Page 99 of Freeing Souls

“You’re really on board with this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Because your brother is here. This club has become your sanctuary,” I explain.

“True. But if I think about staying here while you three go, it’s what I imagine someone removing my heart from my chest and leaving with it would feel like.”

I nod, understanding how he feels. I think it’s how we all feel.

“Plus, I think I can find what I want wherever we go. I just don’t want to be surrounded by people.”

I smile. “I believe her house is pretty isolated, and it sits right on the beach. It just won’t be like this set up.” I nod towards the woods.

“Don’t overthink it. You just found us a place to go. Now, we just need to go. If we get there and decide we don’t want to be away, all we have to do is come back. Everything will work out how it is supposed to.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Harley

“You got this,” Ryker murmurs, pressing his lips against my forehead. “It’ll be okay.”

I nod, my throat closing as I stare at my dad’s, now Colton’s, office door. Squeezing Ryker’s hand once more, I let go and step forward. After knocking on the door, I wait for him to respond before pushing it open.

Waking up this morning with Ryker was a dream. I love sleeping in the same bed with all my guys, but getting one on one time with them is also my favorite. And Ryker woke me up by climbing between my legs and making me scream before we showered, and I returned the favor.

Afterwards, our bubble burst as Cade and Grayson came in and let us know we’re going for a ride today so I would need to talk to Colton beforehand.

No more waiting or putting it off.

“Hey, darlin’.” He grins at me.

“Hey, can we talk?” I close the door behind me when he nods and take a seat across from him at the desk. Shoving my hands inbetween my thighs to hide the shaking, I glance around the room and notice he hasn’t touched anything. It is all the same.

“It doesn’t really feel like my office,” he tells me.

I smile sadly. “I get it. It will feel like it eventually.”

“What did ya want to talk about?” he asks.

Blowing out a breath, I say, “I love you and I love this club, but I have so much shit to work through, and honestly, Jacksonville is like the heart of almost every bad thing I have faced over the years.”

Tears well in my eyes as his smile fades. “You want to leave?”

I clear my throat. “We are leaving. Ryker, Grayson, Cade, and I. I’m not sure where yet. They have an idea, I guess, but I just–I love you. I don’t want to leave you and everyone here because you all have shown me what a family is and after losing my dad I know the four of us leaving is another hit, but I just want to heal myself.”

Colton slumps in the chair, his arms resting on the desk as he glances around the room, blinking heavily, his eyes glassy. “I don’t want ya to go, but I want you to be happy and find joy in your life. I want you to get everything you deserve, and if you can’t do that here, I understand. I’m proud of you for knowin’ what you need and not being afraid to go for it.”

I chuckle through the tears. “Oh, I’m terrified. I’m so scared the guys are going to realize they don’t want to be away from here, that leaving won’t do what I think it will, that I’ll regret it instantly. Everything about this is absolutely terrifying.”

“Being terrified means you have things to lose, people to lose, people you love, and that is worth the fear, Harley. And you have a home here. Forever. We will not go anywhere,” he tells me as a stray tear escapes and rolls down his cheek. Standing, I round the desk as he stands, and I wrap my arms around his waist holding onto him. “You are going to do amazing things, and thiswon’t ever be a goodbye. We are always goin’ see you or y’all will come see us.”

“I love you,” I choke out and hold him tighter.

“I love you more, darlin’,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.

Someone knocks on the door, and we pull away as Noah steps into the room. Based on the look on his face, he knows.

“I’ll give you a moment,” Colton says as he leaves the room.

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