Chapter Nine
HARMONY
“How you feelin’, baby?”
I tipped my head up at Odin, who was looking at me with that worried expression he’d had for the last two weeks.
“Fine.”
Odin grunted. That was code for he wasn’t buying it.
It wasn’t exactly a lie, though. I was doing better. The nightmares had finally stopped, and most of my bruising was gone.
The thing he was worried about was that I hadn’t been able to go back to my house.
I was afraid. Every time I even thought about going back, I’d freak the hell out and spiral into a full-blown panic attack.
Odin had been amazing. Patient. Understanding. He’d let me stay in his room at the clubhouse without pushing me to deal with anything before I was ready.
I took another sip of my coffee, curling deeper into his lap as I watched the morning news playing on the big flat screen mounted on the wall.
Caroline was in the kitchen making breakfast. The smell of bacon and pancakes drifted through the clubhouse, making my stomach rumble. Reid had left for school, and Dash and Danger were playing pool in the corner.
It was the first day I’d felt even a semblance of peace since being attacked by my ex.
At least, it was until I glanced up and saw the headline running across the bottom of the TV.
My muscles tensed.
“What?” Odin asked, feeling the change.
Ignoring his question, I called across the room. “Hey, Jekyll.”
Pausing the shot he was lining up, he glanced over his shoulder. “Yo?”
I nodded to the TV mounted above his head. “Will you turn that up?”
He craned his neck, and I could see his brows pull together before he raised his arm and turned up the sound.
“Breaking news this morning. Sheriff Reggie Dane of Devils Cove has been reported missing. According to sources on the ground, the FBI raided the Sheriff’s department yesterday afternoon and—”
“Turn that shit off,” Odin shouted as his arms tightened around me automatically, his lips pressing against my temple. “Easy, baby.”
“No, don’t!” I couldn’t look away from the screen as the female news anchor continued talking about the raid, about evidence they’d found linking Reggie to the Mexican cartel and human trafficking operations.
My mind was reeling.
Human trafficking?
I knew Reggie was an evil son of a bitch, but human trafficking? Could he really have been capable of that?
Tearing my gaze from the television, I twisted in Odin’s lap. “Did you know?”
His jaw was tight, but his eyes were soft when they met mine. I could tell that whatever it was that he knew, he didn’t want to tell me.
“Please. I need to know.”
His eyes searched mine for a long beat, and then he exhaled heavily, as if what he was about to say pained him. “Yeah, baby. I knew.”
“How long?”
“Since we got here.”
I shook my head. “How long was he involved…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence, but I had to know.
“Babe. You can’t put that on yourself—”
“How long?” I snapped.
“The logs Shine found on Moody’s computer went back years. Every payout the club gave Reggie to look the other way is documented.”
“To look the other way about what, exactly?”
Odin’s eyes moved to Danger and Jekyll across the room, then came back to me. “Moody and the cartel moved women and kids through Devils Cove. Reggie knew and didn’t stop them, because he made a lot of money not to.”
“Oh, my god.” I felt like I was going to be sick. I’d been married to him. Lived with him. Slept beside him every night for years, and I’d had no idea.
“Hey.” Odin cupped my face gently, forcing me to focus on him. “You didn’t know. There’s no way you could have.”
“I was married to the man. I should have noticed, but I—”
“No buts,” he said firmly. “That sick fuck was good at hiding what he really was. You’re not responsible for his choices.”
I nodded, even though guilt was still churning in my gut.
Odin studied my face for a long moment before his expression shifted into something more determined. “It’s time to go back to the farm.”
My heart seized. “Wh-whhat?”
“You heard me.” His thumb brushed over my cheekbone. “It’s time to put all this shit behind you. You can’t avoid going back there forever, Harmony. The longer you stay away, the harder it’s gonna be.”
“I... I can’t.” The words came out barely above a whisper as panic started clawing its way up my throat. I couldn’t go back to that place. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know if I’d ever be ready.
“You can,” he insisted. “And you will. Because if you don’t face this now, Reggie wins. Is that what you want?”
Tears welled up in my eyes. “No.” That was the last thing I wanted, but the thought of walking back into that house where he’d—
My hands started shaking again.
Odin took my coffee cup from me and set it on the table in front of us before pulling me fully against his chest. “I’ll be right there with you, baby. Every step. You’re not doing this alone.”
