Eleven
ELEVEN
REV
The sun sets in a blaze of orange and pink, casting long shadows across the old bench overlooking the sea. Harley and I find ourselves here again. This place holds so many memories, sweet and bitter. Tonight, it’s the setting for yet another pivotal moment.
Harley sits next to me, her posture rigid, the weight of recent revelations bearing down on her. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that Gordon, her father’s right-hand man, is behind her father’s declining health and a plot to overthrow her organisation.
“There’s always going to be somebody who threatens my father’s life and mine and who wants to take over the business,” she says, her voice breaking the stillness. “Do you think I should give up the organisation?”
I turn to look at her, seeing the turmoil in her eyes. Harley, who’s always so strong and composed, now looks fragile and on the brink of breaking. I take a deep breath, knowing my next words carry weight.
“No, Magpie,” I say firmly. “Giving up the organisation won’t save your father. It will only embolden your enemies. You’re a leader, and they fear that. If your enemies thought you were weak, there would be more of them trying to take you down.”
Her eyes meet mine, filled with uncertainty. “But if it’s the only way to keep my da safe, how can I not consider it? I can’t bear the thought of losing him, Hadrian.”
I reach out, taking her hand in mine. It’s a small gesture, but I hope it conveys the strength and support I want to give her. “Your father built this empire with his blood and sweat. Surrendering it to save him might seem like the noble thing to do, but it’s not what he would want. He believes in you and your ability to lead and protect what he created while he can’t.”
She looks down at our intertwined hands, a single tear slipping down her cheek. “I’m so scared, Hadrian. Scared of losing him. Scared of failing.”
“You won’t fail,” I assure her with confidence in my voice. I don’t want her to ever doubt herself. “You’re not alone in this. We’re all here to support you and fight alongside you. And as for your father, we’ll keep him safe while we take down Gordon and the bastards who are working with him. You’re stronger than you realise, Magpie.”
She takes a deep, shuddering breath, then looks up at me, her eyes shining with a mix of fear and determination. “Thank you, Rev.” She whispers the nickname my brothers call me, and it makes me smile. I like that she calls me by my given name, but there’s a special intimacy when she uses my road name. “I needed to hear that.”
I smile, squeezing her hand gently. “Anytime.”
For a moment, we sit in silence. There’s a peacefulness to this place. It’s a stark contrast to the chaos of our lives. I savour it, knowing these quiet moments are rare and precious.
Harley shifts closer to me, her shoulder brushing against mine.
“Do you ever think about what could have been, Hadrian? If things had been different, and we weren’t caught up in this world…”
I glance at her, my heart aching with the possibilities of a different life.
“All the time,” I admit. “But this is the life we have chosen, and we have to make the best of it. We can’t dwell on what-ifs.”
She nods, her gaze returning to the horizon. “You’re right. It’s just… hard, sometimes.”
“I know,” I say softly. “But you’re not alone.” I remind her, knowing this life isn’t exactly filled with loyal friends. “We’ll get through this together.”
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting the world in twilight, I feel an overwhelming urge to bridge the gap between us. Harley turns to me, her eyes reflecting the fading light, and I see the same longing mirrored in her gaze.
“Hadrian…” she begins, but I don’t let her finish.
Leaning in, I close the distance between us, and my lips meet hers in a gentle, lingering kiss. It’s a moment of pure connection— a way to convey all the emotions we’ve been keeping bottled up. Her lips are soft and warm against mine, and for a few seconds, the world fades away, leaving just the two of us.
When we finally pull apart, she’s breathless, her eyes wide with surprise and something deeper, something unspoken.
“Hadrian,” she whispers again, this time with a hint of wonder.
I brush a strand of blue hair from her face, my hand lingering on her cheek. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time, Magpie,” I admit, my voice low and rough with emotion.
She grins. It’s a soft, radiant smile that lights up her face.
“So have I,” she confesses. “But I didn’t think it was possible, not with everything else that’s going on.”
“It is possible,” I assure her. “We just have to fight for it, like we fight for everything else.”
She nods, leaning into my touch. “You’re right. We can’t let fear dictate our lives.”
“No, we can’t,” I agree. “We have to be brave for ourselves and for each other.”
The stars begin to twinkle in the darkening sky, and the cool night air wraps around us. But despite the chill, there’s a warmth between us and a shared resolve that strengthens my conviction.
“We should get back,” Harley says after a while, but neither of us makes a move to leave. “There’s still so much to do.”
“Aye, we need to finish our preparations if we’re going to be ready in time,” I say, but my heart aches at the thought of leaving this moment behind. “I can’t wait for the fight tomorrow.”
“Do you enjoy it?” she asks, and the question feels as if it’s filled with intrigue rather than judgement.
“I do when it’s directed towards someone who deserves it,” I admit. I’ve never lied to her, never hidden anything so she’d find me more attractive. This time is no different.
