“You think that’s funny?” I asked amused.
“I swear I knew that was going to happen. Damn baby. You deserve a medal for that one,” he said still laughing.
“Well I’m glad you find it so funny,” I said straightening in my chair and trying to hold on to what dignity I had left.
“Oh come on babe. Don’t be mad. It was funny,” he said trying to suppress his laughter.
“Whenever you are finished, I’m ready.”
He stood up and disposed of our trash then stood next to me and bowed holding his hand out to me. “Who says chivalry is a lost cause?” he asked grinning like a fox eating yellow jackets. I couldn’t help but grin myself and took his hand. I glanced out at the people looking at us around the restaurant. Everyone seemed to be smiling and sighing as if they were looking at a couple in love.
I followed Luke out the door and once in the truck I laid my head on his shoulder once again. We were a couple in love. I loved this man and in my heart, I knew he loved me too.
“Will you come home with me babe?” Luke asked tilting my head up to look at him. “I want to take care of you. I need to.” At that moment he could have asked me to jump off a bridge and I would have. The yearning and need in his eyes had my heart feeling as if it would burst.
“I would love that,” I said pulling his face to mine and kissing him. The kiss was soft, sensual and intimate, just what I needed. My whole body warmed and tingled with his touch. He wrapped his arm around my waist and I curled into his side. I didn’t want to think about anything. I only wanted to live every moment as it was given to me. I knew first hand that life was short and I would not take it for granted. I closed my eyes in hopes that it would only be a few minutes. I was full and tired and the past couple of hours had me weak and exhausted. Just fifteen minutes and I would be fine.
I was awakened with a jolt. Luke’s grip tightened around me as the truck swerved off the road. “Fuck!” Luke yelled. I opened my eyes and we were on the side of the highway.
“What’s wrong?” I asked sitting up. I looked at the clock and it was a little after three. I had only been asleep about twenty minutes.
“Blow out. I just put new tires on this truck,” he said mostly to himself. “Stay in here.” I watched him in the rearview mirror as he bent down and surveyed the damage. He returned to the truck to retrieve the tire tool and I noticed the look on his face was that of confusion and something else; worry?
“Everything ok?” I asked cautiously. He smiled, but it didn’t touch his eyes.
“It’s fine babe. Just a flat.”
I wandered what was on his mind as I watched him through the mirror as he took the lug nuts off to change the tire. A loud roaring sounded behind us and I saw Luke shake his head then stand up to face the motorcycles that were suddenly surrounding us. They were everywhere, casing the truck in from all angles. I panicked when I noticed the red and gray vests they were wearing.
They had come for us. I didn’t know if it was him or me that they wanted, but they had us now. There was no way we could get out of this. Luke had sent Regg and Kev home which left him alone and vulnerable; just as Red had said. I understood now why he needed the protection. I didn’t know what their problem was with Luke, but judging by the way they glared at him, it was huge.
I was in the driver seat with my face and hands plastered to the window. When a man walked up to Luke and put his finger in his chest Luke swung and connected with his left jaw. He was immediately grabbed by several others and pinned against the truck. I opened the door to get out. I wasn’t sure what in the hell I was doing, but I would not let my man be beat to a pulp or killed without trying to intervene. I had no idea what these guys were capable of, but whatever punishment they expected Luke to endure they would have to give me too.
“Dallas, stay in the truck!” Luke yelled through clenched teeth. My eyes found his and I knew he meant what he said, but I couldn’t leave him.
“Well look who we have here!” the man said rubbing his jaw. I had seen him before. His eyes were cold and mean and the big scar on his face made him even more evil-if that were possible. He smiled, but there was absolutely no warmth in it. He turned, walking towards me and I heard Luke struggling with the other guys, trying to break free.