Her Shelter (Angels Halo MC Next Gen Book 6) Read online

  I watched over the middle school three days a week in the afternoon with my cousin Reid. For me, it had been a toss-up between wanting to watch over the high school because of my cousin River or the middle school for Nova. But since River’s boyfriend took both the morning and afternoon shifts for the high school, I decided Nova needed me more.

  Pulling up in front of the school, I gave a chin lift to some of the parents I knew who were already in the parent pickup line. Reid arrived a few minutes later. Turning off his motorcycle, he took off his helmet and shook his head as his gaze drifted over the scratches on the side of my bike.

  “What the fuck happened?”

  I shrugged and told him the same story I’d given my dad when he’d asked that exact question earlier. “There was this huge-ass elk in the road last night. Didn’t see it until I was right up on it because of the fog. Figured if I hit it, one of us wouldn’t walk away from the collision, and I wasn’t too confident it would be me. Ended up swerving and wiped out.”

  “Fuck, man,” Reid muttered. “You okay?”

  “Just a little road rash and a few sore muscles. I’ll live. Don’t tell my mom, though. I don’t want to worry her.”

  My cousin nodded, his blue eyes, a Reid family trademark, glowing with understanding. Reid’s last name should have been Reid, but his mom had kept his birth a secret from his dad for the first two years of his life. When they got married, his dad hadn’t wanted to saddle him with the name Reid Reid, so they hadn’t changed it from Reid Barker. And since their construction company was Barker & Reid Construction and he was going to inherit part of it regardless, there was no reason to worry about it.

  “Don’t worry, cuz. I got your back.”

  The bell rang, announcing the end of the school day. Slowly, kids started trickling out of the school and got into their parents’ vehicles. When Nova walked out, her backpack tossed over one shoulder, she gave me a tight smile and climbed on my bike behind me.

  Reid and I shared a look before turning our attention to my little cousin. I shifted so I could look at her. Every time I set eyes on Nova, my heart gave a little squeeze. She was a tiny little replica of my mom. Even her attitude was just like Raven Hannigan Reid’s at times.

  “What’s wrong?” I demanded. “Someone being mean to you? Do I need to kick some little asses?”

  She rolled her green eyes. “No, dummy.”

  “Then what’s wrong?” Reid asked, his tone less aggressive than my own—slightly. “You’re obviously upset about something.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Ryan’s going to kill Garret.”

  I glanced at Reid, and then we both burst out laughing. “Let him,” I told her. “That fucking asshole needs a good ass-beating.”

  “Just out of curiosity, what did your idiot brother do this time?” Reid inquired, his brows lifted. “Uncle Jet mentioned Ryan practically choking Garret out when he got here last week. All I’m saying about that is, I wouldn’t have had as much restraint. I wanted to put my boot up that little fucker’s ass too. He should have been there to protect you.”

  She mumbled something I didn’t catch, and I reached out, tugging on her blond ponytail. “Speak up.”

  She slapped my hand away. “He’s been baiting Ramirez,” she repeated. “On social media. Ramirez’s stepdaughter, or whatever the hell she is, has a huge following on her Instagram, and Garret has been taunting him on her page.”

  “Does he want to get you killed?” I growled. Turning, I started my bike. There were no parents in line any longer, so I knew Reid could handle the rest of our shift on his own. “You don’t have to worry about Ryan killing the little fucker, Nova. Because I’m going to put a bullet in him.”

  “No!” she cried, grabbing hold of my arm and tugging on it until I turned my head to look at her over my shoulder. “Please, Max. He doesn’t even understand the kind of trouble he’s stirring up. Let me—”

  “What?” I snapped. “Let you coddle him? One day, you’re going to realize that you can’t protect your brother forever, sweetheart. He has to take responsibility for his own actions eventually. And I’d rather he not learn that lesson because he got you killed.”

  Nova exhaled heavily and glanced off into the distance for a moment before turning her gaze back to mine. “I know. But I can’t help wanting to protect him.”

