Page 36 of Property of Indiana

Hazard, refusing to sit on the sidelines, left the hospital after being shot against medical advice by signing himself out, went back to the club and grabbed one of our SUVs. He, as well as Scripture, took my family, along with Letti, back there so they could get cleaned up and some food in their bellies.

I’m sure once they have digested some food, they’ll head to my room and pass out. I’m not sure where Letti will end up, but we have plenty of spare rooms on the prospects wing that she can use until we figure out where she’ll end up. If Icer continues acting the way he has with her, I don’t see her leaving town or his sight.

CHAPTER

TWENTY

ZOEY

LeavingHarrison’s side that night was harder than is believable.

As I helped with the women’s aftercare, he always made sure he was visible and I could see him, as well as Elodie, at all times. My little angel stayed on a pallet where she entertained herself—somebody pulled a sketch pad and crayons out of their ass, because she spent the time I was helping out with the survivors drawing and coloring.

I don’t know how I got so lucky with her, outside of the monster that she wakes up as, she’s a good kid who knows when to keep herself occupied and out of the way. Most children her age would be underfoot, whining and complaining about being bored.

LoneStar and Hazard, who should be resting after being pierced by a bullet, made sure we were fed and shown to Harrison’s room where we cleaned up. Elodie and I are both wearing one of his shirts and I threw on a pair of his boxers. My poor baby blushed when she realized we didn’t have any undergarmentsfor her so LoneStar sent out a text to one of the hangers he trusts, and not too long after that, brand new packages of personal items were delivered for us to toss on under the shirt. I got a sports bra so he didn’t have to ask me for that intimate detail, but I chose to keep wearing Harrison’s boxers and T-shirt. Elodie, not wanting to get out of hers either, refused to wear the nightgown bought for her. I get it, she wanted to shroud herself in her dad’s smell, it’s one of the reasons I made the decision I did.

When we snuggled into his bed, Harrison came in, kissed us both telling us how much he loves us and left for church. That was two weeks ago, and tonight, Icer and Letti, who’ve grown as thick as thieves, are watching Elodie so I’m putting a seduction plan into place. Harrison has been a gentleman about the entire thing, giving me a chance to settle into this new life and adapt to the fact that I’m no longer having to look over my shoulder on a daily basis.

Yes, my parents are still roaming around out there, along with the sheriff plus district attorney—unfortunately—but I no longer fear them or see them as the biggest threat to me. I know that not only will Harrison protect me, but so will his brothers. They proved that when they came roaring into the parking lot of the old warehouse building we were being held captive at, then they not only saved me and my girl, but the other women who had been abducted.

Plus, their IT person is hunting down where the babies were taken. I shudder to think that there are people out there who are into that kind of thing. Children should be protected and cherished, not used in such a horrific, reprehensible manner. I feel confident that they’ve probably reached out to other chapters for assistance in this as well because as far as Riptideis concerned, the Dragons fucked with the Kings. Even though none of the women are associated with the club, they’ve been pulled into the fold because of me and surprisingly, Letti.

Icer has stuck to her like glue, much like he’s doing with me and Elodie. I don’t know what that means, exactly, but at the same time, I can tell she’s good for him. He’s somewhat calmer, which is saying a lot considering he’s been on a hairpin trigger since his princess went missing.

Taking a step back I look at the room and am happy with the ambience of the setting. I have LED tealight candles glowing throughout the living room, fresh flowers that I had delivered in a vase sitting in the middle of my coffee table, and the aroma of the roast permeating the room. I’ve set the scene, but I’m hoping he’ll lead since I don’t have the experience to get across what I’m wanting from him.

A knock on the door has butterflies dancing in my belly. My worry is that it isn’t Harrison since he was given a key. I don’t want anything to ruin this night, and the only people capable of that are the degenerates in this town. This scene reminds me of the one when Hazard was watching over me, so reluctantly I softly walk over and check the peephole. A bundle of flowers are covering the face of whomever is on the other side.

“Who is it?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“It’s me, baby,” Harrison announces, moving the bouquet to the side so I can see his handsome face.

A smile blooms from me as I remove each chain and unlock the deadbolt. “Hey,” I whisper shyly, suddenly timid. “Come in.” Instead of letting me back away, he lowers the flowers to the table in my entryway and grabs me by the waist, lifting me up.My legs and arms wind around him as he leans forward and captures my lips with his.

When we pull apart, he says, “Hey. Something smells scrumptious and has my mouth watering.”

“I made us a roast,” I state. “It’s been cooking all day and should be tender by now. You ready to eat?”

“I could eat,” he says, nodding his head, carrying me out of the foyer as he kicks the door shut behind him. As he seductively lowers me to the ground once we hit the kitchen, his fingertip grazes my sternum and he continues, “But afterward, I want you for dessert.” A light gasp leaves me at the electric current flowing through me from that simple touch.

Clearing my throat, I nervously reply, “I’d like that, but you know I’m not exactly experienced.”

He glowers at me then states, “Tonight’s about me and you. We’ll figure out what you like and don’t like because trust me, Zoe, I’m gonna like whatever you’re able to give me. That’s a fucking check you can take to the bank!”

I can tell he’s serious which calms me significantly. “I, uh… okay, Harrison,” I whisper. “Let me get this plated up so we can eat.”

“I’ll help,” he decrees, which causes me to giggle. “What’s so funny?”

“Well, honestly, I never expected a biker to be willing to help out in the kitchen,” I admit as I pull down two plates. The roast has been settling since I pulled it out of the oven and is the perfect temperature to cut. The timer goes off and I grab the oven mitt so I can pull out the biscuits. I already have the gravy made and it’s in the gravy boat I unearthed.

“I’m quite handy,” he reminds me. “Remember how I got the name Indiana?”

I double over laughing because when we were younger, Harrison wasobsessedwith the Indiana Jones movies. So much so, that he started dressing like him, down to the fedora, leather bomber jacket, and a bullwhip that was always attached to his side.

“I miss those days,” I say around a sigh. “It’s what attracted me to you, other than the fact that you stepped in and helped me with that boy that was being harassed.”

“Well, just so you know, I picked up a few tricks over the years as far as cooking, which is why I’ll never complain about helping you out, babe,” he supplies as he walks over to the fridge and pulls out a beer for him and a soft drink for me. “And I’ll always be there to help you fight the bullies.”

---