Cross My Heart & Hope To Ride

Roxanne Pierce:- "You're lost, big sis." I heard my little sister say from her hospital bed, bringing me out of my thoughts as I tried to think how to gather enough money to get her into surgery so she could be whole and get to live her life like every other teenager instead of fighting for her life every other day. "No, I am not." I lied as I turned my attention to her and masked a smile, because I didn't want her to worry. "So, what are you looking at?" I asked, pointing at her phone. "You really want to know, Rox?" she asked with an arched brow and turned her phone screen towards me until I was watching myself on the tracks, riding on my bike like the queen of asphalt I was, and let out a sigh because I knew what was coming. "That was a dangerous turn, Rox. One slip up, and you could have snapped your neck and died on that track," she spoke in a worried voice, with a frown on her face. "We talked about this, sister. You promised not to do these deadly races anymore." "No, I promised to quit doing these races when I had gathered enough money for your surgery and enough to get you into college." I reminded her as I tried to get the phone from her. "How many times I have asked you not to watch these races?" "As many times as I have asked you to quit them," she replied at the ceiling. "I....I just don't want anything to happen to you, Roxanne. I have only got you after the death of our parents. I don't want to lose you too. If you get hurt or worse, die on that track, I will never be able to forgive myself. You're only doing this for the money to save me. I want you to live your life out there and do what you love." " I am doing what I love," I tell her as I lean closer and wipe the tear from her cheek. "Taking care of you, Emma, is what I love the most. You're the most precious thing to me, and there is nothing that I won't do to keep you safe and alive fro..." Before I can finish my sentence, my phone begins to ring on the table beside Emma's bed, flashing Darius's name on the screen. "Ugh, I hate that jerk." Emma groaned in frustration the moment she read his name. "Why don't you just break up with that overpossessive and psycho boyfriend of yours?" she demanded. "You know he is not the right man for you." "You know I can't do that, Emma. I love him." I lied to her. The truth is I don't love Darius at all; instead, I hate him with every fiber of my being and just want to be free from his prison. The only reason I am tolerating him and his behavior with me is that he provides for Emma's medical treatments. Darius Creed is the President of Black Vultures biker group and fixes me up for the race. I race and win for him every single time, and in return, he gives me the money, and he gets to keep the fame for his group. In front of the whole world, he shows affection and showers me with love, while behind closed doors he treats me like a slave and his punching bag to whom he can beat whenever he feels like it. I might be known as the great Queen of Asphalt, feared by every biker who races against me, but for Darius, I am just a weak and desperate girl who is just fighting to make ends meet and save her sister. "I need to get going," I said, getting up from the chair beside her bed and struggling to put on my black leather jacket in a hurry, scared that I would earn another beating if I got late. "Love you, baby sis. I will see you next week." I picked up my helmet, kissed Emma on the cheek, and bid her goodbye I was already making my way towards my bike when my phone began to ring again, flashing the same name of the devil. I picked up the phone, and the moment I placed it on my ear, I heard Darius shout from the other side of the phone. "You f*****g b***h! Where the hell are you?" he barked. " Get your lousy ass over here. The race is about to start in thirty minutes." "I....I...I am on my way, baby." I spoke with a trembling voice. "Just give me ten minutes." "You better!" he snapped. "Or I will make you pay for it. Ten minutes, Roxy. Not another minute. Do you understand?" "I...I do." I answered as I got on my bike and ignited the engine. "And, Babe." his voice got calmer, but dangerous. "You know what you need to do tonight. Right?" he asked, reminding me of the deal he forced on me this morning. "Darius...about that..." I tried to gain the courage to speak, "I...I can't do what you are asking me to do. It's...it's going to ruin my reputation. It's the only thing I have got." "Is your reputation more than your sister's life, babe?" he asked in a threatening tone. "Do what you are asked to do if you want the money for your sister's treatment or you can prepare yourself to say goodbye to her forever, since she is alive because of the money I give you." "You provide me with the money for my hard work, Darius." I found myself snapping at him out of stress as I rode at full speed on the road, breaking every traffic rule in fear. "Did you just snap at me, b***h?" he growled in anger, sending shivers all over my body, and I gulped. "I...I didn't mean to...I..." I almost broke down crying because I knew what was coming. Another beating, another apology, another bouquet of flowers after every single beating. "I am sorry." "Oh, you will be after I am done with you, sweetheart," he laughed. "But for now, get over here and do what you are asked to do, and then we will think about what to do with you for using that tone on me." "Darius, please..I did...." I wasn't able to finish the sentence as he ended the call, leaving me scared and worried about what's to happen with me next after I am done finishing the task he has asked me to do. Something I never thought I would find myself doing. "Oh God, please help me!" I prayed to God as I made my way to the race track.