Page 123

I’ve lived with guilt for ten years, and finally, I can see through it. I did the right thing that night. I fought. I tried. They killed my mom, not me. This is on them.

I lift my hand to Shane’s jaw, and the moment my fingers graze his skin, I swear his eyes soften. “How did you find me?”

“I called in a favor from a buddy in Vegas. Ghost used cameras to track the van’s direction as it left Main Street. We assumed they’d take you somewhere vacant and got lucky at the first place on your brother’s list. We split up to cover more area.”

“I’m glad you’re the one who found me.” I smile, but it’s a little sad. “I’m sorry for everything.”

“You don’t have to apolo⁠—”

“I do.” I cut him off. “I need to say this now while I have the chance. Right before this happened, I was calling to tell you that I’ve been stubborn and angry, and I let that get in the way of us. I know this began as a deal to help each other out, but what I feel for you is so real it hurts. It’s everything. And even if you’re leaving soon and we only have so much time left, I want this as long as I can have it. I want us. I’m done running. I’m done being scared. I need you in my life, Shane.”

The most beautiful smile lights his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere. Not anymore.”

“You’re not?” Tears prick my eyes.

“I’m staying in Lanceleaf.”

“For the club?”

“The club is back in Vegas too. If that were my reason, it wouldn’t matter where I was. I’m staying for you. You asked me once what home is for me, and I didn’t have an answer because I didn’t grow up like you did. Home wasn’t Montana. It wasn’t even Vegas, no matter how much I considered those guys family. Home…”

He closes his eyes and shakes his head, taking a breath. When he blinks them open again, his expression is lighter.

“Home is where I’m wholly myself. It’s the start and end of my day. Not just a reason to fight, but a reason to live. Home is a safe space. The one I create and the one you give me. A soft place to land when things feel overwhelming and impossible. Home is you, Harloe. It’s not a place; it’s in your heart, if you’ll have me.”

Shane plants his hand over my heart, and tears stream in rivers down my cheeks.

“Please don’t cry.” He wipes my tears away. “I hate to see you sad.”

“These are happy tears, I promise.” My sob turns into a laugh. “I love you, Shane. To the point that it terrifies me. But I want to work through that fear for you.”

“I love you too, cowgirl.” He smiles. “But I feel like I should warn you the club is changing. Steel made me president, and things are going to get even more complicated. You deserve to know what you’re getting yourself into. This life is not easy⁠—”

I cut him off with a kiss, and god, he feels right. His lips move with mine, and I’m right where I belong.

“Difficult I can handle,” I whisper against his mouth. “I’ll be brave if it means I’m yours.”

“You’re definitely mine, Harloe. In every way.”

“What are you saying, Shane?” I pull back slightly, smiling. “You want me to be your old lady?”

He leans in, brushing his lips over my ear so I shiver. “I want you to be my everything.”

EPILOGUE

HARLOE

THREE MONTHS LATER

The line outside Ransack snakes down the street with the wine club at the front. Etta presses her face to the window, mouthing “Hurry up,” while Alice flirts with Aiden, who laughs at something she said.

Elsie’s eyebrow hitches when she takes in the scene outside. “I think it’s time to open the doors. Take a breath.”

She’s been reminding me to breathe all day, but I can’t believe the time has finally come to reopen Ransack. The bar is fully remodeled, functioning, and better than it was before. It’s been completely redone with new walls, new furniture, and a better layout for traffic flow. The stage has been rebuilt, and the band is already setting up for tonight. Music blares from speakers in the meantime.

My brothers still hate the coral-painted wall, but I think it’s growing on them because it adds color and life to the otherwise dark decor. Ransack feels entirely new, and yet, there are hints of Mom’s touch wholly present. Little pieces she picked out and hung on the walls. Trinkets on shelves.

She’s here in so many ways, and tonight, I feel her all around me.