Stiletto's Savior, page 9
“See? This is why I don’t want to talk about it,” she says, squeezing her eyes shut. “I don’t want your pity.”
“Dammit, girl, it’s not pity. I care about you. Naturally it’s gonna hurt me seein’ you like this.” I step closer, my voice lowering. “What happened to you… it’s not fair. It’s unjust and it never should’ve fuckin’ happened.”
She inhales deeply, opens her eyes, and holds my gaze. “I’ve survived far worse. If it weren’t for you…” Her voice trails off, and I can see the gratitude in her eyes.
“I couldn’t imagine living without you, Song.” The words slip out before I think about what the hell I’m even saying to her.
“Really?” she murmurs, though uncertainty lingers in her eyes.
“Look at me,” I urge, wanting her to see the truth in my words. “You’re not alone in this.”
“Sometimes since this happened, it feels indescribable. Like I’m trapped in a loop.” She swallows hard, emotion choking her. “I thought I’d escaped it. I never thought something like this would happen again.”
My jaw clenches.
Anger surges within me, boiling hot.
I want to kill the bastard, rip whoever touched her apart piece by piece.
I’ll revel the day I can watch the life drain from their eyes. “Whoever did this to you... I swear, I’ll make them pay. I’m going to help in whatever way I can.”
“Help?” She raises an eyebrow, skepticism dancing in her hazel-green eyes. “How do you honestly expect to do that?”
“By being here. Right now.” I lean forward, my breath catching. “And however long it takes after.”
“Save me the romantic bullshit, Miles. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Her voice wavers, but the fire remains.
My heart stutters and I repeat myself, this time being far more emotional. “I couldn’t imagine living without you. I’m not lying when I say that.”
Her eyes widen, a flicker of surprise threading through the haze of pain.
It’s like I just dropped a bomb in the room.
“Why do you care so much?” she asks, tilting her head slightly, studying me.
“I don’t know,” I admit, sighing heavily. “All I know is that I’ve tried to bury my feelings for you for a long time, and it never works out. I’m done trying to hide them. I want to be with you, Song. I want to give this a real, authentic shot.”
Her expression softens, but uncertainty lingers in her hazel-green eyes. “What makes you think I can trust you now?”
“You can’t,” I say, my voice low and steady. “I need to earn your trust and I’m going to prove myself to you. I won’t mess it up again.”
“That’s a big promise, Miles.” She bites her lip, weighing my words, her vulnerability laid bare in the stark light of the hospital room.
“Believe me, I know what I’m saying,” I squeeze her hand gently, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. “But I mean it. I want to build something real with you.”
“Real?” she repeats, a hint of disbelief coloring her tone.
“Yeah. Something I should’ve done years ago,” I lock my gaze onto hers, pouring every bit of sincerity into that moment. “You’re worth it.”
A silence hangs between us, thick and charged.
Hope flickers in her eyes, battling against fear.
I can see her heart warring with her mind, and just for a second, I wish I could ease that burden entirely.
“Fine,” she whispers finally, a small smile breaking through the tension. “Let’s see where this goes… but if you fuck up I’m done. You won’t get another chance ever again.”
Then, without thinking, I pull her against me.
Her warmth envelops me, and I can’t help but bury my face in her hair.
The scent of her shampoo, sweet and floral, wraps around us like an invisible cloak.
She fits perfectly against me, like she was made for this.
“God, I missed you, woman,” I murmur, my lips grazing the top of her head.
“Missed you too,” she whispers back, her breath warm against my skin.
My heart pounds as I tilt her chin up.
I search her eyes, wanting to make sure this is real. That she’s really here with me.
I close the distance between us, capturing her lips with mine.
It’s tender at first, a slow burn igniting within me. Soft and sweet, just like her.
Her mouth moves against mine, hesitant yet eager.
I deepen the kiss, pouring all my feelings into it.
The world outside fades away. Nothing else matters but us.
But I hold back. I want to take my time with her, to savor this moment.
When I finally pull back, our foreheads rest together.
I can feel her breath mingling with mine, warm and steady.
“Guess we really are doing this,” she says, a hint of disbelief in her tone.
“Damn straight,” I affirm, locking my gaze onto hers.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Stiletto
The engine of my bike purrs as I roll into the lot, the familiar hum quieting my nerves.
I’m not usually able to ride my bike much this time of year, but the roads are clear enough to ride.
The clubhouse looms ahead, a second home that smells like leather, old cigarettes, and hopefully some pot roast.
I ran into Ashley this morning when I was grabbing a hot matcha latte at Tart with Miles.
She told us to make sure we came back hungry this evening because she was starting a huge pot roast for the club.
I park and swing my leg off the seat, heart thumping with relief.
This truly is my home.
They didn’t throw me a big welcome-back bash. Thank God. I’m not ready for all that attention yet.
As I step inside, the door creaks, echoing in the empty space and a whiff of something familiar hits me.
It smells like the pungent scent of ginger, but I have to be mistaken. No one in here cooks with ginger.
