Chapter 17 #2
I gave him a nod, then left his office. When I got outside, I went over to the bonfire to find Shotgun.
I quickly explained the situation with Delilah to him, and minutes later, we were headed over to our bikes.
I was just about to start up my engine when Danny rushed over.
Seeming unsure of himself, he shoved one of his hands into his pocket as he asked, “Hey, you going to see about Delilah?”
“Yeah, that’s the plan.”
“You mind if I tag along? I’d sure feel better if I knew what was going on.”
“If this guy happens to be around”—I glanced down at Danny’s sling—“I’m not sure you’d be any help to us with that bum shoulder.”
“Probably not.”
“Then I’d say it’s best you just hang out here, man.” I appreciated the fact that Danny wanted to check on his sister, but it was too risky. If we ran into trouble, he’d cause more harm than good. “If something’s up, I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“Okay, sounds good.” As he stepped away, he gave us a slight wave and said, “You guys be careful.”
I nodded, and moments later, Shotgun and I were on our way to Delilah’s place.
As much as I wanted to go up to her apartment and talk things out, I knew it wasn’t a good idea—at least not yet.
I needed to give her some time to sort things out on her own, but that didn’t mean I was just going to roll over and play dead.
I’d waited too damn long find a woman like her, and now that I had, I wasn’t going to give her up without a fight.
One way or another, I would make her see that we were right for one another.
When we pulled up to her place, I scanned the parking lot for the truck, but saw no sign of it.
In fact, Delilah’s was one of the few cars in the entire lot.
Shotgun looked over to me as he asked, “You seeing anything?”
“Nope. Looks like the motherfucker took the night off.”
“Any chance he’d be in a different vehicle?”
“Fuck if I know.” I glanced up at Delilah’s apartment, and other than one small lamp by the window, all the lights were off. Assuming she’d already gone to bed, I told him, “I guess I’ll try again later.”
“You don’t want to go up and check on her?”
“Yeah, but that’s not a good idea.”
“Trouble in paradise already?” While I cared a great deal for all my brothers, Shotgun and I had always been close.
I’d even go so far as to say he was my best friend.
He knew me better than anyone and wasn’t afraid to call me on my shit, so I wasn’t surprised when he decided to give me a hard time about my present situation with Delilah.
“Hmm ... Figured it would take you a little longer than a few weeks to fuck things up.”
“So, you thinking this thing is my fault?”
He cocked his eyebrow and smirked. “Am I wrong?”
“No,” I scoffed.
“Didn’t think so.” He crossed his arms and gave me one of his looks. “So, what are you gonna do about?”
“I’m gonna get her back.”
He gave me a nod of approval. “That’s my boy.”
“I want to give this guy some time to show up. Let’s take a ride downtown and make the loop?” I suggested. “Once we’re done, we can swing back here, and maybe we’ll catch sight of this guy before we head home.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He gave me a nod, then he followed as I pulled out of the parking lot.
As we drove towards downtown, I thought back to my life before Delilah.
Back then, I never would’ve dreamed of getting involved with just one woman.
The thought just didn’t interest me. I was all about getting in and getting out, never giving any chick the opportunity of getting too close.
Maybe I was just keeping my guard up, protecting myself from disappointment, or maybe it was the simple fact that I’d never met the right woman.
Whatever the case, everything changed the minute I saw the fire in Delilah’s eyes.
It was a feeling that I didn’t expect, and I was suddenly torn between what I’d always known and what I found myself wanting.
I tried to ignore those feelings she stirred in me, but with each moment I spent with her, they only grew stronger.
The pull I felt towards her was palpable, making me want things I’d never wanted before, and the mere thought of her being in danger was fucking with my head.
As we got closer to her place, I was becoming more and more on edge.
I needed answers, and I was determined to find them as we pulled up to her apartment.
Unfortunately, there was still no sign of the asshole anywhere.
My patience was running thin as I looked up at Delilah’s place.
Just like earlier, all the lights were off except the one small lamp by the window.
I was sitting there, staring up at her window, when I got the strangest sensation that someone was watching me.
I took a quick glance around, but saw no one.
Sensing my unease, Shotgun turned to me and asked, “You all right?”
It was getting late, and while I wasn’t ready to leave, I had no doubt that he was. “You can head on back. I’m gonna stay here for a while and make sure this guy doesn’t show.”
“If you’re staying, I’m staying.”
I nodded, then settled back in my seat. I looked back up at Delilah’s apartment, and even though I wished I was lying in the bed next to her, I found some small comfort in knowing she was close.
That feeling was quickly replaced with an all-consuming dread when I noticed a large shadowy figure—one much too large to be Delilah—walk past her window.