Harm, page 12
“Nosy’s not a problem, Letti. Just can’t share everything.”
“Okay.”
“Number twenty-two,” sounded over the loudspeaker and Jasper left the table to pick up the food.
For the next thirty minutes, we didn’t really talk about anything of significance as we ate. I couldn’t remember a time I’d felt so comfortable with someone. He was laid back, but there was an edge about him as well. I just had to figure out if that edge was something I could live with.
“You got plans tomorrow night?” Jasper asked as he gathered our trash.
“I’m locked down.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep. My father has swung the gavel and I am sentenced to the compound until further notice,” I said. “I have a break in between classes tomorrow, though. We could do lunch again.”
“Yeah, that works.”
He smiled slightly and it didn’t register for me to ask him why. I mean, why would it? I was blinded by his Viking hotness and the way he stared into my soul. I didn’t think to ask him what he knew that I didn’t.
Therefore, a date was set for lunch the next day, and Jasper drove me back to school. I was blissfully unaware that my life was going to implode in T-minus six days.
* * *
Saturday morning, I awoke feeling a lot better than I had the weekend before. It could have something to do with the fact that it was family night, so everyone I loved would be at the cabin, plus I’d finally get to meet this new prospect Dad had been talking about. Maybe if he had a new victim to inflict his grumpy wrath upon, he’d calm the fuck down and loosen the chains to my cell.
I slept in, then took a long shower and dressed in dark jeans, motorcycle boots and a Harley T-shirt. I left my long, blonde hair down and looped a scrunchy around my wrist in case it got in the way.
About an hour before everyone was due to arrive, I headed downstairs and into the kitchen. Mozart’s wife, Nellie, was already elbows deep in soapy water and I grinned, hugging her from behind because she couldn’t object. Mozart and Nellie were in their fifties, had two kids who were old enough to look after themselves, and were totally, completely into each other.
“Get off me you psycho,” she squealed. “I’m not above spraying you with this water.”
“You’re no fun.” I laughed, letting her go. “Do you need help?”
“Not yet.” She grinned. “You meet the new guy?”
“Is he here?”
“Yeah. He’s in the meeting room. It’s open. Go introduce yourself. He’s cute, babe. You’ll like him.”
“Stop trying to set me up,” I ordered.
“No promises.”
I rolled my eyes and walked out of the kitchen. Usually the meeting room was the holy of holies and no one but bikers were allowed entry, but on family nights, it was open to everyone.
I made my way down the hallway and heard male laughter, making my heart lighter with every step. Everyone was obviously in a good mood, which meant the party was going to be even better than I expected.
Stoney was in the doorway and grinned as I approached, hugging me gently before guiding me inside. “Hey, sweetheart.”
“Hey, Stoney.”
“You gave me the slip last week. Gonna remember that.” He raised an eyebrow. “You’re lucky it was me and not Wrath.”
A more accurate truth had never been spoken. If Stoney was like a favorite uncle, Wrath was like an adopted brother who was a hundred times more protective than my own. But, whatever, they’d just have to deal with me growing up. Besides, Wrath had his own issues with the object of his current desire, Sierra. She was Raquel’s bestie and decided Wrath was enemy number one in her book.
I wrinkled my nose. “Sorry, not sorry.”
He chuckled, letting me go, and I walked inside.
“Letti!” Dad called. “Come meet Aero.”
I grinned big and the men moved out of my way as I pushed through the crowd, ending my journey smack dab in front of one Jasper Campbell.
“Aero, my daughter, Letti,” Dad said.
I didn’t fully register what the fuck was happening, and couldn’t find my voice for several tense seconds.
“Never seen my girl this quiet,” Dad observed.
“Hey. Letti was it?” Jasper said, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet ya.”
I stared at his hand before taking it and squeezing it so hard, he grimaced for a second.
“Nice to meet you too.”
“Quite a grip there,” he said, shaking out his hand.
“Who’s sponsoring you?” I asked.
Dad raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment about my rudeness.
“I am, sweetheart,” Rocky said. “He’s a friend of Hatch’s.”
Hatch Wallace was the president of the Dogs of Fire out of Portland, Oregon and a total smoke show. I adored him.
“You know Hatch?” I asked Jasper.
He nodded. “Yeah. Since I was little. I worked for him for a few years in Portland.”
“Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you. Welcome,” I said, and spun on my heel and escaped.
“She’s had a rough week,” Dad explained as I rushed down the hall and up to my room. I knew I couldn’t hide forever, but I was gonna try for a little while.
* * *
Aero
Well, that went well.
I pushed aside the guilt of not telling Letti everything I should have and focused on getting to know my new brothers. When everything had gone down with my sister, my boss, Hatch, had suggested I come to Colorado and prospect for the Howlers.