A few heads turn, but most of the crew are glued to their conversations, eyes darting around like they’re expecting something—or someone.
“Hey, Stiletto!” Ripper calls out, but his voice lacks its usual enthusiasm.
Something’s definitely going on. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m not going to worry about it.
I settle onto the worn leather couch, pulling out my phone.
Scrolling through messages, I catch snippets of chatter behind me. Whispers. Glances thrown my way.
“Ugh,” I mutter under my breath, biting my lip.
What the hell is going on?
“Hey, girl.” Poison’s voice cuts through my thoughts like a knife.
She plops down beside me, her long silvery blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine," I reply, shrugging, but even I hear the edge of uncertainty in my tone.
“Fine? Please.” She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. “None of us are fine today.”
“Mmm,” I take a deep breath, curious to know why she said that. Glancing at her, I cock a brow. “What’s going on?"
Poison leans closer, a smirk dancing on her lips. “I don’t want to spoil it, but I can see how rigid you’re being. You might want to brace yourself, girl. The club’s throwing a ‘welcome home’ party for you tonight. All your favorite foods—homemade Chinese, especially.”
“You’re shitting me,” I laugh, the tension easing off my shoulders. “I thought I was smelling ginger when I walked in!”
“Yep,” she chuckles. “A lot of the ladies have been in the kitchen all day. So you should probably start drinking now.”
I feel so much lighter. This is what I mean when I say the club is my family.
“I can’t believe you guys planned something. You know I’m not the kind of person who wants to be the center of attention.”
Poison cackles, “Yeah and no one cares. You’re loved by everyone here. You went through something horrendous and then we almost lost you after you got home. We’re glad to have you back, girl.”
Poison grabs my hand and gives me a squeeze.
I force a soft smile, trying to keep my emotions at bay. “Thank you,” I clear my throat, forcing my feelings back down. “Um, how’s Asher doing?”
Her smile fades slightly. “He’s got custody of Tilly which is awesome, but Rachel’s still being a pain in our asses, trying to appeal the court or whatever.”
Rachel is Asher’s ex-girlfriend, and she’s a real piece of work from the stories I’ve heard.
“That woman needs some fucking help,” I say, shaking my head. “But that’s a win for you guys, right? You have custody of Tilly!”
“Exactly”" Poison nods, her gaze growing serious.
“Speaking of wins,” I change the subject, leaning in closer, “have you guys dealt with The Commander, or his men?”
I have to know.
I lost a portion of myself that I repaired years ago because of that man.
“Stiletto,” Poison swallows hard. “Zane doesn’t want me talking about it. He doesn’t want you getting too involved. I… I even agree with him. After everything you’ve been through, you need a break from this shit.”
Our gazes lock. “I deserve to know. What I don’t deserve is to be punished by the club or kept in the dark.”
After a few moments of tense silence, I shoot Poison a pleading look.
“Okay, okay.” She hesitates, then adds, “They’ve got the one guy stashed in the woods. He’s in an old cabin on the back part of the property. But they’re struggling to get anything out of him.”
My gut tightens. We need this fucker to talk.
Hell, I need him to talk.
“Maybe I shouldn’t be worryin’ about this shit,” I lean back, trying to sell that I don’t give a shit. “And since you told me about this surprise, I have plenty of time to get a couple of drinks in me before it all starts.”
“Smart thinking,” Poison nods, her expression softening. “If I was in your shoes, I’d need at least five to deal with the shenanigans the club is gonna put you through.”
“Yeah, well, even though I’m not a fan of shit like this… I’m grateful for the club.” I stand up and flick my hair over my shoulder, feeling the weight lift just a bit. “Thanks for the heads up, by the way. I really do appreciate it.”
“Anytime. Just… don’t let Zane see you too tipsy.” She raises an eyebrow, teasing me with a playful smirk.
I’m not worried in the least bit. Zane’s been in the club for a long time, so I’m sure he’s seen some prospects drunk as all hell and with any luck, I’ll be another drunk one.
“Please. I can handle myself just fine.” I roll my eyes, though deep down, I know he’d probably hover like a hawk—always protective, always watching.
I’ve really seen his protective nature since he visited me at the hospital.
It’s a good thing he’s the Prez of the club. I couldn’t imagine anyone else who would literally put their heart and soul into it like Zane does.
“Good to hear. Now go grab that drink while you can,” Poison says, nudging me playfully.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I hop off the couch, my excitement bubbling over as I head toward the bar.
This night might just be the break I desperately need.
Oddly enough no one is manning it. Weird. Zane must not know, or someone would have their ass on fire.
Whatever. I’m sure one of the guys is supposed to be back here.
Making my way behind the bar, I pour myself a drink, the amber liquid swirling in the glass.
The sharp scent of whiskey hits my nose, and I take a quick sip, letting the warmth spread through me.
The heavy doors swing open, creaking like an old coffin. I glance up, and there he is—Miles.
Strutting in like he owns the place.
His buzz cut glints under the low lights, tattoos dancing on his arm as he moves closer.
