Harlyn was snoring next to me, but I barely even noticed the soft noise, my mind still reeling from the events of today. I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at the light as it began to fade against the curtains before it would cast the room into darkness.

I welcomed it, hoping that by some grace that once darkness fell, I would finally be able to close my eyes and get some sleep without hearing the screams of my frightened child, cringing as they pierced my eardrums. Harlyn’s cries were like something out of a horror movie, and would no doubt, haunt me for a long time to come. I’d never seen or felt her that scared for her entire life. Even when she was three and broke her wrist, not much more than a whimper left her mouth. She was a strong kid, sometimes a little too strong. I wanted her to be confident and independent, but I also needed her to know that she wasn’t invincible.

I reached over and pulled open the drawer beside our bed, fishing around inside until I found a small bag. Slowly I unzipped it, hoping that the quiet noise wouldn’t rouse my light sleeping daughter. Tampons filled the bag, a clever disguise. Digging beneath them, I inhaled a calming breath as my fingers touched the small pill container at the bottom.

You don’t need them.

The voice was soft but stern. Unfortunately, it was overpowered by the thumping in my chest and the haze that was settling in my mind.

I need something.

Upending the bottle, I tipped a tiny pill into my hand before stashing the nearly empty container back into its hiding place. Clutching the blanket in one hand and the pill in the other, I anchored myself down as every part of my mind told me to get the hell out of there. Optimus promised that us coming back meant us being safe, but it felt so far from the truth right now. There were things I needed to consider, not just this danger, but other problems that even Op and the club weren’t aware of. I’d risked a lot by coming back here, but it had come to a point where I needed to consider what was best for Harlyn and stop being so damn selfish.

A soft knock at the door drew me away from my internal battle. My body shook as I scurried to tuck the pill underneath my pillow. It slipped from my fingers and in my haste, it fell down the back of the bed. Tears welled up in my eyes, but instead of chasing after it, I looked over to check Harlyn was still sleeping soundly before I climbed off the bed and made my way toward the door. Pulling it open an inch, I was expecting Optimus but instead found a tired looking Wrench standing on the other side. I licked my lips as I took him in, his cap pulled low on his head so I could barely see his eyes.

“Can I come in?” he asked, his voice gravelly and rough.

Pulling the door open, I stepped aside and allowed him through, softly closing it behind him.

His eyes looked over to Harlyn’s sleeping body, and I saw his shoulder slump slightly as if relieved to see her relaxed and in a deep slumber. “How is she?”

His obvious concern for Harlyn’s well-being warmed my belly and brought a smile to my face. Something I didn’t think I could be capable of, after what had happened. “She’s okay. A little scared, but with all you guys around I don’t think it will last very long. She feels safe around the brothers.”

“She should. You know the extent we’ll go to protect her… and you.” His gaze was intense, it burned through me as though he was trying to deliver me some sort of unspoken message. “How are you feeling?”

The question caught me off guard, and for a second I opened my mouth to spill out every single emotion inside me. My heart told me to share that with him, that I felt safe and comfortable enough to divulge my deepest darkest fears just from a simple question. Maybe it was the way his eyes stared into mine, daring me to tell him a lie and say that I was perfectly fine. For some reason, I knew that he would call me out on it, that he wouldn’t accept anything other than the truth, so that was what I gave him.

“I’m scared,” I said simply, shrugging my shoulders. “I’ve been here before, and I know what it’s like. But Harlyn… she’s never been scared of a damn thing in her life.”

Even in the darkening room, I still caught the way his muscles bulged as he clenched his fists. He was a powerful force, his broad shoulders and thick arms making my body ache as I imagined them wrapped tightly around me, holding me close, sheltering me.

“I’ll fight with every breath I have to make sure nothing happens to her,” he said quietly.

“Why?” The question fell from my mouth before I even had a second to filter it. My curiosity getting the best of me. I understood that the brothers here all felt some kind of responsibility for Harlyn because she was their president’s daughter. It was their duty to make sure that she had everything she needed, and she was kept as safe and as happy as humanly possible. But it was the tone of his voice, and the way his words felt more than just a brother’s vow, and more like an emotional promise that had made me question him.