After my sister died, I didn’t ride for close to a year, but I was jonesin’ for the feel of the open road, and even though it snowed in Colorado, it had a shit ton more sunshine than Portland. Hatch figured it’d be easier for me to ease back in if I was away from the memories.
I hoped to god he was right.
I’d met Rocky a few times when he’d flown out to see Hatch and take care of cannabis business and he was good people, so I agreed to meet with him and see if it would work.
I felt good, he felt good, and more importantly, we both trusted Hatch’s judgement, so he agreed to sponsor me on a trial basis. I had one month to prove myself, before I could officially prospect. That worked for me, so I agreed.
But I hadn’t expected Violet Morgan Graves.
Shit.
I hadn’t known who she was until Stoney came looking for her. I’d met him a week before when I’d been hired at Nocturn as a bouncer. Rocky had gotten me the job, and Stoney had been with him when he’d introduced me to the owner.
Stoney had found me the night Violet was at the club, giving me her description and asking me to call if I saw her. That was when I noticed Violet drag her friend into the bathroom. With a promise to let Stoney know if I saw her, I watched him leave the club, then followed the women.
I knew I should have told her who I was the second I knew our connection, but I wanted some time with her alone. Before our lives got complicated. She was beautiful, and funny, and she knew the life. I was enjoying the safe little bubble we’d been creating. Even if it couldn’t go anywhere significant.
But I was pretty sure I’d just blown our safe little bubble to shit.
“Let’s move this out to the great room,” Sundance said, slapping my shoulder.
I nodded and we headed down the hallway to where the real party was. I didn’t see Violet anywhere, but my plan was to try and find a private moment with her to explain.
If she’d let me.
* * *
If you liked what you’ve read, you can order HERE!
BOOKLIST
Welcome to the Family
Davenport Family Band
The Guardians Series
Witness
Justice
Spotlight
Dogs of Fire MC Series
Road to Desire
Road to Redemption
Road to Absolution
Road to Passion
Road to Victory
Road to Peace
Road to Forever
Road to Hope
Road to Grace
Road to Freedom
Road to Glory
Road to Tomorrow
Dogs of Fire Spin-Off Stories
Ryder
Reese
Hatch
Jake
Harm
Kissing the Biker’s Boo-Boo
(Children’s Book)
The Davenport Christmas Chronicles
Dogs of Fire MC: Savannah Chapter
Saving the Preacher's Daughter
Stealing the Biker's Heart
Redeeming the Biker's Past
Quieting the Biker’s Rage
Keeping the Biker’s Oath
Hacking the Biker’s Code
Calling the Biker’s Bluff
Fanning the Biker’s Flame
Revealing the Biker’s Destiny
Primal Howlers MC
Primal Howl
Primal Need
Primal Heat
Primal Hunger
Primal Fury
Primal Vengeance
Primal Wrath
Primal Roar
Cauld Ane Series
Bound by Blood
Bound by Fire
Bound by Secrets
Bound by Song
Bound by Dreams
Bound by Tears
Bound by Light
Bound by Joy
Bound by Sight
Bound by Fate
Cauld Ane Generations
Boundless
Limelight Series
Broken Road
The Road Back
Civil War Brides Series
The Bride Price
The Bride Found
The Bride Spy
The Bride Ransom
The Rebel Bride
The Bride Star
The Bride Pursued
The Bride Accused
The Brides United
CONNECTING BOOKS
Witness
Justice
Road to Desire
Road to Redemption
Road to Absolution
Road to Passion
Road to Victory
Road to Peace
Spotlight
Ryder
Road to Forever
Reese
Saving the Preacher's Daughter
Road to Hope
Stealing the Biker's Heart
*Bound by Sight
Road to Grace
Hatch
Road to Freedom
Jake
Redeeming the Biker's Past
Quieting the Biker’s Rage
Keeping the Biker’s Oath
Primal Howl
Primal Need
Hacking the Biker’s Code
Primal Heat
Primal Hunger
The Davenport Christmas Chronicles
Fanning the Biker’s Flame
Revealing the Biker’s Destiny
Primal Hunger
Primal Fury
Primal Vengeance
Primal Wrath
Primal Roar
*Dalton’s book Bound by Sight can be read after Stealing the Biker’s Heart, but I recommend reading Bound by Blood first.
ABOUT PIPER
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Piper Davenport writes from a place of passion and intrigue, combining elements of romance and suspense with strong modern-day heroes and heroines. She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her author husband, Jack Davenport, and an obnoxious YorkiePoo named Pepper who may or may not be an international spy.
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Piper Davenport, Harm
