“Yeah, just let us know if you need a hand.”
“I’m sure I’ve got it, but thanks. I’ll reach out if I need anything.” I nod as I move out of the office, jogging down the hall, pushing out the doors, and to the bike.
Pulling up the address on my phone, I thank the small world that we live in.
The phone rings twice before the voice picks up. “What?” It sounds as irritated as I always remember it being.
“Dom, it’s Carter.” I haven’t really used my first name in so long that it feels foreign in my mouth.
“Fuck off, Carter?” He laughs a little. “Man, how long has it been?” Pulling out of the parking lot.
“Too fucking long. But I have to ask you something. Is there a girl freaking out in the club right now?”
“I don’t think so.” He laughs. Before he grows quiet. “The fuck?” I hear some people complaining in the background. Then banging on a door. “How the fuck did you know?” He comes back on, and it makes me laugh. “She’s locked herself in the goddamn bathroom.”
“Shit, that’s probably my fault.”
“What the fuck is going on?”
“I’m not sure. She’s kind of freaking out. Do you have some place that she can hide out in?”
“Carter, what the fuck are you dragging me into?”
“Dom, you’d be doing me a favor. Her name’s Ella. Tell her Axe is on the phone. I’ll tell her. I’m not sure what exactly is going on with her, but this isn’t fucking normal. I’m on my way now, she just needs a place to feel safe.” He grumbles out a couple of words. I take it as an okay, and then he knocks on the door.
“Ella, can you open the door? I have Axe on the phone for you. He wants to talk to you real quick.”
“What?” I can hear her confusion, but I’m assuming since I can hear her, she’s opened the door. “Hello?” comes through the speaker in the helmet and I exhale.
“Babydoll,” I can hear her exhale, “Dom is an old friend of mine. I’m on my way, but until then, he’s going to give you a safe place to hang out. Okay? Ella, you can trust him.”
“Okay.” she whispers. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you. I’ll see you soon.”
Pulling up outside of the club, kicking the stand down, I can see Dom looking over at me. I haven’t seen him since I left for boot camp after high school.
“Holy shit,” I hear him shout as I take off the helmet. “Carter?”
“Dom,” I nod to him as I walk up to the front.
“Holy shit, dude. You went and joined The Syn? One extreme to the other, huh?” I just laugh, shaking my head, before I look back at him.
“Thanks for doing this. I have no fucking clue what’s going on with her, but…”
“You know I got your back.” It’s funny because that’s the reason I called him. “Man, she’s a goddamn wreck. I don’t know how much she’s had to drink tonight.” He nods into the club. “Come on.” I follow him back into the back of the club and he pauses, giving me the look he always gave me in high school as he was trying to talk me out of doing something stupid. “Man, what are you dragging me into?” He asks, causing me to laugh.
“Nothing. Your name stays out of it.” He nods before he unlocks the door and opens it.
“Axe,” my name comes out of Ella’s mouth as a gasp and she rushes towards me, wrapping her arms around me and burying her face in my chest.
“Come on, Babydoll.” Wrapping my arms around her, pulling her tightly into me before I place my hands on her shoulders, pushing her back slightly so I can see her face. “Ella, look at me.” I whisper as I see her brown eyes come up. Pushing her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ears, and I swipe my thumbs underneath her eyes, clearing the black tears streaking her face. “Hey, I’m here. I will not let anything happen to you, okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” I can’t help but lean into her and place a kiss on her forehead.
“Holy shit.” Comes from the door and I just shake my head. Cutting my eyes to him, causing him to laugh. I’ve known the guy since we were 5. Even if I haven’t seen him in 7 years, he still understands the look.
“Come on. Let’s get you out of here. Okay?” Pulling back again and looking at her, she just slowly nods her head. Turning, putting my arm around her, and pulling her into my body. She softens into me as I walk with her out the door. “Thanks again.” Nodding to him as we walk through the door.
“Carter.” Dom calls out to me. Turning my head, I look at him. “I’ve been meaning to call. I feel like an asshole cause I heard about what happened. I just didn’t know how to—”