Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
“Hadrian,” she says softly, taking a seat on one of the couches. The deep brown of its leather, a stark contrast to her black hair with a blue streak running through it. “I’ve been worried about you. I wasn’t sure where you’d gone.”
I nod, not trusting myself to speak just yet. She waits patiently, her presence calming the storm inside me, if only a little.
“I’m at war with myself, Harley,” I finally admit, my voice barely more than a whisper. “There’s so much going on in my head right now. I feel as if I’m being torn apart. Finding my father in that warehouse angered me so much, I lost my shite,” I admit.
She glances at my knuckles that are still blood stained. The cuts sting, and I know I should clean them up, but that will have to wait a bit longer. It’s been an evening of reckoning. For years I’ve wanted to make our father pay for what he did to us, so getting that chance was bliss.
“I know. Hades told me,” she responds with a sad smile.
“…and I enjoyed it.”
“But, like you said, you only enjoy violence when it’s directed towards someone who deserves it,” she reminds me of my earlier confession. “You’re father definitely deserved it, Hadrian.”
I nod because, deep down, I know she’s right.
“Then, there’s this other war I’m fighting. I want to stay with you. But my family, the club… they’re my life. How do I choose between the two?”
Harley rises and makes her way towards me. Her movements capture my attention, and I can’t look away from her. She takes my hand, her fingers warm against my cold skin. “You don’t have to choose, Hadrian. I don’t want to tear you away from your family or your brothers. But I do need you to be honest with me, with yourself. What do you really want?”
I close my eyes, trying to envision my future. There’s the life I know with the Royal Bastards in Belfast. The camaraderie, the sense of belonging, and the thrill of the ride. My family.
But then there’s Harley.
The thought of being without her feels like a knife twisting in my gut.
“I want you and my family in Belfast,” I say, opening my eyes to meet hers. “But I don’t know how to make it work.”
She squeezes my hand, her eyes filled with understanding. “We’ll figure it out. Together. Maybe you don’t have to choose. Maybe there’s a way for you to have both.” Her words give me a sliver of hope, but the doubts still linger.
“How? The club means everything to me. And they need me, especially now, with all that’s happened…”
Harley nods, her expression thoughtful. “I understand if you need to go back, even if it’s just for a while. I won’t hold it against you, Hadrian. I know how important family is.”
Her selflessness stuns me. She’s offering me the chance to step back and figure things out without any pressure. But the thought of leaving her, even temporarily, tears at my heart.
“I can’t bear the thought of being away from you,” I admit, my voice cracking. “But I also can’t abandon my brothers.”
I lead her back to sit down on the couch. She’s shivering, and I wrap her in my arms. Her head rests on my shoulder, and we sit in silence for a while, the weight of the decision I have to make pressing down on us both.
Finally, she lifts her head, her eyes bright with determination.
“Hadrian, whatever you decide, I want you to know I support you. I want you to be happy. And I truly believe we can make this work, no matter what.”
Her faith in us is both comforting and terrifying. I can’t hide from this decision any longer. I have to face it head-on.
“I have to go back to Belfast,” I tell her, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “I have responsibilities there, and I need to talk to Monster and the rest of the brothers. But I promise you, Harley, I will return to you.”
She nods, a small, sad smile playing on her lips. “I understand. Just promise me you’ll stay safe.”
“I promise,” I say, pulling her into my arms.
We sit there on the couch, holding each other and drawing strength from our connection.
It’s getting late, and I’m ready to pass out. I’m so shattered. The silence between us is heavy with unspoken questions. Harley’s gaze is fixed on me, her eyes a mix of curiosity and concern. I know she wants me to tell her what happened tonight.
“What are you going to do about your father?” she finally asks, her voice steady and soft.
I lean back, running a hand through my hair, the reality of the situation weighing heavily on me. “I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. It’s hard to believe he’s the leader of the Mod Boys. I’m sure his endgame was to take over your father’s organisation and run it alongside Gordon. That’s not something I can let slide, even if I wanted to.”