Pain helped Tiny into the passenger seat of the Bronco, then turned to me.“You OK to drive?”he asked, his shrewd eyes assessing me for any signs of shock or injury.
I nodded, surprised to find my hands steady as I took the keys he offered.“I’m fine.I wasn’t hurt at all.”
“I’ll follow behind,” Pain said, already moving back toward his bike.“We’ll have him patched up in no time.”
I climbed into the driver’s seat, stealing a glance at Tiny as I started the engine.His head was tipped back against the headrest, eyes closed, the harsh winter sun highlighting every bruise and cut on his face.The sight of him so battered made my throat tighten, but I swallowed hard against the emotion.He needed me steady right now.
“You sure you’re OK to drive?”Tiny asked without opening his eyes, his voice roughened by exhaustion.
“I promise,” I assured him, reaching across to squeeze his hand gently.“Just focus on breathing through the pain.”
He turned his head slightly, opening one eye to look at me, a small smile on his face.“Not in pain when you’re next to me.”
The simple statement, delivered in that deep, matter-of-fact rumble, unraveled something in my chest that I’d been holding tight since the moment Andy’s car had rammed us.I managed to put the Bronco in gear and pull back onto the road, following Knight’s bike as he led the way back toward the compound.The girls were secure, perched behind Riot and Griffin, their small arms wrapped tight around the bikers’ waists.
We’d only gone a mile when a sob escaped me, so suddenly I couldn’t hold it back.I quickly pulled onto the shoulder, putting the Bronco in park before I lost control completely.Tiny’s arm came around me immediately, pulling me across the console and onto his lap despite his injured ribs.
“Hey,” he murmured, his hand coming up to cradle my face.“It’s OK now.We’re all OK.”
“You almost weren’t,” I choked out, clinging to him as the tears I’d been fighting finally broke free.“You almost died protecting us, and I just left you there.I just ran --”
“You did exactly what you were supposed to do,” he interrupted firmly.“You got the girls to safety.We both had to keep them safe.They’re what mattered.”
“You mattered too,” I whispered fiercely, pulling back to look at him through my tears.“You matter to us.To me.”I took a shuddering breath, suddenly needing him to know, needing to say the words in case I ever lost the chance again.“I love you, Tiny.I love you so much it terrifies me.”
His thumb brushed away a tear from my cheek, his eyes never leaving mine.“I love you too, Penny,” he said softly.“You and those girls.Nothing on this earth could make me stop fighting to get back to you.Nothing.”
I pressed my forehead to his, careful of his wounds, breathing in the scent of him.Blood and sweat mingled with the faint hint of pine that always clung to his skin.My fingers traced the uninjured side of his face, memorizing the feel of him, solid and real beneath my touch.
“Take me home,” he murmured against my lips.“Then we’ll do some online Christmas shopping.”
It took me a second to realize what he’d said, then a snorted laugh broke free, prompting him to chuckle.I nodded, pressing one more gentle kiss to his mouth before shifting back to the driver’s seat.As I put the Bronco back in gear and pulled onto the road, I glanced in the rearview mirror at the line of bikes following us.The one behind us had pulled over with us.They hadn’t intruded or done anything other than wait patiently.They had come for us.They had my daughters safe among them.These were fierce, loyal men who’d come when we needed them most and I would be forever grateful to them.
The compound was waiting for us, and beyond that, a future I never thought I’d have.A future with a man who’d fight through hell itself to keep us safe.A future with an unexpected family, one I’d found when I needed them.My family.Perfect in all its dangerous, beautiful chaos.
Chapter Twelve
Tiny
The central warehouse of the Kiss of Death compound had transformed into something I barely recognized.Colored lights hung from the rafters and wound through the camo netting overhead, casting a soft, festive glow that danced across Penny’s face as we stepped inside.My ribs protested with a sharp stab of pain when I reached to hold the door open, but I swallowed the wince before it could reach my face.Tonight wasn’t about my healing wounds.Tonight was about giving Penny and the girls the Christmas they deserved.
“Holy shit,” Zelda whispered beside me, her eyes wide as she took in the massive tree that dominated the far corner, its branches heavy with ornaments that glinted in the light.Kira clutched Mr.Hoppers to her chest, speechless as she stared wide-eyed up at the spectacle in awe.
I rested my hand gently on Kira’s shoulder.“What do you think, darlin’?The guys might’ve gone a bit overboard.”
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, and something in my chest loosened at the wonder in her voice.The warehouse had been completely transformed.Tables lined the walls, laden with plates of homemade cookies and steaming crockpots that filled the air with the scent of mulled cider and hot chocolate.The usual hard edges of the compound had been softened with greenery and ribbon, making the space feel almost cozy despite its size.
And lights.Lotsof lights.
The ambush two days earlier had only reinforced my need to keep them protected.I’m not sure I would ever lose that need and I hoped I never would.My head throbbed where the stitches were still healing, a constant reminder of how close we’d come to losing everything.
Knight spotted us from across the room and made his way over, his black sclera tattoos making his grin look even wider by contrast.He wore a Santa hat, and I bit back a smile at how the red and white clashed with his otherwise intimidating appearance.
“About Goddamn time you showed up,” he said with a grin, clapping me on the shoulder.The impact sent a fresh jolt of pain through my cracked ribs, but I managed to keep my expression neutral.“We saved you some grub before these animals ate it all.”
“Hey, Z.”Knight grinned at the girl.Strangely, neither Zelda nor Kira had ever blinked at Knight’s appearance.In fact, I kind of think Zelda admired him.Didn’t mean she didn’t give him shit like she did everyone else.“Violet made those sugar cookies you like.The ones with the icing that turns your tongue blue.”
A hint of interest flashed across Zelda’s face before she masked it with practiced indifference.“Whatever.I guess I could try one.”
