and pushed the button to start the ignition.
The bike roared to life, and my worry once again left me.
I was right. This was an excellent way to die.
If the Buyer planned to lead us on these bikes to another hell, honestly? Fuck it.
The guys all started their bikes, another round of groans leaving Thorne and Kane. I glanced over my shoulder, catching a wicked gleam in Rafe's eyes, his hands seconds from pulling down his helmet. He flashed me a wink and drew it down, my smile wide as I grabbed my own and slid it into place.
Then we shot forward.
It took us an hour to weave through the traffic of the city and out into wider, more vacant roads, but when we did, our speeds ticked up without an ounce of hesitation.
Kane pumped a fist in the air twice before leaning into the ride and kicking up into the hundreds.
I followed behind Thorne, Rafe at my side, and it occurred to me then that we were free.
We could go wherever we wanted, do whatever we wanted.
It almost seemed like that was what the Buyer wanted.
We rode until we hit a rest stop, the four of us pulling off our helmets with loud laughs and bright smiles.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to ever drive anything else after that," Thorne said.
Kane rumaged in the pack attached to the side of his bike, his eyes blowing wide. "Fuck."
We crowded him, peering down, and my pulse rocketed. Money. Lots of it. Hundreds wrapped in stacks.
"Good thing this was locked tight during the ride," Kane muttered, picking up a stack and running his fingers over the top.
Rafe was the only one who looked angry, his arms folded and his glare on the money.
What? I asked him.
His jaw flickered with tension. Money? Bikes? A penthouse? What game is this Buyer playing? We're missing something.
Maybe, Kane returned with a shrug. Or maybe we lucked out and someone finally felt bad enough for us they're giving us a break.
Creed doesn't get breaks, Rafe snapped, his signs precise. He gestured to all of us. I'm not trying to ruin the fun. Trust me, I want it just as badly, but we can't just be sitting ducks either. Did any of you even bring your weapons?
Shit. I'd been so excited that I hadn't grabbed my lighter or my gun. Based on Thorne's and Kane's frowns, it was obvious they hadn't brought their guns or knives.
Rafe reached down to his ankle, his gun holstered there. You're telling me this is all the ammo we have?
We're not defensless without weapons, Kane argued. I can beat the shit out of just about anyone.
I'm just saying that we've barely thought about what any of this means, Rafe explained. He shook his head. I think we should go back to the penthouse.
"C'mon, man," Thorne muttered. He let loose a sigh and signed, Whoever this Buyer is gave us these bikes. We have a better chance at getting away from them out here, on the road, then we do by going back to that penthouse.
I nodded. Thorne's right. To an extent. I grimaced. I'm sure these bikes have tracking devices, and if we stray from them, then we have the devices in our necks to worry about.
So what I'm hearing, Kane said and held up a stack of hundreds, is we may as well go crazy, because we're fucked either way. I say we ride until dawn, pig out at a diner, and then head back. Maybe we can let Arden do some shopping, or for fuck's sake, take your girl out on a proper date, Rafe.
Rafe straightened, his cheeks staining red, clearly embarrassed that he hadn't thought to do so.
I took his hand into mine and squeezed it gently. It's fine, I signed with my other. I don't need anything, but I agree we should enjoy this as much as we can. Maybe we could even stash some of that money somewhere in the city, so if we can figure out a way to run, we have that as backup.
Smart, Thorne noted. I'm sure we could find someone to get us passports, too. We can make go-bags and stash them.
Rafe? I asked and tugged on his hand. Does that sound good?
He still looked worried, but he managed a small dip of his chin in agreement.
"Alright. Then let's go," Kane announced, putting his helmet back on.
I picked up my own. Then I thought better of it.
It could be another hour or two before we stopped again.
I'm just going to use the bathroom first, I told them, hooking my helmet under my arm and heading toward the building in the center of the rest stop.
Rafe hesitated but settled back on his bike, his eyes never leaving me as I gave him a small wave and a reassuring smile.
He didn't look away, even as I pushed in the door. I love you, I signed.
His scowl lifted slightly. I love you, too, Mrs. Creed.
My stomach flipped, my cheeks staining when Thorne did a double-take watching us.
I ducked into the bathroom with a shake of my head, the door thumping closed behind me.
The lights above the line of sinks flickered with a soft buzzing noise, the stalls relatively dark.
I sat my helmet on the counter and pushed into a stall, humming softly to myself as I took care of business, making it quick.
I zipped my pants, freezing when I heard the rumble of the bikes starting back up.
Frowning, I flushed and stepped out the stall.
My helmet was gone.
I lunged to the sink, sure I had set it there. Then I spun around, eyes flicking between the line of dark stalls. Someone else was in the bathroom. Teeth clenched and fists ready, I kicked in one door after another, my brows pulling together when I found no one.
Then the roar of the bikes faded.
Heart in my throat, I sprinted out of the bathroom, my eyes wide as I spotted all four bikes zipping toward the on-ramp for the highway.
Four. As in someone was on mine and it wasn't me.
They had my helmet on, their outfit identical to mine and their stature the same.
Leaning forward on the bike, they glanced over their shoulder in Rafe's direction, flashing a thumbs up.
"Hey!" I shouted, panic setting in. "Rafe!"
Then a gloved hand clamped over my mouth from behind, and I was dragged kicking and screaming backward.