“Because she’s a part of you,” he answered, taking a step forward.

Unconsciously I reacted, taking a step back as you do when someone else steps inside your personal bubble. It stalled him for a moment, and I could tell he was wondering what his next move should be. Energy fizzed in the air between us, but I still wasn’t quite sure what it meant or why it was there.

Wrench had been sweet to me, caring and supportive over the past few days. I found myself enjoying the way he openly baited me with smart comments and jokes and wasn’t afraid to show his attraction despite Optimus’ obvious hands off warnings.

I guess it was kind of nice to have someone risk an ass beating in order to flirt with me and pay me compliments. It was like he was putting me first, and God, it had been a long time since anyone, including myself, had put me first.

Taking a second within the silence, I allowed my eyes to roam his body, starting at his face. Half of it was covered, and that for some reason annoyed me. “Why do you always wear a cap?”

He raised his hand and grabbed the bill of his cap, lifting it off his head for just a few seconds as he scrubbed his hand over his scruffy blonde hair. It was wild and untamed, like he repeated that same action hundreds of times a day, never allowing it to smooth out. Then he twisted the cap and placed it on backward, so his face was clear and unhidden.

“Better?”

I smiled. “That didn’t exactly answer my question, but yeah… it is better.”

He smirked back at me, the playful look on his face burning through my body and pulling me in. He continued to keep tight-lipped, not offering me any other explanation, so I moved on. With the little light that was left in the room, I could clearly now see the color of his eyes—a soft shade of dark blue with a hint of gray when the light caught them. They were both soft, and fierce, holding me captive for a few extra seconds before I managed to cut the tempting connection.

His jaw was lightly covered in stubble. It had been since we’d been here, and imagining him with a clean-shaven face seemed almost unthinkable. A baby soft face on a man like Wrench just wasn’t something I could imagine, it wouldn’t suit his personality.

Suddenly, I wanted to know what it would feel like when he kissed me. Would it be rough and scratchy, or would it tickle against my lips as I brushed them along his jaw? I wanted to know what it would feel like, dragged along the most sensitive parts of my skin and his soft lips eased the burn it would cause.

My thighs clenched together, and I inhaled a sharp breath.

Jesus, I needed to stop.

I turned, flicking my eyes away, looking for anything within the small room that I could focus my attention on as I fought to drag more air into my lungs.

“You done examining me?” he asked playfully.

“No… I mean, I was not.”

His deep chuckle rooted itself in my body, radiating outward. It seemed so fucking cliché to think, but just that sound instantly brought a smile to my face, and my body relaxed. The low tone was masculine and raw, it wrapped itself around me like a warm coat.

I pulled at the hem of my oversized sweater as I shifted from foot to foot. “What’s going on out there?”

“Not much, Blizzard dragged Op out to X-Rated for some business shit while the rest of us try and pull our shit together. Couple of the guys have Chelsea’s car in the shop, trying to figure out just what caused it to suddenly explode.” He wasn’t holding anything back or trying to shelter me, telling me that it was just a minor thing and that I shouldn’t worry.

He was laying it down, letting me know that this was as serious as I thought it was. Wrench didn’t hold any blows, and I appreciated that.

My gut started to churn again, and my eyes moved over to my beautiful little girl who was sleeping so peacefully. “Maybe this was a mistake,” I whispered as I walked over to the foot of the bed and peered down at her. “Maybe we shouldn’t have come back.” There were so many risks here, ones that I couldn’t have even dreamed of, and some that settled in my nightmares every single night.

I could feel myself getting nervous, my stomach turning and my mind running a million miles an hour. Inhaling deeply through my nose, I tried to calm my raging emotions as my eyes flicked over to the bed where the pill had disappeared beneath.

I wanted it.

Warmth settled at my back. He wasn’t touching me, but with his body so close I could feel him, his strength, his power, the silent support he offered as I contemplated whether I’d made a horrible mistake. The urge to run slowly began to settle.

