The next morning, Bruce was ecstatic, even though he had to wake up and leave very early. Upon talking to Matt, he found out that Wednesday was Jenny’s night off. It was an ideal chance for the two couples to go out together. Bruce had only seen Matt’s girlfriend twice and they had not even spoken to each other. He was curious to know what kind of person she was. If anything, she had to be a little feistier than his friend’s ex girlfriends. Bruce had never seen a woman ditch Matt like that.

Furthermore, he was starting to wonder whether Frank Howard was the vicious man that everyone thought he was. After all, Bruce had been in Las Vegas for three days and nothing serious had happened. On the contrary, everything seemed perfectly normal. Sin City was as loud and as shiny as ever and there were no reports of any crimes on the news. Bruce had not even caught a glimpse of the man that Melissa was so terrified of. The only thing that convinced him that Frank Howard was very dangerous indeed was her narrative of the valet that he had killed. Even the story that he and the rest of the motorcycle club members used to discuss had faded from his memory.

Still, the little voice in Bruce’s head kept reminding him that he had to be careful. Not just because he could endanger his or Matt’s life, but also for Melissa. Therefore, he did not use his motorcycle to get to Marino’s, a fancy Italian restaurant, a mile east from their hotel. Unwilling to risk being seen riding his motorcycle, Bruce and Matt drove there in his rental car. Their girlfriends were sat at the lower east corner of the massive, crowded restaurant. Bruce’s initial thought was to complain, as it was a little too close to the entrance. However, seeing as Melissa and Jenny were all dressed up and in high spirits, he decided to let it go. The many tables in front of theirs would protect them from prying eyes.

“Hiiii!” Melissa sang, getting up from her seat. Just when Bruce was about to verbalize, Jenny rose as well.

“Heeeey!” She chirped in a really high-pitched tone. Bruce tried really hard not to laugh, whereas Matt seemed more used to her funny voice and only smiled at her, before taking a seat. As he sat next to Melissa, he leaned rightward and whispered in her ear:

“She sounds like a cartoon.”

She squeezed her lips, in an obvious attempt to control herself from laughing.

“She does, doesn’t she?” Melissa grinned at him.

“Bruce, I’ve heard a lot about you.” Jenny interjected. “Have you really known Matt since kindergarten?”

“Yeah, we grew up in the same neighborhood.” Bruce stated. “What about you and Melissa?”

“We’re college buddies.” Jenny said with a toothy smile on her face. “We’ve been besties for ten years.”

“Sometimes, I can’t believe how I’ve survived twenty-six years of friendship with him.” Matt teased him.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Bruce said, looking around him. A waiter was taking an order from a table to the right, whereas another waiter was leaning with his back against the counter at the bar and put his hands in his pockets, down the hall and to the left.

“Relax man, I’m just kidding.” Matt laughed. Bruce leaned towards his friend, curling his index finger.

“Something’s wrong here.” He whispered.

“What?” Matt squinted at him.

“That waiter at the bar. He looks a little too relaxed.” Bruce explained.

“Why do you say that?” Matt said, throwing a rapt glance at the tall waiter.

“Have you ever seen a waiter with his hands in his pockets?” Bruce inquired.

“Maybe his dad owns the place.” Matt speculated.

“And he works as a waiter?” Frustration was lingering in Bruce’s voice.

“Dude, you’re overreacting. Relax, will you?” Matt requested. “He’s coming.” He continued, as he noticed the man in question picking up some menus from the counter. Despite his friend’s attempt to convince him, Bruce could not shake the feeling that the tall, stocky man approaching their table was not really a waiter. And his hunch proved correct, just a few seconds later, when he sensed the cold, steel gun barrel on the back of his neck.

“Get up.” The waiter commanded. “Both of you. Don’t make a scene or the blonde gets it. Follow me.”

Bruce had been held at gunpoint before, but not in a large, crowded restaurant. He kept his cool and slowly arose to his impressive, 6’3” stature, as Matt did the same. Melissa watched with bated breath, terrified by the sight of the gun in the waiter’s hand. The two friends walked alongside each other. In a few seconds, they left the restaurant hall and found themselves on a rather narrow corridor, with two staircases that led downstairs, on the left and the right corner.

