Chapter 30

Harlow

The air buzzed with the promise of a storm coming tonight. Dark clouds covered the sky, blocking the sun's summer heat and making my fingers tingle. No sparks, though. I only did that on command now.

I waltzed through the doors to Cassandra's Bane as the cleaners worked to remove the evidence of last night's debauchery, then hopped up onto a bar stool next to the owner.

"I want my job back."

Kedron's mouth quirked up at one corner, but he didn't look up at me from his open folder of stock delivery forms. "And why's that?"

"What do you mean ‘why'? I've worked here since I turned eighteen, and I'm good at it. You know I am."

"That's not a reason." He scribbled his signature at the bottom of a form and closed the folder, spinning on the stool to face me properly. "I employed you here because I saw potential in you and knew it would guide you in the right direction. But now your curse is broken. You have your whole life ahead of you, something no one in your family has had in centuries. Why do you want to spend it working security at a nightclub?"

"Steady income and an excuse to throw out drunken douchebags?"

He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the flippant answer.

Sliding off the stool, I moved to the other side of the bar and poured myself a soda while I thought about it. Why did I want my old job back? It had felt so obvious when I left the apartment earlier.

"It's what I've always done," I said slowly. "This job is my outlet."

Kedron nodded. "Your outlet for your unstable magic and the rage you never learned to deal with."

"Yikes! Don't hold back, boss. Tell me how you really feel."

"Neither of those things pose a problem for you now, so why do you still need an outlet?"

I sipped my soda and gave him a mock glare. A philosophical discussion over my life choices hadn't been on the agenda for today.

He smiled, joining me behind the bar and grabbing a pair of shot glasses. "You'll always have a place here, if you want it. I never filled your position, and honestly, you'd be doing me a favor to take it back. I've been borrowing staff from Eclipse ever since you left."

"Since you fired me," I corrected him.

"Potato, po-tah-to."

"No one says ‘po-tah-to'." As I watched him pour two measures of tequila, I asked, "If the position is vacant, why does it sound like you don't want me to come back?"

He gave me an enigmatic smile that made my eye twitch. "I want to be sure that it's what you want, now that things have changed for you. Take your time to think. Talk it over with your boyfriends." He slid one of the glasses over to me. "Discover your future."

I bit my lip and thought about his words. He was right. Things had changed for me. I'd changed. Not just the multiple lovers—though they were a fantastic bonus—but for the first time in my life, I felt like I had a chance at a real future for myself, and for my family.

"I want a part time management position."

"Oh? Got plans for the other half of your day?"

"College," I answered. "I could afford to start classes with the money from my promotion, and then I'll be ready for when you wanna hand me the keys to this place."

"Wow. Getting a bit ahead of yourself there, aren't you?"

I shook my head. "Nope. You've talked about wanting to open another club, maybe two, right? I'm gonna be ready."

Kedron grinned and held up his glass. I clinked it with mine and downed the shot, reveling in the burn down to my stomach.

"You can start training tomorrow night." He waved me away from the bar. "Now get out of my club while it's still mine. My newest bartender is outside, waiting to give you a ride home."

"Creepy. Thank you." I downed the last of my soda and headed for the door, before swiveling on my toe and calling back, "Oh, and talk to Lindsay. If you keep playing this boss-with-benefits schtick, you'll lose him."

He nodded, his expression sincere. "I won't let that happen."

As I made my way outside, I paused at the entrance, staring up at the gray sky. I used to hate how much it rained here. But as the scent of petrichor filled my senses, all I felt was contentment… and something digging into my lower back.

"Is that a knife poking my spine, or are you just happy to see me?"

Tattooed arms wrapped around me as my favorite biker kissed my neck. "No knife this time, Sparky. But I've been told it's a weapon."

Laughter bubbled out of me. "Since when do you have jokes? Wait, you're Kedron's new bartender?"

He spun me in his arms, moving his hands down to cup my ass cheeks and press me against the hard lines of his body. "Well, I need the money after my last job didn't go so well. I fell for the target, and when the time came, I couldn't betray her."

