Page 45 of Heart of a Hero

I pulled back slightly, cupping Nora’s face in my hands as I gazed into her tear-filled eyes. “I love you, Nora. I love you so damn much.”

She let out a sob, her lips trembling as she nodded. “I love you too, Dawson. All I could think about was how much I wanted to see you again, to hug you and Taylor. I worried I wouldn’t be able to escape from this place, from Rex.”

I leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. I poured every ounce of my love, my relief, my gratitude into that kiss, savoring the feel of her soft lips against mine.

When we finally broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers, my eyes closed as I breathed in her scent. “Let’s go home, baby. Let’s put this nightmare behind us and start our life together.”

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the tears still glistening on her cheeks. “I’d like that. I’d like that very much. But… where’s Taylor? Is she okay?”

“She’s with my parents. I’ll let everyone know I’ve found you and you’re safe.”

Hand in hand, we walked out of the dilapidated building, the Swift Angels forming a protective circle around us. I knew there would be challenges ahead, that Rex’s arrest was only the beginning. But it was a start.

My hand tightened around hers. I’d nearly lost her before I’d made her mine in every way that counted. Never again would I let an opportunity pass me by.

I helped her onto the back of my bike, then climbed on in front of her. It wasn’t the first ride I’d hoped we’d share together, but we’d have many more. Her arms came around my waist as I started the engine, and I pulled off onto the street. My brothers were right behind us, the rumble of the bikes loud in the silent night.

As we arrived at the Swift Angels MC clubhouse, I could feel the adrenaline slowly ebbing from my body, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion. I parked the bike and got off, helping Nora. Her legs trembled, and I wasn’t sure if it was from her ordeal or the ride.

She clung to my side, her grip tight, as if she were afraid I might disappear if she let go. Taylor, who had apparently been waiting at the clubhouse with my mom, came running toward us, her blonde curls bouncing.

“Mommy!” she cried, throwing her arms around Nora’s legs. “I was so scared!”

Nora scooped her up, hugging her close. “It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here. Everything’s going to be all right now.”

I watched them, my heart swelling with love and protectiveness. They had been through so much, endured so much pain and fear. I wanted nothing more than to wrap them in my arms and shield them from the world.

But as I stood there, the weight of my actions began to sink in. I had gone against protocol, taken matters into my own hands. As a firefighter, I had a duty to uphold the law, to follow the rules. But when it came to Nora and Taylor, all of that had gone out the window. Well, partially. It would have been much worse if I’d gotten the Reapers involved. In the end, Rex was behind bars and not buried in a shallow grave somewhere.

It wasn’t like I’d killed the fucker, even though I’d wanted to. I’d just bent the rules a little by going after her myself and not filing a missing persons report. Of course, it hadn’t been long enough for the police to officially do anything. She likely would have been dead before they even started searching.

Mom stepped out of the clubhouse, her property cut over her shoulders. I shook my head and gave her a half-smile. “You didn’t catch on fire wearing that into a place full of law-abiding bikers?”

She rolled her eyes at me. “Son, that’s church you’re thinking of, and yeah, I’d have likely burst into flames if I dared to enter one of those. But your clubhouse is just a building. One with super easy locks to pick, I might add. Figured a bunch of cops and firemen would have something better in place.”

Of course, she’d picked it. “Right. I’ll let you tell that to Dad.”

She waved a hand. “He knows where I am. Taylor was so upset I thought it might be better to bring her here. Something told me this was the first place you’d go once you found Nora.”

I nodded and focused on my little family again. Nora and Taylor needed me now, needed my strength and support.

“Let’s get you inside,” I said softly, guiding them toward the clubhouse. “We’ll get you cleaned up, get you something to eat.”

Inside, I realized it wasn’t only my mother who’d come to the clubhouse. Darian, Isabella, Akira, and Ares were all here too. They’d brought blankets and someone had made hot coffee. Mom and Darian pulled Nora away from me, fussing over her and Taylor like mother hens. I watched, a lump forming in my throat, as they surrounded them with love and care.

I’d always been worried I’d have to choose one or the other -- Reapers or Angels. Right now, my mom was proving to me I could walk with a foot in both worlds. When it came down to it, the family I’d grown up with hadn’t hesitated to lend a hand and join the one I’d chosen. It wasn’t like I saw us interacting as clubs on a regular basis. But at least I knew we could all get along when there was a need for it, like now when Nora had gone missing.

To some, it might not be the same thing, since it was just a bunch of women. But those people had never met my mother, or Ares for that matter. The two of them together were a force to be reckoned with. They’d both go down fighting. I knew grown men would give my mom a wide berth when she was pissed. For that matter, my mom and Isabella were both with men who used to be the VP and President of the club, and Ares was the daughter of the current President. While they often did things without asking for permission first, I had no doubt the club knew exactly where they were right now. The fact no one had come to drag them away meant the Reapers were okay with them being here.

Despite the differences in us, I watched as my brothers accepted the ladies with open arms. Although, the way Logan was eying Akira made me think I needed to give him a little warning to back the hell off. That was a road he didn’t want to travel. A Swift Angel with Wraith’s daughter? Shit.

This is what it means to have people who will always have your back, no matter what.

The clubhouse buzzed with activity as my brothers rallied around Nora and Taylor, their presence a soothing balm after the harrowing events of the day. I watched as they brought out coloring books and crayons for Taylor, her eyes lighting up with delight as she settled in at one of the tables.

Mom and Darian helped treat Nora’s wounds, and Logan shot me a thumbs-up, letting me know she wouldn’t need stitches or a visit to the ER. From what I could see, she appeared to mostly be bruised. Once they were finished, she made her way over to me.

“Dawson,” Nora whispered, her hand finding mine. “Can we talk? Alone?”

---