Road from Ruin

Chapter Twenty

DELTA

With my phone plugged into my cars aux chord playing the same playlist I listened to when running away just a few weeks ago, I'm temporarily thrown back to that day. Alone for what felt like the first time in my life, rebelling against not only my family but the man I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. I was sad yet excited. Nervous yet exhilarated. Finding out a person you thought you knew is actually a complete stranger  changes your outlook on life. I try to push the thoughts of darkness, blood and fear from my mind. I'm grounded by looking down and seeing Reds massive hand firmly grasping my bare thigh. This man I once considered a scary stranger has offered me nothing but honesty and kindness. This situation is bizarre but I feel more at home than ever before.

"I can feel those wheels a turnin in your head angel. You feel weird bein back in this car?" Red asks pulling me from my thoughts.

"Not weird. It feels good having her back, just feeling... I don't know, clear? Clear headed. Like I was living a life I hated for so long, now somehow I feel more balanced and at home just driving across the country. Maybe that doesn't make sense but yeah, clear. Not weird."  I reply with a sigh.

After a long beat I hear Red say "clear" under his breath with a light smile lifting his mouth. I stare at his beautiful profile for a little longer before turning back to look at the scenery.

Hour pass in a comfortable quiet, music playing lightly in the background before Red eventually pulls in to a gas station.

"I'll fill up, you go on in and get us some snacks." Red says pulling his wallet from his pocket and handing me a 50$ bill. He leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to my lips then gets out of the car. I sit for a minute shocked by the normalcy of it all before going in to the little shop.

Scanning the aisles I put up some chips, jerky, chocolate and energy drinks before I start getting an uncomfortable feeling. Like I can feel eyes on the back of my head. I turn quickly to investigate but learn that I'm still alone in the store. Taking a big gulp I continue my shopping and head to the register that a nice older man is sitting behind.

"Got everythin'?" He asks without taking his eyes off the little tv tucked away in the corner.

"Yes sir. And whatever the charge is at pump three please."

He works away at counting my total when I hear a throat clear behind me. I turn slowly to see a man who looks about my age directly behind me.

"May I help you?" I ask tentatively, looking him up and down. He's dressed similar to the way Red normally does, but with more grease and dirt. His tan skin does nothing to hide the scars covering his face and I notice his hands and neck covered in tattoos.

"Just checking out the goods." He states firmly without taking his eyes off my ass. His Spanish accent matches him but stands out to me since we've only made it to Tennessee. The feminist in me wants to demand respect from this stranger but my fear of men reminds me that you have no idea how dangerous a person can be. So I ignore it.

Turning around I hand the attendant the 50$ bill and start grabbing my stuff.

"What too good for me to respond girl? How fucking disrespectful." The man behind me spits out.

"Disrespect? How would you even know what that means if you can't even tear your eyes off of my ass long enough to look it up in a dictionary." I fire back, not able to stop myself. I look deep into his eyes and see them change from a lazy challenge to a dark promise. He starts to step towards me before we both hear the bell ring and find Red looming in the entrance doorway.

"Angel. Problem?" He says without taking his eyes off the man. The man chuckles low and while looking Red up and down.

"No, time to go baby." I respond laying it on thick and start walking towards him before the man grabs my arm and pulls me towards him. Red is on him in a flash.

"Put your hands on my woman again and find out what happens." He spits with his hands on the mans throat. Red pushes him aside, grabs me and pulls me out to the car. He opens my door for me but grabs me by the hips before I can get in.

"He touched you. I wanted to fucking slit his throat. Can't even imagine what's going to happen when I get my hands on your soon to be ex husband angel, but I'm going to tell you now— It won't be fuckin pretty." He says before kissing me deep and slow. He pulls away and looks me in the eyes, I'm sure looking for some sort of disgust for his crudeness to be there.  I respond by leaning forward and kissing him back, even deeper than before.

"Good." Is all I say before getting in the passenger seat and shutting the door.

RED

We're a few more hours into the drive when the sun sets and I decide to it'll be time soon to find a motel. I've spent the drive thinking about the man that put his hands on Delta. I didn't even see him go into the store, I have no clue where he came from but I could tell he was patched. It took me a long time to calm down and stop fucking seething, but once I did I realized that even without patches he is definitely some club member. No clue what club. No clue if this is connected to our bullshit but it feels pretty strange that a random man decided to target my woman like that. I thought about apologizing to delta about my reaction and what I said about her loser ex but then I realized a) I would be lying and b) she really didn't seem to mind. In fact she has been in a good mood ever since. I see a sign in the distance that says vacancy and gently shake her shoulder to wake her up. She just fell asleep so she wakes easily.

"Motel up here. You're tired we can stop now and get up bright and early." I say quietly, turning into the parking lot.

"Mmmkay." She says, voice filled with sleep. I smile to myself. She's so agreeable when she's tired.

I leave her in the car, lock the doors and go in to get us a room. I grab our bags from the trunk, help her from the front seat then lead her to our room.

"You drove for eight hours alone today and somehow I feel like I've run a marathon. I swear I'll be more helpful tomorrow." She says while throwing herself on to the bed. With a big yawn she rolls on to her side, looking ready to pass out at any second.

"Let's get you ready for bed angel, you can drive some tomorrow if ya want but I'm fine driving the whole time." I say while untying her sneakers. She looks up to me and smiles.

"I like you." Is all she replies.

With her shoes off I grab her hands and lift her to her feet. We go through both of our night routines before I slide into bed beside her and pull her right up against me. I slowly move my lips up her neck to her ear and wrap my arms around her. Within seconds I can tell she's already asleep.

"I like you too angel."