Page 12 of Thor

“Miss you,” he says, sniffling a bit more.

Thor sighs, pats the little guy’s back, and looks over to Cara with remorseful eyes.

“Thor, don’t. You were going through your own thing.”

“But they’ve never gone a day without seeing me since they were born.”

Cara gets ready to say something, but Thor shakes his head and starts having a hushed conversation with Liam. After ten minutes of talking and soothing, Liam is fast asleep in Jonah’s arms.

“I’m gonna go lay him down and then we can go outside to talk,” he says to me before getting up.

“Sure, no problem.”

When he walks out of the room, I’m still staring at where he disappeared, completely speechless to what I just witnessed. Not going to lie, I think I started ovulating. Cara chuckles and I turn around.

“When I asked him to be the godfather to my kids, I didn’t expect him to take his role so seriously, but he’s the best.”

Judging by what I have just seen over the past ten minutes, I would have to agree. Jonah comes back into the room and holds out a hand for me. I take it and he leads me outside and takes a seat on the porch swing. I sit beside him and nudge him with my shoulder. “You were really great with them.”

Jonah smiles and appears genuinely happy. It’s the first time I’ve seen him smile since the night of the party. “I love all my godchildren, but Liam has always been the closest to me. I guess maybe because he was the first one I held when they were born. I don’t really know how to explain it.”

“I get what you’re saying. I’m sorry I caused such a mess that you went days without seeing them. I can tell Liam really missed you.”

“Maddy, no. That’s on me. I’m glad after everything you still came to me for help. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what.”

“Thanks. What did you want to talk to me about?”

“Oh, right. Umm, what do you think about moving onto the compound until we get things figured out? I’m not saying you have to stay with me. Cara and Sara both offered a room for you or, if you don’t like that, we can figure something else out. It’s just the compound is the safest place for you. It’s surrounded by cameras. Even if he did figure out you were here, he still wouldn’t be able to get to you.”

I sit there and think over everything he said, and it would be nice to sleep in peace, knowing nobody is going to be kicking down my door. I’m nodding my head before I can stop myself. Jonah looks shocked at first and then he gives me that smile that made me fall for him all those years ago. Lord, help me. I am in so much trouble.

Chapter Eight

THOR

Ican’t believe she agreed. I thought I would have to beg and plead, but I’m happy she didn’t put up a fight. Part of what I said was true. It is safer for her to be at the clubhouse, but I also want to be close to her in any way I can. I know there’s no chance in us ever being together again. Too much turmoil has been done, but maybe we can at least rebuild a friendship.

As I’m staring into her eyes, a sense of peace comes over me. It’s good to have her back in my life. I don’t know how long I’ll have her but I’m going to soak up every second I can. After a few awkward minutes of silence, I stand and offer Madison my hand, again.

“Come on, we need to go get your things.”

“Okay. Let me grab my keys.”

After she grabs her purse and keys, I lead her back to the clubhouse where a few of the brothers are waiting to help escort Madison to the hotel. We don’t want to take any chances of running into my uncle’s men. I walk Madison to her car and open the door for her. “Some of the guys and I are going to follow behind you,” I tell her once she’s seated.

Madison turns and looks over my shoulder to see Dice, Doc, Gunner, and Ink already mounted on their bikes. Turning backto face me, her mouth is hanging open in shock. “Jonah, is all this really necessary?”

“Yes. When it comes to your safety, I will not fail again.” Madison’s eyes gloss over, and she opens her mouth to say something. I know whatever it is, this is not the place for the conversation. “Buckle up. I’ll be right behind you.” I shut the door and race over to my bike.

Once we leave the compound, I keep my eyes on my surroundings to make sure we aren’t being followed. When we make it to the motel she’s staying at, my stomach drops. This place is completely unsafe. She could have been robbed or hurt by the bums who linger in the area.

I hop off my bike and race over to her door when she gets out. “Maddy, why are you staying in this dump? It’s completely unsafe.”

Madison frowns and glances around to make sure none of the brothers are around. “Well, I can’t stay in places that only accept credit cards. He can easily track me that way. I’ve been paying for things in cash since the day I left home. Less of a paper trail,” she says, shrugging.

I’m going to kill this bastard. She had to uproot her entire life because of him and even then that wasn’t enough. He’ll pay for his sins. I won’t rest until he does. Madison leads me to her room, and the guys follow close behind. We stand just outside the door while she packs her things.

“You know if your girl is looking for work, there’s an opening at the hospital,” Doc tells me.

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