by Sam Crescent
“I love you.”
“You keep saying that,” she said.
“It’s true, and I’ve not spent nearly enough time telling you exactly how much.”
She blew out a breath. “This is all … this is so sudden,” she said.
“No, it’s not.”
“Draven?”
“No. You think about it. This is not sudden. This is very fucking late, and we’ve known this for a long time.”
He saw the tears in Harper’s eyes.
“You have all of me, Harper. Every single little bit of me. It belongs to you. No one else.”
She moved toward him and pushed him hard. “First, I’m not afraid of you.” She pushed him again, and this time the car behind his back stopped him. “I’ll never be afraid of you. Second, I’m nervous because this is all new for me. I’ve been on dates with Ethan, but this is so much more. I can’t think straight. I’m nervous I’m going to screw up and say the wrong thing and you’ll realize I don’t belong in this world. I’m not a good person, Draven. I’ve done so much stuff. I lost ten good years with you all because … I didn’t ask you to come to the bathroom with me. There are times I can’t even look in the mirror because it hurts that much to know what I’ve done.” She shoved him again, only he had nowhere to go. “I’m not just the girl from the poor area of Stonewall, regardless of where my father is now, Draven. I’m the girl who worked for your father. The one who he forced to help take girls. I should be in prison. Behind bars. I can’t stand to think about what I’ve done. I close my eyes and see them. I know the mess I’ve caused, and I’m ashamed of myself, of what I did. Eighteen-year-old Harper, she’s not here anymore. I’m me. I’m not used to getting what I want. I want you, nothing more. I’m the woman that ran away because she thought her best friends would be killed. I’m the person that continued to work for a man I despised because I was scared. I didn’t fight enough, not then. I just took everything he told me to do, and I fucked up. That’s the kind of person I am. I’ve been so scared because you’d see the truth of who I am, and all that I’ve done. I’m nothing. I wanted these dates with you, to make me … feel something else. I don’t need fancy cars, or jewelry.” She chuckled. “I don’t even need these dates, but they were fun to be with you after all this time, and I want to be that girl again. I don’t get the opera. I’m not a fancy girl. I’m just me. I work in a florist, and I don’t care what we went through. I’m not afraid of you.” She placed her hands flat on his chest. “I’ll never be afraid of you. This is all just new, and I’m a girl. Let me be a girl about all of this, about everything.”
“Fine,” he said, cupping her face. “You’re not nothing. You’re everything to me. I don’t care what Alan did. It wasn’t you. It’ll never be you. I’ll never turn my back on you. Never. I can wait for you to be ready. So long as you agree that if at any time you’re scared or nervous, you come to me.”
“Agreed,” she said. “Don’t forget this is all new to me too.”
“I hate the opera.”
She burst out laughing. “Why did you take me?”
“I thought you’d like it.”
She kept on laughing. “That makes no sense to me at all. You’re a crazy person, Draven Barries. Take me home.” She pressed her lips to his, and he held her close, deepening the kiss.
Chapter Seventeen
Two months later
Dating Draven was … strange.
Especially as Harper was the one to hold back. After everything they’d been through, she didn’t want to rush their time together. This was a first for them, after ten years apart. They were taking their time and enjoying each other, and of course, to get to know one another without the threat of his father or anyone else in their life.
In the beginning, she was nervous in case there were repercussions from his past. There were times she’d see him gazing out over the city, and she was sure he was waiting for something. He was always careful, and she knew he carried a gun. She had also seen a guard was close by her at all times. Day by day, week by week, even as nothing happened, he was still cautious.
He’d been able to start a life with his businesses and become part of it. He worked from his laptop and often stopped by the florist shop and talked with Stephanie about ways to expand.
In fact, Draven had taken Stephanie out to look at another property across town while she was taking care of the shop.
He’d become such a sweet and tender … boyfriend.
It seemed odd to call him that. She was arranging the delivery of some fresh roses when the doorbell sounded.
“Just a moment,” she said.
Harper turned and froze. Standing before her was Axel. She’d not seen him in so long.
“Axel,” she said.
“Hello, Harper. You’ve missed Draven.”
“I know. I saw him with Stephanie. You’re looking good.”
“Thank you.”
He looked a little scary.
“What’s going on?”
“I wanted to come and see you. I know you’d tell Draven that you had, and so I can rely on you.”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Not a damn thing. I’ve got a thing going on right now. It’s kind of important. Your boyfriend has been looking for me, and I grow tired of it. Tell him to keep his distance or I’ll make his life hell.”
“Axel?”
“Tell him that, Harper. He’ll get the message.”
“Are you and him fighting?”
“No. What we are is moving on, and Draven won’t let me. You make him leave or I will hurt him.”
“I’ll get him to leave you alone.”
“Good. You look amazing. When he proposes, accept it.”
“What?”