  “Ah, Nova. It should be the other way around. He should be the one protecting you, honey. You’re the precious one. But all he cares about is himself.”

  Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to allow a single one to spill over her lashes. “I know, but I keep hoping he will change.” Swallowing hard, she put her hands at my waist. “Can we please just go?” She glanced at Reid then back to me. I’d texted her earlier to ask if she would help me shop for Delaney. She knew she was the only person I’d told about my little treasure. I could trust Nova to keep any secret I asked her to. Like my mom, she was loyal to a fault. “I need to pick up a few things at the store. Do you mind taking me shopping?”

  “You two go on,” Reid urged. “I got this covered. It’s only going to be a few more minutes before the teachers leave anyway.”

  I gave him a nod in thanks, and Nova tightened her hold. With her backpack slung over both shoulders now and my extra helmet on her head, she was as secure as she could get. Her dad had been letting her ride on the back of his own bike since she was three, so it was as normal to her as breathing.

  There weren’t many places to shop for nice clothes in Creswell Springs. River and Mila were opening their own store to cater to a woman’s every need, Womanland, but it wouldn’t be open for a few more weeks. I didn’t want to waste time driving the hour to the nearest mall, even though I knew I could get Delaney better clothes there.

  Promising myself I would take her on a shopping spree soon, I let Nova loose in the one little boutique. She knew women’s clothes better than I did, so I was going to trust her judgment on anything she chose for my little treasure.

  Two hours later, with several bags of clothes, shoes, and other essentials, we picked up dinner at Aggie’s and then went back to my place.

  As soon as I opened the door to my apartment, I felt Delaney’s presence, and the pressure in my chest eased somewhat. When I spotted her curled up on the couch with a blanket tucked around her as she read one of the books Nova had left the last time she’d visited me, the pressure all but disappeared.

  Dropping the bags of clothes on the floor, I scooped Delaney up and pressed my forehead to hers. She practically purred as she cuddled against me. We stayed just like that for several long moments before Nova cleared her throat, reminding me she was there.

  I lifted my head, noting that she was holding the two takeout bags while she skimmed her eyes over the girl in my arms. Her lips tilted up in a smile as she used her foot to close the front door and walked over to us. Delaney’s head snapped around, her eyes taking in my little cousin curiously as her cheeks glowed a soft pink with shyness.

  Setting the bags on the coffee table, Nova introduced herself. “Hi, Delaney,” she signed. Nova was a genius when it came to learning new languages. She was fluent in Italian, Russian, and Spanish. American Sign Language, Mom had been teaching her from birth, just as she had Lexa and me. “I’m Nova.”

  My girl squirmed until I set her on her feet, and she held out her hand. Nova smiled as she shook it.

  “You’re as beautiful as Max said you would be.” Delaney blushed and melted against me once more. “Honestly, I thought he was exaggerating, but for once, he spoke the complete truth.”

  I glared at Nova. “Shut up, kid. Before she thinks I’m a liar.”

  Nova giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I was just glad to see that she wasn’t upset over the whole Garret thing for the moment. “I’m kidding. There’s no one I trust more than Max to tell it to me straight.”

  Delaney glanced up at me, and the look in her pretty brown eyes had me catching my breath. “I already knew that,” she told Nova.

  I dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, then nudged her toward the kitchen. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

  Nova scooped up the bags again and followed us into the next room. While I got drinks, she pulled out the containers of food. I hadn’t known what Delaney would like, so I’d gone simple with cheeseburgers and fries for all three of us. When she opened her box, her eyes got huge and she did a little happy dance, and I was glad I’d picked correctly.

  Her moan at the first big bite she took went straight to my dick, and I was glad the island was between my cousin and me because I didn’t want her to see the bulge that was now straining the confines of my jeans. Between bites, Delaney and Nova got to know each other, and I just stood back and watched the two of them.

  My cousin seemed to adore Delaney, and I was hoping Lexa and Mom felt the same instant connection. Not that it would stop what was going to happen between this little treasure and me if they didn’t, but it would make things easier on my girl. Around eight, Aunt Flick honked the horn of her SUV from the garage’s parking lot.

