CHAPTER 41: NIGHT RIDE

Chapter 41: Night Ride

Theo’s lips parted ways..."What did you just say?"

Danielle swallowed hard but did not look away. "I said I want to spend the night with you." She sounded hushed, almost like she was daring him to respond.

For a long moment, he said nothing. He couldn’t understand this reaction of hers...what did she mean exactly, when she stated that.

Then Theo dropped his hands, took one step closer, and caught her wrist strong enough so Danielle couldn’t escape it.

"Come with me," he muttered slowly.

Before Danielle could ask where he was taking her, he guided her out of the training room and down the hallway.

Even though Theo’s hold wasn’t rough, it still felt hard enough to keep her close. They passed the living room and reached a steel door at the far end of the corridor.

Theo pressed a button, and the lock clicked open.

"It’s chilly..." Danielle noticed how shivers ran down her spine.

There were several black cars lined up neatly, but what caught Danielle’s attention was the motorcycle sitting in the center...it looked like a sleek dark machine that looked fast even while standing still.

Theo released her wrist and walked over to it. "You want to spend the night with me," he murmured. "Then you should see how I spend mine."

He picked up a helmet from the seat and turned to her. "Put this on."

Danielle blinked. "You’re serious?"

"Always," Theo replied, handing it to her.

She hesitated for a moment, then took it and slipped it over her head. Theo stepped close, adjusting the strap under her chin with his fingers.

His touch was light but their skins touched as if he was doing it on purpose. "It has to fit right," he smiled.

When he pulled back, Danielle could see something different in his eyes...’why are your pupils so big?’

He put on his own helmet and started the bike. Theo swung one leg over the motorcycle, and then looked over his shoulder. "Get on."

Danielle climbed on behind him, awkwardly at first, unsure of where to place her hands.

Theo said without turning, "Hold tight."

Her arms circled his waist slowly. She felt the solid muscle beneath his shirt, the fast rhythm of his breathing.

And then just like that, they moved.

The motorcycle shot forward, so fast but smooth, the wind instantly rushed past them. The mountain road changed and curved, and Theo handled every turn easily, leaning slightly while Danielle held on tighter.

Danielle couldn’t stop the small smile that spread on her lips. "You could’ve told me we were near a city," she shouted over the wind.

Theo’s voice came through the small comm inside the helmets. "You never asked."

She laughed but it got mixed with the wind. "You always have an answer for everything."

"I have to...Someone has to keep you safe."

As they rode down from the mountain, the view opened into a valley below. The city lights spread like a sea of gold and silver. Danielle’s breath caught in her throat. "It’s beautiful."

Theo slowed the bike just enough for her to see it clearly. "That’s why I come here," he said. "It’s quiet up there, but alive down here."

They rode through the edge of the city streets where music, neon lights, and laughter filled everything. For the first time in what felt like forever, Danielle forgot the danger waiting for her.

When he finally stopped, they were in front of a tall hotel, its glass walls reflected the lights of the city.

"Reminds me of home," Danielle said out loud, but Theo didn’t hear it.

Then, Theo parked the motorcycle and turned off the engine.

Danielle removed her helmet slowly, her hair fell over her shoulders. "Why here?" she asked.

Theo relaxed his facial muscles a little. "Because you said you wanted to spend the night with me. I thought I’d give you a night worth remembering."

She felt her pulse run like a mad horse. "Theo..."

"Come on," he said simply, taking her hand again.

They walked into the hotel, and the warmth of the lobby replaced the chill of the night. Theo didn’t say a word to the receptionist.

The staff already seemed to know him. Within minutes, they were stepping into a private suite on one of the highest floors.

Danielle stopped breathing as soon as they entered. The room was very spacious and elegant, but her eyes went straight to the wide window that looked over the city below.

The lights were endless...tiny stars scattered across the ground.

Theo walked to the window and placed both hands on the glass. "Look," he hushed into her ear. "This is what I see when I can’t sleep."

Danielle joined him, standing close enough to feel the warmth from his arm. "It’s so alive," she whispered. "Like the world keeps moving even when everything feels broken."

Theo nodded. "It does. It never stops. No matter how much we lose, the city keeps breathing."

She looked at his reflection beside hers in the glass. "Is that why you come here?"

"I come here to remember that I am still alive too."

Danielle turned to face him fully. "You think you’re not?"

Theo’s eyes met hers. "Sometimes I forget."

Something inside her ached. She reached out and touched his arm gently. "Then let me remind you."

Theo looked at her hand, then back into her eyes.

At that moment, it felt like he might move closer, but he didn’t. Instead, he stepped to the side and pulled out a chair for her. "Sit. You need to rest."

Danielle smiled, though her heart couldn’t be stopped from beating so hard. "You really know how to ruin a moment."

"Maybe," Theo half-smiled. "But I’m good at keeping people alive."

She sat down by the window, watching the city lights sparkle below them. Theo decided to stand beside her, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the skyline.

"You know, for someone who claims not to care, you keep showing me places like this."

Theo looked down at her, and Danielle could hear a small sound leaving his mouth. "Maybe I care in ways that are not easy to explain."

"Then don’t explain. Just keep doing it."

"Can we stay here until tomorrow?"

"Yes...let’s stay here until tomorrow, Danielle."