If I Should Die: A Kimber S. Dawn MC Novel Read Online Free Page B

“Here, let me help you up. At least. I’m trying to be a gentleman. Trying being the operative word.” I stare at him, assessing him from my perch on the bench. He seems harmless enough. And in the brief moment I was around him before, years ago, he didn’t try to hurt me.
    After letting my eyes scan him from head to toe once more, I slowly reach out my hands until our fingertips brush. He smiles, and it’s the most reassuring, warmest smile I’ve seen in…well, forever. And a second later, I react as my hands grab onto his. I don’t think twice, I just grab on, and hold on. And then I let him pull me up.
    “I already know you won’t tell me your name, but will you at least tell me where you’re going?” he asks. “Seems harmless enough. Just name the state.” He shrugs. “Or the area code.”
    “I don’t know area codes, stupid. And you should’ve started with a first name. That’s a much less creepier question than, ‘Hey little girl, where are you going alone on that bus?’ Just for future reference. You know, just ever in case?” I’m more than certain it’s hormones that also leads to embarrassment finally winning out and any false, cocky bravado I had when I started speaking wanes. Especially when the thought crosses my mind. Maybe he didn’t ask, ‘cause he didn’t care.
    “Okay, then, little girl, what’s your name?” His face reflects amusement. And my heart feels so light in my ribcage, I think it may fly out of my throat and escape. He asked me my name. He asked me my name. “Hey…” The amusement on his face falters, but his smirk remains in place. Then his dark blue eyes seem to lighten as they sharpen on mine. They’re almost completely silver when they’re done zeroing in on me. Instantly I want to flee, the weight of the room weighs too heavy on me, much like his stare, and it’s too much for me to take. I feel the silver chain tug on the flesh around my neck sharply, before his harsh words lash out, and the chain snaps. “Where the fuck did you get this, Pipsqueak?”
    I clench my eyes shut. Breathe. Just breathe. They can’t hurt you. They can’t touch you. ‘Cause they don’t even know where you are. And he? I peel my eyes open and square my shoulders, doing everything in my power to be every bit as tall at thirteen as I imagined he was. Which sucks, because he looks every bit of twenty these days.
    “I swiped it from Mildred. And?” Taking my fists into the tightest balls I can manage, I pound on his chest. Once. Twice. Then I shove him away from me, putting some space between us. Much needed space. I can’t freaking breathe! Freaking hormones! “After you left me. You asshole! And what’s it matter to you, anyway? It was gone the minute you left your bag unattended, jerk. I wish I would’ve never even told you where it was that day.”
    The look I give him, before running away without my lucky charm necklace, the one I held onto like a stupid life-line for the last several years…I hope the look is hiding the hurt I feel. God, I hope so.
    “I hope I never see you again, Jacques. Never.” But more than anything, I hope he doesn’t see the tears as they fall when I turn and stalk away…heading straight for the bus departing for NYC at 2:15pm.
     

That little pipsqueak. That damn little pipsqueak. I chuckle as I knot the chain of the necklace around the chain on my key ring. It’s been how long? Since that day in the park? Shit, several years at least. Yeah, because Ben and I hadn’t been able to ride that year. That was the last year we had to man the trucks because of our age.
    And Pipsqueak’s held onto the necklace that damn long? Hmm…
    I glance up, unable to hear her feet hitting the marble floor of the bus station any longer, and when I see her fleeting steps carrying her up the stairs to the far left of the station, I breathe in relief. No, I don’t know why. But I do watch her dark brown curls hanging in ringlets down her back as they bounce