“Go left.” The waiter urged. Bruce did not really wonder about the identity of the man who was behind this. He was positive that Frank Howard wanted to see them in private, but he could not guess his intentions.

“At least Melissa and Jenny are fine.” He thought to himself, seeking comfort in the fact that both of them were unharmed. Climbing down the steel stairs, he entered a dark basement, as Matt and the waiter followed behind him. Someone pressed on a switch and a light bulb hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the large, empty room was lit. An average-height, thin, elderly man was standing next to the right side of the wall.

“Mr. Harris, it’s nice to finally meet you. Let me introduce myself. Frank Howard.” He spoke in a hoarse voice, walking up to him, extending his hand for a handshake. His words might have sounded friendly, but the sullen look in his eyes did not seem friendly at all.

“How do you know my name?” Bruce maintained a commanding tone as he addressed him, not offering his hand.

“We have a common acquaintance.” Howard smirked at him. “Joe Sanders thinks highly of you.”

“What do you want?” Bruce groaned, trying to hide his surprise.

“First of all, let me tell you that I know all about you and my daughter.” Howard spoke in an authoritative tone. “I’ve known since Sunday night. A friend of mine saw her outside your hotel. I trust she’s told you about me.”

“Nah.” Bruce taunted him.

“You got balls, kid. I give you that.” Howard said with a sarcastic smile on his aging face. “You know what I do to men who date my daughter without my permission. They…” He faltered. “Disappear.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Bruce ignored his threat.

“My men were about to take you out, when I received a phone call from Sanders.” Howard claimed. “He said he needed you. He mentioned something about an armored truck heist.”

“Son of a bitch!” Bruce yelled.

“Don’t get upset, son.” Howard said in an even more sarcastic tone. “I trust Joe’s judgment. If what he said about you is true, you got nothing to worry about.”

“Meaning?”

“I want you to help him out with that heist.” Howard spoke in an emphatic tone. “Rejoin that motorcycle club.”

“And why would I want to do that?” Bruce smirked.

“Because it’s the only way for you to keep seeing my daughter.” Howard replied, taking a step closer to him. “I get 20% of what’s in those trucks, Sanders makes an important addition to his crew, you make some serious cash and you get the girl. It’s a sweet deal, isn’t it? Not to mention I’ll be needing your help in the future. By the way, the only reason I wanted your friend to attend our meeting is that I needed him to hear this, too. Joe said he’s not very smart, but you kids go way back. He’s very dear to you. If you don’t help Sanders out, I’ll kill you both. Simple as that.”

“Oh, shit…” Matt whispered in a shaking voice. Bruce could not believe his ears. He stared at Howard in disbelief, unable to force another word out of his throat. He was in an even more difficult position, but now, his options were limited. Not only did the “Blazing Sons” tolerate Howard, but they were actually his partners in crime. Most likely, his former “brothers” would turn against him, should he refuse to assist them. Bruce believed that he had no other choice, but to say “yes”. Still, should he do such thing, Melissa would definitely be mad at him and possibly even break up with him. Just when he was about to verbalize though, Howard added:

“You got twelve hours to decide. You’re free to go.”

He did not risk another glance at Melissa’s father. Bruce slowly turned around, as Howard’s goon stepped aside. He climbed up the stairs with heavy heart, breathing in sighs. In less than 48 hours, Bruce had to discuss something very important with Melissa again. This time though, even a steamy night in bed would not make him feel better. He walked back to their table, but there was no way that he would stay in that restaurant anymore. Bruce stopped behind Melissa’s chair and leaned towards her.

“Meet me in the parking lot.” He whispered in her ear, before passing her by. Melissa did not have the time to ask him why. Feeling the adrenaline rushing through his veins, he turned left and exited the restaurant, as she followed him. The open-air parking lot was a few feet down the road. Bruce was so tense that he did not even look back, as he made his way towards it. He stepped into it and stopped between two, dark sedans, running his hand through his hair, as the noise of the busy road filled his ears.

“It was my father, wasn’t it?” Melissa asked, joining him.

“Who else?” Bruce spoke in a frustrated tone.

“What did he want?”

“I’m sorry, Melissa.” He sighed. “It looks like your father and my MC are in bed together. He wants me to rejoin them; rob those trucks. He’ll kill me and Matt, if I don’t.”

