“You sure you don’t want us to stick around for a few more days?” Crusher asks.

“Nah, man you need to get back to your kid.”

“I am missing him,” Dani says, with a smile.

It’s been a week and there’s no sign of Blade. I can’t keep Diesel’s men here forever. More importantly, I want more time alone with Hayden. She hasn’t said anything, but I know she’s uncomfortable having everyone around. She’s also worrying about something, and I need to get her to talk to me about it.

“You need to get back home. We have Victor and his men around here and if something happens, I’ll give you a call.”

“If you’re sure, man,” Crusher says. We slap hands together, pull in and pound each other’s shoulders, before breaking away.

“I’m sure. Besides if you don’t get Devil out of here, I’m liable to kill the son of a bitch.” I smirk.

“Oh, Sunshine. You know you fucking love me,” Devil says, laughing, and I flip him off—which makes him laugh harder.

“Oh! Here,” Hayden calls, running out of the house. “I almost forgot!” she adds, carrying a small cooler and two plastic containers. I had no idea she was doing any of that. It’s another sign to her giving nature. A sign that she’s unlike any other woman I’ve ever had in my life.

If things were different she would have fit in good in my old life. The old ladies would have respected her; the men would have treated her as one of the family. Skull has been calling, wanting me to come back, but the more I kick it around, I know I can’t. I don’t want to go back—even if it meant giving Hayden a better life.

“I made you guys some sandwiches and some other things for the road,” she tells Crusher.

I shake off my thoughts and watch as she tentatively hands them to him. Crusher doesn’t give Hayden a chance to get away, he pulls her in for a big bear hug. He whispers something to her that I can’t hear.

She looks up at him and smiles, but she’s got a blush on her cheeks. “I will,” she says, and Crusher hugs her again. I barely resist the urge to yank her out of his arms.

“Please, tell me that has those peanut butter cookies in there,” Ice says, coming up to get the container out of her hands.

“That’s why there are two batches, so you can eat to your heart’s content, Ice,” Hayden laughs.

“Hayden, if you give me the word, swear to God, I’ll claim you, cover you in diamonds and spoil you rotten. All you have to do is bake for me and kick Beast to the curb,” he tells her, smoothly getting down on his knees in front of her. That’s about all I can stand, joking or not.

“You don’t get the fuck away from her, you won’t be able to ride that shiny new bike of yours, or eat my woman’s food,” I growl, pulling her away from him. “I already owe you an ass kicking for letting her on the back of your bike.”

“Michael,” Hayden chastises, reaching up from her tiptoes to kiss my neck.

“You’re a lucky, asshole,” Ice whines theatrically, but at least the bastard goes back to his bike—away from Hayden.

“Take care, Beast. And you better fucking watch your back,” Crusher growls.

“Always,” I tell him, with a nod. Then I lean down and kiss the top of Dani’s head. “Take care of yourself, hummingbird.”

“I will. You be happy,” she says, and I shrug. She thinks Hayden will be my miracle cure-all. She doesn’t get that the truth is I’m a fucking bastard who is going to use Hayden to survive. There’s no happy for me. “You deserve to be happy you know,” she whispers, giving me a hug. “Hayden deserves it too,” she adds, and that’s one thing we agree on.

“I’ll make sure she’s happy,” I tell her, because I plan on doing my best to make sure that happens. Dani stares at me and I see the sadness in her eyes, I’m not fooling her at all.

“Any other man hugged my woman like that, I’d cut his balls off,” Crusher grumbles.

“Any other man tried to hug your woman like that and she’d cut his balls off,” Dani grumbles. “Take care, Hayden,” she adds.

“You can call me Hay…I guess,” Hayden tells her, and they smile at each other for a minute, as if silently bonding.

“Women,” Crusher laughs with a shake of his head, before starting up his bike.

I watch as they head out with a wave. Once they’re gone, Hayden wraps her arm tighter around my back and curls herself into my side.

“Listen to that,” she whispers after a bit.

“What’s that, Beauty?” I ask her, looking down at her.

“It’s silent,” she answers, looking completely happy with the idea that we’re finally alone.

“Getting tired of all our company?” I ask her, jokingly.

“Yeah, a little. Do you think it’s okay though? I mean, Blade is out there…somewhere.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” I respond, turning her so she stands in front of me, and I let my fingers curl into her hair. “I’ll take care of Blade.” I meant to reassure her, but I can tell that it doesn’t work when she avoids my eyes and looks down the road instead. “What’s wrong, Hayden?” I ask her point blank.

“Just getting really tired of old ghosts,” she answers, looking a little lost.

“How about I take you inside and remind you of other things?”

“Not sure why you want to, I’m starting to waddle here,” she sighs rubbing her stomach. The woman has no idea how beautiful she is. I pick her up and stalk back to the house.

“I can walk,” she complains half-heartedly, as her head falls on my shoulder, and her fingers are playing in my hair.

“We’ll see if that’s the case by the time I finish with you in our bed,” I grunt, and she gives me that laugh she does sometimes that I’ve never heard her use with anyone but me. Her laugh rings like bells—almost musical, and the sound makes me feel warm inside.

Damn.