Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
The doctor came out seconds later to give them the news.
Hailey was stable. No major arteries were severed but she did lose a lot of blood. They had repaired the damage, and she would be fine. Larissa was the same. No major damage, but both women could have visitors in a few hours.
Harlow walked toward the doctor and threw her arms around her. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“I’ll let you know when you can see her.”
She stepped away, and the doctor disappeared back through the door and Harlow looked ready to collapse.
“I think I need some air,” Harlow said.
Hunter followed her outside the hospital, and they moved away from the main doors. It was still light and the hospital was getting busy now. Snow had fallen while they had been inside the building. Harlow leaned up against the wall and then pressed her hands to her face. She hadn’t cried inside, but now he watched as she sobbed. Stepping up to her, he pulled her close. Hunter expected her to push him away, but she surprised him as she pressed her face against his chest and let it all out.
“I was so scared,” she said.
“So was I.”
Harlow sniffled and looked up. “What?”
“You heard me. Getting that phone call, hearing you scream for help, was one of the single most terrifying experiences I have ever felt.”
She swiped across her nose. “But you … you … ugh, you face other enemies. Men with big guns. A lot of men.”
“And none of them have scared me the way your voice did. You sounded so terrified. I will never forget that. I was already on my way to the shop to see you. I wanted to buy you both breakfast, but getting that call nearly ended my world.”
“Why did you let him get away?” Harlow asked. “I know what you’re capable of. I know that he’s now a maximum threat to the club. You must put the club first.”
“And I will handle his threat. I will take care of it. When the time comes, Cadeon and I will face one another, and he will not live.” Hunter stroked her hair out of her face. “But today, he had something precious that I couldn’t afford to lose. He had you, Harlow, and all I could think about was getting him out of your way. Getting him as far away from you as physically possible. I love you. I have loved you from the first moment you put that lollipop in your mouth and you looked so innocent. I know I broke your heart and I am going to spend every single waking moment paying for it.” Hunter ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “I know you’re not a doormat, and this is going to take time.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “And it’s time I’m willing to do.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hailey’s Beauty Parlor was closed until further notice.
Ava’s Bakery was closed until further notice.
Harlow missed her job, but she also knew that the Hell’s Bastards MC were going to fix the problem. While Hailey had been in the hospital, the crew had already undertaken a mass cleanup. All the windows were boarded up and according to Hunter, they were on order.
She also happened to spend a lot of time with Hunter over the past couple of weeks as they tried to repair the damage the Twisted Bastards MC had left behind. She knew the same was happening to Ava’s Bakery.
Watching the last of the windows go in, Harlow stood with Hailey. The other woman had been distracted since she had gotten out of the hospital. Harlow knew from her experience of getting stabbed, that it all seemed surreal.
“What do you think?” Harlow asked.
“They look great.”
She also knew Hailey was having second doubts about staying in Fort Clover. Harlow didn’t want to be selfish because she loved her job and spending time with Hailey. She also couldn’t help but want to bridge that gap with her friend. Learning more about Hailey from Kinky had annoyed her.
Harlow always struggled to make friends, but with Hailey, it had been completely natural.
“I know it’s not what you wanted, but look at the new displays. I know they’re empty, but I can get to work in filling them up. The equipment is arriving in a couple of days. The guys are going to help set everything up. I was thinking we could go with mauve, or pink. I know you love pink.”
There was a slight tilt to her lips, which was an almost smile. Harlow would take it. She would take anything right now from her boss.
“So, what do you think?” Harlow asked.
Hailey opened her mouth and then Harlow gasped.
“I totally forgot to show you. Remember that brand you love so much and you would love to test out, and you reached out to them a gazillion times?” Harlow rushed into the back office and grabbed the small box that had arrived. “They sent testers.”