“You’re wrong,” he argued, his hot breath fanning my neck. I quivered. I wanted to turn and ask him why. Fight with him about how this wasn’t a place for Harlyn. How I couldn’t forget the look in her eyes or the sounds of her fearful screams when that explosion had gone off. But he didn’t let me, not even giving me a moment to voice my objections.

“You and I both know that shit happens here. And there’s something going down right now that I can’t explain to you. What I can tell you is that you and Harlyn were compromised and that there’s no other place on this damn earth that’s safer than where you are right now.” His words drew the air from my lungs. “Nothing will hurt you. Nothing will hurt her. I fucking promise you that.”

I stared straight ahead, unable to move as he used his hand to brush away the hair from my neck. My lips fell open as his mouth grazed the bare skin of my shoulder where my sweatshirt had left it exposed. It wasn’t a kiss, just a brush, almost like a feather skimming across it, both tickling and tempting me at the same time. I wanted to give in, allow his promises to take over my thoughts and make me feel as though we were safe here. Unfortunately, Wrench nor anyone else was aware of the other battles I was facing. There were other things, other monsters that I was hiding from, ones that weren’t so easy to escape, and ones even he couldn’t protect me from.

The club weren’t the only ones fighting demons, and they weren’t the only ones who’d been fooled by someone they cared for. In that moment, I so desperately wanted to tell him, to ask for help and allow him to make good on his promise. But in doing that, I knew it would bring a whole new shitstorm down around the club, a whole new level of crazy and panic, at a time when they were already fighting to keep their heads on straight.

“Mommy?” Harlyn’s soft voice forced Wrench back, he put space between us within a second. A respectful move.

I scurried around the side of the bed as Harlyn sat up, her little body shaking and her eyes brimmed with tears. “Baby, it’s okay. It’s over,” I told her as I sat at the edge of the bed and pulled her into my chest.

“Are there bad people trying to hurt us?”

My heart ached as I squeezed her a little tighter, my own tears burning at my eyes as I looked over to where Wrench stood, watching us silently. I didn’t know what to say.

Could I lie and tell her that no, it was all just some kind of mistake?

Possibly. But what if it happened again? Then how would she trust me?

“Hey Har,” Wrench finally said, causing Harlyn to look up in surprise.

“Hi Wrench,” she answered with a soft smile. “What are you doing here?”

He moved forward, sitting himself at the end of the bed. “Your dad asked me to come check on you and your mom. How you doing?”

She cleared her throat before she answered. I could tell she didn’t want to admit that she was frightened, but just like Op and Blizzard, she’d formed some strange bond with Wrench over such a short time. She liked him and enjoyed hanging out with him, and in turn, he made time for her even if it was stopping by for a second to ask what she’d done that day.

“I didn’t like that noise,” she answered, hanging her head. “Everyone was running around and going crazy. It was scary.”

Wrench nodded. “You’re right, it was.”

Harlyn tilted her head, looking up at him. “Were you scared?”

“A little, but not for long. When you get a fright like that, you’re always a little scared, and your heart beats a little faster,” Wrench said with Harlyn listening intently as he used his hand to thump out a beat on his chest. “But I’m not scared anymore.”

Harlyn leaned in a little closer to him. “Why not?”

“Because I watch a lot of cartoons,” Wrench answered with a smirk.

Harlyn giggled. “You’re silly.”

He grinned. “Stay with me here, kid. You ever seen Batman lose? You ever seen one of those scary bad guys get the better of Superman?” Harlyn listened intently to his words, while I couldn’t help but smile. “Nope, ‘cause they’re the good guys, and the good guys always win. And do you know who the good guys are here?”

She lit up then, a wide smile filling her cheeks. “Daddy is a good guy!”

“Exactly!”

“And you, and Uncle Blizzard,” she continued. “But you guys don’t have superpowers.”

Wrench gasped dramatically. “Are you sure about that?”

I couldn’t help but smile and laugh as Wrench, and Harlyn proceeded to discuss the entire club and who had what superpowers. She was soon out of my arms and made herself at home in his lap as they argued about whether Blizzard’s superpower had something to do with X-ray vision, given that no matter where she hid the ice cream, he always seemed to find it and eat it all.

“Mommy, what do you think Wrench’s superpower is?” Harlyn asked happily as they both turned their attention back to me.

