Page 31 of Heart of a Hero

There was a long pause before she spoke again. “Of course, sweetheart. You know you’re always welcome here. Is everything okay?”

I glanced at Nora, who was watching me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I just think it’s important for Nora to meet you guys, to see where I come from.”

I wondered if Mom was able to read between the lines and know that I wanted to hang onto Nora with everything I had. I hadn’t lied when I told her I’d never introduced a girlfriend to my family before. Not once had I been serious enough to take that step. Even though I’d enjoyed dating those women, I’d known they weren’t the one I wanted to have in my life forever.

“We’d love to meet her,” Mom said, her voice warm and inviting. “How about you come by around noon? I’ll make lunch, and we can all sit down and get to know each other.”

“That sounds perfect. Thanks, Mom. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

As I ended the call, Nora’s eyes searched mine, a silent question hanging between us. I took her hand, gently tracing circles on her palm with my thumb.

“They’re excited to meet you,” I said softly, offering her a reassuring smile.

At least, it seemed like my mother was. I had no idea what my dad would think about it.

“What if they don’t like me?” she asked.

“Impossible.” I smiled and kissed her cheek. “What’s not to like? Besides, I’m betting on Taylor to wrap them around her little finger.”

Nora laughed softly. “Yeah, I can see that happening.”

“We’ll tell her about it later. There’s a playground there as well. I mean, not at the house itself, but in the compound. If the weather isn’t too bad, maybe we can take her there to play for a bit.”

Nora nodded, then I saw a flicker of something in her eyes. “I’m scared. Of what the future might hold, of Rex, and just… everything.”

I pulled her into my arms, holding her close as I pressed a tender kiss to the top of her head. “I know, baby. But we’re in this together. You aren’t alone anymore, Nora. Never again.”

Nora nestled closer, her face buried in the crook of my neck. “I’ve never had anyone in my life who cared about me the way you do. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out,” I assured her, my fingers gently stroking her hair. “I’m here for you. Always.”

As we sat there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I couldn’t help but think about the challenges we’d faced, both together and apart. Nora had been through so much, endured more pain and suffering than anyone should ever have to bear. And yet, here she was, still standing strong, still fighting for a better life for herself and her daughter. Her past might not be as ugly as some people’s, like Rin for example, but it didn’t make it any less awful.

I knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy. There would be obstacles and dangers we’d have to face. Not just with Rex either. Sure, he added a touch of danger I hadn’t counted on, but once he was in our rearview, something else would come along to add a bit of chaos to our lives. It was just how things worked. Life was a roller coaster full of ups and downs. At least with Nora beside me, I wouldn’t be riding it alone anymore. I only hoped I could be the partner she deserved.

As the sun began to set outside the window, casting a warm, golden glow across the room, I hoped tomorrow would be the first step toward our new life together. As long as my dad didn’t fuck shit up. I never knew if I’d be met with Venom the doting husband and father or Venom the badass biker who was tough as nails.

Just a few short weeks ago, I’d been content with my solitary existence, focusing on my work with the Swift Angels and keeping my distance from the world of the Dixie Reapers. Well, not entirely since I did go home to visit. Not often, though. But now, I needed to find a harmonious way to blend both sides of my life together. I wasn’t just a firefighter or the VP of the Swift Angels.

Hell. I knew what I needed to do, but my dad, and possibly every Reaper at the compound, was going to throw a shit fit. I needed to have Nora drive herself and Taylor, and I’d ride my bike… wearing my colors.

There was always the possibility they’d hand my ass to me before I even cleared the gate, but it was a risk I’d have to take. I couldn’t hide from my family forever. It was time to let them know what I’d been up to the last four years. Somehow, I’d managed to fly under the radar all this time, but sooner or later, my luck would have run out. Better to face it head-on. And with some luck, they’d all be on their best behavior since I’d have Nora and Taylor with me.

Chapter Ten

Nora

As we pulled up to the Dixie Reapers compound, my stomach clenched with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. Dawson rode ahead of us on his motorcycle, wearing his Swift Angels cut. He’d warned me his family might not be happy about it, and that it wasn’t something he’d shared with them before now. I didn’t know why he’d decidednowwas the best time. I was already a wreck, worrying over whether they’d like me. Now he wanted to drop an extra bomb on them?

By some miracle, we pulled through the gates without an issue, and I followed along behind him until he stopped in a driveway.

I got out and unbuckled Taylor from her booster seat. No sooner had I shut the door than Dawson came over to us.

He placed his large, reassuring hand at the small of my back. “You okay, darlin’?”

I nodded, not fully trusting my voice. My gaze swept over the compound before us. We’d passed by a lot of motorcycles, chrome glinting in the afternoon sun. A building just inside the gates had Dixie Reapers across the top in a neon sign, and I’d noticed more bikes parked out front. All the houses had been a surprise. He hadn’t described this place as a gated community, but that’s what it essentially was.

Despite Dawson’s reassurances, I couldn’t shake the feeling I was an outsider invading a secret world I had no business being part of. The whole place exuded an aura of danger and unpredictability. Although, I’d noticed a few children as well.

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