Ogre

⊱✿ ✿⊰

Vidalia’s arms hold me in a vise grip for the entire ride to my parents’ double-wide in a wooded section of Pema. I don’t let myself focus on why she’s afraid, only on what I need to say when we arrive.

Parking in front of the cedar-stained home, I’m hesitant to shut off my Harley Low Rider. Vidalia is bound to have questions. She might even become hysterical once we climb off the bike.

Turning to face her, I’m startled by her now green eyes. I hadn’t realized they changed colors. This is just one of a million things I crave to learn about Vidalia Cornish.

“Can you climb off?” I ask, finding my voice.

Vidalia leans to her side and slowly eases off the bike. I wait until she looks steady before tossing over my leg and standing up straight. Her frightened gaze locks onto mine, and I know she’s waiting for answers.

I say nothing, though. Instead, I take this opportunity to run my fingers across her soft, freckled cheek.

“You’ll be safe here,” I finally whisper and then jut my chin toward the house. “This is my parents’ place, and few people know about it.”

When Vidalia nods weakly, I rest my hand on her elbow. I guide her up the front steps and onto the porch where I unlock the door and warm air hits us.

“I’ll cool this place down,” I say, leaving her side so I can switch on the air conditioner.

Vidalia doesn’t remain where I leave her. She shuts the door and locks it while scanning for trouble through the shades.

“I need to call my brother,” she says, reaching for her phone.

Moving quickly, I swipe it away. “No, don’t.”

“Why?” she asks, narrowing her gaze.

“What are you going to tell him?”

“Just what happened.”

“If he knows too much, he’ll want to get involved, and that could put him in danger.”

Vidalia glances at her phone in my hand. “When can I go home?”

“In a few days.”

“Days?” she balks, looking ready to reach for the phone. “I can’t miss that much work.”

“I’ll handle your boss. You can stay here where it’s safe while my club deals with the problem.”

Vidalia’s gaze moves from my hand to my face where she studies me for the longest minute of my life.

“My brother needs to know I’m safe. I can’t not show up at home.”

“Then call him and say you’ll be home in a few days and he shouldn’t worry.”

“He’s going to know something’s up. I don’t run off like this. He’ll also worry about me losing my job and not being able to pay rent. Money’s tight with my sister-in-law pregnant again.”

“Tell him you met a guy,” I suggest, circling her. “And he got you squared away with your boss, and you’ll still get the rent money. Tell your brother that you’ll give him the dirty details once you get home. If he’s anything like I am with my sister, he won’t push the topic if it gets too personal.”

Vidalia almost smiles, even as her arms wrap protectively around her body.

“Are your parents cool with me being here?”

“Yeah. They split their time between Pema and Ellsberg down south. I can use the place when they’re gone.”

Vidalia looks uncertain. I don’t know if she’s simply nervous about her situation or if she realizes my saving her was a bit too coincidental.

“What do I do while I’m here?” she asks, her voice shaking.

“You can watch TV. We have board games too. There’s food in the fridge, and I can get you anything you need.”

Tightening her arms around her body, Vidalia holds my gaze. “Are you going to hurt me?”

“No.”

“If you were, would you tell me?”

“No.”

Vidalia grudgingly smiles. “I wouldn’t tell you either.”

“Why ruin the surprise?”

I give her a smile I hope seems trustworthy, but probably makes her worry that she’ll end up in a shallow grave out back.

“If you expect me to stay here, am I supposed to wear the same clothes? I only ask because my Walmart garb isn’t comfortable for lounging in a hideout.”

“You can wear my mom’s clothes.”

Vidalia frowns, probably thinking my mom dresses like a middle-aged woman rather than a biker bitch.

“I know this is a mess,” I say, standing too closely and watching her face for signs she’s scared by my proximity. “Think of this time as a weird vacation. Or a few days off from your real life. I’ll bring you take out, and you can relax, and soon it’ll be over.”

“And I won’t lose my job?”

“I’ll make sure of that.”

“And why would anyone listen to you?” she asks, feeling a bit daring based on the shine in her eyes.

“I have some pull. Don’t you worry.”

“And you aren’t planning to get me drunk so that I’ll be a modest slut like at the bar the other night?”

“I don’t even know how to make jello shots.”

Finally smiling, Vidalia exhales deeply. “I thought I was going to die earlier. Being stuck here with you is preferable to death, so I’ll make the best of the situation. And it’ll only be a few days, right?”

“A week at the most.”

“A week?” she asks, cocking an eyebrow.

“At the most.”

“Okay, Gunnar.”

Hearing her say my name makes all the lies worth it. I smile a bit, making her frown suspiciously. She trusts me enough to go along with the situation, but a part of her remains cynical enough to suspect I’m full of shit.