Command (Storm MC 6)

“Harlow.” His voice broke through my sleep and I blinked my eyes open to find him staring down at me.

I smiled up at him and this time when I moved, Lisa shifted onto her side and continued to sleep. “Hi, you,” I whispered as I stood.

He jerked his chin at Lisa. “She sick, too?”

“Yeah, poor baby, her throat is really sore and she has a fever.”

His arm slid around my waist and he pulled me close so he could kiss me. “Sorry I’m so late.”

As we left Lisa’s room, I asked, “What time is it?” The only thing indicating to me how long I’d slept was the crick in my neck.

“It’s nearly eleven.”

I frowned as concern snaked through me again. “Is everything okay with the club?”

He led me into Michelle’s living room and we sat on the couch. “I’m not sure. We’ve been doing some digging on that drug dealer I mentioned to you the other day, Julio, and I’ve gotta head down to Adelaide with J and Nash to check out his connections down there.”

My heart beat a little faster. “Should I be worried now? I mean, usually you just send the boys to look into stuff while you stay here. What’s making you go this time?”

His eyes held mine and I didn’t fail to detect the uncertainty clear in them. “I’m not gonna say this is nothing to worry about because I believe it is something to be very concerned about. But I don’t want you to panic at the same time. Griff and Wilder will be staying in Brisbane, along with Rogue, Colt and Gunnar. Blade will also be around, as will his men, so I’m not worried for your safety. I do need you to be alert, though, sweetheart. Just keep to your usual routine because I’ve got eyes on all club members’ families now and the usual routines are important for that.”

I blinked a few times as I took that information in. Scott will keep us all safe. “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow morning, about five. It’ll take us three days to get there, so all up we’ll be gone either six or se

ven days.” He watched me closely, obviously waiting for my response.

I wanted to tell him not to go, and to tell him that I needed him home now, more than ever, but I didn’t. I simply nodded my understanding. And then I tried to reassure him I would stay safe – I didn’t want him spending unnecessary energy worrying over me when he clearly needed to conserve that energy for the club. “I’ll keep to my usual routines. Is there anything else you need me to do while you’re away?”

“Yes, can you keep an eye on Madison and Velvet? I’m sure they’ll be fine, but I want us all to be looking out for each other. I don’t want to take any chances on this, not when I don’t know enough about this asshole.”

“Will do, baby,” I promised. “And I’ll make sure Michelle and Lisa are okay, too. I think Michelle is getting better – her fever seems to have passed.”

He stood. “We should stay here tonight in case either of them need us.” Eyeing the couch, he added, “I know it will be uncomfortable, but I don’t want to leave them when they’re both sick.”

Standing next to him, I shook my head in disagreement. “No, you should go home and get a good night’s rest. I’ll sleep here on the couch.”

“The couch is fine for me.”

Of course he would argue with me, but I decided to put my foot down on this one; no way did I want Scott to attempt a long ride after a night of shitty sleep. “You need your sleep, Scott. We don’t both need to be here. I mean, chances are they won’t even wake up.”

His brows pulled together the way they did when he was about to argue with me. “Harlow -” he began, but I cut him off.

“No,” I said forcefully. “Don’t argue with me because I’m not backing down on this. I’ve told you I’ll do what you asked while you’re away; the only thing I’m asking is for you to get some sleep tonight.” I kept my eyes trained on his, letting him know I had no intention of giving in.

After watching me for a good few moments, he finally caved with a raise of his brows. “Okay, sweetheart, you win. I’ll be back just before five to say goodbye.” He planted a deep kiss on my lips and then left me to head over to our house.

I gathered up a pillow and blanket, and settled onto the couch for some sleep. My body was weary and I knew it wouldn’t take me long to fall asleep, not even on this pain-inducing couch.

My last thoughts as I drifted off were that I could do six days without Scott; of course I could. But they’d be some long days filled with worry, and spent missing him. I’d miss his reassuring presence. On the days I doubted myself, Scott gave me wings, and I hoped the physical distance between us wouldn’t change that.

5

Harlow

“Baby, wake up.”

I attempted to roll over, but the pain shooting through my hip and up along my back caused me to wince and halt my movement. Not a good way to start a day. After a few moments, I tried again, and this time was able to roll over. When I opened my eyes, I found Scott crouching next to the couch I lay on. “Morning,” I mumbled, my voice all groggy and my thoughts jumbled as to why I was asleep on Michelle’s couch.