Page 30 of Crow’s Haven (Savage Legion MC #15)

My club brothers murmur their agreement.

In this moment, I realize the battle ahead is going to get messy and might be driven by corporate interests and legal roadblocks.

But as I glance down at Sharon’s determined face, I know we have truth on our side.

And truth has a way of cutting through the deepest coverups.

We eventually file out of Siege’s office, ready to make the most of our reconciliation. I tug Sharon close, her back pressed snug to my chest, one arm locked around her waist. My chin settles on her shoulder. “Whatever comes next, we face it together, darlin’. You know that, right?”

She tilts her head back, brushing her hair across my hand. “You and me, Crow. From the moment I set eyes on you, you never let me face anything alone.”

I press a kiss to her temple. “I’d ride through hell for you.”

She laughs softly, a sound that eases the last bit of tension knotting in my gut. “I love you,” she says, voice thick with emotion.

“I love you too. And I’m damn glad I got you back.”

She turns in my arms so she can look at my face. The vulnerable hope in her eyes reminds me not to fuck this up again. I’m fucking lucky that I got another chance. I vow to stay strong and do right by her.

“Come back to bed with me,” I murmur against her ear.

“Are you going to make it worth my while?” she teases.

“Baby, always. Gotta keep it quick though. I told Evan we were stopping by to see the boys.”

That smile that lights up her face? It hits me square in the heart.

“It feels like I haven’t seen them in forever,” she whispers.

I lift her up gently and carry her back to our bed like she weighs nothing. “What the hell am I gonna do with you, Ladybug?”

She loops both arms around my neck, staring up at me. “Keep me and love me.”

“Oh, I plan to do both,” I murmur as I lower her onto the mattress, coming down with her so we’re chest to chest.

“But don’t you ever run from me again,” I add, voice low and serious. “You got something to say, say it. Hell, snatch me bald if you have to, just don’t shut me out.”

“If I haven’t learned anything else from this situation, it’s to come to you and trust you to make things right,” she murmurs, hands tracing the lines of my leather vest and the ridges of muscle beneath. “You make me feel safe.”

“And I swear I’ll do better. Next time shit hits the fan, I won’t go off like a damn caveman.”

She shrugs carelessly. “What’s a little yelling between lovers?”

I cup her face, thumbs gliding over her cheeks. “You’re fucking amazing, woman. Never forget that. Not for one second.”

She parts her lips, and I lean in, pressing my mouth to hers.

Our kiss starts sweet, but it don’t stay that way for long.

We’re greedy for each other, pulling at clothes, skin hot and hungry.

I marvel at the beautiful woman underneath me.

She’s looking up at me like I’m the best thing in her world, which slays me every damn time we’re together.

I truly doubt my ability to have a quickie when all I want to do is fuck her all day long.

When my hands slide over her body, she arches into me, whispering my name on a sigh.

She threads her fingers through my hair, all smiles and tenderness.

Our bodies meet and she wraps her legs around my waist. My cock probes her with a slick, urgent friction that sends heated arousal coursing through me.

“You’re wet and ready for me. Didn’t you get enough of my cock last night?”

She tugs me closer with her legs. “I’m never going to get enough of you. How about you? Are you going to get tired of making love to me?”

“Hell, no.” I growl. “There are too many places to fuck in this world and too many positions to try out with you for me to ever grow bored. I love all the soft little kitten noises you make when you’re enjoying my thick cock.”

Her eyes fly open. “So, you like to talk dirty, do you?”

I slide into her with a groan. “That ain’t dirty in my world,” I say as I watch her face while I fill her up.

She spreads her legs wider, giving me more room to work. “Now,” she breathes, her voice husky. “Give me your worst dirty talk ever. Don’t worry, I’ll still respect you after we’re finished.”

The note of humor in her tone thrills the hell outta me. I set a steady pace with one finger on her clit and my mouth whispering the sexiest shit I know in her ear.

She gasps and tightens around me, driving her crazy with pleasure. This fine woman fits around me as if we were made for one another.

