Page 13 of Hero

We all sit down to eat and each family member takes turns interrogating Delilah who to my surprise holds her own and leaves a good impression.

Harper updates us about her pregnancy and Mason fills us in about his adventures with prenatal classes for dads.

Since Harper came back to him, I’ve seen a happiness in my friend that I never thought possible. In all my years of knowing him, I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at her. They only have to glance at each other for them to radiate with happiness.

Can I have the same thing with Delilah?

No, I’m different. If she knew about my past she’d skip town in a heartbeat.

I stare across the table at my older brother, Grady. Aside from nodding at Delilah in greeting, he has remained silent throughout the meal. Usually, Grady being tight-lipped doesn’t bother me. We understand why he’s like that. But this time, I’m worried that in his silent contemplation he’ll see through our act.

But he doesn’t say anything.

“I think it’s wonderful that you have aspirations of becoming a baker,” Mom says. “Do you know that there’s a job opening at the bakery in town?”

I stiffen and Grady shoots me a look, but I dart my gaze back to Delilah.

“That’s great, I’ll check it out tomorrow,” she says without skipping a beat.

When dinner is over, Delilah and I help to clear the table and offer to do the dishes.

“Your family is lovely,” she says.

“And they really like you. I’m surprised they took to you so easily.”

“I really felt welcome.” She nudges me in the playful way that I’ve come to look forward to. “So, how did I do?”

“You were the perfect pretend girlfriend,” I say.

“And I suppose I have you to thank for that?” Mischief twinkles in her beautiful brown eyes. “Your kiss helped to loosen me up.”

Without thinking, I grab a hold of her hips and press my lips to hers and she responds immediately. Unlike earlier when we were in public, the kiss right now is intimate, gentle and sweet.

Before Delilah, I never thought I would be capable of such gentleness and affection toward another person, but it comes so natural with her.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

“For what?” she asks, panting slightly.

“Making today so special.” An idea pops into my head. “I don’t want to go home just yet. Can I take you somewhere?”

“Yes.”

I driveher to my favorite spot on Thunderpeak, a view overlooking the town and going off far into the distance.

I park at the edge of a bluff and we sit on the hood of my car. Without second guessing ourselves, she climbs on my lap and I fold my arms over her, lean forward, and rest my chin on her shoulder.

“It’s so beautiful,” she says.

“Until today it used to take my breath away and make me feel like the smallest thing in the world, but now you’re the one who does that for me. When I’m with you I feel small and dumb and the fucked up things inside my head seem so insignificant.”

“What fucked up things?” she asks softly.

I close my eyes and think of gunfights over territory, enemies slashing and tearing at me with knives, and whatever other weaponry they could get their hands on. I was a good enforcer when I was in the club, but that meant I did some messed up things to protect my MC family. Things that I’ll never stop regretting.

“I don’t want to give you nightmares, sweetheart,” I whisper.

“Do you think I’m that fragile? Or that I’ll judge you?” she asks, turning in my arms. She stares into my eyes and I want nothing more than to tell her to look back at the view, because she doesn’t need to see the darkness in my eyes.

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