Eighteen
EIGHTEEN
HARLEY
I know what I want to do, and seeing Hadrian again has confirmed my decision, but I need to talk to my father. If I walk away from the organisation, it means Da will be back in the driver’s seat, but now his health is improving, I’m sure he’ll welcome being back at work and in charge.
Da’s been kept in hospital under observation for the last few weeks. There have been times when I feared he wasn’t going to make it, but he’s finally turned a corner, and the doctor says his liver is looking healthy. Now he’s on the mend, I know it’s the right time to talk to him about my future.
The hospital room is quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring my father’s recovery. Sunlight filters through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow over his bed. I sit in the chair beside him, holding his hand, and there’s a reassuring strength returning to his grip. His eyes open slowly, and he smiles when he sees me.
“Harley,” he says, his voice raspy but filled with warmth. “It’s good to see you, lassie.”
I squeeze his hand lightly. “It’s good to see you’re on the mend, Da.”
He chuckles softly, though the sound is strained. “I suppose I am, which means you’ll have to deal with me again soon. I’m still here, thanks to you.”
I nod, the weight of the past weeks heavy on my mind. “Now Gordon and James have been dealt with, the organisation is safe again. At least, for the time being.”
His eyes darken briefly at the mention of Gordon, but he nods. “You did well, Harley. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, Da,” I say, my voice faltering slightly. “But there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
He watches me, his expression encouraging. “Go on, love. What’s on your mind?”
I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “It’s about Hadrian.”
His brows knit together in concern. “What about him? Is he okay? It must’ve been a shock finding out it was his father who was part of the shite that went down?”
I stare at our joined hands, trying to find the right words. “He’s doing okay, I think. He hasn’t spoken about it, and I haven’t asked. I’m waiting for him to tell me when he’s ready.”
My father nods his head with a smile. He knows that’s the best way. I can’t force Hadrian to share his emotions. I can’t make him do anything he doesn’t want. That’s not how to love someone.
“Good lass,” Da tells me, pride clear in his tone.
“There’s something else.” My nerves kick in and I know this is going to be the toughest conversation I’ve ever had with my father. “Hadrian has a life in Belfast. He has responsibilities, family, and a future there. And my life is here with you and the organisation. But… I have feelings for him, Da. Strong feelings.”
He studies me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. There’s an understanding in his gaze as he slowly tips his head to the side. “Are you asking for my advice?”
I nod slowly. “Yes. I don’t know what to do. My place has always been here with you, and I don’t want to abandon the organisation. Or you.”
He sighs, his gaze softening. “Harley, you’ve been through so much. You’ve shown incredible strength and leadership. But you deserve to follow your heart.” He takes my hand and brings it to his lips to press a kiss to my knuckles. “A true, never-ending kind of love only comes once in a lifetime. You can’t walk away from it.”
My da loved my mother dearly. After she passed away, he never remarried or even dated. His focus was on me and the organisation. He told me once that he’d already had the love of his life, so now he would go it alone. My mother was the only one for him. There was something calming about his response. It was as if his acceptance of losing her and not finding someone else was how life should be.
I blink, feeling a mix of relief and confusion. “What are you saying, Da?”
“I’m saying that I’m healing,” he begins, his voice steady and reassuring, “I’m getting stronger every day. And I’m ready to take the organisation back. You’ve held things together brilliantly, but you don’t need to sacrifice your happiness for the sake of duty. It’s time for me to be the boss again.”
I swallow hard, emotions swirling inside me as the tears that sting my eyes want to break free. I blink them back before asking, “You think I should go with Hadrian?”
He nods, his eyes filled with understanding. “If that’s what your heart wants, then yes. I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy, my Harley Bear. If being with Hadrian will make you happy, even if it means you going to Belfast, then I’ll support you.”
Tears well up in my eyes, and I blink them away quickly.
“But what about you? What about the organisation?” I don’t know why I’m still worried after my father has reassured me, but I need to know he’ll be okay. With everything that’s happened, I am scared I’ll end up losing him if I leave.
He squeezes my hand, his grip firmer than before. “I’ll manage. I’ve been in this business a long time, Harley. I know what I’m doing. And you’ll always be a part of it, no matter where you are. You’ve cemented your place within the organisation. Everyone knows they can rely on you, and you’ve earned their respect.”
