Nodding, I pulled my phone out and ordered a Lyft. There was no way both of them could fit on my bike.
“What’s your name?” she asked, falling into step behind me.
“The name’s Chuck, but most people just call me Clash.”
She eyed my cut curiously, then softly said, “I’m Gina, and this is my son Alex.”
Alex smiled. It was one that was nothing but teeth and happiness—one that broke down every hard wall I erected around my heart. “Mister, do you have a TV?”
“I do,” I said with a smile. “A big one.”
The boy’s face lit up. “Mommy, did you hear that? The man says he has a TV! I can watchSpongeBobagain.”
Gina laughed, but you could still see the shame in her eyes. “Well, maybe if you’re a real good boy, he’ll let you watch someSpongeBob.”
Alex shot me the hugest smile, one that tugged on every heart string I had. Something told me I’d let this kid watch all theSpongeBobin the world if he asked for it.
The sudden realization made me wonder how one kid and his mother could make a cold heart like mine suddenly feel so soft after years of sitting in my chest like a brick of hardened coal. It was an odd feeling, one that I didn’t particularly like, but I ignored it, knowing that right now these two souls probably needed me more than I would ever need them.
3
I must be fucking crazy, or desperate, or maybe I’m both.
What the fuck has come over me?
Why the hell am I getting in a car, following some hunky biker to God only knows where?
Hunky?
Well, that came out of nowhere.
Damn it, Gina, pull yourself together, woman.
If I thought Alex’s father was bad, Clash had to be ten times worse. I’ve heard the stories about bikers and the destruction that comes with them. This guy was definitely six feet of pure trouble. It didn’t matter that his hazel eyes were driving every engine inside me crazy. Like a vehicle spiraling out of control, all dash lights on, and everything malfunctioning. His hazel eyes dismantled me, creating havoc inside of me.
Muscles flexed, he held the car door open for us, frowning the entire time. He looked grumpy as hell, but for some reason, there was a softness to his eyes, one that had me making the craziest move I’d ever made.
“Follow me,” he informed the Lyft driver. He then shoved a wad of cash in the guy’s hand. “This should cover it.”
The man in the front seat nodded, his pitiful eyes meeting mine in the rear-view mirror as Clash closed the door. The second he mounted that bike, my ovaries started panting like wild dogs. Jesus, why was a man getting on a bike so fucking sexy?Knock it off, Gina.
The man in the front seat cleared his throat. “Are you okay, Ma’am? Should I call the police? Are you in danger?”
Danger? Yes… but not by him. At least I don’t think so.
“No, sir, but thank you for asking.”
He didn’t seem convinced, but he continued to follow Clash down the winding streets.
Alex was a jumping ball of excitement as we rode down the road, staring at all the houses with eager eyes. “Mommy, can I take a shower first?”
“Of course you can, baby.” I kissed the top of his head, my nose scrunching up at the garbage smell wafting off my small child. I didn’t dare take a sniff of myself; I was quite certain I was even worse.
We pulled up in a fancy neighborhood in front of a condo that seemed massive.He lived here?
The Lyft driver gave me a weary smile and handed me a card. “This is the number for a human trafficking officer. If you feel like you two are in danger, call this number as soon as possible.”
Trafficking?
