Page 18 of Heart of a Hero

But then the guys were there, surrounding us with grins and hearty claps on the back. Jordan scooped Taylor up, tossing her in the air as she shrieked with laughter. Logan’s sister Avery pulled Nora into a hug, immediately asking her where she liked to shop.

And just like that, the tension melted away. Nora’s shoulders relaxed, a genuine smile spreading across her face as she let herself be drawn into the warmth and camaraderie of the group. Logan’s call to bring Avery had been a good one.

I watched her from across the room, my heart swelling with pride and affection. Seeing her here, among my brothers, felt right. Like she belonged.

Like she was already part of the Swift Angels, even if she didn’t know it yet.

As the evening wore on, I found myself gravitating toward Nora, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. We sat side by side at the larger wooden table, our thighs brushing beneath the surface as we laughed and joked with the others.

“I never thought I’d see the day when Dawson Kane was making googly eyes at a woman,” Jaxon teased, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. “Careful, man. You’re gonna lose your bad boy reputation if you keep this up.”

I flipped him off good-naturedly, but I couldn’t deny the truth in his words. Something about Nora brought out a softer side of me, a part of myself I’d kept hidden for so long. Then again, it wasn’t like I slept around. Sure, I’d dated casually, but it wasn’t like I was a man-whore.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Taylor played with Maya and Kelsey, their giggles and shrieks of joy filling the air. It was a beautiful sight, seeing her so carefree and happy.

“She’s a great kid,” I murmured to Nora, nodding toward Taylor. “You’ve done an amazing job with her, especially considering…”

Way to go, Dawson. Bring up her dreaded ex. That’s a sure way to kill the mood! Sometimes, I was such an idiot.

“She’s my whole world,” she whispered. “I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy.”

I reached out, covering her hand with my own. “You don’t have to do it alone anymore, Nora. I’m here for you, and so are the Swift Angels. We take care of our own.”

She looked up at me, her brown eyes searching mine. “I’m starting to realize that,” she said softly. “And I’m grateful, Dawson. More than you know. I’m not sure I’m actually one of your own. More like a stray you picked up on your way home.”

“Hey, I don’t even want to hear you refer to yourself that way again. And yes, youareone of us.”

As the night drew to a close, we said our goodbyes, Taylor’s sleepy form cradled in my arms as we headed out to the truck. I buckled her into the back seat, brushing a stray curl from her forehead as she mumbled incoherently.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I glanced over at Nora, my heart skipping a beat at the sight of her bathed in the soft glow of the streetlights. Before I could second-guess myself, I reached out, twining my fingers with hers.

She didn’t pull away, and I felt a flicker of hope ignite in my chest. Did she feel this connection between us too?

The drive home felt like an eternity, my mind racing. The more time I spent with Nora, the more certain I became that I wanted her to be a permanent part of my life. But I felt like I needed to resolve the issue with Rex first.

As I pulled into the apartment complex, I glanced in the rearview mirror, taking in Taylor’s sleeping form. She looked so peaceful, so innocent, and I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me.

I parked and carried her up the stairs, her small body curled against my chest, and waited as Nora unlocked the door. She disappeared down the hallway, and I made my way to the spare bedroom, gently laying Taylor down on the bed.

I lingered for a moment, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest, before slipping out of the room and closing the door behind me.

In the living room, I settled onto the couch, scrolling through movie options on the TV. My heart raced as I heard Nora’s footsteps approaching, and I looked up to see her standing in the doorway, a soft smile on her face.

She moved closer, settling down beside me, and I felt the heat of her body seeping into mine. Cautiously, she reached out, her fingers brushing against my hand.

Without hesitation, I curled my fingers around hers, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. She’d reached for me first! I felt like we’d just taken a huge step.

We sat there in silence, the movie forgotten as we lost ourselves in the moment. I knew there was still so much to figure out, so many obstacles to overcome, but with Nora by my side, I felt like anything was possible.

I just had to find a way to show her that what we had was real, that it was worth fighting for.

“Thank you,” Nora whispered, her voice soft and sincere. “For introducing me and Taylor to the Swift Angels. It means a lot to us. And I enjoyed talking with Avery too.”

I turned to face her, our hands still intertwined. “They’re more than just a club to me, Nora. They’re my family. We may not be brothers by blood, but it’s a brotherhood just the same.”

She tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her brown eyes. “What does it mean to be part of the club?”

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “The Swift Angels are a motorcycle club. I know you haven’t seen my Harley yet or ridden on it, but I do have one, and I ride with my brothers often. Hell, thanks to my dad, I learned to ride nearly as soon as I could walk. But the Swift Angels aren’t anything like the clubs you see on the TV shows. Every man there is a first responder of some sort. Police, fire, paramedic, dispatch. We all walk the line, whether it’s blue, red, white, or gold.”

---