Patriot (Hades Abyss MC 6) - Harley Wylde Page 0,17
base and situated into the corner, I showed MaryAnne the different ornaments I’d picked up. They weren’t anything fancy, but I’d hoped she’d like them. There were times she had a childlike wonder about her, so I’d grabbed a bunch of little animals, as well as the usual Christmas characters like Santa, the Grinch, and Frosty. The tree was going to be a hodgepodge of things, but I’d never understood those fancy trees where everything matched.
“They’re perfect,” MaryAnne said, leaning against my arm.
“We can always pick out more. This is your tree as much as it’s mine. You should get to decide what we hang on it.”
She brushed a kiss against my cheek and started digging through everything.
Cache cleared his throat. “Um, Patriot, you want us to help string the lights?”
I glanced at MaryAnne and realized as short as she was, she probably wouldn’t be much help getting the lights around the fat tree. I’d picked one that was close to my height, but the base was easily two of me. It definitely would take more than one person to get the lights on it.
“Go ahead,” I said, tossing them the boxes of lights. “Use all of them.”
Morgan’s eyebrows lifted. “There’s about eight hundred lights here. Are you trying to spot the tree from the moon?”
MaryAnne snickered and I thought the humor in her eyes and the smile on her lips were the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen. She hadn’t had much reason to smile over the last couple years, but I’d made it my goal to keep her as happy as I could. She deserved the best in life, and while I didn’t kid myself by thinking I was the best, I did know I’d do anything for her. Even kill for her, which I’d done several times.
“String the damn lights, Prospect,” I said with a bit of a growl.
“Aye, aye!” Morgan saluted and I couldn’t contain my snort.
“I was in the Army, asshole. Not the fucking Navy.”
Cache punched Morgan in the arm, and they got to work stringing the lights on the tree. The kitten had charged into the living room and now eyed the tree like it was his greatest challenge. I had a feeling I’d be pulling him from the branches until I threw the tree out. Good thing most of the ornaments I’d bought weren’t breakable.
“We’re missing something,” I said. “Wait right here.”
She cast me a nervous look before glancing at the two Prospects. I hurried from the room, knowing they wouldn’t hurt her, and grabbed the radio from the kitchen. Archimedes lumbered after me, probably deciding he didn’t want to be left out. He flopped in front of the couch and huffed as he laid his head on his paws. I plugged the radio in near the couch and Christmas songs filled the air.
“Can’t decorate a tree without setting the mood,” I said.
She moved closer and reached out, wrapping her hand around my arm. I felt the way she trembled and hated that she didn’t feel safe in our own home. Cache and Morgan had always been careful around her. Hell, the entire club had walked on eggshells whenever MaryAnne was present, but it wasn’t enough.
I leaned in closer and dropped my voice so only she would hear me. “They won’t hurt you, Little Bit. You’re safe here, even when I’m not in the room.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
“You don’t have to apologize. I wish you felt safe. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure no one ever hurts you again.”
She nodded and reached for the ornaments again. I kissed the top of her head. When the Prospects were finished, I stepped out front for a cigarette. I’d technically quit, but there were times I still indulged. As I blew the smoke out, I thought about all the men who’d hurt my sweet MaryAnne.
“Kurt Timms, do you know why you’re here?” I asked.
He tightened his lips and stared at me, hatred blazing in his eyes. I slid the blade of the knife along his thigh, leaving a trail of blood. He screamed and thrashed in the chair. The duct tape I’d used to hold him down didn’t give an inch.
“She’s a little whore. The doctor said so! Said some club had used her up.”
Wrong answer. I slammed the knife down into his thigh and twisted it. I yanked it free and worked on carving “rapist” into his chest. Kurt blubbered like a damn baby.
“She screamed. Begged. Pleaded with you not to hurt her.” I sliced