Page 119 of Praying for Thunder

I sighed in relief. I actually sighed in relief for others.

We lay in silence again until I spoke a thought out loud. “Chubs says sex is the best activity in the world.”

Even in the dark, I could see her try to smile. “Under certain circumstances, he’s right.”

Taking up most of the bed, I rolled to my stomach, propped on my elbows. “I’m sixteen. I’m not a child, Tabi.”

Admiring my over 6’ frame, she huffed, “I know that. You’re absolutely gorgeous and growing into a courageous young man.”

I teased, “I do wake up with a hard-on every morning if that helps.”

“Must we talk about this?” She winced, but it wasn’t raw disgust.

There was hope.

“I’m just sayin’. It would be nice to be able to do something about it.”

Jokingly, she smacked me. “Behave.”

Behave… “Does Piercer hurt you, during, you know?”

She shivered. “Not as bad as some, I’m told.”

“I guess to make it inside the club, it’s part of the job?”

“Unfortunately.”

I thought for a minute. “But you’re saving lives?”

She sighed, just like I had, and smiled. “I like to think so.”

Hidden in the darkness, you can truly find miracles. “You’re not the first hero I’ve met, Tabi, but I’m thankful for meeting another one.”

Her mouth parted. “Hellion, are you trying to woo me?”

I laughed, “You know the worst thing about all this?”

“Besides sex being forced on us?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ll suffer through it. But seriously, who can I tell about this? Think about it, I could have a hell of a story to brag about, losing my v-card to some hot older woman—on the other side of the law, yet. I can’t tell a soul.”

With so much heart, she reached up and held my bruised face. “I’m in the same boat. I could brag I took the virginity of some legendary motorcycle club President, but can never tell a soul.”

Her words pinged somewhere deep inside me. “You think I’ll have my own club someday?”

Her thumb caressed my busted bottom lip. “Oh, yeah. Your presence screams leadership. I think that is why Piercer hates you.” She exhaled with a knowing. “Besides, men like you don’t fit into society after living the way you have.”

That truth punched me in the gut. She was right. Only the strong could travel my path and live to tell about it. Yet, the worst part, for me, was having to say goodbye to the love of my life. Maybe Tabi could somehow make that more bearable.

I stared at her mouth. “Tabi, I’ve never kissed anyone but Rya.”

“I know.”

“I never wanted to, either.”

She was kind. “You don’t have to kiss me.”

Dio had kissed Ani with endless affection. Piercer barely acknowledged Ani was human.