We move together in a steady rhythm, slow and deep at first, savoring the unique pleasure flowing back and forth between us.

When she asks for more, I give it to her—speeding up my thrusts as well as increasing the power behind each one.

Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I lean down to kiss her jaw, murmuring encouragement.

Everything else falls away because we’re locked in our little world of pleasure. She trembles beneath me, her breath catching. I feel her tighten around my cock, so I push her harder, wanting her to come all over my cock because that’s one of the best things in my world.

When she comes, her cry is hoarse, wild, and glorious. Three hard thrusts later and I get dragged over the cliff as well. Stilling deep inside her body, I release my seed, collapsing beside her on the bed and she turns her body to keep me inside her. That makes me smile.

We lie there, our hearts pounding, wrapped tight in a bond of love. She presses her forehead against mine, eyes heavy with contentment.

“No matter what happens next,” I murmur, my voice cracking with emotion. “I want you to know that you’re it for me, Ladybug. I won’t ever want any other woman but you.”

She smiles, brushing her lips against mine. “Same here. No man I’ve ever met compares to you.”

I hold her close, feeling her pulse slow against my own. Together, we’re stronger than any danger.

***

I take the long, winding back road out to the club’s country cabin. Got my Ladybug riding on the back of my bike again, and hell if it don’t feel right. Her arms are wrapped ‘round me, just enjoying the wind like she used to before the world went to shit in a single heartbeat.

Now we’re out here to see my boys, and I’d give anything for all of us to just go home and live like one big happy fucking family.

But that ain’t in the cards. Not yet. Not ‘til my old lady turns herself in and blows the goddamn whistle on the suits who blamed her for a kid’s death just to protect their bottom line.

Still don’t sit right with me. Feels like we’re missing something. Or maybe I’m just trying to make sense outta something so fucked, there ain’t no sense to find.

I peel off onto the dirt road and in no time, the cabin pops into view. I roll up into the clearing between the shack and the river, kill the engine, and the empty sidecar rattles against the frame.

My twins are by the river with Evan and Levi.

They’re in shorts and river shoes, wild as hell.

I spot Scout first—he leaps outta the boat, paddle swinging loose like he’s Indiana fucking Jones.

He hits the rocks with that no-fear bounce kids have when they truly believe they can survive anything.

After that broken arm, Scout should know better.

I whisper to Sharon, “I told the boys you had to take off for a family emergency.”

A flash of guilt crosses her face, I know she feels bad about running off and I want her to know I understand, so I give her hand a squeeze as my twins run over.

I crouch low so Scout can tackle me in one smooth move. His arms wrap around my neck and he nearly knocks me off my feet.

“Easy there, little man,” I chuckle, locking one arm under his legs and swinging him up like a sack of wild energy. I mess up his hair and grin. “Missed me that bad, huh?”

He’s laughing and breathless. “Missed you more than the sidecar!”

“No shit?” I smirk. “That’s high praise, coming from you.”

Chase comes barreling in next, stumbling over the boat paddle Scout left behind.

Having both hands full of rocks isn’t helping his balance.

I snag him by the arm before he faceplants.

That’s when I notice his pockets are bulging with stones as well as the ones he’s carrying.

I pull him close with my other arm, kiss both their cheeks, and then set ‘em down again before they break something.

Evan and Levi follow, and if I don’t miss my guess I think my two have had the prospects running in circles. They look like they’ve been to war and back.

“Good to see you both,” Evan says with a relieved grin as he spots Sharon.

“Hope my boys ain’t given ya too much hell,” I tell him, arching a brow.

“Life’s never dull with Chase and Scout around,” Levi mutters.

Scout opens his mouth, but I give him a stern look, warning him to knock it off. He quickly snaps his mouth shut again.

“Yeah, I can see that,” I grunt, hooking the canoe up to the stakes hammered into the bank. “Looks like someone’s got himself a new hobby.”

