I shake my head. “I… I want to go say goodbye to your mom, she was always so good to me.”
I try to read his expression but it’s like a blank slate until he sighs and closes his eyes. “I’m between a rock and a hard place, I can’t say no to that.”
I smirk. “Yeah I was kinda counting on that.”
He chuckles. “Okay then, let’s get on the road.” He scoops me up. “I’ll follow on my bike. You go with Connor and Sam in the truck, it’s safer for you.”
I screw up my face, I was really looking forward to riding on the back of his bike again.
He notices and snorts. “Nothin’ more I’d love than to have you on the back of my bike again, Steely, apart from having you safe, so let’s take it one step at a time.”
He gently lifts me into Connor’s truck and it takes a few seconds for my arms to catch up with me, not wanting to let go of his neck, I don’t want to be apart from him and he senses it.
“Hey, look at me, I’ll be right behind you the whole way, alright? Head to the clubhouse but park away from it, I don’t want you gettin’ into any trouble.”
“Me? Trouble?” I wink, conveying the playfulness of my statement.
He laughs. “I mean it, don’t go bargin’ in there. We don’t know if word has been spread around the club yet about you being innocent and what really happened with…,” he trails off, but I know what he means.
“Yeah, okay. I won’t go storming in there all guns blazing.”
“I can drop the girls off somewhere safe then come pick up your stuff if you want?” Connor says from the front.
Hunter agrees with him and I have to bite my tongue from saying something. I want to go in there, help Hunter out. He’ll call emergency church and I don’t know how long he’ll be in there for. I have no idea what his plan is, but you can’t just leave a club, he must have something in mind?
“You can bring the truck around to the parking lot, but you won’t be able to come in,” Hunter says.
Connor nods. “Whatever you need, I’m easy.”
Hunter kisses me then smirks at Connor. “I don’t swing that way.”
Connor’s mouth hangs open not able to reply when Hunter shuts the door behind him, me and Sam still laughing as we pull out the parking lot. I close my eyes at the sound of Hunter’s Harley riding behind us, God I’ve missed that sound.
I pull into the spot beside Connor’s truck at a local diner ten minutes away from the clubhouse, Keeley must’ve told him where it was. It just so happened to be her favorite when she lived here. I open the truck door for her and motion for her to wrap her arms around my neck so I can lift her up.
“I can walk,” she says adamantly.
I roll my eyes at her. “Still as stubborn as ever.”
“Hunter, you’re injured too. You can’t be carrying me everywhere. I’ll manage,” she says, smiling at me.
I huff and step back, offering a hand out to her to help her out. She winces as her feet touch the floor and I can see she’s favoring one leg. “Steely, just let me help you.”
She has pure determination in her eyes. “I’m fine.”
She grits her teeth and starts hobbling toward the diner, pausing at the bottom of the stairs.
“Can I help?” Connor asks, and I bristle at his offer.
“No, thanks. I think I got it,” she retorts.
She takes the first step and hisses, I’m at her side in point two seconds and she huffs and curls her arms around my neck, the slight touch setting my skin alight. I lift her up the stairs and slide her into a booth near the door. She was right, I’m injured and it hurts like hell, but I won’t show her that.
“I don’t know how long this will take, but I’ll try wrap it up pretty quick. Don’t go anywhere, and if you see any-”
Keeley interrupts me. “Christ, Hunter! Would you just let me adult. I know, if I see any of the brothers I’ll call you, okay?”
Sam stifles a laugh and I shake my head. No one but my woman can talk to me like this, I’m officially Steely Whipped.
I’ve never been the type of girl that holds back, if I’ve got something to say, I say it. The way Hunter looks at me is strange. I’m used to people being taken aback by my abruptness, but not him. He’s used to it. And although I’ve become more closed off in the last three years, he doesn’t bat an eyelid, he just looks content with me in his arms.
“Just, be safe,” he says, kissing my temple.
I look into his eyes. “You too.”
Sam gives Connor a kiss and whispers something in his ear, concern etched on her face.
“He’s safe with Hunter, Sam.”
She gives me a small smile. “I’m not worried about him, he can hold his own.”
I pretend gag at the wink she gives him but a smile follows after, I’ll never get tired of seeing Sam happy.
“If shit hits the fan, just walk away,” I say to Hunter.
He assesses my face. “You do realize who you’re talking to? I won’t back down if anyone challenges me.”
I nod understandingly. “No, I know. But I’d rather you didn’t.”