Nineteen
NINETEEN
HARLEY
Moving to Belfast has opened a brand new chapter in my life. The city’s cool breeze and bustling energy greet me as Hadrian and I make our way to the Royal Bastards clubhouse from Hadrian’s apartment in the city.
There’s a mixture of nerves and excitement bubbling inside me. Hadrian’s hand is warm and reassuring in mine as we approach the building that looms large and imposing against the backdrop of the Belfast skyline.
The clubhouse is buzzing with activity when we walk in, and I’m met with a sea of faces. The brothers, all tough and rugged, give me appraising looks that quickly turn into welcoming smiles. It’s overwhelming, but in a good way. There’s a sense of belonging here—a camaraderie that’s almost palpable.
Hadrian squeezes my hand as he leans in close. “Ready to meet the family?”
I nod, taking a deep breath. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Monster, the President, is the first person who comes up to me. He’s a hulking man, but I know he has a heart of gold from what Hadrian’s told me. He takes my hand.
“Welcome ta the Royal Bastards, Harley,” he rumbles, his voice like gravel.
“Thank you for having me here.”
“Anythin’ ye need, anythin’ at all, ye come ta the club. Rev’s a brother ta me, which makes ye family.”
“Thank you, Monster. That means the world to me,” I say, feeling a swell of emotion. His immediate acceptance is more than I could have hoped for.
One by one, the rest of the brothers step forwards to introduce themselves. Each handshake is firm and each hug strong. They all have nicknames that hint at their personalities and roles within the club. Names like Blaze, Banks, and Rebel. There’s a lot to take in, but each member makes me feel welcomed and part of something bigger.
“Sully,” a tall, muscular man with a thick beard says as he pulls me into a bear hug. “Welcome to the family, lass.”
“Thanks, Sully,” I reply, feeling the warmth of his greeting.
Tye, a lean man with a quick smile and sharp eyes, gives me a gentler hug. “If ye need anythin’, just give me a shout. We’ve got yer back.”
“Appreciate it, Tye.”
Blaze, who has kind green eyes, gives me a reassuring smile. “If ye need any transport and Rev ain’t here, I’m yer man. Ye come ta me, all right?”
“I will, Blaze. Thank you.”
The greetings continue, each brother offering his support and protection. It’s overwhelming but also incredibly touching. I feel a sense of peace settling over me. This is where I’m supposed to be.
Soon, the wives and partners come over to introduce themselves. They’re a diverse group of women, but each one is strong and confident in her own way. We chat and laugh, and I can feel myself easing into this new environment.
Eventually, Monster’s wife, Miren, pulls me aside.
“I’m glad you’re here, Harley,” she says, her eyes warm and sincere. “Monster has told me a lot about you. Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” I reply, genuinely touched. “It means a lot to be welcomed like this.”
Miren links her arm through mine, leading me towards the garden at the back of the clubhouse. “Come on, let’s have a chat,” she says with a smile.
The garden is a small oasis of flowers and greenery, a stark contrast to the rough exterior of the clubhouse. The sound of birds chirping provides a serene backdrop as we find a bench and sit down.
“I know that as the boss of a crime organisation you must have faced more than your fair share of threats, but I wanted to talk to you about this life,” Miren begins, her tone serious. “Being with a member of the club is amazin’, but it’s also dangerous. You have to be prepared for that.”
“I understand,” I reply, meeting her gaze. “I’m willing to accept that risk.”
“Good,” she nods. “There are some things you need to bear in mind. Always keep in touch and make sure someone knows where you are, especially if you’re going somewhere alone. The club looks after its own, but we need to know where you are to keep you safe.”
“I will,” I promise. “I’ll make sure Hadrian and the club know where I am at all times.”
“And don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it,” Miren continues. “We’re a family here. We look out for each other. No one goes through anything alone.”
Her words are comforting, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude. “Thank you, Miren. It’s good to know I have people I can rely on.”
She smiles, a genuine warmth in her expression. “You’re one of us now, Harley. Welcome to the family.”
We sit in the garden a while longer, talking about everything and nothing. It’s nice to have this moment of calm.
As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, we make our way back inside. The clubhouse is alive with laughter and chatter, and I feel a sense of belonging.
Hadrian finds me and wraps his arm around my waist. “How’s it going?” he asks, his eyes filled with concern and love.
“Good,” I reply, leaning into him. “Everyone’s been so welcoming. I feel like I’m home.”
He smiles, kissing my forehead. “I’m glad. You are home, Harley. We’re going to make this work.”
As the evening wears on, I find myself surrounded by new friends and family. The brothers share stories of their exploits, the wives and partners offer advice and support, and Hadrian remains by my side through it all.
It’s a new beginning.
A fresh start.
And as I look around at the faces of my new family, I know that this is where I’m meant to be.
I’ve been welcomed into the world of the Royal Bastards, and I know I’m finally home.
I sit on the edge of the bed, my phone clutched in my hand, and listen to the familiar ringtone as I call my father. It’s been a few weeks since I moved to Belfast with Hadrian, and even though I’m settling in, I miss my father.
“Hello?” My father’s voice comes through the line, warm and comforting.
“Hi, Da,” I say, my voice catching slightly.
“My Harley Bear, it’s so good to hear from you. How are you, love?” I can hear the happiness in his voice, and the smile in his words. My father has always given me a sense of comfort.
“I’m good, Da. Really good. How are you?”
