The Black Pistons Motorcycle Club Series: Sisquo and Maria

Whats Your Problem

******Maria's P.O.V*****

I sat on the side of the bed crying for what felt like hours, but I am sure it was minutes. I haven't had a watch in years, so I have to adjust to the whole concept of time again.

Knock, Knock- I knew it was Sledge. I didn't get up because I didn't want to talk to him. He is always saving me and doesn't deserve someone like me. I am sure there are lots of women who would be good for him.

I heard the door creak open.

"What, Sledge!" I yelled at him without even looking.

" I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he said softly, not raising his voice back at me, making me feel worse.

"Please leave," I mumbled.

" If that's what you want, I will leave. I will be in my room, and if you need to talk or want to get something to eat, come to find me," Sledge sighed. I could hear the hurt in his voice. I didn't hear the door close, I knew he was standing there waiting for a reply.

I wanted him to come to hold me and tell me it would be okay. I want to tell him that his presence keeps me sane even when I want to run off and hide. I want to tell him I dream of getting a motorcycle and taking long rides and sitting and watching sunsets with him. I also wanted to tell him I was barren and could never have children. I want to tell him things that happened and that I have night terrors, depression, anxiety, and I am sure there are many other problems that haven't even surfaced yet.

I wanted to kiss him. We hold hands, and he kisses my forehead. He hasn't tried to do anything more. I was half naked when he rescued me, and he knew about my "job." I think he is disgusted, I would do those things. I think he just wants a friend. He wants to help me but not fall in love with me.

"Sledge," I called his name, knowing he was still standing there waiting for me to say something.

" Yes, I am still here," he said softly.

" I don't think we need to see each other anymore. I have been trying to find a nice way to tell you I am not interested, and there really isn't one. " I told him, trying to sound assertive so he wouldn't ask any more questions. Deep down, saying that made me want to rip out my heart.

" You don't mean that, Maria. I am sorry for what happened at the ice cream shop. I should have paid more attention to what was going on." He told me, and the remorse was breaking my heart. He was placing all the blame on himself.

" You did nothing wrong, and I simply am not interested. Please leave. Maybe one day we can be good friends," I told him, pulling the weighted blanket up father, resting my head on my legs.

He didn't say anything else, and he just quietly left the room. I wanted to scream his name or go running after him, but I knew it was for the best. He deserved so much better than me. He deserved someone he didn't have to save from themselves constantly.

***** Sledge's P.O.V ****

I went down the steps two at a time and fast. I knew she didn't mean what she said, but it didn't hurt any less. I can't force her to talk to me or be with me. Since I met her, she has been my first and last thought of the day. I have tried to take things slow. At this point, I would usually have already had s*x with a woman. Maria is just different.

" I guess that didn't go well," Brazen said, laughing as I walked by.

"What's your fucken problem, man, " I yelled at him, walking closer to him, almost chest to chest. The bar went quiet. Brazen isn't someone most people mess with. At this point, he could punch me in my gut, and it wouldn't feel as bad as Maria not wanting me around.

" Are you not going to fucken answer me, man? I said, what the f**k is your problem," I asked him, getting closer to him, my fist clenched and full of anger. He's a big man, but I have taken down bigger men. I have a black belt in karate. No one has ever asked me about my fighting ability, so I haven't told them.

Brazen started laughing and the other men around the room did too. " What the f**k are you laughing about? " This pissed me off. They couldn't do this s**t another day or time.

" I was worried you were too soft for us," he said, chuckling and patting me on the back.

What the f**k? Was this some time of initiation? He knew what was going on and he used it to make a joke. Who does that?

I turned around and looked at all the brothers, smiling, laughing, and carrying on. It pissed me off. I needed to go for a ride and started stomping towards the door and got on my bike. I didn't know where I was going, but I needed to go somewhere fast.

***** Symphony's P.O.V. ******

I was walking by the door when I heard what Maria said to Sledge. My mouth dropped and I just stood still listening. Sledge has been awe-struck by Maria since day one. I was worried at first that it was the nightingale effect. I didn't want her to cling to him like he was her savior, but the more I watched, the more I realized that wasn't the case.

Sledge really just wanted to get to know her. He never acted surprised if she flinched away, he was very patient. His whole persona was different than most of the clubmen. Which piqued my interest. I had wanted to get to know him better, even though Brazen told me not to search into his past. When we got his transfer file, it stated he was raised by his dad. His mother had taken a drug possession charge thinking she was going to get less time as a first-time offender. That wasn't the case. His mother was locked up his whole childhood. When she got out she was different, she was hard to get along with, and her mother left almost as quickly as she came. Apparently with a large portion of his saving account.

There were pictures of Sledge at all the club meetings, and appearing to love club life. In his file, it says he was always willing to help someone out and was loyal and accountable. Brazen said he thought he was soft, maybe too soft for their club life,, so he was gonna see how long it took him to break him. I told him to leave him alone and knew he probably wouldn't.

I walked up to Maria's door and knocked on it. " Are you okay?"

" No I am not, I'm screwed up in the head," Maria said, sobbing.

She had a weighted blanket I got wrapped around her. I heard it was good for anxiety, and she seems to like it.

I slid down beside her and sat on the floor.

" I told him, I didn't want to see him anymore!" She said, sobbing into my shoulder.

Well, that was a lie. You both have gotten along well and I know you both have feelings for each other. So why did you tell him that?

" I am a mess, I had a panic attack at the ice cream place, ran out, and embarrassed myself. He doesn't need that in his life. He is a nice, very good-looking man who probably has women falling at his feet daily.

" You are right. He is a good-looking man, but I don't believe he is going to find someone better than you. " I told her, giving her a side hug and squeezing her.

" I am a prostitute. He deserves so much better than me, " I told her, crying again.

Maria, you are not a prostitute, you are a s*x trafficking victim. There is a big difference. I told her in a mother-like tone, she would not be carrying that shame and guilt if I could help it.

Maria sat and cried in my arms for almost an hour until I heard a knock at the door.

Come in, I yelled. I thought it was Sledge coming back but it was Nikki. Maria looked a little disappointed It wasn't Sledge.

"Hey girls, I have some news," She said, looking worried.