“That makes sense,” she says softly. I watch her as she considers my words, then nods. “My father is the same. He doesn’t hurt innocent people, which is why I agreed to step into his shoes when he needed me. I want to do right by him and by the organisation, and I want to ensure everything he built survives.”
“You’re a good person, Harley.”
Looking at her now, I see the innocence from all those years ago. She may know all there is to know about her father’s business, but she’s still pure at heart.
“I don’t know about that. I think it’s just that I’ve been raised by a man who taught me to fight for what I believe in and to never give up or give in,” she responds as she looks up into my eyes.
Her stare is a dagger straight to my chest. The future after tomorrow is still uncertain, and once this is all over, there’ll be some difficult decisions to make.
“It’s a good lesson to learn and to live by,” I agree with a nod, trying to break the tension.
As much as I want to kiss her again, I know it’s best to keep my distance until we determine what’s going to happen between us.
“Just remember. Sometimes, choices need to be selfish, or you’ll forever live for others,” she tells me.
As we make our way back to the car, our kiss lingers in my thoughts. It’s a reminder of what we’re fighting for—not just for survival, but for a future worth living.
We drive back in comfortable silence that’s filled with unspoken understanding. When we reach the hotel, the others are waiting, their faces tense with anticipation.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Harley says, her voice steady and strong. “But we have a plan, and we’re going to see it through. Gordon and the Mod Boys won’t know what hit them.”
The others nod, their respect for Harley evident in their eyes. She’s earned their trust, just as she’s earned mine.
As we huddle together, discussing the final details of our plan, I steal a glance at her. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and I’m proud to stand by her side.
Perhaps, when the danger is past and the dust settles, we’ll find a way to explore the connection between us. For now, though, we need to focus on the fight ahead, knowing that together, we are unstoppable.
The night air is crisp as we gather outside Shaun Hunt’s house, our breath forming small clouds in the dim light. Hades leans against the car, arms crossed, as his eyes scan our surroundings with practised vigilance. Racer paces nearby, his leather jacket creaking with each step, and a restless energy radiating from him. I stand between them, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on my shoulders.
“Right, let’s go over this one more time,” I say, my voice steady but low. “We know Gordon and the leader of the Mod Boys are meeting at the warehouse. Hades and I will be in position inside with a small team of Shaun’s men, and Racer will be with the rest of the men outside, covering all exits.”
Hades nods. “We’ve got the element of surprise. We need to hit them fast and hard. No hesitation.”
Racer stops pacing and turns to face us, his expression serious. “I’ve coordinated with the men. They know their positions and the timings. As soon as you move in, we’ll close the perimeter.”
I glance at my watch. “It’s almost time. Let’s head out and meet Shaun’s men near the warehouse. We need to ensure everyone’s in place before Gordon and his accomplices arrive.”
It’s eerily quiet, as we drive though the streets. It’s as if the town is holding its breath for what’s about to come. When we arrive at the meeting place, I spot Shaun’s men already gathered, their silhouettes blending into the shadows.
We park our cars and approach them, nodding in greeting.
“Everything’s set our end. We’ve got the exits covered, and our lads are ready,” David informs me. Hades and I started to work for Shaun not long after David joined the organisation, so I know he is a useful ally.
“Good,” I reply, shaking his hand firmly. “We’ll move in as soon as they arrive, and the exchange starts. No one makes a move until then.”
Hades scans the area, his eyes capturing every detail. “Racer, you and the rest of Shaun’s men on the perimeter need to make sure no one slips past.”
Racer nods, his usual easy-going demeanour replaced with a focused intensity. “Aye, I got it. None of those feckin’ cunts will escape.”
I take a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline start to build. “Remember, we need to take Gordon and the Mod Boys’ leader alive if possible. They’ve got the information we need. But don’t hesitate to use force if necessary.”
Shaun’s men nod in agreement, their expressions grim. They know what’s at stake, and they’re ready to see it through. I exchange looks with Hades and Racer, silent reassurances passing between us.
“All right,” I say, my voice steady. “Let’s get into position. Stay sharp and stay safe.”
We disperse, moving through the shadows towards our designated spots. The warehouse looms ahead, a dark silhouette against the night sky. As we close in, I can feel the tension in the air, the sense of an impending confrontation.
We take our positions, waiting for the right moment. My eyes are locked on the warehouse, every sense heightened, ready for action. The minutes tick by slowly, each one bringing us closer to the encounter we’ve been preparing for.
And then, the silence is broken as several cars pull up, and I watch as silhouetted figures get out of the vehicles and wait outside the warehouse, their voices carrying faintly through the night. Gordon and the Mod Boys’ leader and their men have arrived. The exchange is about to begin.
I signal to Hades and Racer, a silent command. It’s time. We all start to move. Every step is precise, and every movement coordinated. This is it—the moment of reckoning. We’re ready, and we’re going to end this tonight.