Axel turned on his heel about to walk away, but she rushed ahead of him, throwing herself in front of the door.
“Harper, please.” He looked bored.
“I know you don’t like me or anything right now, but there’s no way you can tell a woman that and just walk away.”
“I intend to.”
“Axel, I mean it.”
“Fine, fine. I saw he bought the ring. It’s a brand new one. Not the family heirloom that was on his dad’s side. It’s pretty. It was always supposed to be you and Draven. You both make one hell of a couple.”
“And you know how to spoil surprises.”
He reached behind her to open the door. He held the door and slowly moved her without even breaking into a sweat.
“At least tell me you’re all right,” she said.
“I’m all right, Harper. Don’t worry about me.”
Harper watched him leave. Her heart pounded, and as Stephanie and Draven arrived hours later, all she wanted to do was ask him about it.
She didn’t bring it up in front of Stephanie even though she wanted to so damn badly. Forcing a smile to her lips, she got through it. Closing time was a welcome relief to her.
“Are you going to tell me about what happened with Axel?” she asked as soon as they got in the car.
“Axel?”
“Yeah, he came to the shop while you were out.”
Draven got out of the car, looking around.
“He’s not there. He left. He said to leave him alone and to stop looking for him or he’s going to make your life hell. I don’t even know what that means.”
“It’s not important.”
“He wants to be left alone.”
“He’s my best friend.”
“So do as he asks and leave him alone.”
“Is that all that he said?” Draven asked.
“No, he said something else, and I don’t want to repeat it.”
“Harper!”
“No, because what if he was lying and then I just look silly, you know? I’m not going to say what it was.”
“Really?”
She pushed some hair out of her face and turned toward him. “Fine. Axel told me you were going to propose. There. I said it.�
�
Draven snorted. “Leave it to him to spoil absolutely everything.”
“Everything?”
She watched as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a velvet box.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“I’ve been wanting to give you this for some time now. I’ve tried to find the right moment, and now that Axel’s fucked it up, I may as well. I want you to marry me, Harper. I want us to make this official. Real. To stop wasting time.”
“You really want to go through with this?”
“Yes. You, me, this, us.” He took the ring from the box. “I want to bind you to me forever so you know there’s no one else in the world that I could ever want.”
“I know there’s no one else in the world.”
“And now the rest of the world know who you belong to.”
She stared down at the ring, then into the eyes of the man she loved. “You changed everything for me. You turned your back on all that you’d known, for me.”
“Yes. I want you, Harper. More than anything else in the world. I love you more than anything. You’re mine. You know you’re mine.”
She stared at the ring and knew there was no one else she could ever want.
Harper loved him, and scars and all, she would have stuck by him through everything. “Yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes.” She nodded her head and laughed. “A million times yes.”
He took the ring and slid it onto her finger. For Harper, it felt right. He took her hand, running his thumb across the diamond. “You’re never going to regret this. Not now. Not ever.”
When his lips pressed against hers, after all they’d been through, the heartache, the pain, the loss, all of it, they still had each other, and with that, nothing could take that away from them.
****
Six months later
Much to Draven’s disappointment, Harper wanted a proper wedding, one for them to remember. Even though she hated being the main subject of conversation where people stared at her, she still went through with the wedding.
Of course, for Draven, he didn’t have a best man.
He sent Axel one message. He wanted him, and no one else would be good enough for him.
Draven never got a response, and now as he stood in his changing room in the church, he had to wonder if Axel was even alive.
The only way he knew was from Harper seeing him six months ago, but now, was he dead? Was he lying in a ditch somewhere? He worried about his friend, but he took Axel’s threat seriously and he’d backed off. He’d called off his men. Axel’s threat was simple, if he didn’t leave him alone, he’d take Harper.
It was well played, and seeing as the only person Draven really loved was Harper, he knew it was a real risk.
Staring at his reflection, he had Ian on his team, making sure Harper didn’t do a runner. Not today.
He was running his hands down his suit, removing any wrinkles when the door opened and in stepped Axel.
His best friend looked like he’d been in a war zone. Neither of them had come out of their war unscathed. Behind closed doors, Draven still had to deal with certain … problems that arose from his past. He didn’t discuss any problems with Harper as he didn’t want her to worry. He wasn’t back in the lifestyle; he simply helped certain men and women find the right contacts.
“You made it.”
“You think I was going to let my best friend get married all on his own?” Axel stepped forward and started to fix his tie. “You got the rings?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll have them.”
“Where you been?”
“Draven, don’t even start with the third degree right now. Not in the mood. Are you sure about this wedding?”
“I love Harper. I want to marry her.”
Axel held up his hands. “I’m just giving you an opportunity to run if you need to.”
“Not going to happen.”
“Good. Right, let’s get this show on the road.”
“Are you sticking around?” Draven asked.
