Dani flops down on the bed beside me and I hate the tears that are falling down her face. Michael took way too much from her already, and he shouldn’t get any more of her tears.
“Don’t you think I know that? Hell, half the men here still haven’t forgiven me for putting you in danger, but they would protect me. I can’t ask them to do that, Nic.”
“You won’t have to ask Dani, we’re family…”
“Nic, Michael won’t rest until he has killed every member of the Savage Brothers and he’ll make sure it is painful,” Dani responds, and I know she’s right.
“Dragon can handle him…we have to tell him.”
“I can’t. I won’t. I’ve caused enough shit. Fuck, I almost got you killed. You have to promise me you won’t tell him, Nic.”
“Dani, you have to let the past go.” A day hasn’t gone by that she hasn’t apologize for the mess with Tiny.
“It might be alright for you but it’s not for me, and it sure as hell is not okay with Dragon. What I did was stupid and we almost lost our lives because of it. All because Dragon reminded me of Michael!”
“Dragon is nothing like Michael,” I feel the need to defend, because I don’t like that she ever thought of Dragon like that.
“Don’t you think I know that now? Hell Nic, I knew it then on some level, but my brain and mind…they don’t work right when it comes to Michael. Nothing works right…”
“I can tell Dragon, he’ll understand…”
“No!” She screams out in panic. “Promise me you won’t tell him! Promise me Nic, or I’ll leave right now. I don’t want anyone to know! Please!!!”
“Dani, you have to forgive yourself. I’m alive, you’re alive and we’re okay.”
“We are now, but Michael knows where I’m at, no one will be safe. He doesn’t know you’re involved, Nic. If he finds out, he’ll take it personal. You covered for me, you lied to him. Michael won’t accept that. I have to leave, it’s the only solution. If I leave he’ll follow me and leave you alone.”
“Dani, I’m getting married in two weeks!”
“I know. I’ll try and stay Nic, but I can’t put anyone in danger and…oh god, Nic, I can’t let Michael find me again. I can’t…”
Her tears fall harder and the sobs shake her body. I wrap her up in my arms and hug her closely, letting her cry. It takes all I have not to join her.
“We’ll figure this out. I promise we will.” I’m saying it, but even I’m not sure I mean it. I need to tell Dragon, but I won’t betray Dani. She’s had enough of that in her life. If I betray her, she’ll completely withdraw. I’ll lose her forever.
I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place here. I really don’t know what to do. So, for now, I hold Dani close and let her shed more tears over a monster who doesn’t deserve them. The only thing he deserves is death.
Chapter 3
Dragon
I’m going to be a fucking married man in two weeks. How is that shit possible? How did I get here? When I look back on the wild ride that Nicole and I have shared, I can barely believe it. I look over at her and Dani. They’re huddled up in the corner, thick as thieves. Normally, this would make me worry—especially with Dani involved, but I figure it is okay for now. Probably more damn wedding talk. I never knew women could go off the deep end over this shit. Damn woman had me sitting for two fucking hours picking out a cake, which seems ridiculous since she ended up picking chocolate. I mean hell, why did I try a thousand other flavors I had no idea existed, just to end up on chocolate?
“That looks like trouble,” Crush says sitting down beside me and angling his chair so he can watch Nicole and Dani’s huddle.
“Probably making sure they have the right damn shade of pink for napkins,” I say, only half joking.
“Fuck me, pink? Prez man, it’s bad enough you’re asking us to put on monkey suits, I’ll be damned if I will sit at a table surrounded by pink frilly shit.”
“I was thinking of making sure your new cut was pink,” I respond, taking a swig of beer.
Crusher throws up his middle finger after choking on his beer and I can’t help but grin. I smile a lot more these days.
“Heard from Dance?” Crush asks, his eyes still glued to the women.
“Yeah, he and Red will be back in town this weekend. They’re staying with Mary for a few more days.”
“He seems better.”
“Yeah, having Red in his corner seems to have helped.”
“It’s tearing Bull up, brother.”
“He’ll be alright.”
“Maybe, but he’s pretty messed up over Carrie.”
“Jesus, Crush. When did you become such a meddling busybody?”
“Fuck you, just making observations.”
“Yeah, well, I’m making some of my own.”
Crush turns and looks at me and it’s the first time since he sat down here, that I have his attention.