Page 18 of Harley
“These… Hellions… are allowed out in public?” Oakley queried, and I laughed.
“Yeah, they should all be locked in a zoo,” I agreed.
“Leave my girls out of it,” Gunner stated.
Klutz and I turned to him.
“You do know Aria and Alyssa are ringleaders?” Klutz asked.
Now Gunner scowled. “My babies are angels.”
“With tarnished halos,” Klutz argued.
“Still got halos,” Gunner shot back.
No arguing with that.
“Here, I brought you this. Open the door, rose-coloured glasses,” Klutz said to Oakley and then Gunner.
Gunner glared at being called rose-coloured glasses as Klutz pulled in a wheelchair.
“When Harley explained what had happened and how bad you were hurt, I guessed you might need this. Seriously, Oakley, you need to stay off those feet. I don’t recommend you walk to the bathroom. Use the chair even in this room. You start walkingbefore they heal, you could end up with nerve damage, a limp, and other defects,” Klutz warned.
“You’ll be able to answer the door in that,” Gunner agreed.
“Thank you,” Oakley replied with a shy smile.
“On that note, we’ll be going. Our women will want to know where we are. If Oakley is to remain a secret, we better move,” Klutz stated.
They both took their leave, and Oakley turned to me.
“Why am I a secret?” she demanded, her arms folded.
“Because my mother wants grandchildren and demands them right now. If she learns I’m helping you, Mother will assume we’re in a relationship and will be all over you. If you think you can handle a rabid woman desperate to settle her sons down and get grandkids, I’ll bring Mom tomorrow,” I explained.
“No thanks,” Oakley said, paling.
“Shit, sorry, I didn’t think,” I swore, realising where Oakley’s mind had gone. “I meant Mom would smoother you with love. She’d bend over backwards to keep you. Mom wouldn’t ever harm you or force you to do something you don’t want.”
“I’m just a bit sensitive. Will you explain what Reading Hall is and tell me more stories about the Hellions?”
“That, I can do. I’ll hang the clothes at the same time,” I replied and got to work.
Chapter Four.
Oakley
Bemused, I stared at the women in front of me. How had this happened, I wondered as they all gossiped over one another?
The morning had started out fine. Harley had arrived at half seven, a bit earlier than expected, but he explained he had a long day ahead of him. Last night I’d discovered that Harley was a Master blacksmith and a weapons master. He’d mentioned it before when we’d shared a bed in the first hotel but went into detail. He’d even showed me some of the swords and daggers he’d created, and they were stunning. I was shocked at how much they sold for, but Harley assured me he used real gemstones and gold or silver in the decoration.
Also, I guessed being handcrafted made a lot more difference than being machine or mass produced. Harley told me he had a sword and dagger that needed finishing, and the buyer was picking them up in a few days.
He drained the infection and claimed my feet were beginning to look better.
Well, I hoped so. Staying in one place was starting to make me antsy because I wouldn’t be able to run. Sure, everything was being charged to Harley’s card, and I’d pay him back, but I didn’t feel safe.
I’d been watching a movie when a tap rapped on the door. Worried, I frowned, as it was too early for Gunner. Wheeling myself over, I realised I couldn’t reach the peephole, and I didn’t want to call out.