  Nova gave Delaney a hug then motioned for me to follow her out as she gathered her stuff.

  I walked out the door with her, and she turned to face me with a frown. “You know she’s the girl Maverick has been looking for, right?”

  I clenched my jaw and nodded. I’d known that from the moment I’d brought her home, and that was why I hadn’t wanted to take Delaney shopping yet. Ben had gotten calls about someone breaking in to local businesses, and then Maverick had told us that River suspected it was a girl who had also gotten into the Ink Shoppe a few times. But nothing had been stolen—not even food, from what my brother-in-law had said—so Delaney hadn’t really broken any laws. And even if she had, I wasn’t about to let her be arrested. Ben and Maverick didn’t need to know the girl had been found.

  Nova’s face softened. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. She’s so sweet, Max. I love her already.” She punched me in the arm before pointing her finger up at me. “You better take good care of her, or I swear I’ll kick your ass.”

  I laughed and bent to kiss the top of her head. “Easy, little lioness. No need to get violent. I promise I’ll take care of my treasure.”

  “That is so adorable,” she gushed. Throwing her arms around my middle, she gave me a quick squeeze before turning to descend the stairs. “Text me if you need anything. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Nova,” I called after her, then waited until she texted me she was in the SUV before going back inside.

  Delaney was right where I left her, cuddled up on the couch once again, with a blanket tucked around her legs. I hadn’t shown her what was in the shopping bags yet, mostly because I wanted her to try everything on for me, and I didn’t want Nova to witness how my body was going to respond to the show.

  Once the door was securely locked behind me, I grabbed the bags and carried them into the bedroom before coming back and scooping her into my arms. She giggled and clung to me as I carried her into our bedroom and placed her in the center of the bed.

  “It’s not much,” I told her. “This town doesn’t really have a lot to offer for fashion yet. But once you’re settled in, we can go to the mall and get you whatever you want.”

  “You didn’t have to do this,” she argued. “I’m fine with your clothes.”

  “But I want you to have pretty things,” I signed before pouring out the contents of the first bag onto the bed in front of her. There were a few pairs of jeans that she said were her size, several tops in different styles, panties, and bras. All of which Nova had picked out.

  While she shifted through the clothes, I grabbed the other bags, the ones from the grocery store. They held shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and deodorant that Nova had also picked out, along with a few other items I’d trusted my cousin about when she’d said Delaney would need them. I grabbed the box of tampons and the package of other feminine hygiene products, intending to put them in the bathroom, but my girl’s eyes widened and then filled with tears.

  I dropped them on the floor and reached for her. “What’s wrong?” I demanded, the pressure returning to my chest.

  “You.” She signed as her tears fell faster. “You’re too much.”

  My heart stopped. “I’m sorry. I’ll fix it. Just tell me what I did wrong.”

  Delaney shook her head. “No. You did nothing wrong. You are…perfect.”

  Her answer only confused me. “Then why are you crying, treasure?”

  A sob escaped her, and she burrowed her face into my chest for a moment. But I couldn’t fucking breathe. Cupping the side of her face, I tipped her head back and repeated the question slowly so she could read my lips. “Why are you crying, baby?”

  “Because I’m happy, and that scares me. The last time I was happy, I lost my parents.” She began to tremble as she fought to contain her sobs while still signing the next words. “And I don’t want to lose you, Max.”

  5

  Delaney

  How could one person change my entire world in less than twenty-four hours?

  I’d gone from having nothing and no one, to Max giving me everything. It felt like a dream. Someone cared about me, and that meant more to me than anything in the world.

  The last time someone had cared, I’d lost them both in the blink of an eye. Max was quickly becoming so much more than just the hero who rescued me the night before. I was feeling things I’d never felt before for anyone. It was exhilarating—but yeah, totally terrifying.

  If I allowed myself to get too close and then I lost Max, it would destroy me completely.

