Branded

Chapter 18

- Nikki's POV -

I sit waiting in an abandoned gas station. Michael was supposed to be here an hour ago. He said he was bringing a few friends with him because we were going to do something dangerous. Since I found out about his drug world, he's gotten more involved in breaking me free. He wants me to have more enjoyment in life and to not just be the perfect waitress who meets him every day at the same time.

He told me to wear something so casual that anyone might be seen wearing it. I chose a plain white t-shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of vans. My hair is up in a ponytail, but even then, it's getting ready to change. Michael has convinced me into a haircut and a dye job. That would be our date later in the week.

I hear a car pull up and look around the corner cautiously. Its a large, white van. Michael isn't driving it, but he hops out of the back. Two other guys join him. He brings them over to where I'm sitting. I stand, brushing myself off, and look up as Michael greets me with a kiss.

"What a looker, mate." says one with a bandana around his hair.

"Maybe this operation will have to go south so one of us can take her." said the other who had blonde hair and a different accent. Irish.

"Shut up, both of you. Nikki, this is Ashton and Niall. They're some of my closest assistants and friends. You can trust them. Sort of" he gave a warning glance to them both.

Ashton winked at me and gave a sly smirk. I ignored it and smiled at the two guys. Michael snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his side. "You ready for this?" he asked nuzzling me.

"Please explain to me what we're doing" I said shying away from his nuzzle a little. Not to be rude, but because it tickled.

"Robbing a store." Ashton blurted.

Michael glared a little, "Yeah. We're robbing a convenient store. You up for that?"

"You want me to rob a store? Like hold someone at gunpoint?" i asked a little shocked.

"No. I'll handle the gun. You just hold the bag open while they pile the money in and grab anything else you can." he paused, "Can you handle that?"

"I.. I.." I looked to Michael and then the other guys. Ashton wears a face that tells me he thinks I can't do it. I hate being underestimated, "Yeah, I'm ready." He nip at Michael's lips and give him a quick kiss. The guys look at me unsure, but eventually pile into the van.

Ashton drives, Michael takes shotgun, and Niall rides in the back with me. He sizes me up a little, not to be critical, but to see if I really had what it takes. He seemed protective of me already. Maybe its because I'm Michael's girl and am about to get myself killed. He doesn't say anything.

Ashton stops the car about four blocks away from the store. Michael instructs him to wait behind the store and to drive up when he sees us leaving. Or when he hears gunshots. The part about the gun makes me a little uneasy, but I smile through it all. Michael takes my hand and pulls me away from the store.

He walks us away from the store a little way. There are some trees not far away. He takes me there. Sheltered from view, he presses me into a tree and kisses me passionately. His hands wrest on my hips and press me harder into the tree. I kiss him back and smile. He pulls away, "What?"

He laugh a little and kiss him again, "I love you."

"You don't have to do this if you don't want."

"No. I want to... I really do"

"Then here." he says handing me a black handkerchief, "Ties it around your face. Like in one of your old west movies. And wear this."

He hands me a black hoodie. Something anyone could buy at a normal store. I slip it over my shoulders and ties the handkerchief on. He smiles at me, "You look real dangerous"