she cooked some of it yesterday so she just has to warm it up.”
“You okay with that?” he asked her.
“Of course. You’re my family, Sean. The entire club is now, but you’re my blood. You’re always welcome here.”
He swallowed audibly and stood, going over to give her a hug. “Love you, MaryAnne. Sorry I’ve been a dick lately.”
“It’s okay. I forgive you.” She smiled. “But don’t do it again, or I’ll be sure to send Blaze to your house whenever she throws tantrums for the next eighteen years.”
He held up his hands. “Whoa. No need to threaten violence.”
MaryAnne stood and I tugged her down onto my lap. “Merry Christmas, Little Bit.”
“Merry Christmas.” She kissed me, her lips barely touching mine before she pulled away. “Thank you, Ronan. You’ve made all my dreams come true.”
Her body tensed and her eyes went wide. I knew she’d just realized she’d said my actual name when we weren’t alone. But as Galahad had pointed out, we were family. And not only in the brotherhood sense. If I didn’t make an issue of it, maybe she’d realize I wasn’t mad.
“No, Little Bit. You have more dreams ahead of you, but I’ll gladly stand by your side while you achieve each and every one. Because you’re an incredible woman. Beautiful, smart, determined… and you’re mine.”
“Um, if the two of you are going to keep up with the mushy love crap, I may take my chances at the clubhouse.”
I narrowed my eyes at Galahad. “Shut it or you’re on baby duty.”
“Nope. I’m good.” He leaned back in his seat and crossed his ankles. “Let the movie watching begin. Anything except changing diapers.”
“Wuss,” MaryAnne muttered and I snickered.
“Pick a movie, Little Bit. Let’s start making those family holiday memories. The first of many.”
With my wife in my lap, our daughter nearby, and Galahad lounging on our couch, it was a happy Christmas. I had the family I’d always craved, and the love of the only woman I’d ever wanted. She was my everything, my entire world, and I knew I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy. Whatever it took, I’d keep the monsters away from my girls, because I’d rather die than see either of them hurt.
I’d always heard Christmas was the time of miracles. It seemed they were right, because I’d gotten mine, and I’d cherish them for the rest of my life.
Dedication and Acknowledgements
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasing a copy of Patriot (Hades Abyss MC)! Your support means so much to me. If you have a moment, it would be amazing if you’d leave a rating or review at the retailer of your choice, Goodreads, or even BookBub to let other readers know what you thought of the book. I’d really appreciate it.
If you’ve read Kraken, Titan, and even Demon in the Devil’s Fury MC series, then you knew about MaryAnne and her predicament before now. For those of you reading about MaryAnne for the first time, her abduction happens in Kraken’s book. I try to write each story so that you can jump in mid-series without feeling too lost. Hopefully, I succeeded.
MaryAnne had a long, hard road to travel. Some would say it’s a miracle she recovered at all. The type of abuse she suffered can affect people in different ways. One person might retreat inside their minds and never want to come out, while another might charge forward and try to take control of their life again. There’s no right or wrong way to react to something like that. As each person is different, so are their reactions, emotions, and the ways in which they heal.
While there is a pretty strong Christmas theme to this story, the biggest theme of all is hope. If you take nothing else away from Patriot’s book, it’s my greatest wish that you’ll remember even in the darkest of times there’s hope. It may not seem like it, and you may feel like giving up at times, but tomorrow is always a new day -- and new days mean more chances for better things.
Wishing you all the best~
Harley
* * *
There are always so many people who help make my books possible, it would take forever to thank them all. But I’m going to try…
Thank you to the team at Changeling Press. From my editor, to the line editor, proofreaders, formatter, and Bryan Keller who made the beautiful cover, thank you for helping me make Patriot shine! Couldn’t have done it without you!
To my Wyldlings -- you guys are so amazing! You keep me motivated, make me smile, and brighten my day all the time. So thank you!
A super big thanks to MC romance author Ciara St. James. Your medical knowledge was a life saver (pun intended). Thank you for keeping me from relying on Google, because we all know how well that works out.
Coffee Fairy! I don’t care how b*tchy someone says you are, thanks for helping me stay sane, and somewhat focused. As far as I’m concerned, Starbucks white mocha (and eggnog latte) is like nectar from the gods and you keep me well-supplied -- does that make you related to Hermes?
Last but not least… Thank you to my husband. While there are times I may think for one brief moment about smothering you with your pillow, usually when you’re snoring right in my ear or take over my side of the bed, you’re the main reason I get up every morning -- or make it into my office to actually work. Love you! Keep cracking the whip when I try to sit on the couch and read all day… Well, maybe not every time. I do need some R&R here and there.
Oh, and thank you to Tanto. My cat. Mostly for not sitting on the keyboard when you decide to sprawl across my desk. Because I love you dearly, but no one wants to read your version of the book.
Harley Wylde
Harley Wylde is the International Bestselling Author of the Dixie Reapers MC, Devil’s Boneyard MC, and Hades Abyss MC series.
When Harley’s writing, her motto is the hotter the better – off-the-charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place. She doesn’t shy away from the dangers and nastiness in the world, bringing those realities to the pages of her books, but always gives her characters a happily-ever-after and makes sure the bad guys get what they deserve.
The times Harley isn’t writing, she’s thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more. She’s also fond of TV shows and movies from the 1980s, as well as paranormal shows from the 1990s to today, even though she’d much rather be reading or writing.
Harley at Changeling: changelingpress.com/harley-wylde-a-196