Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

Hollis

I adjusted the rearview mirror to glimpse Olive in the backseat. She was fast asleep, her head lolled to one side, mouth slightly open. Her favorite stuffed bunny was clutched tightly in her arms. Seeing her so peaceful brought a wave of calm over me, easing the nerves gnawing at me since we left Santee.

Dimitri's house. Our new home. It still felt surreal. I was doing this, moving in with a man I barely knew. A man that I knew for sure was dangerous. What the fuck was I doing ?

Dimitri glanced at me from the driver's seat, his hand reaching for mine. His fingers wrapped around mine, warm and reassuring. "You okay, Hollis?"

I smiled, squeezing his hand. "Yeah, just… thinking."

"About?"

"Everything," I admitted, letting out a soft sigh. "This move, Haverboro, starting over. It's a lot to take in." Taking a deep breath, I whooshed it out, staring at the dark ribbon of road, the heat moving off it.

He nodded, eyes back on the road. "It is. But it's a fresh start. I'll take care of you, malysh . I promise."

Fresh start. The words were a mantra, a promise of new beginnings. But the uncertainty of it all loomed large. Haverboro was a small town, far from our bustling life in Santee. I'd looked it up on my laptop while Dimitri read to Olive last night.

Then, there was the matter of the MC and Dimitri's involvement with them. It was something I had yet to wrap my head around fully. Today, men who he'd said initially were movers but were wearing vests with patches arrived. They'd brought a U-Haul and packed up all the boxes and furniture without any complaints, giving Dimitri a handshake and respectful nod. Yesterday, he'd gone to the Food For Less and retrieved my car. To my surprise, it was still there, with a sticker and a tow date. My keys were wedged under the seat by a miracle and a prayer.

I'd told him I couldn't look at the car again; just remembering my head stuck in there while I was being grabbed made me feel nauseous. Dimitri looked at me sadly, nodded, and said he'd handle it.

Swallowing hard, I looked out the window and watched the landscape change as we crossed state lines. "Tell me more about the house," I said, focusing on the positives .

Dimitri's face lit up. "Two stories, big backyard. Lots of space for Olive to run around. And it's in a nice neighborhood, quiet, safe. I've been renovating it since I bought it. I think you'll like it. It's a Craftsman bungalow. It's about a mile from the MC, far enough, but close enough." He winked at me.

"Safe," I repeated, liking the sound of that. I focused on that. I'd been living in shoebox apartments, so the space sounded nice, as did the yard and the two stories, but safety was most important. "And the school?"

"Okay, I admit I don't know much about it." His brow furrowed, his fingers flexing on the wheel. "I've driven by it; it looks nice, though. I asked Maddox's girl, Helena, to bring some information to the house. Calendar and shit."

The idea of Olive running around in a big backyard, making new friends at a good school, filled me with hope. It was what she deserved, what we both deserved.

"There' s a bookstore in town and a little diner, some other stuff," he said.

That was vague, but I did know about the bookstore and the diner. I'd looked up job openings and the school. Job openings seemed a little scarce, but the school did seem nice.

As if sensing our conversation, Olive stirred in the backseat, her eyes fluttering open. "Mommy, are we there yet?" she mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Not yet, sweetheart," I said softly, turning around to look at her. "A little while longer."

"Will we get the kitten when we get there?" she asked her voice a mixture of excitement and sleepiness.

Dimitri chuckled. "Yes, Olive. First thing, we'll go pick out your kitten."

That seemed to satisfy her, and she settled back into her seat with a small smile. Dimitri's promise of a kitten had been brilliant, even if I gave him a hard time. She'd wanted a pet for a while. It gave Olive something to look forward to and focus on amidst all the changes.

I turned back to Dimitri. "You're going to spoil her rotten if you're not careful, but you're good with her."

He shrugged, a modest smile playing on his lips. "She's a great kid. You're a good mother. Makes it easy."

I couldn't argue with that. Olive had been through so much already, and she handled it all with a resilience that amazed me. I hoped this move would start something better for all of us.

