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“I could have.” I shrug. “But I didn’t want to be alone, and someone assured me ahead of time he was a gentleman, so I wasn’t worried about roaming hands in the middle of the night.”

“You’re safe with me, Harloe.” He winks, and it flutters in my chest.

The playful smile falls from his lips, and mine does the same as his promise sinks in. He’s a dangerous man, but I believe him.

I’m safe.

Something crashes, pulling our attention to the bar as Asher shoves a chair to the side, arguing with Will and Dad about something I’m too far away to hear. I love my brothers, but I know that the four of us working together long enough to rebuild Ransack won't be easy.

As if Shane can sense it, he steps close, resting his hand on my lower back. “Come on, cowgirl. Let’s go eat. These problems will still be here in an hour.”

14

SHANE

Harloe is really good at pretending shit doesn’t affect her. Defeat hung heavy in her eyes as she stared down the fire-scorched bar, but her spine remained straight as steel. Her resolve didn’t crack.

She was so fucking brave this morning, and I respect the hell out of her for it.

Me, on the other hand… I was ready to tear this town to pieces until I figured out who started that fire.

It took everything in me to calm my nerves. To keep it together so Harloe wouldn’t fall apart. She smiled through breakfast, while I sat silently stewing. She’s a light in this town, and someone tried to snuff her out.

Last night, when I saw the flames coming from town before I made the turn onto Main Street, my heart stopped. I knew from the plume of smoke where it was coming from, so I rode hard and fast to get to Ransack. I didn’t even come to a full stop when I reached the curb. Nothing mattered except getting to Harloe.

Not my bike.

Not my reputation.

I was prepared to walk into a burning building if it meant getting to her.

I’ve been so busy since then that I haven’t processed what that means, and I don’t think I’m ready to. All I know is the threat of her dying had me willing to do just about anything.

When we finish breakfast, Will and Asher are still circling Ransack, making note of all the work that needs to be done. Harloe gives me a final smile over her shoulder as she crosses the street to meet up with them.

Fuck, that smile. It stops the heart I forgot was still beating.

Her whiskey-brown hair bounces with every step; her hips swish in those tiny fucking shorts. There’s no denying Harloe Harrison is downright stunning. But beyond her physical beauty, it’s her eyes shining through this impossible situation that has my attention. She beams brighter than the sun on this hot and humid day.

Glowing and inescapable.

Vibrant and funny.

I hate that last night some of that light left her eyes. I’m going to kill whoever did that to her.

It’s one thing to mess with my club. The Twisted Kings are used to handling our own. But to try and dim this girl walking away from me… no.

Just fucking no.

My fingers clench, and I have to remind myself this is fake. That Harloe isn’t really my girlfriend, and when she teased me with the toe of her boot under the table at breakfast, it was just for show.

We’re doing each other a favor. This relationship isn’t real, and that’s exactly how I prefer it.

Dating doesn’t appeal to me. Attachments are nothing but trouble in my line of work. If I’m lonely, I find someone to occupy my bed for the night, but I don’t want them sticking around in the morning.

I try not to be an asshole about it. The terms are clear walking in.

But then I woke up with Harloe in my bed. Fully dressed and completely at ease in my arms. We hadn’t fucked. Hadn’t so much as kissed. If anything, what we’re building is friendship. But it felt like something I didn’t want to end.