Pushing up on my toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a bruising kiss. Oh, there was no way I was going to be able to keep my hands off him on shift. Holy shit, I was gonna be his boss. We'd be worse than Lindsay and Kedron within a week, and I couldn't wait.

"Come on," he mumbled against my lips. "I've got a present for you."

He took my hand and led me across the street to his bike, where he'd balanced a black helmet with painted lightning bolts on the seat. "I figured since we might be commuting together now, you should look the part."

I grabbed it, practically bouncing on my toes with glee. "You're so cute when you're not trying to kill me!"

He rolled his eyes and helped me put it on, tightening the strap under my chin until he was satisfied. "Don't worry. I'll keep hating you in the bedroom."

My heart fluttered. "Promise?"

"I'll fucking despise you, if it makes you happy."

***

When we arrived at my apartment building, we found Kylen and Addie sitting on the small patch of grass outside. The lack of sunlight didn't even bother them; they were so engrossed in their chat. It was sweet to see them connecting as siblings. As much as I loved that I had Lindsay while growing up, having a blood relative would have been incredible, and I was so happy Addie had found one. The fact that it was Kylen only made it better. I knew he'd be the best sibling to her, even though he'd be competing with me and Lindsay. I'd still be number one.

Kylen waved us over to sit with them, as he continued talking. "Yeah, I remember Mom being pregnant, but I was told the baby died in the accident. When my parents—sorry, our parents—died, I was left by myself and went to live with my aunt on our dad's side."

He smiled to himself, watching her run her hands over the grass and leave a trail of fresh daisies in her path. She'd taken to her new magic like she'd been using it for years.

"I don't remember much of what happened. I was fourteen at the time and not exactly coping. But the lawyer we've hired thinks they separated us when I went into foster care for a few days, before going to my aunt's. I didn't even know you were born."

Tears welled in his eyes, and he blinked them away. "Anyway, once I have a permanent address, your case worker thinks I have a real shot at being assigned your legal guardian."

Addie's jaw dropped, "You…want me to live with you?"

"Of course I do! I mean, if you want that. I won't be offended if you don't, I just thought—"

"I'm going to live with my brother!" she squealed, throwing her arms around him tight.

He hugged her back, squeezing hard, then nudged her toward me. Suddenly I had a face full of teenager.

"Can you believe it, Harlow?"

I barely contained my happy tears as I held her. "I'm so fucking glad you're getting out of that home, kiddo."

Lindsay and I had been trying to get her out since we turned eighteen, but never got anywhere because of our jobs and less-than-fantastic history in our own foster homes. But with Kylen being related by blood, it could finally happen.

I'd say it was fate if Hendrix hadn't turned the word into his version of a swear jar.

Addie grinned. "I'm still gonna be over every day, though, so don't go thinking the dog talk is over."

"Nope, you're Kylen's problem now."

Kylen smirked. "Not if I find a house big enough for all of us. Your place is cute, but I don't think Ranto and Hendrix will be willing to live apart from their mate and treasure for long. So if you're looking for somewhere, and I'm looking for somewhere…"

Bruin cleared his throat obnoxiously, leaning over to nibble at Kylen's neck as he growled against his skin. "I think you forgot someone."

"Did I? Oh, well, Lindsay would obviously be welcome, too." He yelped as Bruin gave a particularly hard nip. "Ow! Okay, you got me! Do you wanna move in?"

"Hm, I'd need space for my bike. But I'll consider it, since I like my roommates."

Addie stood, placing a freshly summoned daisy crown on Bruin's head. "I dub thee, King of the Dishes!"

He sighed but only to hide a smile. "Thanks, kid."

A piercing whistle snagged Addie's attention as Lindsay swaggered over from the building's entrance. "Hey! You ready for a movie with the OG big brother?"

"You're such a dork." Addie giggled, waving at us over her shoulder as she headed to the Camry with him. "See you guys later!"

Lindsay unlocked the car, grinning as he yelled, "Harls! I'm gonna stay with Kedron after I drop off Addie. Don't do anyone I wouldn't do!"

Sound advice, as always.