Shit’s gone downhill on transports before. I’ve done things I’m not proud of. When it comes down to someone’s gonna die, him or me, best believe it won’t be me. Does Doll realize this? She’s been so sheltered. Does she understand some of the things Roundman, myself, and some of my brothers have done to give her the peace to sleep at night? If Doll found out what kind of man I really am, she wouldn’t be kissing me with all the goodness she has inside of her.

Looking around the drab hotel room, my gut twists. Each moment spent with Doll, she chips away at the walls I built around me. I need to know she’s safe. I need to see her smile. I need to know she’s sheltered from all the danger. I need to know she’s carefree and happy. Never before has someone else’s happiness mattered to me, not even my own. Happiness is an illusion, a simple trick bringing on a high. When it’s over, and it always ends, you’re left with a desire for more. Like a magician making a trick look simple, happiness leads you to believe things are easy when they aren’t. For Doll, I want life to be easy, and I will do anything I can to let her have a carefree happiness.

Our room is simple; two queen beds, a TV on top of a dresser and a bathroom. Rex and Sass are in the room next door. The girls aren’t safe until Delatorre is taken down, so we can’t leave them in a room together. Immediately, I head to the shower. My clothing being put aside to be burned, I climb in letting the water wash away the filth of today’s events. Knowing what I did, whether it’s for good reasons or not, I’m unable to speak to Doll.

Lost in my musings, I’m startled when I hear the bathroom door open. My gun is on the counter by the shower, I pull back the curtain to reach for it. Looking up, I stop in my tracks, unable to breathe at the beauty before me.

Doll is standing there, naked. Her long blonde hair is cascading down over her full breasts. The pinks of her pointed nipples calling out to my lips, begging for attention. She walks forward, stepping into the shower. Her chest is rising and falling in deep breaths, as she trembles slightly.

“Doll,” I say, not knowing what she’s planning here.

My eyes roam south to the juncture of her hips. She has a small, neatly, trimmed blonde line of hair leading to her place of heavenly sweetness. I lick my lips in anticipation of all I want to do to this woman.

Moving closer to me, she reaches up with one finger against my lips. She whispers to me, unsure of herself.

“No talking, Tripp. It’s been a long day. You need to let go of everything that happened today. Let me be your everything, let me be your escape. Get lost in this moment with me.”