Page 78 of In His Silence

Leigh's strong front weakened, and she threw her arms around him and, as quickly, let go of him."Thank you for everything."

"Family."He held out his hand to Annie and brought her to him."Call when you need us."

The girls hugged once more before Leigh slid into the driver's seat.He looped his arm around Annie's shoulder and waved as Leigh drove out of the gate.

Annie curled into his arms and pressed her cheek against his chest.It would be hardest on her.She worried about her sister.

Hunter lifted her face."Ride with me?"

"Where?"

He kissed her."Surprise."

He led her to his bike and handed her the extra helmet.She'd grown to love riding, and they'd often slip away and cruise along the Columbia River in the evenings.Sometimes going as far as Beacon Rock.

Once Annie climbed up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist, he rode away.It wouldn't take long to get to their new house.

He'd thought long and hard about moving her away from the clubhouse before he'd made the purchase.There was safety in numbers, and she would be protected around the others who could hear any danger approaching, but something Baker had told him one day made him realize he wasn't giving Annie enough credit.His big worry was that his deafness would put her at risk.

But life was fucking short.

Annie could live on her own in Seattle.She could take the extra precautions of living away from the others.But she could also be his ears, and he would always protect her.

He turned onto the dead-end road.The house came into view.

Parking in front of the garage, he tapped her leg for her to slide off the seat.She squeezed his arm and put her face in front of him.

"Why are we here?"she mouthed.

He stood, digging in his pocket, and handed over the keys."I bought the house from Royalla.It's ours now."

Annie's breath caught, her fingers trembling around the keys.She gawked at the house and turned back to him.

"New porch?"She grinned."Beautiful."

He pointed to the windows."Shutters."

Her eyes widened as she took it in.

This would be their Home.

Together.

Forever.

Tears shone in Annie's eyes.She clutched the keys, like they were a promise.

He led her to the door and had her unlock her new home.

Inside, the hardwood floors gleamed, and the scent of fresh paint still lingered.Hunter watched her move through the rooms, her fingers trailing along the walls, her steps slow and reverent.She paused at the doorway to the master bath, gawking at the sight of the soaking tub.

She turned back to him, tears spilling freely now.Her lips moved, silent words meant only for him."You did this for us?"

Hunter stepped closer, his hands finding hers."I wanted you to have more than one room at the clubhouse.I wanted you to have a home.A place where we both belong."

Annie wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.He held her there, and for the first time in his life, he felt at peace.

This wasn't just a house.

It was the beginning of forever.