He grips me tight, kissing me back with fervor before pulling away. “I’ve gotta make a call.” He lifts me off his lap before pulling out his cell phone.
I walk back over to Theo, who looks shocked. “I don’t know what this is going to look like. I don’t even know what you want, but family is what you make of it. Who says there have to be rules?”
“They won’t let me go easily. My mom might, but Josh will fight it on principle. If he thinks I’m getting an easy out, he’ll put a stop to it.”
“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t. But we’ll be ready for whatever he throws at us. I don’t want you to have to keep hiding out, missing the parts of your teenage years that will shape your future. You should be joining clubs, getting ready for prom, dating, and preparing to take driver’s ed. You sure as fuck shouldn’t have to be barricading your door at night because you don’t feel safe.”
He rubs his hand over his face in thought before Kruger walks back in. He looks from Theo to me.
“Havoc wants us at the clubhouse. All of us. He says if he wants us to put the club’s neck on the line, he wants to meet the kid. I can take him, Delphi. I can drop you off at home first. I don’t give a fuck what Havoc says, I’m not pushing you to do shit until you’re ready.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m coming with you.” Not a chance would I let Theo face that alone.
He bites his lip, considering before he nods. “You sure?”
“Yeah. It’s time.”
“What am I missing? You want me to trust the MC. So why does it look like Delphi wants to bolt?” Theo, far too perceptive for his own good, asks.
“It’s a long and complicated story. I’ll tell you about it, but not today. I will tell you that the MC is protective of their kids. And if they agree to take you under their wing, that’s what you’ll be, one of theirs.”
“But I’m yours first. If you don’t want?—”
I cup his face, shutting him up.
“This will be good for both of us. Am I nervous about heading back there? Yes, but the longer I put it off, the harder it gets. If it gets to be too much, I’ll let one of you know, okay?”
“Alright,” he eventually agrees.
I blow out a steadying breath before turning to look at Kruger. “I know I’m being a pain in the ass by asking, but can we go home first so I can get changed?”
He looks at me, knowing I won’t feel as comfortable without my armor. His eyes drop to my wrists, which are covered, and he nods.
“Whatever you want, chestnut. What about you, kid? You good to go like you are? You can ride over to our place and keep me company while Delphi gets changed.”
“Yeah, I’m good. Let me just grab my sneakers.”
He gets up and heads to the bedroom. Kruger holds out his hand for me, tugging me to my feet and pulling me close.
“Anytime you want to leave…”
“I know. I can’t pretend it’s easy, but I want Theo to have the MC at his back. I can handle this for him.”
He leans down and kisses me. “Lola will be there too, and I have no doubt she’ll be a little uncomfortable herself.”
“And misery loves company. Yeah, no, it helps, actually. Not that the other girls aren’t great. I just feel like the new kid, which is weird because I was around before all of them.”
“Yeah, that’s gotta be a head fuck, but if anyone can deal with it, it’s you.”
God, I hope he’s right.
I fight the urge to fidget as we pull up outside the gates. I feel more like my old self in dark wash boot-cut jeans with brown leather cowboy boots and a matching brown leather jacket. It’s not really cold enough for a jacket, but I had a flash of the last time I was here and couldn’t help but bring it, just in case. Underneath, I have a cream fitted off-the-shoulder sweater which I’ve tucked in. A thin brown belt, my cuffs, and some gold hoops finish the look, keeping it simple and classy.
Not having to maneuver around a cast made doing my hair a thousand times easier. I used the curling iron to add some big, loose waves and added a couple of tiny braids, giving an almost boho vibe.
Gone is the girl who used to rock up in a denim mini skirt and a plaid shirt tied at the waist. But even now, a decade on, I’m still a little country in all the ways that matter.
When the truck stops, I take a few deep breaths and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. The guys don’t say anything as they wait for me to find my composure. When I give Kruger a nod, he hops out, slipping his cut back on before walking around and helping me down.