As the miles rolled by, we talked about the little things: the best places to get groceries in Haverboro, local parks, and the diner Dimitri claimed had the best pie in the state. It felt good to plan our future together, even if there were still so many unknowns .

"What about the MC?" I finally asked the question I had avoided since we started this journey. "Can you tell me a little more about that?"

Dimitri's expression grew serious, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. "They're a big part of the community there. It's not like in the movies, Hollis. We look out for each other, for the town. The Brotherhood owns a lot of the businesses in town. I'm an officer in the club and the Sergeant at Arms. I promise you and Olive come first. Always."

I wanted to believe him, and most of me did. Dimitri had always been straightforward with me, and I trusted him. He'd never lied to me, not once. But even indirectly, the thought of being tied to an MC was daunting. I knew nothing about them other than what I'd seen on television or in the movies. It all seemed like thundering motorcycles, illegal stuff, smoking … I didn't even know what my concerns were. Right now, I wasn't sure what I was doing. I felt like one of those dandelion puffs on the wind — floating, just being carried on the next gust. Anything could pull me in the wrong direction. My biggest issue was someone thinking I was a lousy mother, and I guess that was just stupid .

"I just want us to be safe," I said quietly. "Olive has to be safe. I feel like I'm making a dangerous choice." The words were said hesitantly, my head turning slightly to check if Olive heard.

"We will be," he assured me. "I'll make sure of it."

The conviction in his voice brought me some comfort. I leaned back in my seat, trying to let go of my worries. We had a long road ahead, in more ways than one, but I was content to focus on the present for now. On this car ride, this moment with Dimitri and Olive and the promise of a new beginning in Haverboro.

The headlights cut through the darkness as we turned onto a quiet street. My stomach fluttered with nerves as we approached the house. Olive had fallen asleep again, her head resting against the window, Flopsy still clutched tightly in her arms .

"There it is," Dimitri said softly, nodding towards a charming little house at the end of the street.

I leaned forward, trying to get a better look. The house was a cute Craftsman bungalow, just like Dimitri had described. The porch light was on, casting a warm glow over the front yard. Even in the dim light, I could see the careful restoration work Dimitri had put into it. The fresh paint, neat trim, and perfectly manicured lawn all spoke of his love and effort in making this place a home. A motorcycle was out front of it, parked right at the curb next to the picket fence.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, more to myself than Dimitri.

We pulled into the driveway, and Dimitri cut the engine. "Welcome home, Hollis," he said, turning to me with a smile. "I promise you won't regret it."

I smiled back, the reality of everything sinking in—a fresh start. I reached back to wake Olive gently. "Sweetheart, we're here. "

Olive rubbed her eyes, looking around sleepily. "Is this our new house?"

"What do you think?" I said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

She blinked at the house, a slow smile spreading across her face. "I like it."

Dimitri got out and came around to open my door, then Olive's. As we stepped out into the cool night air, I noticed two figures who had come out to stand on the porch, waiting for us. One was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a commanding presence, wearing one of those cuts that the men wore that came to move the boxes. It just had different patches. The other was a woman with long golden hair who bounced excitedly next to him; she was gorgeous even from here and looked about my age.

"That's Maddox and Helena," Dimitri said quietly. "Maddox is the President of the Iron Brotherhood and my best friend. Helena is his fiance. I think you'll like her."

I felt a knot of tension in my stomach. Meeting anyone from the MC for the first time was nerve-wracking, but meeting the President added a new layer. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay calm.

Dimitri held Olive's hand as we walked towards the house. Maddox stepped forward, extending a hand to Dimitri. "Good to see you, brother," he said in a deep, gravelly voice. "Glad to see you made it in one piece, after all."

"Ha, as if I wouldn't have made it back," he scoffed. "Good to see you too," Dimitri replied, shaking his hand firmly. "This is Hollis and little Olive."

Maddox turned to me, his gaze intense but not unkind. "Hollis," he said, shaking my hand. "Welcome to Haverboro."

"Thanks," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. It's nice to meet you. "

Helena stepped forward, her smile widening. "I'm Helena. It's so great to meet you both finally. We've heard so much about you."

"All good things, I hope," I said nervously.