I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders, a sense of clarity beginning to form. “Thank you, Da. I was so afraid of letting you down.”
“You could never let me down, Harley,” he says, his voice full of conviction. “You’ve done more than I could have ever asked. Now it’s time for you to take care of your own heart. I am proud of you, and your mother would be too. You remind me of her every day.”
I lean forward, wrapping my arms around him gently, mindful he is still weak. He holds me close, and immediately, everything feels right.
“Go to Hadrian,” he whispers. “Live your life. Find your happiness. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
I pull back, wiping away a tear. “I love you, Da.”
“I love you too, Harley,” he says, smiling warmly. “Now follow your heart.”
I leave the room with a renewed sense of purpose. The decision that felt so daunting now seems simple. But I need to talk to Hadrian to see if he’s ready for the next step and wants to make this work.
I find him waiting for me, pacing anxiously, his tall, bulky frame taking up most of the space in the hospital corridor. He looks up as I approach, and his eyes are filled with concern as he reaches out and takes my hands in his.
“How is he?” he asks, his voice tense.
“Better,” I say, a smile breaking across my face. “He’s getting stronger every day. And he’s given me his blessing to follow my heart.” The words come out in a whoosh, and as I say them, tears well in my eyes once more.
Hadrian’s eyes widen slightly. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” I begin nervously, my heart attacking my ribs in a rapid staccato, “that if you’re willing, I want to come and live with you in Belfast.”
His expression softens, and he pulls me into a tight embrace. “Harley, are you sure? This is a big decision.”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” I reply, my voice steady. “I love you, Hadrian. And I want to build a future with you, wherever that may be.”
“You have no idea how much that means to me.” Hadrian kisses me then. It’s a deep, passionate kiss that makes my heart race.
When we finally pull apart, he’s smiling broadly as he takes my hand.
He tugs me into a small storage room with shelves stacked to the brim, and he locks the door behind us.
“What are we doing in here?”
“This,” Hadrian mumbles as he leans and kisses me.
The way his tongue darts into my mouth has me moaning for more. The memory of him inside me, his thickness stretching me and sending me into blissful euphoria, takes a hold, and when his hands start tugging at my jeans, I help him.
It doesn’t take long for my legs to be wrapped around his waist and for his cock to slip inside me. He penetrates me all the way to the hilt, his piercing rubbing my inner walls and causing my eyes to roll back.
“Feck,” he growls in my ear as he thrusts faster and harder.
With my body pinned against the wall, his hips slam into mine. This is not gentle love making. This is pure, animalistic fucking, and I love every moment of it.
“Come for me, Magpie. Fly for me,” Hadrian coos in my ear, sending me over the edge, and I lose all control. His hand covers my mouth as I cry out, the sound muffled by his palm. “Shh, little bird.”
We stay like that for a while, catching our breath. When Hadrian slips from me, I can’t help but wince.
“Did I hurt you?” The concern is clear in his voice as his hand gently cups my cheek and his thumb swipes across my lips.
“No, not at all,” I promise. “It was amazing.” The smile on my face must reassure him, and he nods.
I can feel his release dripping down my thighs, and I’m thankful the jeans I’m wearing are black. We straighten up and manage to escape the storeroom without anyone noticing.
“So, we’re going to live in Belfast?” Hadrian asks for confirmation.
“It looks like it,” I tell him as he takes my hand and leads me from the hospital.
I want to make sure Da is completely on the mend before we head to Belfast, but the future looks bright.
“Then let’s do it,” he says. “Let’s build that future together.”
We spend the next few days making plans and figuring out the logistics of our move. It’s overwhelming at times, but the thought of starting a new chapter with Hadrian keeps me grounded.
My father continues to recover, and the organisation begins to stabilise under his leadership once more. The loyalty and respect we’ve earned from our men over the years has held strong, despite Gordon’s attempts to take over.
On our last night in England, we have a small gathering at my father’s house. It’s a bittersweet farewell, filled with laughter and memories. The men who were under my leadership, not so long ago, give me their blessings and promise to visit us in Belfast.
As we stand outside, looking up at the stars, Hadrian wraps his arms around me. “Ready for our new adventure?”
“More than ready,” I say, leaning into him. “As long as we’re together.”