How is it that he’s a complete outsider when it comes to the club, and yet he demands the attention of everyone around him?
“Song,” he says, his voice thick with that New York accent. “Get ready. I’m takin’ your fine ass out on a date.”
My heart skips and for a second, I’m frozen.
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.
Miles doesn’t know that I know about this party.
Poison’s eyes widen, a smirk creeping onto her lips.
“Yeah?” I finally manage to say, trying to sound nonchalant. “And what makes you think I’d say yes?”
“Because I’m not giving you the option to say no, sweetheart,” He leans against the back of the couch, arms crossed, a cocky grin spreading across his face.
That confident spark in his brown eyes ignites something inside me.
“Well, that’s bold,” I tease, arching an eyebrow. “Don’t get used to getting what you want all the time,”
He shrugs, unfazed. “I always will when it comes to you,”
“Smooth talker,” I reply, rolling my eyes playfully.
I catch Poison’s gaze, and we share a laugh, an unspoken understanding passing between us.
“Don’t let her fool you,” Poison chimes in, leaning forward. “She’s totally down for a date. Right, Stiletto?”
“Poison,” I protest, shooting her a glare that’s half-hearted. “I’m not desperate to be romanced.”
“That’s a lie. What woman isn’t?” Poison winks, her silvery hair cascading over her shoulder.
“Right,” I say, looking back at Miles. “What’s the plan, then? Dinner and a movie, or just more of your charming banter?”
“How ‘bout you leave that all to me?” His eyes sparkle with mischief.
“Okay, make the executive decisions,” I laugh, the tension easing between us.
“Then it’s settled.” He pushes off the couch, extending a hand toward me as he gets up. “Go get ready and we’ll head out.”
I stare at his outstretched hand, suddenly nervous.
The last time we were this close... it wasn’t on good terms.
I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to ignore the fluttering butterflies threatening to break free from my stomach.
“Whatever you say, boss,” I place my hand in his. His touch is warm and comforting. “But Miles,” I start, pulling my hand back and tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, “this is all fresh, so be patient with me.”
“I know, Song,” he assures me, his brown eyes softening but the spark never leaving them. “We’re just headin’ out for a bit, all right?”
I nod slowly, not entirely convinced.
“And Song?"“He says again as he turns away.
“Yeah?”
“Don'‘ worry about tonight,” he smiles mischievously over his shoulder. “I just want you to have some good ole fashioned fun.”
A laugh bubbles up out of me as I shake my head.
There’s a lot about him that hasn’t changed—like that cocky attitude and I love it.
In hindsight, I’m glad we’re giving this a shot.
Everything is so fresh and awkward, but being with Miles makes me happy.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Miles
The truck rumbles along the highway, the engine’s growl a comforting backdrop to the scenery flashing by.
Billings looms ahead, and I can’t help but glance over at Stiletto.
She’s radiant today.
The sunlight catches her red hair, making it glow like fire.
Her hazel-green eyes sparkle with something I haven’t seen in a while—life.
“Look at that sky,” she says, her voice brightening the air between us. “It’s like the whole world is on fire.”
“Yeah,” I reply, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Just like you.”
She laughs, a sound so light it makes my heart skip.
Her smile reaches her eyes, and for a moment, she seems like the girl I remember from the Bronx, full of sass and spirit.
It feels good, seeing her come out of her shell, shedding all that heaviness.
“So, what are we doing out here?” she questions me, nudging me playfully.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “We’re about to check out a gym.”
“Why am I not surprised, Mr. Entrepreneur?” she teases, rolling her eyes dramatically. “Got some big plans, huh?”
“Big enough,” I say, keeping my tone serious. “But right now, you’re my number one priority. I just figure I need to make some moves here if I plan on staying.”
“Me?” she says, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, you.” I flash her a grin. “You’re looking damn good today. Like you’re ready to conquer the world.”
Her cheeks flush slightly, and she glances down at her hands, the confidence slipping back just a notch.
But then she lifts her chin, determination sparking back into her gaze.
I can see it—the fire rooted deep within her starting to spark again.
It stirs something deep in my chest.
“Well, maybe I will,” she replies, her voice steady.
“That’s the spirit.”
As we pull into town, I catch myself feeling hopeful.
This place has a pulse, buzzing with potential, just like her.
The streets are lined with old brick buildings and small shops, a mix of rustic charm and modern life.
I reach for her thigh, my palm resting just above her knee.
A small gesture, but it feels monumental.
She places her hand over mine, fingers intertwining.
I squeeze her thigh gently, a surge of warmth flooding through me.
This moment feels like a turning point. I’ve never been this sure about anything before.
“Song,” I clear my throat, suddenly aware of the weight of my words. “I’ve made up my mind. I want to stay here. I want to move my life out here.”
She whips her head toward me, eyes wide. “What?”
“Yeah,” I say, forcing the words out. “I’m serious. I want to give this—us—a real shot. The only way I can do that is if I’m here, in Billings, with you.”