“I’ll stay for the party, but once you and Harper go, I’ve got things I want to do. A life to get back to. You’ve got Harper now, Draven. We’ve done what we set out to do all those years ago.”
“I miss Buck and Jett,” he said.
“They should be here.”
“They are,” Axel said. “As corny as this shit sounds, they’re right here, with us.”
“You’re right, that is corny.”
“One last chance to ditch.”
“I’m not ditching.” Draven smiled. “I’ve waited for this moment for far too long.”
He followed Axel out of the room, and they took their positions at the altar. The priest stood silent, and the guests talked amongst themselves.
Stephanie, Hannah, and Harper’s little sister walked down the aisle, and then the song changed.
He saw Harper with Ian.
Her father had agreed to give her away, and seeing her right now, Draven’s heart raced.
“You did good, buddy,” Axel said.
Step by step, Harper walked toward him. This was how it was supposed to be all those years ago, and now finally after all this time, it was finally happening.
Harper was going to be his wife.
****
“I’ll have this dance, Mrs. Barries,” Axel said, taking hold of Harper’s arm and leading her onto the dance floor.
“It’s good to have you today.”
“I’m not sticking around, Harper. Don’t get used to me.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve got shit I want to do. I know Buck and Jett would have wanted me here.”
“So that’s the only reason you decided to stop by?”
“That and to finally see you two tied town. You’ve always been Draven’s queen. It’s good to see you in your place.”
She rolled her eyes. “What is going on with you?” she asked.
“Nothing. I’ve got my own life to lead, and now that Draven’s out of the life, Draven and I, we can live it how we see fit. He’s going more legit. He’s even moved in with you. That has to be an experience.”
Harper chuckled. “He doesn’t like how small my apartment is. I love it.”
“Good. He likes it when you fight him. When you don’t bow down to what he wants. He’s afraid that you fear him.”
“Axel, why don’t you stick around?”
“Can’t do it. I’m afraid I’ve got someone waiting for me.”
“You’re seeing someone?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Why didn’t you bring her to the wedding?”
“It wasn’t appropriate.” Axel kissed her hand. “I’ve got to leave now. If you ever break his heart again, Harper, I will fucking kill you. I want you to understand that.” He stepped close, his hand so near her neck as he held her tight. He could be choking her right now, and no one could stop it.
She saw Draven past his shoulder, walking toward them. She turned her head and kissed Axel’s cheek.
“You’ll never have to.”
“Good. I’m glad we’ve got this understanding.” Axel stepped back. “As always, Harper. You look stunning.”
“What’s going on here?” Draven said.
Axel let go of her hand. “I’ve got to head out. I think I can leave you two not to fuck this up for yourselves.”
Before either of them could stop him, Axel was gone.
“Fuck!”
“What is it?”
“Nothing. I didn’t want him to leave.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Draven pulled her into his arms. “Hello, Mrs. Barries. What was he talking about before I came over?”
She didn’t want to spoil the wedding. “Not a lot. Just wished us both a good future together. You know, one filled with love and babies.”
He smiled. “Babies. You want them?”
She groaned. “I’m not
sure. Maybe one day.”
Draven kissed her temple. “You can count on it.”
Harper rested her head against Draven’s chest and closed her eyes. There’s no way she was leaving Draven, not unless it was in a wooden casket. He owned her heart just as she possessed his.
Epilogue
Five years later
“Buck, Jett, get your asses in the house now. It’s cold, and I won’t have you ill for Christmas.”
Draven folded his arms and watched as his twin boys rushed into the house. Not long after the wedding, he knocked Harper up, and five years later, his sons were playing in the yard. Both of them were fierce little warriors.
True to his word, they had never gone back to Stonewall. That place was in their past.
His sons ran past him, both of them heading to the sink, washing their hands before going to the table.
He watched as Harper rushed into the kitchen, picking up the platter of food. She held it against her hip, rustling their hair as she passed.
“Mom!” They both cried out, and she laughed.
Draven was so fucking happy that there were moments when he could just stand and watch them. He had to. It helped for him to make sure they were still real. Still alive. Still his family.
With everything he put Harper through, he spent most nights watching her sleep, marveling at the fact she was still his. She was his wife of five years, and the mother of his two sons.
“Are you coming?” she asked, hand on hip as she smiled at him.
“They were playing ball.”
“Like always.” She moved toward him, her hands on his chest. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Are you thinking about Axel?”
“No. I’m thinking about you.” He pushed some hair off her shoulder. “I’m always thinking about you and how lucky I am that you didn’t leave me.”
“I couldn’t leave you, not ever.” She cupped his face, kissing his lips. “Even if you did stuff dirt into my locker.”
He gripped the back of her head, holding her tight against him as he took over the kiss, deepening it, making her kiss him back until she moaned.
“Call your dad to come and pick them up. I want you all to myself tonight.”
“We can’t keep using him to babysit whenever we want to have sex.”