I buried my face against his neck, breathing him in.
He was right.
If I didn’t do this now, I’d never be able to go home. I refused to let Reggie take that from me, too.
“Okay,” I finally said, my voice muffled against his skin.
“That’s my girl.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and patted my thigh for me to hop up.
I pulled back, my eyes going wide. “Now? You want to go now?”
“No time like the present, baby.”
“But—”
He was already standing, taking me with him as he set me on my feet. “Come on.”
My heart was pounding as he laced his fingers through mine and led me toward the door.
“Where are you two going?” Caroline asked, coming out of the kitchen.
“I’m taking Harmony to her house,” Odin called back. “We’ll be back later.”
Jekyll looked up, his brow furrowed with concern. “You okay, Harmony?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah. I’m good.”
He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded anyway as Odin led me out the door.
In only a few short days, these big, scary men had become like family. Looking after me and proving every day they had each other’s backs, and that included having mine, too.
“You got this,” Odin murmured as he handed me a helmet.
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I put it on anyway and climbed on behind him.
The moment he fired up the engine, the rumble of it vibrated through my entire body, grounding me.
I could do this. I kept repeating the words in my head as we roared away from the clubhouse.
When Odin pulled into my driveway and cut the engine, I just sat there frozen.
“Baby,” he said softly, reaching back to squeeze my thigh. “We don’t have to go inside right this second. We can sit out here as long as you need.”
I shook my head, pulling off the helmet. “No. If I don’t do it now, I’ll chicken out.”
Patting my thigh where he’d squeezed, he climbed off the bike, then gripped my hips and plucked me off the seat, setting me onto my feet. “I’m right here.”
I nodded, staring at the bright red door that someone had repaired.
“Breathe,” Odin said softly, his front pressed to my back. “I’ve got you, babe. Nothing can touch you.”
I shook out my hands, pulled in a deep breath, and slowly let it out as my body quaked with fear.
“One step at a time,” Odin murmured against my ear.
One step at a time.
When we reached the door, I froze.
“I can’t—” My hand hovered over the knob. I couldn’t do it. All I could see was the devil in Reggie’s eyes when he came at me. I knew what he was capable of. He’d hurt me before, but I hadn’t been ready. I should have—
“Hey.” Odin’s steady voice cut through the memory. “Look at me.”
I turned, and his green eyes locked onto mine.
“He’s gone, Harmony. He can’t hurt you ever again.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I know.”
And I did know, but knowing it and feeling it were two different things.
“Come on.” Odin reached past me and pushed open the door.
My eyes scanned the kitchen as the smell of lemon-scented cleaner and fresh paint hit me. Someone had cleaned up the wreckage Reggie had left behind. The table was back in its place, and the floor was spotless. If I hadn’t known better, I’d never have guessed what had happened there a few days ago.
But I did know.
“Harmony.” Odin’s hands settled on my shoulders, turning me to face him. “Focus on me, baby.”
I lifted my eyes to his.
“It’s just you and me,” he said, his thumbs brushing across my jaw. “You’re safe. I’m right here.”
I nodded, my breathing slowing.
“That’s it.” His hand went behind my neck and he pulled me against his chest. “Breathe with me.”
My eyes closed as I pressed my face into his cut, inhaling the scent of smoke, leather, and him. It was just him and me. He wouldn’t let anything hurt me. He’s proven that.
It was with those thoughts that my heart rate started to slow, and my breathing evened out.
“Better?” he asked after a few minutes.
“Yeah.” I pulled back just enough to look up at him. “Thank you.” I wouldn’t have been able to make it through this without him.
“Always, babe. I’ll always protect you.” Odin dipped his head and touched his lips against mine. It was soft at first, like he was scared I was going to break at any moment.
But, I wasn’t. I had him there to hold me together.
Pressing closer, I needed more, and he gave it to me. His tongue swept into my mouth, sending heat flooding through me, chasing away the fear.
When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with desire. “What do you say we make some new memories in this place?”
My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”
He reached for the hem of my tank top and slowly pulled it up and over my head.
“Wade—” I breathed.
“Trust me,” he murmured against my lips.
I trusted him more than I’d ever trusted anyone.
So I let him strip me out of my clothes piece by piece until I was standing in my kitchen wearing nothing but my panties.
