“Leave Bas alone,” Harper ordered.
“Where were you?” Rose demanded.
“A few minutes behind her on my bike.”
“Not that it matters,” Harper cut in. “Since it’s not Bas’s responsibility to babysit me.”
She threw the blanket off her lap and rose from the couch. “I love all of you, and I’m so glad you came, but Bas and I are going to leave now. Discuss us at length.”
“Baby,” I called before she could flounce out of the room. “Think you’re forgettin’ somethin’.”
“Well, come on then,” she said, widening her eyes.
“You’ve got no way to get to my house,” I reminded her.
“I’ll walk,” she replied stubbornly.
“We can take you,” Frankie announced, rising from the floor. “I’ll check with Gray, but I’m sure it’s fine. Is he outside?”
“Garage,” I replied.
“See,” Harper said. “Problem solved.”
She disappeared down the hallway, and I looked back at her mom apologetically.
“Keep an eye on her,” Lily said with a strained smile.
A few minutes later, I was helping Harper into the back seat of Gray’s truck.
“Thanks for drivin’ her,” I said, looking over the seat at him. “I didn’t want her on the back of my bike tonight.”
“I would’ve been fine,” Harper griped.
“No problem,” Gray said. “I’ll follow you to your new place.”
“I know where it is,” Frankie reminded him.
“Seat belt,” I ordered Harper.
“Yeah, yeah,” she mumbled.
“I’ll see ya at the apartment.”
I strode back to where I’d parked my bike. The guys were all still standing around and looked up as I approached.
“Keep your eyes open,” Dragon ordered.
“Always do,” I confirmed.
“Check in, yeah?” Leo said, running a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m trustin’ you.”
“I know,” I replied. His anxiety was written all over his face. He didn’t want Harper to go anywhere, but he was trusting that I’d look after her.
If I hadn’t been so on edge wondering what the fuck would happen next, I would’ve felt proud. Instead, dread pooled in my gut. The area around my apartment building was well lit, and my locks weren’t shit, but I still felt twitchy about taking Harper back there. While we were at Leo’s, we were surrounded by people. Once we were at my place, I was responsible for keeping her safe.
I knew I could do it. I wasn’t some wet-behind-the-ears kid, and I’d been doing a lot scarier shit for the past ten years—but the stakes were different now. If I fucked up, I knew my life would be over—and that didn’t have anything to do with who Harper’s family was.
The ride back to my place was uneventful, but Gray still waited until I’d ushered Harper into the house before he pulled away.
