Page 31 of Harley

“You better tell your parents. This sits uncomfortably with me,” Gunner rumbled.

Harley nodded and wheeled me out of the courtroom.

“We’re heading that way now. Jodie, can you take Oakley? But let me get in front of you,” Harley said, and my head swivelled. My happy feeling started to dissipate as I realised we had to face them.

What if they threw me out?

I straightened my shoulders.

What did it matter if they did? I was married. My family and Bronson couldn’t touch me now. My life was finally mine again and it started with finding Aspen and filing the patents. That would put their noses out of joint. A feeling of glee swept over me as I settled into Jodie’s car.

On the drive, Jodie tried prying several times, which I shut down easily, but she was certainly persistent. I understood she was curious and wanted to protect her brother, but I had Aspen and Archer to think of. This marriage had just given me the power to take control.

“Do you know a good PI?” I asked Jodie, and she remained silent.

“PI?”

“Yes. I need one,” I replied.

“Dylan Hawthorne. He’s the premier company in South Dakota,” Jodie responded, looking curious.

“Thanks. And you’d recommend him?”

“Yup. Dylan is also a friend of Rage. He’ll be able to help, and I’m sure you’ll get the family discount,” Jodie said.

“Money’s not a problem,” I muttered as my mind focused on what I needed to do next.

“Now that you’re married to Harley,” Jodie snapped.

“Precisely,” I replied, distracted still. There was a squeal of brakes, and Jodie pulled over.

“So, you wed Harley for money?” she demanded.

“What? No! I have my own, well, I don’t, but I will. Now I’m married, I can claim my inheritance. Plus, there’s the patent.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jodie said.

“I don’t need Harley’s trust fund, Jodie. That’s the truth. We only met a couple of days ago. How the hell am I married?” I cried as the situation hit me hard.

I started panicking, and Jodie reached out and grabbed my hand. My chest heaved as I hyperventilated and struggled to draw air into my lungs.

“Breathe, Oakley,” Jodie urged.

I gasped and clutched Jodie’s hands, squeezing them tightly as I tried to catch a breath. Jodie rubbed my back and soothed me as I fought to get the panic under control.

Jodie shoved my head down, and finally, I was fine.

“God, I’m married,” I muttered.

“To my brother,” Jodie said with humour.

“Oh shit,” I exclaimed. “Can we get it annulled? No. They’ll force me to marry Bronson. I can’t win!” I wailed.

Jodie kept rubbing my back. “Oakley, I have no idea what’s going on, but you’re in real trouble, aren’t you?”

“Yes. But Harley marrying me gives me protection from my family.”

“Then let him take care of you,” Jodie responded. “Okay. I’m going to drive home, and you and Harley can sort things out. But don’t try to blow smoke up Mum’s ass. She’ll cut you,” Jodie warned.

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