The garage wasn’t full, but other members were in and out all day. I just kept my head down and did my thing. I felt wrung out after the events of the last twelve hours, and getting back to a little normalcy was just what I needed. It helped knowing that Harp wasn’t far away if she needed me.
When I decided I was done for the day, I cleaned up and ventured back into the clubhouse. Someone had ordered pizzas, and they were lined up along the bar, but I ignored them even as my stomach growled. I hadn’t even had coffee.
Harper was in the spare room we’d occupied the night before, asleep. I didn’t wake her as I pulled off my boots and set my cut and hoodie on the end of the bed, but the moment I crawled in next to her, she stirred and lifted her head.
“All done?” she asked, propping her head on her hand.
“Yeah. You get a good nap in?”
“A couple hours, I think,” she replied. “Time all kind of runs together here.”
“I know what you mean.”
“It’s like a casino, you can’t tell what time it is because the lighting never changes.”
“Not in the bedrooms,” I countered, jerking my head toward the window. It was covered by thick curtains, but you could still see a little light along the edges.
“Yeah, yeah.” She groaned and fell to her back. “How the hell did I get into this mess? I don’t even drive over the damn speed limit. What is wrong with people?”
“You figure that out, let me know,” I replied dryly. “We’ll get it figured out, baby.”
She was actually taking the situation well, all things considered. Seeing someone killed in front of you wasn’t an easy thing to wrap your head around. Getting held at gunpoint wasn’t either. Knowing that there were people that were actively trying to kill you would’ve been a mindfuck for anyone.
“Good news is,” I said, pushing her hair away from her face, “you don’t gotta worry about it anymore. We’ll find ’em, and until we do, everyone’s on high alert. No one’s gonna get close to you.”
“I feel really bad that I brought this home with me,” she said quietly. “Gram could’ve been really hurt.”
“Men underestimate Farrah at their peril,” I told her, smiling. “I’d have her at my back any day.”
“Is life going to be like this for us?” Harper asked carefully.
My heart pounded at the implication.
“You grew up in the club,” I reminded her. “You ever feel anythin’ but safe?”
She thought about it for a moment. “No.”
“I’m sure we’ll deal with shit,” I said, wrapping my hand around the side of her throat. Her pulse beat steady against my palm. “But you know I won’t let anythin’ touch you. Not ever.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Fuck that,” I replied. “Icanpromise that. Nothin’ will ever touch you or our kids.”
“Our kids?”
“You gonna have babies with me, Harper White?” I asked, leaning forward until our noses were nearly touching.
“It would be a crime not to,” she whispered back. “I’ve seen you with the kids. You’ll be an incredible dad.” She paused. “Maybe we could foster, even.”
I felt her words in my chest, and I had to swallow a couple of times so my voice wouldn’t fucking crack.
“I’d like that. Yeah.”
“Oh, by the way,” she said, smiling. “I love you.”
“Coulda said that before you started promisin’ babies,” I teased. “But better late than never, right?”
“You’re the one who brought up babies,” she gasped, shoving at my chest.
