Page 28 of Crow's Haven
I freeze. I’ve rarely seen him shirtless. And every single time I have, it’s been a genuine treat.
Crow’s chest is broad and solid, with muscles tight beneath his inked skin. I especially love his tattoos. Intricate designs cover most of his chest and crawl down both arms. It’s enough to make a woman wonder what else is tattooed. His chest is particularly fascinating with intricate designs framing a black-winged skull over his heart. The tattoos are more than decoration. They’re a story, inked in pain and pride. He’s promised to tell me what every drop of ink means. I’m very much looking forward to that day.
I try hard not to stare. I really do. But my eyes keep drifting back.
“Ladybug?” a small voice chirps.
I blink and look down. Chase has climbed into my lap, cheeks flushed from running. He curls into me without hesitation, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Hi, sweetheart,” I murmur, brushing a leaf from his curls. “Tired already?”
He shrugs. “Kinda. Can we just sit here?”
I wrap my arms around him. “Yeah, we can sit.”
We watch the others for a while in companionable silence. Scout joins the prospects, trying to mimic Crow’s movements with exaggerated flair, earning him an approvingchuckle from Evan. Levi shows him how to block a punch using slow motion, and Scout soaks it up like it’s gospel.
Chase fidgets in my lap. His voice is quieter when he speaks again.
“Are you gonna be our mommy?” he asks, not looking at me. “Or are you another butterfly?”
The words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. I go still, barely breathing.
My eyes lift automatically to Crow. He’s focused on Evan again, mid-demonstration, unaware of the tiny question his son just asked.
“I…” My voice falters. I look down at Chase, who’s still not meeting my eyes, his thumb brushing the edge of my sleeve. “What do you mean, another butterfly?”
He shrugs, but I know exactly what he means. “Butterflies are pretty, but they always fly away.”
I exhale slowly, heart heavy and full at the same time. There’s a lump in my throat, but I swallow it down.
“I’m not the flying away type,” I say softly, wrapping my arms a little tighter around him. “I promise.”
He leans into me, quiet now. That feels like enough for him. But his quiet little question sends me spiraling. I’ve gotten really attached to Crow and his little ones. I can’t bear the thought of being separated from them. I really need to tell him the truth, and soon.
I hold Chase a little longer, the heat of the sun warming my back, the noise of the club buzzing faintly behind us. But theloudest thing in the world is the way my heart won’t stop trying to beat out of my chest as I figure out a way to stay.
The back door to the clubhouse opens up and boots scuff across the wooden planks behind me, and a low voice calls out, calm and even.
“Afternoon.”
I look up to see Patch stepping onto the patio, medical bag slung over one shoulder, dark hair pulled into a low knot at the nape of his neck.
“Scout’s cast removal is today, right?” I’m feeling all kinds of awkward around him. After running out on the job interview, I never really explained why I ran off.
He nods stiffly. “Yeah. Unless I miss my guess, it’s ready to come off.”
“That’s great,” I tell him, shifting Chase slightly in my lap so I can stand. “It’s good to see you again.”
Patch offers a small smile. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You too, Sharon.”
There’s an awkward pause between us. I speak first, “I’m sorry,” I say quietly, tilting my head. “I should have called, explained…”
Patch shrugs, adjusting the strap of his bag. “It’s not like you were working for me. So you didn’t leave me in the lurch.”
There’s something about him that makes me want to share. Maybe as a doctor he’d know about medical mistakes, about how hospitals play the blame game.
But I don’t. Instead I say, “I didn’t plan to disappear. I had a panic attack, and things got complicated.”
