Harmony stopped at the top of the stairs, and I pulled up with her. “It sucks that she’s a part of this all. But I know that these guys will do whatever it takes to keep you both safe.”
“I hate that I caused all this. That I’ve put her in danger.”
Harmony shook her head before I could even finish my sentence. “Hadley, this life is both amazing and dangerous. People get hurt sometimes. But we never place blame. Because that’s not what it’s about. You screw with one, you screw with the whole club.”
I gave her a soft smile, appreciating the pep talk.
She hooked her arm through mine as we descended down the stairs. “It’s going to be good to have another girl down there. Those club girls, they can be ruthless, they aren’t like us.”
“Oh, joys,” I commented sarcastically.
“Just remember, you’re an Old Lady.” She turned to me and smirked as we reached the bottom. “They fuck with you, give them hell.”
We both laughed.
“Come on,” Leo said, walking toward us with a bouncing Macy on his shoulders. “Kit wants to leave in an hour, and I need to talk to Carly before we head out.”
“See you soon!” Harmony called as I followed Leo out the doors.
I could tell Macy was a little nervous as we drove to Carly’s house, her eyes darted around like she was waiting for something.
“Hey Macy,” I said, turning to look at her. Her eyes flicked to me and I smiled. “It’s going to be a long drive down to Kit and Harmony’s place. Maybe we should stop and get some coloring books and stuff for the trip.”
Her curls bounced as she bobbed her head. “Yes!” she beamed enthusiastically.
She seemed to calm a little and settle back into her car seat, so I turned back around.
Catching a smile on Leo’s lips as he watched the road, I couldn’t help but grin. “What?”
“Nothing.”
As we pulled up to Carly’s house, Leo turned to me. “Now probably isn’t the best time to tell her about us, so I’ll try to be quick.”
I nodded, understanding his apprehension. Carly’s welcome hadn’t exactly been so warm the last time we were here. And with everything still up in the air and tensions running high, I understood why he’d want to leave it for now.
Macy grabbed my hand as we walked up to the door.
Leo pushed it open and walked right in, calling out to his sister-in-law. “Yo!”
“Up here!” I heard her call back from upstairs somewhere.
Leo gestured with his head to the living room that was just to the side. “Play with Mace for a bit. I won’t be long.”
I gave him a reassuring smile and followed Macy as she made a beeline for the box of toys that sat in the corner next to the sofa. Dropping myself onto the soft carpet, I giggled as Macy proceeded to build up piles of blocks, only to smash them down again, laughing maniacally.
I looked up when I heard the door open. Meyah appeared in the entranceway to the living room, a soft smile on her lips and a dreamy look in her eyes.
“I know that look,” I commented, seeming to startle her out of her haze. “That’s caused by a boy.”
She blushed, pulling her backpack off her shoulder and tossing it back toward the door. “It’s that obvious, huh?”
I giggled. “A little.”
She walked over and dropped onto the floor beside us, giving Macy a little tickle as she greeted her.
“He special?” I asked casually as I folded my legs.
She cleared her throat, and her eyes darted around nervously before coming back to rest on me. “He’s popular and cute. He brings me little presents.”