Shocked to her core, she covered her mouth with her hand, as he kept shaking his head sideways. Bruce was still unable to wrap his head around Howard’s offer. However, knowing that secrets would destroy their relationship, he decided to share everything with her. Eventually, Melissa would discover that he was back in the motorcycle club. He could not keep this a secret from her.

“Oh, my God.” She whispered in despair. “What are you going to do?”

“He gave me twelve hours to decide.” He continued. “What the hell am I supposed to do? What can I do? I could get killed doing this. Even if everything went well, I would…” He faltered. “Lose you. I don’t want the life, baby. I just want to be with you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, as her lips trembled. Sensing that her emotional outburst was imminent, Bruce opened his arms. She collapsed into his embrace, bursting into loud tears, as she put her head on his chest and her arms around his waist. Wrapping his arms around her back, he held her tight, before kissing her on the top of her head. Her body shook, as sadness poured from her. Her tears quickly soaked his shirt.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” She sniffled. “I’ve brought this upon you.”

“You didn’t do anything.” He whispered.

“Yeah, I did.” Melissa insisted, leaning back. “None of this would have happened, if you hadn’t met me.”

“We can’t turn back time.” He said with a bitter smile. “And I’m glad I met you.”

“You should go.” She suggested. “Leave Vegas and never come back.”

“What did you just say?” Bruce squinted at her.

“It’s the only way.” Melissa said, as another tear rolled down her left cheek. “You’ll be safe in Boston.”

“We don’t know that.” He grumbled.

“Please, Bruce!” She begged. “I just need to know that you’re safe. I know my father. He won’t come after you. He’s never gone after anyone outside Nevada.”

“What about us?” Bruce’s voice broke, as he blinked back tears. Melissa shut her eyes, squeezing two tears out of them. With bated breath, he waited for her to open her mouth, already knowing the answer to his question. She removed her hands from his midsection and put them on his face. Bruce closed his eyes, biting his lower lip, savoring her touch.

“Remember me, baby. Remember us.” She spoke in a thick voice, as more tears spilled from her eyes. Her words broke his heart, shattering the world that they had built together in just a few days. Bruce bent his head a little and pressed his forehead against hers, tightening his grip on her back, as if he was trying to hold on to a dream that had gone up in flames.

“Always.” He whispered. Unable to fight back the tears, he sensed the salty river flowing freely from his eyes. Melissa kept stroking and caressing his cheeks. It wasn’t long before her sniffles turned into sobs. Her shaking hands were getting colder by the second. Bruce closed his trembling lips. He kissed her on her forehead, as a tear rolled off his right cheek.

“Kiss me.” Another soft, tender whisper escaped her. He slid his hands up her back, laying one more kiss on the bridge of her small nose. Their mouths joined in a soft, bitter kiss. She ran her fingers through his hair, as he caressed her upper back. Feeling her soaked lips on his own, he held her even tighter. Their kiss goodbye did not last long. Once again, Melissa collapsed in his arms, grabbing fistfuls of his hair.

“Bruce…” She sniffled.

“Don’t say it.” He whispered.

“God, I wish I didn’t have to.” One more, deep, heavy sigh left her lip, as she slid her hands down his face. Melissa stroked either side of his neck, before stopping them on his shoulders. She gently pushed him back and looked up at him. Her puffy, reddened eyes tore him into a million pieces.

“Goodbye, baby.” Melissa whispered, as even more tears streamed down her cheeks. Bruce was too overwhelmed by emotion to even consider a reply. He just stared at her beautiful eyes, taking mental pictures of the woman that he would remember for the rest of his life. A cold sensation overflowed within him, as she loosened her grip on his shoulders. He dropped his arms, as if he had no more strength in his muscles to keep them up. Melissa eased her own arms down. She took one step back, squeezing her trembling lips, gazing into his teary eyes. Bruce could only watch, as she slowly turned around, deep down knowing that he would bear the scars of this moment for as long as he lived. The cold settled in his limbs and his heart, as she began to walk away from him.

“Always, my girl. I’ll always remember you and everything we had. It wasn’t much, but it was the best time of my life. Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll meet again…”