Page 43 of The Bikers Redemption

My eyes flutter open, and I rub them with my palms before sitting up. The clock on the side table reads five in the evening.Did I sleep forthatlong?I stretch and move the sheets back and stand. The yelling has become louder, and I can make out Liv’s voice and men.

Shit! I recognize that voice.

Still in my shorts and shirt, I walk out of the bedroom toward the kitchen and find Harley at the front door with Liv’s hand on his chest, trying to push him out.

“What the hell is going on here?” I ask, trying to raise my voice over theirs.

They stop, Liv turns around, and Harley looks at me. He’s tired, with dark circles under his eyes and his hair all messy from what I’m assuming was a long ride.

His eyes move from mine to my legs, then back up. “I could ask you the same thing, Serena.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Let him in, Liv. There’s no use trying to stop him… both of us even if we tried, couldn’t keep him out,” I say matter-of-factly and turn toward the kitchen to pour a glass of water. With my back facing him, I sense he’s there before he opens his mouth.

“Serena, what are you doing here? Why did you run?”

Slowly, I turn to face him with my glass in hand and take another sip of water, watching Harley over the rim.

He steps closer, only inches away. “Serena, I asked you a question.” His face is sincere, but the deep lines on his forehead tell he is concerned. His blue eyes look dark, and his jaw is hardened, but his lips are so goddamn sexy.

“What?” I ask, confused and not remembering a damn thing he said.

He removes my glass from my hand and places it on the kitchen island beside me. He then puts his hands on either side, caging me in. “You know what,” he whispers, his lips only inches from mine.

I look away. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“What the fuck!” Confused at his change of demure, I snap my head back to him, finding his eyes are glued to my neck. He pinches my chin and lifts it to inspect the marks. “Whodid this to you?” He narrows his eyes, and they’re intense.

Tears pool in my eyes, and I try to blink them away.

“These are fuckin’ finger marks,” he states, his fingers brushing over them. “Is this why you left in such a hurry? Did Luca do this to you?” he asks, venom laced in his voice.

I push away his hands and step forward, forcing him to step back, and then I focus on him. “That is none of your goddamn business, Harley. You lost that right to question me three years ago.” And with that last statement, I step around him and storm to my room, slamming the door behind me.

I sink on the edge of the bed and cry.

God, how did I get here?

What a mess my life has become.

Upon hearing the door creaking open, my head shoots up, and I wipe away my tears. “Serena, can I come in?” Harley asks from behind the door.

I sniffle. “I don’t want to talk about it, Harley. Please, I can’t right now.”

He opens the door farther until he’s fully in the room, then closes it quietly behind him.

A knock sounds on the door soon after. “Serena, are you okay? Do you want me to get rid of that asshole cousin of mine?”

Just hearing her say those words makes me laugh.I’d like to see her try to get rid of him.

“It’s okay, Liv. I can handle Harley,” I say, looking into his blue eyes as he leans against the door with his hands in his jeans pockets.

“Okay, but if you need me, call me. I’d be happy to kick his damn ass.”

I don’t doubt that she will.

Harley cocks an eyebrow. “I’d like to see you try, baby cousin.”

I’ve always loved their relationship. They’re more like brother and sister than cousins.

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