  Yet, I wasn’t sure I even cared.

  All I wanted was to savor whatever this was with him.

  He stroked my hair back from my tear-soaked face and placed a tender kiss on my forehead. That simple, innocent touch of his lips on my skin was enough to calm the sobs trying to tear me apart, and I blinked up at him in an attempt to stop the flood of tears from my eyes.

  “You will never lose me,” he signed with a look on his face that told me he meant every word. “Because I am never, ever, letting you go, little treasure.”

  My heart melted as he called me that sweet endearment yet again. The first time, I’d tried to ignore the puddle of goo it turned me into, thinking maybe he was just being kind. But I was starting to think he really did consider me his treasure. I didn’t understand how this hot, amazing guy would want me, but I didn’t want to open his eyes to the reality of how messed up I was either.

  Picking me up, he sat on the edge of the bed and cradled me in his arms. I rested my head on his chest and inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of cedar and citrus along with the hint of what must have been oil from the car he’d worked on earlier. The scent soothed something deep in my soul, and I closed my eyes, just letting myself enjoy being in his arms for the moment.

  I couldn’t hear the beating of his heart, but I could feel it through his shirt, telling me it was pounding erratically. Concerned, I lifted my head to ask if he was okay.

  As soon as our gazes locked, he was devouring me in a kiss that left me breathless and achy. He’d given me my first kiss, but I was a quick learner and I kissed him back, wanting to taste and please him just as he did me with the simple brush of his tongue over mine.

  His hands dropped to my behind and lifted my legs until I was straddling his hips on the bed. I felt the vibrations from his deep groan as he kissed his way from my lips to my jaw and then down my neck. I arched, willingly giving him better access as his teeth scraped over my flesh, causing goose bumps to pop up everywhere he touched.

  I felt something hard and hot pulse against my inner thigh, and I shifted until that hardness was pressed right where I ached the most. Sounds I couldn’t name left my throat. I couldn’t hear them, but the way Max’s eyes glittered told me he liked the sounds I was making.

  My hands went to his throat, wanting to feel the vibrations when he made noises as well. I shifted my hips, rubbing my pulsing center over his thick hardness through our layers of clothes. The vibrations from his throat were long and made my fingertips tingle. My nipples pebbled even harder than they already were, and I pressed my chest to his as I rubbed myself against him like a cat wanting to be petted.

  But then he was grasping my hands and pulling them behind my back as his lips slowly formed words so I could read what he was saying. “Hold that thought, little treasure,” he said with a wink.

  Shifting, he pulled his phone from his front jeans pocket. Glancing down at the screen, he grimaced, and I caught sight of the name “Prez” before he lifted it to his ear. As he answered, he turned his head away, and my heart sank. Obviously, he didn’t want me to know what he was talking about, and that…hurt.

  It shouldn’t. He had every right to his privacy. I was an interloper after all. But Max had been so kind and included me in so much already that it was wrenching to realize he didn’t trust me as much as I already trusted him.

  When I got off his lap, his hand caught my hip and squeezed for a second before releasing me, continuing to keep his head turned away. I watched him for a few moments, noticing how tense his shoulders got the longer he stayed on the phone. Not wanting to add more stress to him, I started folding the clothes he’d so kindly bought for me and placed them in the corner of the room so they weren’t in the way.

  Keeping busy left him out of my line of sight, so I was startled when his arms wrapped around me from behind, and I felt his lips touch my shoulder. I felt him inhale deeply before turning me to face him.

  “I have to go take care of something for my dad,” he signed, his face tight, almost angry. “I don’t know how late I’ll be out.” Taking my hand, he pulled me over to the bed and pushed me down. Then he just turned and walked away.

  I sat there, unsure of what to do. He hadn’t even said goodbye…

  Just as my heart was squeezing painfully, Max reappeared with a smaller bag in his hand. Crouching down in front of me, he pulled out a rectangular box, and my mouth fell open. Opening the box, he lifted out a phone that looked just like his own, but instead of black, this one was a pretty baby blue.