| |
Pitt
Donte came jogging back down the road towards me. The Valium had started to kick in, and I could feel the fogginess the was creeping over my mind. My shakes had begun to ease, and I breathed more calmly.
“Hey Pitt, you alright?” Donte asked.
I smiled lazily and nodded my head. “My meds have started to work. Thank you for not thinking I was a completely crazy person.”
Donte chuckled and shook his head. “No bother. I have plenty of experience with people who struggle with anxiety. So, I just spoke to my boss, Obsidian; he is sending Dakota, another mechanic, out with the tow truck. You can either travel with him in the tow truck or on the back of the bike with me, and we can take you into town.”
I winced as I thought about the cost. I had planned on sleeping in Valerie to not have to pay for motels.
“How much are motels?” I asked.
Donte shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know for sure. Listen, are you broke?”
I sighed. “No, probably more stupid. I wanted to overcome my anxiety and step out of my comfort zone, so I thought the best way to do it was to go on a road trip. I was going to sleep in Valerie and then work in random towns to save some money to pay for fuel and stuff.”
Donte nodded his head. “I take it you didn’t have your car serviced before you left?”
I shook my head. “No. I had enough money to either service the car or travel for a few days. Now that Valerie has bit the dust, I’ll have to use that money to get her fixed.”
Donte bit into his bottom lip. “I’m with an MC, the Devil’s Advocates. They are a mercenary group, not one of the bad MCs. Anyway, I know that Anghus, the president has loads of houses and apartments available on our compounds. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you staying in one. It wouldn’t cost you anything other than a little help around the compound. I can ask him when I get into town if you want.”
I nodded my head. “Thanks, Donte. I don’t want to be a bother. I mean, I could just ring my Dad; I’m from Melbourne, so I haven’t come very far, and I know that Dad would come and get me and take me home.”
Donte shrugged. “If that is what you would rather do, then sure thing. But you wouldn’t be a bother. And see it as part of the adventure. We have loads of omegas rescued from breeding facilities; they understand anxiety like yours. Some omegas have severe agoraphobia and can’t even leave their home. That’s why we are all understanding when it comes to mental illness. We have a psychologist who works out of the compound if you want to speak to someone.”
“But I’m a complete stranger; why would you all do that for me?” I asked.
Donte shrugged his shoulders. “It’s what they do. They accepted me even when I was a complete asshole to Anghus’s mate's brother.”
“I’ll think about it and let you know once I’m back in town.”
Donte nodded. “Sure thing. If you need to meet with Anghus first, I know he would be happy to meet with you. They really are awesome people. Anghus is terrifying to look at because he is like a million feet tall and a gargoyle alpha. But he is really just a big teddy bear.”
I grinned. “You live out there?”
Donte smiled and nodded his head. “Yep, me and my mate, Savannah. Her brother is mated to my boss’s brother Asher. Weirdly we are all like connected.”
“One big family,” I said, feeling the sleepiness of the Valium washing over me.
Donte chuckled. “Yep. Rest, I can see the meds taking you away to snooze town. Dakota will be here in a minute, and we will get you into Lalbert.”
“Thanks,” I muttered.
When I blinked my eyes open again, it was Donte shaking me and another man looking at me with a smile.
“Hey there,” the other man said with a grin; from his scent, I could tell he was fae. That and the mischief in his eyes.
“Hi, sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep,” I said.
“Not a worry. I need you to hop out of the car, though, so I can hook her up to the tow truck,” the man said. “I’m Dakota, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you, Dakota; I’m Pitt.”
Dakota smiled, and I climbed out of the driver’s seat and watched as he and Donte started hooking Valerie to the tow truck. Once she was on the truck's bed, Donte returned to me.
“Do you want to go in the tow truck or on the back of the bike?”
I glanced between him and the tow truck. My logical brain said to go in the tow truck, but my sense of adventure was begging me to go on the bike. I knew I’d kick myself later if I didn’t step out of my comfort zone. Especially if I had to ring Dad to come and pick me up.
“I’ll come on the bike,” I said.
Donte grinned and nodded his head. “Come on. I’ll grab you a helmet.”
As soon as I had the helmet strapped on and was safely on the back of the bike, Donte revved the engine to life, and we took off. My arms and thighs squeezed tight to Donte, but the feeling of freedom was exhilarating.