Page 45 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

“You don’t want to know,” Rush informed him.

“I do,” Haley said in a soft voice. “I deserve to know what I’m up against. Please don’t hold back. Knowledge is power. My mother always told me that.”

Storm smiled at her. “Your mother was a smart woman.” He grabbed her hand and helped her step around a tree limb, not releasing her afterward. He convinced himself it was for her own safety, but he knew he was lying. He needed to be touching her. Until a few hours ago, he hadn’t had the liberty of touching her for more than a few moments at a time since the day he’d met her.

Those days were over. From now on, he vowed to keep her close and never waste a second. Life was too precious.

Rush nodded as he kept walking. “You sure you want to hear the gory details?”

“Yes,” she responded. “I know I’m small and I’ve spent a lot of time crying and wallowing in self-pity lately, but I’m as determined as the rest of you, and I don’t want to slow the group down. I want to do my part. And I don’t want you all to coddle me. Don’t whisper behind my back and keep me in the dark. If we’re going to be together, then we’re all in this.”

Storm came to a halt when Haley’s feet stopped moving forward.

They all stopped and turned toward her.

She looked at Storm and then Riggs. She lingered longer as she held Braylon’s gaze. Finally, she faced Rush. “You’re with us now,” she declared. She wasn’t asking. She was letting everyone know she’d made a decision.

Storm’s heart swelled. He felt so much passion for this woman and had for months, but his love for her went through the roof as he watched her straighten her spine and turn into someone she perhaps only just this moment discovered. Someone strong and determined. Someone who would not need to be pampered.

Storm knew they would always put her first and protect her, but if they babied her, she would revolt.

She took a deep breath, standing taller. “I know I have a lot to learn. I didn’t spend the last fourteen years getting the best education money can buy. I’m not a doctor or a businessman. But I’m smart, and I will learn. I promise I will become someone you’re all proud of.”

A collective gasp filled the night air as Storm grabbed her elbow and leaned into her space. “Every one of us is proud of you already, princess. Never doubt that. You’re the strongest person among us. We’re in awe of what you’ve endured. And yet you’re here. You humble us.”

She swiped away a tear. “Don’t make me cry, Storm. I’m trying to say important things.”

Storm grinned and then kissed her briefly before easing back.

She smiled at him and then returned her attention to Rush. He was her main focus right now. It was understandable. He was the newest member of their weird family and doubting the surety of that was foolish.

“I don’t know you, Rush. We’ve just met. But I can tell you’re a good man. A good person. You don’t have to help us, and yet you are. You know we would’ve let you go alone if you’d asked.”

He nodded, seeming to understand that he shouldn’t interrupt her.

She drew in another breath. “The truth is this baby inside me is yours. It’s all of ours, but it’s yours too. If it’s true that in your world women are permitted their own thoughts and opinions, then I’d like to share mine.”

Rush stepped closer to her and took her hand in his. “I will always listen to your thoughts, love.”

Storm’s chest tightened at the endearment. At the sincerity. The look in Rush’s eyes.

Haley licked her lips. “We are connected by blood. It’s unavoidable. I want you to join our family. You don’t have to say anything right now. Perhaps I sound foolish proposing something like this when you’ve known me for about three hours. But it feels right, and it needs saying.”

Rush took another step toward her, cupped her face, smiled at her, and then kissed her lips briefly. “I feel what you feel, Haley. I do. And I’m blessed that the four of you not only trusted me but helped me escape. I will get you to safety. I promise. But I also know emotions are running high right now, so I won’t hold you to your proposal.”

Her lips parted, but Rush set his finger over them, stopping her from speaking.

“Let’s worry about getting to our destination and getting you settled. After that, we’ll get to know each other and you can decide if you still want me to join your family unit. I don’t want you—any of you—to feel obligated to include me in your lives. Our paths crossed by accident. We are bound together for life because we will share a child. I will always, always be there for you and the baby. But none of you are obligated to pull me into the fold just because we share a child.”

Storm’s pulse picked up as he listened to Rush dump his heart at Haley’s feet. He understood why Rush would feel like he didn’t quite belong with the rest of them. And he gave him credit for being strong enough to give Haley an out should she change her mind. But more importantly, it was obvious to Storm that Rush was already head over heels for Haley, and Storm knew from experience that wouldn’t change. It hadn’t for any of them. She drew people to her and never let them go.

Storm was also aware that Haley knew her mind. If she felt strongly enough to stop their progress to speak her peace, it was important.

Another important revelation rocked Storm’s world. Whatever happened with Rush was Haley’s decision. As Storm glanced at Riggs and Bray, he knew the other two men agreed.

Rush was a good man. He’d proven that already. Storm would be proud to bring him into the fold of their family. But ultimately, it was Haley’s decision. What mattered was how she felt about the man who’d been forced to impregnate her.

Perhaps she would feel resentment or even anger as time went on, though Storm seriously doubted that. It wasn’t in her nature, and she understood Rush was as much of a victim as she’d been. The point was, none of them would influence her decision.

In this new world they were about to experience, Rush had told them that everyone was treated as an equal. But in this instance, that would never be true. Haley’s opinion held more weight than any of theirs. It would ultimately be her choice to accept Rush into their lives permanently or not.

Storm knew Rush would never treat Haley as his equal. She would always rank higher than him in his mind. Always be more important. He would always listen to her opinions and make sure she was heard and got everything she needed. He knew the others would agree with him.

Haley glanced past Rush in the direction they needed to be moving. “I know we can’t stand here any longer, but I don’t want you to keep things from me. When I need to know something, tell me. Don’t sugarcoat it, Rush. My life could depend on it.”

He smiled at her. “You have my word.” He took her hand in his and started walking.

Storm glanced at his friends to find them all grinning as they watched Haley’s back. Yeah, she had every one of them wrapped around her small pinky, and Storm wouldn’t have it any other way.

---