When Wrench’s eyes caught mine and a smirk pulled at his lips, I couldn’t stop the blush that formed over my cheeks. I was grateful at that moment for the dim lighting within the room, hopeful that he couldn’t see just how much I was affected by one look.

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s smart, and that’s why he has to keep his hat on all the time, to keep his big brain inside his head. Or maybe that’s his ego,” I muttered the last sentence quietly, but by the grin that swept over his face, I knew he’d heard me loud and clear.

“Do you have a big brain?” Harlyn asked, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward as though inspecting the size of his head.

Wrench’s eyes didn’t leave mine as he answered, “Yeah! But every part of my body is pretty damn big, so it doesn’t look weird or out of proportion.” The cheeky grin plastered across his face said everything, and I couldn’t stop the burst of laughter that came from my gut.

“I think you guys need superhero outfits,” Harlyn said excitedly as she jumped down off Wrench’s lap. “I’m gonna go get my coloring pens and my drawing book.”

And with that, my baby girl wasn’t scared anymore. She ran from the room with a skip in her step and smiling from cheek to cheek. Harlyn was a smart kid. I knew that there was no way she actually thought these men had real powers or fought crime in their spare time, but somehow, just talking about how each of them were special, and imagining how they would protect her, had given her a sense of comfort. The fear may not have completely gone, but the knowledge that her family was the good guys, had given her what she needed to believe in them and know that they would keep her safe.

“Thank you,” I told Wrench in absolute sincerity.

He shrugged. “She just needed reassurance, something I’m sure Op would have done soon enough. He’s just a little preoccupied right now.”

I stood up, nodding my head. “I wish he would just see how his actions are hurting both him and Chelsea. Why does he keep fighting against his emotions? If they’re real, he needs to follow them, and not let all this crazy bullshit get in the way.”

Wrench pushed to his feet and rounded the edge of the bed, so he was standing in front of me again, the aura around him suddenly making it hard for me to breath. “Sometimes, it’s not that easy.”

“I know, but sometimes, it really just is.”

I wasn’t sure how the world turned around in that instant. The air in the room, the beat of my heart, the look in his eyes… that was the second where everything changed. A rough hand cradled my face, cupping my jaw gently, as though I was porcelain. By the time I’d gathered my wits enough to react, Wrench’s lips were pressed against mine feverously, a stark contrast to the way his hand touched my face.

It was like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to be gentle or show his true colors and give me the man I knew he was. I melted against him. His body suddenly engulfing me as I stepped forward, my body moving of its own accord like there was some heavy magnet pulling us together.

I found I didn’t mind the soft mixed with the hard, the way his mouth devoured mine, battling me, daring me to fight back. While his hands traced patterns over my body, his fingertips trailed over my neck, my arms, my waist, as though he couldn’t decide in which place he wanted them to settle. The burn that started within me began in my gut. I didn’t ignite in flames, it wasn’t instant and engulfing, but rather slow and torturous. It was an exploration of desire, the need to find out something new about the other.

My hands settled on his chest, my fingernails scratching against the leather on his club cut as we fought breathlessly, our tongues swirling and tangling together. I felt lightheaded and dizzy, but when I swayed he caught me, and for a brief moment I really felt like this man would never let me fall.

Fast footsteps hurried down the hallway, alerting us to company and forcing our bodies apart. Harlyn appeared in the doorway, holding her coloring supplies up in victory before rushing inside and dumping them on the bed.

I turned away, struggling to breathe, my heart thumping erratically against my chest. My cheeks burned, no doubt flushed in a deep crimson red.

“What was that?” I whispered, hoping that Harlyn was too distracted to hear as she flicked through her book, searching for a fresh page for the both of them to share.

I peeked out of the corner of my eye, catching Wrench still watching me, his eyes blazing with something that told me he wasn’t done yet, that this wasn’t over.

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe sometimes it really is just that easy,” he answered cryptically.

“Wrench, draw with me.”

With a wink, he turned away, the slight adjustment he made to the front of his pants as he did, not going unnoticed by my eyes.

Jesus! What the hell just happened?