Sharon steps out from behind me and the boys go wild, pumping their fists in the air and rushing over to her.

“I missed you so much!” she says as she wraps them both in her arms. The sight tugs at something deep inside me.

Chase whispers, “I knew you weren’t gonna fly away like a butterfly.”

I see her expression twist into a mask of pain for a brief second. She covers it quick, wiping at her eyes like it’s just dust or sun. Then she leans in and says what he needs to hear. “Ladybugs always stay.”

Scout elbows his brother aside and hands Sharon a green, thumb–sized stone. She’s still crouched down, smiling that gentle smile that still makes my heart ache. She lifts the stone up to the light. “Wow, this is really pretty.”

I drop down beside her and take a look. “Shit, that’s got a shine to it. Might be an emerald or something like malachite.”

“I found it for Ladybug. She can keep it.”

Before she can say anything, I see Chase rifling through his rock stash and handing her one that’s whitish-green. He presents it to her like it’s solid gold.

She takes it with a smile, “That’s a good one too. We’ll have to get you a book on rocks so we can find out what they are.”

She stays kneeling there with a rock in each hand for a moment before she speaks. “These are really beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”

Chase says helpfully, “You’re supposed to say thank you.”

Now, Sharon can’t seem to keep the smile off her face. She holds out both arms and the boys smash in on each side to get a gigantic hug. She gets a little teary-eyed. “Thank you so much. These just might be the best gifts I’ve ever received.”

I rake my hands through their rocks and say, “Will you look at these? Each one’s a story waiting to be told.”

I turn around to see Evan and Levi sitting on the cabin’s steps looking equal parts relieved and exhausted.

“Thanks for stepping up,” I say to them. “You did good.”

The prospects look as proud as punch. “Anything for a brother,” Evan says.

“We’re gonna stay at the cabin tonight, so you’re both free to go—unless you want to hang around?” I say. I honestly don’t mind, even if the small cabin will be crowded. It’s not as if we’re gonna be having a romantic time. It’s more about reconnecting as a family.

A family.

I turn that idea over in my head.

“No offense, Crow, but an evening of gate duty at the clubhouse seems like a breeze compared to wrangling your kids,” Evan says with a laugh.

Levi’s quick to add, “We’d do it again in a flash though. Was fun even if I’m gonna need to sleep for a week.”

As they head towards the pickup Evan drove them here in, me and Sharon watch them go.

I pull her in tight, one arm slung low around her waist. “These two are gonna be the best damn club brothers the Legion’s ever seen,” I say, letting my voice carry proudly.

Her cheek brushes mine, and I lean in, pressing a rough kiss to her temple.

“You two up for a ride?” I call out.

The boys race ahead to swap their river shoes for sneakers, and we head over to where my bike is parked.

The road cuts through the forest, the trail flat and cleared of debris. Scout and Chase lean forward, perched on the edge of the sidecar, shouting observations about the landscape and wildlife they can spot.

We roll into the meadow, the sidecar tires rolling through soft grass. I kill the engine, and the boys explode out ready to explore.

“Stay where I can see you,” I call out.

Sharon tilts her head at me, her eyes shining.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

“For what?” I ask, though I already fucking know.

“For bringing us all together,” she says.

When she steps closer, I wrap an arm around her waist again, resting my forehead against hers. I press a kiss to her lips, and remind her, “You are part of our family, Ladybug. Always remember that.”

I bring her hand to my mouth, kiss her knuckles, and murmur, “Once this shitstorm’s behind us, we’ll come back out here for a proper break. Just us. After the boys crash out, we take one of them boats out. River’s calm along this stretch.”

When she smiles back at me and nods, warmth floods my chest. “I’d like that,” she says, rubbing her cheek against my knuckles.

The wind picks up around us. Scout and Chase have already vanished into the tall grass, their laughter spilling out, light and playful.

We stand there, two halves of a whole, reunited in the wilderness.

It’s a brief reprieve from our problems and nothing more.

But somehow just what we need to shore up our strength for what’s to come.