Chapter Thirty-Eight
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
I SAT ON the edge of the bed in Bolt’s room, staring at the wall, my hands resting in my lap. It had been a long week, emotionally draining in ways I hadn’t expected. Confronting the reality of what those women had done, it was a lot to take in. I hadn’t been prepared for the way it made me feel.
Jenny, I could understand. I knew she hated me, but Barbie? That hit me hard. I truly thought she was my friend. Brenda had been right about some women doing anything for a patch. Fact was Josie didn’t even have one yet, but Brenda said Barbie had planned on getting his patch by starting at the ground floor.
And Jenny, I suppose I could understand her loving Bolt, because I sure did. But you don’t hurt those you love by trapping them. And you sure as heck don’t put someone’s life in danger. I can definitely see why dad kept me away from the club when I was younger.
Poor dad, finding out Boots had coveted his wife, had hurt him. He still couldn’t believe his best friend had not only secretly loved his wife but kidnapped me, thinking it was her. Now I understood why Boots was always around when I was a kid, before my mom died—he loved her.
But the one thing I realized from all of this was that I belonged here. With Bolt. Even though the fear still clung to me, even though the shadows of the past still loomed large in my mind, I knew that I could move forward as long as I had him by my side.
The door creaked open, and Bolt stepped inside, his presence filling the room like it always did. He paused when he saw me sitting there, his brow furrowing. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low, cautious.
I nodded, offering a small smile. “Yeah. I’m... I’m good.”
He didn’t seem convinced, but he stepped closer, moving to sit beside me on the bed. The mattress dipped slightly under his weight. “You don’t have to stay here, you know,” Bolt said quietly, his eyes fixed on the floor. “If you need time... if you need space, I get it.”
I turned to look at him, the vulnerability in his voice catching me off guard. Bolt, who had always been so strong, so sure of himself, was giving me an out. He was giving me the chance to walk away, to put distance between us if that’s what I needed.
But that wasn’t what I wanted.
I reached out, my fingers brushing against his hand. “I don’t want space,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I love you. I’ve told you that, Bolt and I don’t need space from you, not ever.”
Bolt’s gaze snapped to mine with relief. “I love you too, and I don’t fucking know what I’d do if you walked away.”
“I’m scared,” I admitted, my heart pounding in my chest. “I’m scared of what happens next. Of how to move on from everything that’s happened. But the one thing I’m not scared of... is being with you.”
Bolt’s hand tightened around mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “You don’t have to be scared of anything,” he said quietly. “I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere, Fiona. Whatever you need... I’ll make sure you have it.”
The tenderness in his voice, the sincerity in his words, made my heart ache in the best way. I had spent so long being afraid, so long feeling like I had to protect myself. But with Bolt, it was different. He wasn’t just protecting me—he was willing to give me the space to heal, to grow, to be myself again.
I shifted closer to him, my body leaning into his, seeking the warmth and comfort of his presence. His arm wrapped around my shoulders, pulling me close.
“I love you so much,” I whispered, my head resting against his chest. “And I never want to be away from you.”
Bolt’s fingers traced gentle circles on my arm, his voice low and steady. “I never thought I could ever love anyone, but then you came along.”
Slowly, I pulled back just enough to look up at him, my heart racing as our eyes met. There was so much more between us now, something stronger than before. Without thinking, I leaned in, my lips brushing against his softly at first, tentative. Bolt’s hand came up to cup the side of my face, his thumb stroking my cheek as he kissed me back, slow and tender, like he was giving me time to decide if this was what I really wanted.
But I didn’t need time.
I deepened the kiss, my hands sliding up to his shoulders, pulling him closer. His lips were warm, soft, and the feel of him, the weight of his presence, made everything else fall away. There was no fear here. No pain. Just us.
When we finally pulled apart, my heart was racing, but it wasn’t from fear.
Bolt’s forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my skin. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore,” he whispered. “I’ll always take care of you.”
“I know,” I whispered back, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.