Page 43 of Storm's Deliverance

As we get closer, I feel her arms tighten around me. My hand moves, giving her thigh a gentle reassuring squeeze, stroking my thumb back and forth. I feel her relax slightly, until we come to stop just down from his parents’ house. Her fists grip a fistful of my T-shirt, her body locking tight around me. I kill the engine and just sit with her, not pushing her, not urging her to get off, letting her take it her time. I catch Enzo looking over at us, at his sister’s hands. His jaw sets tighter, his brows narrowing as his eyes meet mine.

I give a subtle shake of my head not to make a scene. He gives me a sharp nod, climbing off his bike before walking over to Ghost. I watch as he says something about Storm, and Ghost’s gaze flickers over to us, pure murderous rage filling his ice-cold gaze.

Someone needs to make sure they don’t do anything stupid. Beast stops beside me, looking down. I feel Storm’s body tremble, her cheek against my back, looking away from everyone.

“I think I will keep watch out here. Make sure none of the neighbours call the cops,” I murmur.

Beast nods, understanding in his eyes. “Good idea. I will let Prez know.” He goes to walk off but I grab his arm.

“You might want to assure Prez that no one lets their emotions take control,” I state, arching my brow as my gaze flickers over to Enzo and Ghost. He follows my line of sight.

“Gotcha.” He nods before walking off.

I sit, watching as they move on foot towards the house, spreading out and walking around the back. A neighbour across the road, an older lady, watches us with wide eyes.

Hawk spots her and walks over, oozing his charm. “Hey, sweetheart, why don’t you get yourself indoors? We don’t want no trouble. We just came for a guy; he did something unforgivable. So, we just want to remind him of what happens when someone crosses us. A little chat.” He grins, flashing her his white teeth.

The woman softens slightly. “I knew that boy Zeke was no good. You know he hit my daughter when they played out here. I watched him. He enjoyed it. Evil that boy.” She tuts.

My lips twitch, fighting back a smile. With him pissing off the neighbours, that means they are on our side, which means no trouble from the police.

Hawk crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, sweetheart, I can assure you, he won’t be causing problems anymore,” he says with a nod and a wink and walks off. I place my hand over Storm’s, gently stroking back and forth.

“Nice area this. Not sure I’d want to live here though. Not keen on having neighbours knowing all my business,” I mutter. “I mean, I don’t want them hearing my woman screaming while I fuck her, and what if I want to fuck her on the front porch? I should be allowed to do what I want without people looking over like fucking perverts,” I ramble. “Mind you, I am fucking good to look at. I have an outstanding dick. Maybe neighbours should admire it,” I ponder.

“Oh, my fucking god, will you shut up!” Storm snaps. Releasing her grip, she jumps off the back of my bike in disgust.

A slow smile spreads across my face. “Thought that might snap you out of it.”

She glares at me, fighting back a smile. “Your ego holds no bounds, you know that?” she snaps.

I shrug and get off my bike, standing in front of her. “It doesn’t, but it has some uses, like snapping you out of your head,” I say, lightly tapping her temple.

She exhales a slow breath and nods. “Thanks, I guess.” She shrugs.

“What do you want to do?” I ask.

She wraps her arms around herself, nibbling on her bottom lip. “I don’t know.” She pauses before running her fingers through her dark hair in frustration. “I wanted to be here, to face him, to scream at him, hit him, kick him. I wanted to make him suffer, but I—” She looks up at the sky. “I don’t know if I’m ready to face him. I don’t want him to see me, like this.” She gestures to herself.

“Like what? Beautiful, strong, and fucking ruthless?” I counter.

She gives me a ‘you’re full of shit look’, shaking her head. “That isn’t what I feel right now.”

I move closer, lifting her chin and forcing her to look at me. “Then I have a job to do. I will make sure you feel all of those things.” I pause before taking a step back, shoving my hands into my jean pockets. “It’s what friends are for.” I shrug, putting my wants and feelings aside. It isn’t about me, or what I want right now. It’s about her. For her to be herself again.

Loud shouting catches our attention, and we both turn to the house. The sound of crashing, things being smashed follows. I tense, ready to tell Storm to stay here while I go help, but the front door aggressively swings opens. Hawk and Beast drag a wild Enzo down the steps, and even from here I can see that his eyes are crazy. He’s panting with molten rage.

“What happened?” I ask as they approach, gripping Enzo tight.

“He’s not there, but he was.” Hawk pauses, looking at Storm. “Signs that he was there, left something behind.” He continues,giving a slight shake of his head, warning me. “It’s, fuck, just wait here for Ghost,” he grits out as Enzo tries to fight their hold. “Calm the fuck down. You getting arrested ain’t helping no one!” Hawk barks.

I look from them, then back to the house. An uneasy feeling settles in my gut. My feet move before I can think better of it, and I take off in a run to the house.

“Drix!” Storm yells after me.

“Stay there!” I bark over my shoulder, taking the steps up to the house two at a time before storming into the house. I pause when I see Ghost stood in the middle of the living room. His shoulders are rigid as he stares ahead. Rage paces back and forth like a caged animal.

Dad steps in front of me, placing a hand on my chest. “Son, don’t,” he warns.