I Said What I Said

Savannah

The ride back into town was nice. Just Damon and I, snuggled up on his bike and weaving through traffic.

We got a lot of funny looks from passersby, but we didn’t care. We just enjoyed our time together because we knew it was coming to an end.

Not that we wouldn’t get more, but for the day, definitely.

I’m sure my uncle was gone by now.

If Percy managed to come up with a half truth—that’s a strong if—then I may have a chance to sneak in and act like I was absolutely not completely naked all night with Damon between my legs.

Or at a party before that.

Or riding on his motorcycle and digging into my parents’ past that seemed to be haunting me and keeping my Angel and I from screaming at the world we were together.

Not to mention all the other things working to keep us apart.

Lucien Henley for one.

~Fucking asshole for shredding my dad’s jacket.~

~Why?~

Because I’m a Madis and he hates them.

~But why does he hate them?~

~If Nina and my mom were friends, then what the hell happened?~

Uncle Jonah made it seem like Lucien Henley hated us because Uncle Jonah was a police officer, but that’s not it.

Maybe a layer of the shit sandwich the Henley clan was serving up, but it’s okay, I will Chef Ramsay their asses.

When we pulled into the main part of town, the roar of other motorcycles came to life all around us, and before I could even turn my head to give a full 360, we were surrounded by bikers in leather on Harleys.

Damon stuck his legs around to act like kickstands and I kept my hold on him.

Daxon, coming from the middle of the black circle that held in place, he flipped his helmet off and came trotting our way like this wasn’t the middle of the street or anything.

“If your life was a fan, what you did last night hit it like the shitshow it was.”

I almost laughed at how Daxon and I kinda think alike. I mean I had just lost myself in thought and said they were shit sandwiches.

Daxon stopped, coming close enough he could inspect our outfits. He gaped, giving our clothes a once-over.

“What the hell!? You went to see Grams without me!? Now she’s going to hit me with the spoon!”

Daxon backed up with his fists at his side.

If I didn’t know any better, I would say he was scared.

I really love Gram grams.

“I didn’t really have a choice. Now, get the fuck out my way.”

Damon and Daxton held a pissing contest on who was going to move first. Older brother trying to show younger brother who was boss and blah blah.

“Ducky, would you just move please?”

Daxon gasped like someone getting walked in on, the look on his face like I had just discovered his most treasured secret.

A whoop from the police siren and the flash of red and blue lights was not what I wanted to hear next.

“Back away from the girl.” Jagger used the speaker to issue his orders. A loud sigh and a deadpan look at Daxon as I took my helmet off and let go of Damon to climb off his bike.

“This is all your fault, Ducky.”

I roll my eyes and look at the Samoan in his squad car with my arms locked under my boobs and a sass hanging from my bejeweled belt like an extension of myself.

“I’m fine, Jagger. I’m heading home, Damon’s taking me,” I yell back.

I’m exhausted and my knee is starting to hurt. I’m feeling the missed doses of my medication and the all-nighter Damon and I pulled.

“Return to your vehicles and be on your way, stopping the flow of traffic is against the law.”

I knew he was talking to the group around us.

Damon pulled off to the road and waited. Daxton climbing back on and moving to side with Damon while the rest went down the street and out of sight.

Jagger’s own squad car moving out of the way before he met me at the hood with a look of strong disapproval.

“Good morning, Jag. Have a good night?”

The sound he made from somewhere in his throat made me want to creep away slowly like you would a feral dog who’s eating.

“What are you doing on the back of that punk’s bike, Savannah? Last time I checked you don’t like that shit and you’re not allowed around him alone.”

My fear was gone and replaced with a surge of protectiveness of my Angel. I’m getting sick of everyone coming after him, talking badly and not even knowing him well enough to even form an informed opinion.

I get Jagger’s concern comes from a place of love for me. I’m like his kid sister and the fact my Uncle Jonah is his boss, he wants to look out for me and all that. I get it.

But I’m not going to let that overshadow how him and what seems like every other person in my life treats him.

~Why is he considered a punk? His last name? This has got to end!~

Even if Damon has been bad before being with me, so have I! It’s not like I have a clean reputation.

I don’t know how many people have seen my ass from all the times I’ve been dared to moon someone.

I’ve broken into people’s yards and swam in their pools, I’ve gotten into a lot of fist fights in my lifetime and lets not forget I have, only twoish months ago, beat a kid with a pink dildo and taped it in his mouth.

If Damon’s a punk, so am I.

Jagger never called me that though, did he?

~NO!~

Nobody did.

“Jagger, I am going to say this once. Give you this one last time. Do not refer to Damon as a punk or anything in that related group. I know we see things differently and I respect you.

“I love you, we are friends, but you, Dallas and anyone else who plans on talking reckless towards my boyfriend, will personally deal with me. Damon and I are together, officially.

“So you and the entire town can kiss my ass, directly on the hole. He is not a bad person. He, maybe, has done some bad, but it’s not like I’m a saint.

“Please, show some respect to my wishes and refrain from such name calling. You’re better than that. You really are.”

Jagger’s smile was a quick one, but I saw it.

