Patriot (Hades Abyss MC 6) - Harley Wylde Page 0,28
streaming through the windows, I didn’t feel as confident as I had in the shower.
I hurried upstairs and went to my old room. Last night, I’d said I wanted to move into Patriot’s room. Waking up in his arms had been wonderful, after the initial scare of thinking someone else had pinned me down. I still wanted to move my things in there, but it would have to wait. I picked out a pair of jeans and another Christmas-themed sweater and socks. It didn’t take me long to change. Since I’d showered last night with Patriot, I didn’t bother taking another one.
After I ran a brush through my hair, I pulled it up into a bun. I ran my fingers down my neck as I turned my head one way, then another. I seemed so bare with no earrings or necklace. My jewelry was probably still in my room at home. I hadn’t been able to face my family, except Sean. What little of it I had left. I knew it was wrong to push them away, but I wasn’t the same girl they’d known before and they expected me to be. I’d been told more than once I’d bounce back, like they could only love me if I wasn’t damaged by what had happened.
Sean had helped me make a break from them. No one called anymore, or tried to come see me. There were times I missed them. Until I remembered they didn’t want the new me. They wanted the old MaryAnne, and I wasn’t sure she existed. The innocence had been burned out of me. The people here had become my family. The Hades Abyss accepted me as I was.
“I’ll help you move your stuff later,” Patriot said, leaning against the bathroom doorframe.
He’d managed to tame his hair and beard, and he’d pulled on a gray long-sleeved shirt and jeans. He’d already put on his cut and seemed to be ready to go. Patriot looked down at my feet and smiled. I curled my toes and studied my socks. Green with Santa hats all over them.
“Cute, Little Bit, but I think you’ll want some shoes.”
“I’ll grab some. Meet you downstairs?”
He nodded and pushed off the doorframe. “I’ll get the Bronco going so it can start to warm up. There’s a bite to the air today. Might want your coat.”
“I’ll get it.”
He left, his steps heavy as he went down the stairs. I put on the ankle boots he’d bought me when I’d come to live here and grabbed the denim jacket lined with sheepskin. I rushed downstairs and out to the Bronco. Patriot opened my door and helped me onto the seat. I fastened my seatbelt while he walked around the front and got in.
“You want the grocery or one of the super stores?” he asked.
“I think the grocery is fine. If we go to one of the other places, it will be even more crowded. This close to the holidays it seems to be packed everywhere.”
“Grocery won’t be much better.”
“Maybe not, but at least we won’t be fighting people shopping for presents. Besides, they have some boxes up front where we can donate non-perishables. It would be nice to make sure someone else can have Christmas dinner.”
He reached out and brushed his fingers along my cheek. “Heart of gold. My Little Bit is an angel come to earth.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I do want to make someone happy.” I chewed on my lower lip. “Do you think… could we find a family who maybe can’t give their kids a Christmas this year? I’d like to get a few toys to give them. Make sure they have a good holiday.”
“Why don’t we get the entire club involved and adopt a few families?” he asked.
“Even better! Think we can do it?”
He nodded. “Sure. We’ll stop by one of the churches on the way to the store.”
I watched him a minute. I wondered if he knew how amazing he was. Had anyone ever told him? He’d called me an angel, but he’d come and saved me, gave me a home and everything I could ever need, and now he was taking my idea and making it even better.
“Does anyone else know how big your heart is?” I asked.
He cut me a quick glance before focusing on the road again. “Don’t go spreading that shit around. You’ll ruin my rep. I’m a badass biker and don’t you forget it.”
I smiled. “All right. I’ll keep your secret.”
He pulled up to