LOGINHarley~ In the past thirty minutes, my boots have clicked a frantic rhythm against the sterile linoleum. Above, the fluorescent lights of the OR waiting room buzzed a low, clinical hum that seemed to track the relentless circle. Just before my knees gave out, I sank into a vinyl chair, the material cold and stiff beneath me. 'Breathe, Harley,' Rae offered quietly. 'No news is good news.' 'I'm trying, Rae; why is it taking so long?' 'Who's saying? Our Alphas are strong.' Straight in front of me, the heavy double doors swung open, and Ponzi emerged. His steps were too quick as he closed the distance; he wasn't carrying the update I'd been praying for. "Sean is asking to see you," he said. His jaw was a tight line, his brow pinched as he claimed the empty space beside me. "How is Nick, Rich?" My throat tightened as the words scraped out, leaving the taste of panic sharp on my tongue. "He's still in surgery." Ponzi expanded his chest and shoved his hands into his pock
Harley~ A deafening roar shattered the room, followed instantly by the sharp sting of sulfur and burnt gunpowder. Titus lunged forward to disarm Delilah, his shadow in my peripheral vision. But the bullet was already moving through the air. Nick's fingers dug into my shoulders as he pushed me to the floor. Silk and tulle bunched around my knees as I shielded my belly from the impact. Nick stumbled and gasped, a wet, choked sound. He reached for me with fear in his eyes. My hands slid on the floor runner as I scrambled to my feet, but it was too late. "No." The word tore from my throat, raw and breathless; his hands were pressed flat against his midsection. Dark, thick crimson seeped through his turquoise vest, staining his fingers. "Nick!" Volatile heat ignited beneath my skin, starting deep in my heels and surging upward. It clawed at my throat as the surge of pure energy rushed through my veins.Though terrifying, the fire's allure claimed me, and I surrendered. Wisps of thick
Harley~ Today is my wedding day, and this time, I am fully awake to it. At first, the pageantry didn't seem to matter, but watching the morning unfold piece by piece held a quiet luxury. It starts at eight o'clock, with a tray of warm, buttered toast and fresh fruit brought right to my covers. By nine, I'm sinking into the stylist's chair. The sharp scent of hairspray and the cool, damp touch of foundation fill the room. Beside me, Becky and Kylie are already laughing, their voices vying with the hum of blow-dryers. Ruby and Polly are blurs of motion around us, leading a team of five stylists who move with practiced, quiet efficiency. They wield their curling irons and makeup brushes like magic wands. When the team finally polished the three of us, our skin glowed, and every stray hair lay pinned into submission. Becky and I yield the chairs to the older generation. Ruby is in her mid-fifties, but she possesses a timeless grace. Her skin is remarkably smooth, with only fai
Harley~The sun is casting long, amber shadows through the window by the time our runway show is over. Nick was pacing the floor of our room when I opened the door.We collapsed into each other's space, stealing a few bittersweet moments to ourselves. Reins family tradition dictates that we spend the night apart from midnight until I walk down the aisle in the morning."I'm going to miss you tonight," I mumble, pressing my cheek against the rough fabric of his shirt. His heartbeat is a steady thud but does little to soothe me this time.So I tightened my grip. "If Etta gets too hot in here, I'm breaking protocol and sneaking into your room." I tried to force a laugh, but it caught in my throat, tangled like a tight coil."Eight hours," Nick whispered as he pressed his lips to my forehead. "Ten at the most." His breath was warm against my skin as his hands slid down to cup my waist. "Just think how good tomorrow, and the next day, and the next one will feel.""Easy for you to say. Try
Harley~ "You've gotten so big!" Becky called out, her voice cutting through the heavy thud of the car door shutting. She stepped toward me, her rounded belly leading the way. Before I could answer, she pulled me into a tight embrace. A sudden bump of our two round, distinct curves meeting between us drew a breathless laugh from both of us. Her familiar scent of warm vanilla mixed with the crisp morning air instantly anchored me to her. Goddess knows, I had missed them. "Look at you, too." I laughed into her shoulder and squeezed her back. A small, energetic blur wedged into the space between our hips. Kylie peered up, her wide, bright eyes capturing the morning sun. "Did you see Mama's baby, Aunt Harley?" "I did," I said, leaning down to tap her nose. "Are you excited to be a big sister and a big cousin?" Golden curls whipped around her face as she nodded hard enough to tip backward. "Uncle Nick," Nick hits his knees behind me, and Kylie launches herself into him. Kyle rounds
Harley~ Sean's raw plea scraped against my nerves, a hot prickle stinging the backs of my eyes. The vinyl hospital chairs groaned beneath us. Nick's fingers dug into my waist with an urgent pressure. "I'm here, brother," he murmured, jaw set, as he forced a steady nod. "We've got you." The fallen Alpha's head dragged against the pillow, the coarse linen scraping beneath the weight. His chest heaved, pulling in shallow, ragged drafts. "You must believe me, Delilah..." His fingers clawed at the stiff white sheet. "...is trying to kill me." Raw panic bled into Nick's expression and made my throat close up. Leaning forward, I slid my palm over Sean's cold, trembling hand. "We do believe you. We're going to make sure she doesn't succeed." His gaze was unfocused before his pupils finally locked onto my face. The skin between his eyes puckered into a deep, confused V. "Who are you?" he rasped. "It's Harley," I whispered, keeping my voice low and steady. "I'm your sister-in-law."
Nick~ "Sorry, I forgot about calling you back, Kyle." I paused, but this would not get any easier. I took a heavy breath. "The police have confirmed that the stalker has Harley, only they don't know who he is yet." Kyle cursed profusely. "Does the name Steve mean anything?" "Yes, Steven Bala
Harley~ 'His name is Nick, and don't accept that I believe he will come back for us.' 'I wouldn't have him if he came back!' 'Sure, you're right, Ms. Patty Pillowcase.' My phone rings as I put the car in reverse; it's Belinda, and she tells me that my presence is required as soon as possible.
Kyle~ For quite some time now, I've been standing in the middle of Harley's bedroom without the first clue of what to bring her other than the basics. Becky's voice is high-pitched and fast when she calls for me, insisting that I return to the hospital. The beach bag from the bottom of Harley
Harley~ Nick tucked a stray curl behind my ear. "Anyway you want it, Amante." He let out the footrest of the recliner, pulled the stiff white hospital blanket over his feet, and adjusted the pillow under his head. Nick looks over at me with a smile, though I know he is uncomfortable. Half of h







