“Fuck, man.”
“Yeah, I didn’t want to leave, but I got the feeling she wanted me to. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do,” I admitted.
“Call Harper,” Coal suggested. “You know she’d be happy to help. Do you think Avery would talk to her?”
“I don’t know, but there’s only one way to find out.”
I pulled out my phone and tapped Carbon’s name.
The asshole answered with, “If you’re in more shit, it’s not my turn.”
“Thanks, fucker. I’m actually calling to talk to your wife if she has a minute.”
His tone instantly changed. “She’s not okay, is she?”
“No, she’s not. And I don’t know how to help her, but I thought Harper would.”
“Let me get her for you, brother.”
A few moments later, Harper’s concerned voice filled my ear. “Savior, what’s going on?”
I didn’t know how much, if any, she knew, so I told her everything, starting with the night Ian died and ending with Braxton calling me ‘Daddy.’ “I know it’s not how you normally operate, but I wanted to know if you’d be willing to come to Devil Springs and talk to her. I don’t think she’ll go for it unless it’s sprung on her, you know?”
“I completely understand. I can’t force her to talk, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Thank you, Harper. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. When do you want me to come up?”
“As soon as possible,” I blurted.
Harper chuckled. “Okay, how about tomorrow?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Tomorrow’s great. Let me know when you’re on your way and I’ll see if I can get her to the clubhouse.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said and ended the call.
I had just leaned back in the recliner and closed my eyes when I heard a thump come from one of the bedrooms. My eyes shot to Coal. “Do you have a guest?” I asked quietly.
When he glanced toward the bedrooms, his jaw clenched. “Yes.”
I studied him for a brief moment. “You okay?”
“Just tired. I’m going to head to bed.”
“All right. Night, brother.”
“Night.”
I walked into my bedroom and glanced around the room, taking in the bare walls and meager possessions. It felt strange being in my room, almost like I didn’t belong there. Avery’s house was warm and inviting and felt like home to me. I hadn’t really felt like I had a home since I lost my parents, and I missed the comfort and peace it provided.
I sighed and sat down on my bed while I stared at the phone in my hand. I wanted to call her, to text her, to make sure she was okay, to check on Braxton. Fuck! I’d been gone for a few hours and I was pining for her like a lovesick puppy.
After finally falling asleep, I woke covered in sweat and gasping for breath. The nightmare was different this time. Instead of crashing my truck into Ian’s cruiser, I crashed into Avery and the kids.
My bedroom burst open and Coal started sweeping the room with the light on his gun. “It’s okay, man. Nightmare,” I said and wiped the sweat from my brow as I studied him. His muscles were tensed and he was on high alert. “You all right?”
“Yep,” he clipped and left the room.