"Absolutely," Helena said, her eyes twinkling. She bent down to Olive's level. "And you must be Olive. How do you like your new house?"

Olive looked up at her shyly. "I like it a lot."

Helena straightened up, looking back at me. "You must be exhausted from the drive. Come inside; we've got some food ready for you. And Olive, I've got your room set up. "

The warmth in her voice put me at ease. As we stepped onto the porch, I noticed the details Dimitri had worked on—the carefully restored woodwork and the inviting front door. Inside, the house was cozy and welcoming. The living room was tastefully furnished, with comfortable-looking couches and a fireplace that gave off a soft, welcoming glow .

"Wow," I breathed. "You did an amazing job, Dimitri." It was nice and tastefully furnished, with comfortable couches and actual pillows on the couches. It could use a woman's touch, but it was beautiful.

Dimitri smiled, pride shining in his eyes. "I'm glad you like it."

Helena led us into the kitchen, her blond hair swinging, where a spread of food awaited. "We thought you might be hungry after the long drive," she said.

Olive's eyes lit up at the sight of the food. "I'm starving. Can we eat?"

"Of course, sweetie," Helena said, helping her to a plate of food.

"I hear congratulations are in order," Dimitri said, sweeping Helena into a hug. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but I could see how Maddox felt. He wrestled her out of Dimitri's grasp, grumbling out it the whole time. It was pretty funny. Then, I saw the gorgeous ring on her finger, a huge square yellow diamond channel set into a thick gold band.

"Yep," she said, emphasizing the ‘p.' "Got him, finally." She sent me a wink. "Hear, you'll be best, man."

"As if he'd have anyone else." Dimitri's shoulder bumped Maddox happily as he moved Helena out of the way with a scowl. Watching him interact with his friends was interesting, a new dynamic that clicked into place.

As we settled around the kitchen table, I found myself relaxing. Maddox and Helena were easy to talk to, and their genuine warmth made me feel welcome. Helena was quirky, nails painted black with pink smiley faces. I kept darting looks at them. One nail had a little blue heart. Tiny baby bottles hung from her ears. Was this code? Maddox, despite his imposing presence, had a way of making you feel at ease with his straightforward manner. He obviously couldn't keep his hands off Helena, and he kept scooting her closer to him. It was adorable.

"So, Hollis," Maddox said after a while, leaning back in his chair. "How do you feel about this move? About being here in Haverboro?"

I considered his question carefully. "It's a big change," I admitted. "But I think it's a good one."

Helena smiled, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "We're glad to have you here, Hollis. It's a close-knit community. You'll see."

"Thank you," I said, feeling a swell of gratitude. "That means a lot."

"Olive, sweetie, do you want to see your room?" Helena asked. Olive's eyes lit up, and she sprinted after the other woman and up the stairs before I could say a word.

Maddox turned his attention to me. "You have our support here. The Brotherhood looks out for its own. No harm will come to you here, ever ." He looked at me the whole time he spoke, his words intentional. "We have a strict code in our MC about women. I want you to know that."

I could read between the lines. Dimitri had confided in him about what had occurred in Colombia.

"Maddox and I always work together, malysh ," Dimitri spoke up, reading my expression. "When my plans changed in Colombia, I spoke with Maddox. That's all." He rubbed my back in a comforting circle.

"Dimitri was there in Colombia because Makarovich was responsible for something that happened to Helena," Maddox said carefully. "She wouldn't mind me telling you," he qualified. "However, there are parts that I'm sure she'd prefer to share. However, she found out he was trafficking. That's why she came back to Haverboro. We were afraid of blowback if Makarovich was left roaming around. That's why Dimitri was there," he explained .

"I see." I did, but it blew my mind that these were the people I was hanging out with. People that casually talked about offing someone. However, Maddox had at least settled my worries about what sort of men I'd find in the MC, that they might be a threat.

Olive clattered back down the stairs, animated as she explained her new bedroom. I couldn't wait to see it. Apparently, it was all decorated in yellow and sunflowers.

After we'd eaten our fill and Dimitri and Maddox had gone to bring in luggage and the boxes, I set up Olive with her coloring books and pencils at the table, and Helena and I started to pack the food away.