“Can I go, Jagger? I need to get home.”

I pointed down to my knee so I wouldn’t have to say it. Even with all the time we spent naked in the wild, I still don’t want Damon to know I’m some frail old lady who is crying about her knee hurting.

Next I’ll be saying how I’ve fallen and I can’t get up. Get one of those life alert buttons and talk about my hip being made of glass and yelling about these coupons I left at home but still should be good.

“I’m proud of you, Vannah. Not for him. But getting back on the road. Hell yeah, kid.”

Jagger hugged me, picking me up like all the men in my life have taken to, and carried me back to Damon, who looked super pissed.

Daxon looked pissed too.

Both had red marring their pale skin. Daxon’s eyebrow ring looked like it was hanging at the end of his black hair instead of being attached to his face.

The snake bits he had in today instead of the rings like two black dots on the lining of his lips.

~Damon is my Angel, but daaaammmmmn.~

~Why is it all of his brothers are hot as hell?~

~It’s not natural.~

Sitting me down on the back of Damon’s bike, Jagger kissed the crown of my head and gave me a proud smile before he dropped it completely when his eyes landed on Damon’s scowling features.

“Her knee is fucking with her. Take her home no matter what she says. Drive safe. You have precious cargo.”

I scoffed and told him to get away with his cheesy self. I wasn’t five years old.

~I’m a grown woman!~

“Got it?” Jagger stopped, acting like he might puke from the next word. “Damon?”

This man is an ass.

~Why be so dramatic?~

I could feel the vibe change, the energy shifting to a lighter feel by his show of respect to me by being respectful to Damon.

“I got it.” Damon pulling the same face Jagger had for the dramatic effect I am already sick of. “Cop.”

He faked a gag then handed me the helmet, which I snatched and muttered how childish men are.

Jagger sparing a goodbye look, I waved and sent him on his way. Strapping the chin lock on good, I was ready to go.

“It’s Jagger. His name. Try using it next time maybe?”

Damon, climbing on and setting us up to go.

“How did you do that?” Daxon pointed with his eyes from me to the car Jagger was pulling away in.

“Do what?”

“Make a pig say his name. It’s always Henley trash or some shit.”

Damon stalled his work in starting his bike up, with both boys looking at me so intently I rolled the glass shield up so I could feel the wind and tell him the truth.

“I told him what I’m going to tell you right now.” I popped the latch and pulled the helmet back off. I could be dramatic too.

“Respect my choices, or I’ll kick your ass.”

The two brothers share a chuckle.

“Yes, but seriously, I’m sick of having to defend my Angel from people who don’t even know him well enough to know a damn thing. I know Jagger has arrested you guys before but that doesn’t make you bad people.”

Daxon claps his hands in slow motion.

“That goes both ways, Ducky.”

His smile flops to the ground.

“Just because Jagger or any other cop does their job and arrests you for a legitimate crime doesn’t make them pigs. Or whatever. Jagger and Dallas are just like my uncle, they become police officers to help people.

“I know they don’t get to all day 24/7, but that’s why the job exists. So, next time, if you find yourself doing something illegal, maybe think of that instead of spitting in their faces and screaming how the whole force is nothing but donut-snacking pigs.”

With that, I put the helmet back on and give Damon a tap to say, onward my noble steed! I am ready for the next adventure.

Leaving Daxon and pulling up to my house, I hated saying goodbye. Especially since I know Damon was upset about something.

More unspoken words being said.

Silent words being heard.

“Angel, if there’s something wrong, you could tell me. I could help. You don’t have to fight the world alone. I’m in your corner, you know I have your back, right?”

I took his hand in mine, braiding our fingers together as we walked up the steps onto my front porch.

Uncle Jonah was home, and I knew I would face his punishment sooner or later.

Damon stared at my feet. The matching white and gray leather cowboy boots with spurs made me smile on the inside since this was really funny.

“I’m not good for you, Savannah. Not in the grand scheme of things.”

I nudge his face with my own, nuzzling under his chin like some alley cat.

“Damon.” I pull his arms around me. Laying his hands on my ass and planting a hand on each side of his face so he could look me dead in the eyes.

“I. Could. Not. Give less of a fuck. If I tried. So what if this is a bad decision? I’m happy with you. You’re happy with me, and the rest of the world will either get on board with it or we can tell them to fuck off while we bang each other’s brains out.”

His lips slink into a hearty grin.

“In this relationship, we are the only ones who matter. Our families may not like it. We could guarantee they won’t, mortal enemies and all that. But, I’m not running from this.”

Reaching up on the toes of my boots, I stamp my death certificate to Damon’s lips.

Branding him, refusing to let him think of anything else that might be true, he isn’t good for me in the grand scheme of things, but I don’t care.

Call it selfish or reckless.

Call it whatever you want.

Damon makes me happy.

That’s it.

And for that, I’ll go to war.

Fight whatever battle needs to be fought so we can keep the happiness we have found safe from the greedy hands of his dad, the past or whatever stands in our way.

I’ve already said I’m a rider.

“All or nothing, Angel. I’m placing my bet on you. You already know I don’t lose.”