“Which is sweet and gentlemanly, but you’re not really looking for a gentleman, right?”
“Not after having Doom, no, not really. Doom got creative.”
“I get it.”
“But he’s had some really bad breaks, Harmony, so I’m not going to add to his trauma. If this baby is for real and if I can bring this pregnancy to term, I will raise him or her the best I can, but I’ll have to do it without Doom.” I leaned over and squeezed her arm. “You cannot tell Jaxon’s family, NiNi. Promise me. If Aidan or Carter let it slip, Doom will feel obligated to do the right thing, and I will not start a relationship like that.”
“Okay, honey, I promise.”
“Thanks.”
“Waffles!” Jaxon called, and we headed into the kitchen.
* * *
Doom
The plane touched down just after ten a.m. Portland time, and I was dog tired, but all I wanted to do was get my arms around Lyric and apologize. I figured I should probably wash the stink of plane and desperation off me first, so I headed toward the taxis.
I ran into Hatch on the way, however. Hatch Wallace was the newly patched president of the Portland chapter of the Dogs of Fire, having been the Sgt. at Arms before that. He was as OG as it got, and he was respected by every one of us.
He smiled as I approached. “I’m the welcoming committee.”
“Thanks, man. You didn’t need to come out.”
“You feel free to tell Maisie that. I’ll take you to the compound where you can clean up, but Maisie has asked that you join us for dinner at least one night while you’re here.”
I grinned. “I’d be honored.”
“That is the correct answer.”
I chuckled and followed him to his truck.
“How’d you know I was comin’?” I asked as we drove.
“Willow called Maisie.”
“’Course she did.”
“You wanna fill me in?”
“Not really.”
“Is your shit gonna bleed into the club?” Hatch asked.
“No.”
“Well, if that changes, I’m gonna need you to divulge, but otherwise, whatever you need, consider the club your home while you’re here.”
“Thanks, Hatch.”
“We got a family night tonight. It’d be good if you join.”
That wasn’t really a request, so I nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“Good.”
The Portland compound was located behind Ernie’s Auto Body and it was like a fortress. He led me through a couple of doors and a foyer before we entered a large great room with pool tables, sofas, a TV, and chairs.