Settling his hands on my hips, he backed me up until I hit the edge of the kitchen table.
My breath hitched.
“Every time you walk into this room,” he said, his voice dropping to that low rumble that made my toes curl, “I want you thinking about me. About this. Not about what that bastard did.”
Tears stung the back of my eyes, but they weren’t sad tears.
They were grateful ones.
“Wade—”
He kissed me again, harder this time, as his hands slid down to hook into my panties. He pulled them down my legs, then lifted me onto the table.
The wood was cool against my bare skin, and I shivered.
“Cold?” he asked, smirking.
“A little.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll warm you up.”
He stepped between my thighs, and I watched as he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing all that ink I loved so much.
My fingers were itching to trace every line, but he was already reaching for his belt.
Within seconds he was naked, and I couldn’t help but stare.
He was beautiful. All hard muscles covered in tattoos.
“Like what you see?” he teased.
“You know I do.”
He chuckled, stepping closer. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me now.”
“Is that right?”
“Yeah.” He cupped my face, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip. “You’re mine, Harmony. And I take care of what’s mine.”
My heart swelled.
I’d never belonged to anyone before. Not really.
But with Odin? I wanted to be his.
“I’m yours,” I whispered.
Something fierce flashed in his eyes, and then he was kissing me again as he positioned himself at my entrance.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
He pushed inside slowly, giving me time to adjust, and I gasped at the fullness.
“Fuck, baby,” he groaned. “You feel so good.”
Hooking my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck, I pulled him closer as he started to move.
God yes.
With every snap of his hips, pleasure radiated through me, chasing away the memories.
This was what I wanted to remember.
The way Odin took care of me. How he always watched me when I moved through a room.
The way he felt moving inside me.
The way he made me feel safe and loved and cherished.
“Harder,” I panted.
He obliged, picking up the pace, and I held on tight as he drove into me over and over.
“Wade,” I gasped, feeling a coiling low in my belly. “I’m—”
“I know, baby. Let go.”
“Oh, God.” My back arched as my orgasm slammed into me, and I cried out his name as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me.
Odin moved harder and faster until finally he buried himself deep as he found his own release.
We stayed locked together, both of us breathing hard.
Finally he pulled back, his eyes soft as they met mine. “You okay?”
I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah. I’m really okay.”
“Good.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get you cleaned up and head back to the clubhouse.”
“Okay.”
***
Sitting on Odin’s lap in one of the camping chairs scattered around the fire pit, I watched as everyone laughed and talked, enjoying each other’s company.
Wren had shown up about an hour ago to check in on me and had immediately zeroed in on Jekyll.
“So,” she said, leaning against his chair, “do you have a girlfriend?”
Jekyll didn’t even look up from his beer, rumbling, “Nope.”
“Boyfriend?”
Lifting his head, his eyes narrowed.
“Interesting.” She twirled a strand of blonde hair around her finger.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing.
Wren was nothing if not persistent, but Jekyll clearly wasn’t interested.
Across the fire, Tyson and Danger were arguing about something stupid.
“I’m telling you,” Dash said, “Die Hard is a Christmas movie.”
“It’s not,” Tyson shot back. “Just because it takes place during Christmas doesn’t make it a Christmas movie.”
“That’s exactly what makes it a Christmas movie, dumbass.”
I snorted, and Odin’s arms tightened around me. “You good, baby?”
I looked around at the faces lit by the firelight.
Reid was roasting marshmallows with Caroline, both of them laughing when his caught on fire.
Dollar and Shine were arguing about some computer thing I didn’t understand.
Dash was talking up one of the club girls.
And Odin’s arms were wrapped around me, holding me close like he never wanted to let me go.
“Yeah,” I said honestly. “I’m perfect.”
For the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Surrounded by people who cared about me.
Protected by a man who’d take on the world to keep me safe.
This was my home now.
Odin pressed a kiss to my temple. “Love you, baby.”
My breath caught.
He’d never said that before.
Turning in his lap, I cupped his face and kissed him. “I love you, too.”
His smile was blinding. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me forever.”
“Forever sounds pretty damn good to me.”
As the fire crackled and the laughter continued around us, I realized something.
Reggie hadn’t won.
I had.
Because I’d found my people.
And nothing was ever going to take that away from me.
The End.