Page 48 of Hatter

“I’m doing all right,” I told him honestly. “It’s… nice, actually. Feels good to be part of something. And despite everything that happened, everyone is so relaxed and happy.”

“Good.” He nodded, his eyes softening. “You deserve this. You deserve to feel safe and cared for.”

“Thank you, Hatter,” I whispered, my throat tight with emotion. “For everything.”

“Anytime,” he replied, his gaze never leaving mine. In that moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world, and all the darkness and pain that had come before faded away, swallowed up by the warmth of this place, these people, and this man who’d become my safe harbor in a sea of nightmares.

“Since you came into our lives, you’ve made this place feel more like home than it ever has. And I… I never thought I’d find someone who could make me feel whole again. But you do.” He cupped my cheek, staring down at me tenderly.

“Same for me, Hatter,” I whispered, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. “You’ve given me something I never knew I needed.”

He leaned in, closing the gap between us, and our lips met in a desperate, aching kiss that sent shivers down my spine. Our emotions swirled together, the pain of the past and the hope of the present colliding with all the force of a hurricane. I placed my hands on the back of his neck, fingers tangled in his hair, while his grip on my waist pulled me closer, as if we could meld into one.

“Jo,” he breathed against my lips, breaking apart just enough to speak. “I’m terrified of losing you.”

“Me too, Hatter,” I admitted, not caring about the vulnerability in my words. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise?” he asked, his eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt.

“Promise,” I confirmed, sealing it with another tender kiss.

“Let’s go back,” he said after a moment, his voice steady and sure. “Our family’s waiting.”

I nodded, taking his outstretched hand as we walked back to the celebration, our fingers intertwined. The noise and laughter washed over us like waves, but I hardly noticed it now. All that mattered was Hatter by my side, and the Underland MC standing strong around us, ready to face whatever storms may come.

I sat at the table and listened to his speech about what he hoped the future of Underland MC would look like, and he was counting on everything to help make the town of Warren a vibrant and happy place for everyone.

As the night wore on, I saw new sides to Hatter, and fell even deeper in love with him.

Chapter Seventeen

Jo

The heavy bass of the music pulsed through my veins as Hatter’s hand wrapped around mine, pulling me away from the chaos of the party. His grip was firm and reassuring, our fingers intertwined like they were meant to be. The smell of sweat and booze hung thick in the air as we wove our way past leather-clad members of the Underland MC, their raucous laughter echoing off the walls.

“Let’s get out of here,” Hatter murmured, his voice low and smooth, barely audible above the din. I nodded, eager for a reprieve from the noise and chaos.

As we moved deeper into the clubhouse, the sounds of the party grew quieter, replaced by the soft creaking of the wooden floor beneath our boots. The dim lighting cast eerie shadows on the walls, creating an intimate atmosphere that sent a shiver down my spine. My heart raced in anticipation, unsure of what awaited us behind the door to Hatter’s room.

We reached the door, slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling out into the dark hallway. Pushing it open farther, Hatter led me inside, revealing a room that seemed almost out of place amidst the wild debauchery of the clubhouse. The only other times I’d been in here, I hadn’t really paid attention to the decor.

A worn leather armchair sat in the corner, next to a small wooden table covered in dog-eared motorcycle magazines. A king-size bed took up most of the area and was flanked by two nightstands. One had a lamp on top. The other had a candle he must have lit at some point, although I didn’t know when he’d have had the time. A TV hung on the wall opposite the bed. The room had a cozy feel to it.

“Here we are,” Hatter said softly, releasing my hand only to drape his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “This is my haven, my escape from the world. And now I want it to be ours.”

I looked up at him, meeting his piercing gaze. The vulnerability in his eyes made my heart ache, but there was also a fierce determination that I couldn’t help but admire. This man had been through hell and back, and yet he still found the strength to love, to trust, and to protect. And clearly, he worried about my answer right now.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “I don’t know if I deserve this, Hatter, but I promise… I’ll do everything in my power to be worthy of you.”

“You already are. You’re stronger than you know, and I have faith in you. Together, we can face anything that comes our way.”

I leaned up to kiss his cheek. Whoever had placed this man in my path that night, I could never thank them enough. I’d never really believed in God, but I did have to acknowledge a higher power had been at work that night.

“Welcome to my world.” His voice was low and husky.

I glanced around, taking in the worn leather jacket hanging on a hook, and the collection of old photographs pinned to the wall. This room, every inch of it, breathed Hatter’s essence.

“Tell me about this place,” I whispered, eager to learn more about the man who’d become my rock, my protector.

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