“Why are you here? You’ve barely visited lately; you’ve been so busy.”
“I know.” She frowns, glancing at her father down the bar. “Dad’s not doing well. My brothers have been helping out at the ranch, but I came back to help him with the bar.”
“I shouldn’t have left.” I frown. “He was doing okay a few weeks ago.”
“You deserve to live your life, Willa. Don’t apologize for that.”
“I know, but Tony was more of a father than mine growing up. I just wanted to help where I could.”
“And you did.” Harloe squeezes my hand. “I’m endlessly grateful, but I’m back now. So stop feeling guilty.”
Dean tightens his grip on me, and I look up at him. “I’m going to grab us drinks and give you a minute to catch up.”
“Thank you.” I smile as he kisses me on the forehead.
“Thank you, Dean.” Harloe practically sings it, grinning as she watches him walk away. “Girl, stop frowning and tell me how that went down. You finally did it. You left Kincaid and chose the hot brother.”
“You make it sound so dirty.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “You’re the one making it sound like that in your head. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what you’re doing. It was always going to be you and Dean. It was written in the stars.”
“Don’t start with the fate crap.”
“It works in funny ways.” She grins, watching Dean across the bar. “How is it possible he got hotter?”
“I have no idea, but he did, right?” He catches me checking him out and winks.
“So, are you guys together now?”
“It’s a long story that will require a lot more alcohol.”
Harloe laughs. “Well then, it’s a good thing your man is getting us drinks.”
I take a seat at the stool beside Harloe while Dean catches up with Tony at the other end of the bar, ordering our drinks. With him out of earshot, I update Harloe on everything that’s happened after I left Lanceleaf. Some things I leave out for the club’s sake. It’s no secret Dean is a Twisted King. His cut is the first thing people seem to notice when they look at him. But I don’t feel right sharing club business with anyone, even Harloe.
“Kincaid is such an asshole.” She shakes her head, frowning.
“That’s what you got from all of that? We’ve known Kincaid’s an asshole for years.”
“True. But seriously, he screwed your sister. Neither of them has limits.”
“She’s spoiled and thinks she’s owed everything.”
“Eden?” Dean asks, stopping beside me and handing me a beer.
Harloe waves out a hand. “See, he knew immediately who you were talking about.”
“It’s fine. I’m over it.”
I look up at Dean. How could I not be over it when I have him? Of all the outcomes, I’m thankful Kincaid and Eden inadvertently led me back to the man I love.
“You really were born in the middle of fucking nowhere.” A hand leans on Dean’s shoulder, and Soul steps between us. “What a cute little hometown, Chaos.”
Dean laughs, shaking his head. “What the fuck are you doing here? I thought I said I was good.”
“Figured if there was any chance of trouble, we couldn’t let you have all the fun. Especially with Venom’s nine lives. He’s grabbing food.”
“Nine lives?” My eyebrows pinch.
