Page 118 of Hunter (Hell's Bastards MC)

Raven joined their little cluster next,followed by Ava, and then Abriana. One by one, the men joined,forming a circle.

Hailey and Larissa were not one of theirs.Neither woman was claimed by one of the club. They just walked withthe women that were. Harlow didn’t like it, but Hunter had claimedher a long time ago.

They stayed like that and he felt Harlowslowly calming down. It did take her a couple of minutes, but she seemed to finallybe able to breathe.

The doctor came out seconds later to givethem the news.

Hailey was stable. No major arteries weresevered but she did lose a lot of blood. They had repaired the damage, and she would befine. Larissa was the same. No major damage, but both women couldhave visitors in a few hours.

Harlow walked toward the doctor and threwher arms around her. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

“I’ll let you know when you can seeher.”

She stepped away, and the doctor disappeared back through thedoor and Harlow looked ready to collapse.

“I think I need some air,” Harlow said.

Hunter followed her outside the hospital,and they moved away from the main doors. It was still light and thehospital was getting busy now. Snow hadfallen while they had been inside the building.Harlow leaned up against the wall and then pressed her hands to herface. She hadn’t cried inside, but now he watched as she sobbed.Stepping up to her, he pulled her close. Hunter expected her topush him away, but she surprised him as she pressed her faceagainst his chest and let it all out.

“I was so scared,” she said.

“So was I.”

Harlow sniffled and looked up. “What?”

“You heard me. Getting that phone call,hearing you scream for help, was one of the single most terrifyingexperiences I have ever felt.”

She swiped across her nose. “But you … you …ugh, you face other enemies. Men with big guns. A lot of men.”

“And none of them have scaredme the way your voice did. Yousounded so terrified. I will never forget that. I was already on myway to the shop to see you. I wanted to buy you both breakfast, butgetting that call nearly ended my world.”

“Why did you let him get away?” Harlowasked. “I know what you’re capable of. I know thathe’s now a maximumthreat to the club. You must put the club first.”

“And I willhandle his threat. I will take care of it. Whenthe time comes, Cadeon and I will face one another, and he will notlive.” Hunter stroked her hair out of her face. “But today, he hadsomething precious that I couldn’t afford to lose. He had you,Harlow, and all I could think about was getting him out of yourway. Getting him as far away from you as physically possible. Ilove you. I have loved you from the first moment you put thatlollipop in your mouth and you looked so innocent. I know I brokeyour heart and I am going to spend every single waking momentpaying for it.” Hunter ran his thumb across her bottom lip. “I knowyou’re not a doormat, and this is going to take time.” He pressed akiss to her lips. “And it’s time I’m willing to do.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Hailey’s Beauty Parlor was closed untilfurther notice.

Ava’s Bakery was closed until furthernotice.

Harlow missed her job, but she alsoknewthat the Hell’sBastards MC were going to fix the problem. While Hailey had been inthe hospital, the crew had already undertaken a mass cleanup. Allthe windows were boarded up and according to Hunter, they were onorder.

She also happened to spend a lot oftimewith Hunter overthe past couple of weeks as they tried to repair the damage theTwisted Bastards MC had left behind. She knew the same washappening to Ava’s Bakery.

Watching the last of the windows go in,Harlow stood with Hailey. The other woman had been distracted sinceshe had gotten out of the hospital. Harlow knew from her experienceof getting stabbed, that it all seemed surreal.

“What do you think?” Harlow asked.

“They look great.”

She also knew Hailey was having seconddoubts about staying in Fort Clover. Harlow didn’t want to be selfish because she lovedher job and spending time with Hailey. She also couldn’t help butwant to bridge that gap with her friend. Learning more about Haileyfrom Kinky had annoyed her.

Harlow always struggled to make friends, butwith Hailey, it had been completely natural.

“I know it’s not what you wanted, but lookat the new displays. I know they’re empty, but I can get to work infilling them up. The equipment is arriving in a couple of days. Theguys are going to help set everything up. I was thinking we couldgo with mauve, or pink. I know you love pink.”

There was a slight tilt to her lips, whichwas an almost smile. Harlow would take it. She would take anythingright now from her boss.

---