"I know it's overwhelming, being on your own," Helena began. "A few months ago, I came back to Haverboro for Maddox's help." She busied herself with the Tupperware. "It was hard for me to come empty-handed," she admitted.

"Exactly, I don't want to be a burden," I said. I'd always earned my way .

"I get that," she said. She didn't look at me or hesitate as she continued to work steadily, which made it more accessible. "Trust me when I say that Dimitri bringing you both here is what he wants to do. He can handle the finances. But … I get that you need to feel like you're doing your part. I know that I can't just lay around." She lay a hand on her belly. "Yet," she winked.

"Oh my god, congratulations. That's so exciting." I smiled at her wide and joyfully. I could feel her excitement. She seemed blissfully in love with Maddox, and I could see how much he doted on her. Her baby would be born with a father and a mother. That was something Olive hadn't had. "I'm so happy for you."

"I'll lay around soon enough, but I'm working at the diner. We could use another waitress if you're interested," she offered. "Maddox wants me to cut back on my hours." She frowned.

"Really? That'd be great. I've waited tables before. I need to get Olive into school and all that. Get a car. Get a phone." I raised a hand to my forehead, but she grabbed my other hand.

"Breathe, you're alright. No rush. The offer is there. You'll figure everything out. The MC owns the diner, so the job is there if you want it. If you decide you don't want it, that's fine too." She gave me a gentle smile. "Can I hug you?" she asked uncertainly. "I'd like to."

I nodded as she leaned into me, her hair smelling of coconut. "Thank you for everything.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you're here."

We waved goodbye to them on the porch, and the feeling of being a little family swept over me, even if it felt surreal.

"Can I show you my room, momma?" Olive was already tugging on my hand.

"Let's go see what Helena did." Dimitri was already guiding me up the staircase. The entire house was a dream. It must have taken years for him to get it this way. Olive tugged me into a bedroom that was straight out of Olive's bedroom dreams. A four-poster stood in the corner of the room, the hardwood gleaming, and the bed had a triple yellow blanket with actual sunflower pillows. Bookshelves stood waiting on the walls for her books, but sunflowers were already painted on one wall.

Dimitri stared around, looking bemused. "Wow, do you like it, moya milaya ?"

"I love it!" She jumped up on her bed, laying on her back. "It's awesome."

"I'm glad. Let your mom get out your bedtime things, and then you can see where we sleep. I don't want you to wake up and be scared."

"You won't leave, right?" Her face tightened, and I remember all over again that she still had anxiety about me disappearing on her .

"No, I won't leave unless it's for work. But you can call me anytime if you need me, and I'll pick up no matter what." Her little face scrunched as she watched him.

"Tomorrow is kitten day, so you need to sleep after story time," he added, and I knew he had her. I almost laughed out loud. Clever.

"Okay, momma. Let's get busy. We need to get to bed." Olive proceeded to go to her bag and pull her things out. Dimitri had already brought up her boxes and her small bag. In no time, I'd gotten her settled with her clothes out for the next day, her toothbrush in her attached bathroom. What a pleasant surprise that was. She and I had always shared a bathroom. She trailed after me to see where I would sleep if she woke up and needed me. Down at the end of the hall was the master, a large room with an even larger bed. We walked in, Olive taking stock of the area with a practical eye.

"Are you ready for story time?" Dimitri came out of the bathroom, his feet bare and wearing sweats. "Who gets to read?" Dimitri had gotten used to Olive being very decisive about who got to read her a story, but he was greedy, too. I'd noticed he coveted his story spot as much as I did. He looked mouth-watering in his sweats, leaning against the doorway, offering to read to my daughter.

She considered, looking from me to Dimitri. "Well, it's only fair that because you got to read yesterday that it's momma's turn." Dimitri looked so crestfallen that I couldn't help but giggle.

"Don't worry, there's always tomorrow. Let's go, sweetpea." Taking my win, I took her tiny hand in mine and went to enjoy reading to her. After tucking her in, I waited until she fell asleep, leaving the bathroom light on and the door cracked before I snuck back to the master.