Fifteen
FIFTEEN
HARLEY
The faint sound of the North Sea crashing against the cliffs in the distance fills the night, and the cold air of South Shields bites into my skin as I wait outside the warehouse, pacing back and forth.
Hadrian has been inside for hours, questioning his father. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stave off the chill that’s seeping into my bones, but it’s not just from the cold. It’s also the worry that’s gnawing at me.
The night feels endless as my mind races with questions and doubts. What information is Hadrian discovering in there? How is he coping with having to face his father, the man who led the Mod Boys and tried to tear the Hunt organisation apart?
Finally, the door to the warehouse creaks open and Hadrian steps out. His shoulders are slumped, his expression a mix of exhaustion and something darker. He looks up, and our eyes meet. In that moment, I can see how much this is costing him.
“Hadrian,” I say softly as I walk towards him, my boots crunching on the gravel. He looks at me, and I can see the turmoil in his eyes. “How are you doing?”
He sighs deeply while running a hand through his hair. “I’ve been better, Harley. This… it’s harder than I thought it would be.”
I nod, understanding more than he realises. “I can see that. When you’re done here, perhaps you can take me home?”
He looks at me, his eyes searching my face. “Home?”
I nod again, more firmly this time. “Yes, home. I know we’re in the middle of this mess, but I need to escape for a while, and I want to be with you.”
He takes a deep breath, his gaze softening. “All right, love. I need to wrap things up here, first. Just give me a little more time.”
I squeeze his hand, offering what comfort I can. “I’ll be right here.”
He nods, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Thank you, Harley.”
I watch as he turns and heads back inside the warehouse, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud. I resume my pacing, trying to keep my anxiety at bay. The minutes tick by slowly, each one feeling like an eternity.
Finally, the door opens again, and Hadrian steps out, looking even more drained than before. He walks towards me, his steps slow and heavy. When he reaches me, he pulls me into a tight embrace, holding me as if he’s drawing strength from me.
“It’s over,” he murmurs into my hair. “At least for now.”
I pull back slightly to look at him. “Are you okay?”
He nods, but I can see the weight he’s carrying. “I will be, Magpie. Let’s get out of here.”
We get into the car, but before Hadrian drives away, he turns to me. “I’m sorry. I wish I could’ve protected you from all of this,” he says quietly, his voice full of regret.
I shake my head. “You don’t have to apologise, Hadrian. We’re in this together. I chose to be here with you. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
He wraps his arm around me, holding me close. “I just… I never wanted you to be a part of this life and there are still more threats out there. I don’t want you to get hurt, Harley.”
I look up at him, my heart swelling with love. “Whatever lies ahead, we’ll get through it. Together. We’ve faced so much already, and we’re still standing.”
He nods, but I can see the doubt in his eyes. Reaching up, I cup his face in my hands. “Hey, look at me. I love you, Hadrian. And I’m not going anywhere.”
A small smile tugs at his lips. “I love you too, Harley. More than you’ll ever know.”
We sit there in silence for a while, just holding each other. The weight of the night slowly lifts, replaced by a sense of calm. I know there are battles ahead, still so much to face, but in this moment, with Hadrian by my side, I feel invincible.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” I ask gently, tracing patterns on his chest.
He sighs, his fingers playing with my hair. “Not tonight. Tonight, I just want to be with you. We can face everything else tomorrow.”
I nod. “Okay. Tonight, it’s just you and me.”
As we drive away from the warehouse, the dark streets of South Shields stretching out before us, Hadrian briefly places his hand on my thigh and squeezes gently, letting me know we’re in this together.
And for tonight, that’s enough.