“I’m getting stronger every day, lass. Don’t you worry about your old man. Everything’s going smoothly here. How’s Belfast treating you?”
I smile, thinking about the past few weeks. “It’s wonderful. Hadrian has been amazing, and everyone here has been so welcoming. It’s very different from South Shields, but in a good way. The city is beautiful, and I’m starting to feel at home.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Harley. I was worried about you moving so far away, but it sounds like you’re settling in nicely.”
“I am. But I miss you, Da. I miss our talks and just being around you.”
“I miss you too, sweetheart. It’s strange not having you around. But I’m happy that you’re happy. That’s all that matters to me.”
“How’s the organisation?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“It’s going well,” he says, his tone reassuring. “We’ve managed to stabilise things after all the upheaval with Gordon. The men have remained loyal, and we’re moving forward. It’s hard work, but we’re managing.”
“That’s good to hear. I worry about you, you know.”
“I know, Harley. But you don’t have to. I’ve got everything under control. You just focus on your new life and enjoy it. Are you happy? Truly happy.”
“I am,” I admit honestly. “I feel as if my life was always meant to be here with Hadrian.”
“That’s my girl,” he says softly, and I can hear the smile on his face. “Just you live your life to the fullest and bask in your happiness. Promise me you will.”
“I promise, Da. But if you ever need anything, you know I’m just a phone call away, and I’ll be coming back to visit soon.”
“I know, love. Thank you.”
We talk for a little while longer, catching up on the small details of our lives. It feels good to hear his voice and know that he’s doing well. But as much the conversation reassures me, there’ll always be a part of me that misses him.
“Take care of yourself, Da. I love you.”
“I love you too, Harley. Give Hadrian my best. Be safe.”
“I will. Bye, Da. See you soon.”
I hang up the phone and sit there for a moment, lost in thought. It’s hard being away from my father, but I know this is where I’m meant to be. Belfast is my home now, and Hadrian is my future.
The door opens, and Hadrian walks in with a smile on his face. “Hey, Magpie. Everything okay?”
“Aye, all good,” I say, returning his smile. “Just talked to my dad. It was nice to hear his voice.”
He nods and settles in beside me. “How is he?”
“He’s good. The organisation is going well, and he seems to be managing just fine.” I shrug.
I’m feeling slightly despondent, and I think it’s because I know my father doesn’t actually need me anymore. I know it’s stupid and I’ll get over it, but I enjoyed being the boss for a while.
“Hey,” Hadrian says, leaning in to place a kiss on my forehead. “He’s goin’ to be all right. Don’t worry so much. Also, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” I raise an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Aye. I need you to pack an overnight bag. I want to take you somewhere.” His voice is filled with the excitement of a teenager, and I can’t help but grin. My belly flip-flops with excitement as I try to figure out what it could be.
“Where are we going?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“It’s a surprise,” he says with a grin. “Just pack a bag. Trust me.”
I laugh, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside me. “All right. Give me a few minutes.”
I quickly pack a few essentials into an overnight bag as Hadrian watches with a mischievous glint in his eye. I feel a growing sense of anticipation as I wonder what he has planned.
Once I’m packed, we head out to his bike. The familiar rumble of the engine fills the air as we set off, leaving the city behind. The scenery changes as we ride north, the urban landscape giving way to rolling hills and open fields. The wind whips around me, and I feel a sense of freedom that only comes from being out on the open road.
After a couple of hours, we arrive at a charming country inn that’s nestled in the midst of picturesque surroundings. Hadrian parks the bike, and we dismount, taking in the beauty of the place. Since we’re close to the coast, I can smell the sea air, and it makes my heart happy.
“This is amazing,” I say, turning to Hadrian with a wide smile.
“I thought you’d like it,” he says, taking my hand. “I wanted to do something special for you.”
“You’re incredible, you know that?”
He chuckles. “Aye, I try.”
We check into the inn, and the staff are warm and welcoming. Our room is cosy, with a view of the rolling landscape. It’s the perfect escape. A chance for us to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
As the evening sets in, we take a walk through the surrounding countryside and explore a quaint village nearby. The streets are lined with charming cottages and local shops, and the atmosphere is peaceful and serene.
We find a cosy pub and decide to have dinner there. The food is hearty and delicious, and we spend the meal talking and laughing, enjoying each other’s company. It’s a perfect moment that I’ll cherish forever.
After dinner, we head back to the inn. The night is cool and crisp, and the sky is filled with stars. Hadrian takes my hand as we walk, his touch warm and reassuring.
“This place is magical,” I say, looking up at the sky.
“It is,” he agrees. “But it’s you who makes it special, Harley. I knew you’d love Antrim, and when we explore the rest of the coast tomorrow, you’ll understand why this is one of my favourite places.”
I smile, feeling a warmth of happiness spread through me. “Thank you, Hadrian.”
We reach our room, and as we step inside, I feel a sense of contentment. We spend the rest of the evening talking, sharing our stories and dreams, and it feels like we’re slowly but surely weaving our lives together.
As the night wears on, we cuddle up in bed, and Hadrian’s embrace envelops me. I feel safe and loved, and for the first time in a long while, I feel at peace.
“I love you, Hadrian,” I whisper, my head resting on his chest.
“I love you too, Harley,” he replies, and his voice is soft and tender.
I close my eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. And as I drift off to sleep, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together with love and strength.