Chapter 4

Harlow

"I have a question for you, and I don't want you to think too long about it. Just go with your gut and spit out the answer that feels right." Addie flopped onto my bed beside the open suitcase I was staring into, contemplating life, the universe, and how I got into this mess.

I grunted, already knowing what my answer was regardless of what came out of her mouth next.

"Can I have a—"

"No."

"—dog?"

That was a new one.

"We don't need a pet. We have you." I ruffled her hair and chuckled at her scowl.

"Okay, so your gut sucks. Just think about it. Coming home from a long night and having a fluffy ball of loving fur to cuddle up with… Plus, he could totally keep me and the apartment safe while you and Lindsay work your crazy hours."

"You've been rehearsing this pitch for a while, haven't you?"

"I'm prepared to make an interactive presentation if you need more convincing."

Suddenly, the idea of road tripping into the unknown wasn't so terrifying. I started throwing any clean underwear I could find into the suitcase.

"Oh, come on!" Addie whined. "This dog is so cute, you'd love him! He's been walking around with me for days. One of those big, white, husky-looking things, but he's a total softy. Definitely a cuddler."

"Nope. Nothing you say will make me want some mutt in my apartment and definitely not in my bed."

"But I already named him."

"Addie."

"Fine." She sat up, watching closely as I moved to my closet and started pulling down jackets and shirts to pack.

"Where are you going, anyway?"

"Chasing destiny, apparently," I muttered, debating whether my old cardigan was a beneficial addition to the suitcase.

"Cool. When do we leave? We'll need to stop by the home for my stuff."

Shit. She wasn't going to like this. Tossing the cardigan in with my favorite pair of jeans, I dropped onto the bed beside her.

"We can't take you with us this time, Ads. Between the guys who threatened me last night and the sheer stupidity of following a vision to an abandoned town, it's just too dangerous."

Addie's eyes lit up, and I silently cursed myself for making the trip seem even more tempting.

"Whatever you're thinking, forget it. I'm serious, Addison. No."

"Ooh, you full-named me. I must be in real trouble."

The corner of my mouth twitched, but I refused to show her how much her theatrics amused me. She'd use the knowledge for evil, and I'd never have authority over her again.

"If you stay put, I'm prepared to have another conversation about the mutt when I get back." I wasn't going to mention the conversation would be a repeat of the one we'd just had. As in: never, ever will we keep a dog in the house. I'd use the leverage I had to keep her safe, though.

"Fine," she groaned, rolling off the bed and strolling to the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" I asked, feeling the need to repair the rift I suddenly felt open between us. Doubling back, she threw her arms around me in a quick but fierce hug.

"Go do your thing, and I'll do mine. See you soon, and don't die."

I hugged her back just as hard, resting my cheek on her hair.

"I won't if you don't. We'll be back before you know it. Love you, squirt."

"Love you, too."

***

The first hour of the "Epic Road Trip of Destiny"—as Lindsay insisted on naming it—went seamlessly. Lindsay played DJ in the passenger seat of our shared Toyota Camry while I steered us onto the highway and pointed us toward Spells freaking Hollow. It was as we hit the ninety-minute mark, things started to get weird.

"Can you hear that noise?" I asked as he changed up the Spotify playlist.

"What?"

I frowned in the rearview, trying to pinpoint where the knocking sound could be coming from. It wasn't the tires, and the doors were all firmly closed…

"I'm just going to pull over a minute. I think it's coming from the trunk. You promised me you weren't bringing those stilettos, so if they're banging against something we need, I'm going to be pissed."

He sighed as I turned on my signal and pulled onto the side of the highway. "They're my lucky pair, but I left them at home; so whatever it is, it isn't my fault."

I rolled my eyes, climbing out of the car and circling around to the trunk, where the knocking continued.

"What the…?" Popping the lock, I sprung back as a small blonde stowaway burst out from between the baggage.

"Oh, thank the gods! I was worried you couldn't hear me, and I really need to pee."

Addie leaned her head outside the trunk, glancing around at all the pavement and not much else.

"Why the hell didn't you pull over at a rest stop? A gas station, maybe. I'm bursting here, Harls."

"Then I guess you're going on the side of the road," Lindsay said, leaning a hip on the back of my car.

"Ew, you heathen." Hoisting herself out of the trunk, she waved her hands in front of her, moving to the passenger door.

"Move your asses. We need to find a flushable toilet before I die of a bladder infection."

Sharing a glance with Lindsay that acknowledged both Addie's flair for the dramatic, and the futility of trying to send her home, we moved back toward the front of the car and programmed the nearest gas station into the navigation system.

Lucky for Addie's bladder, the nearest gas station was only five miles down the road, and we didn't need to divert to get to it. We managed to cover the distance with minimal complaints from the back seat, and before we knew it, she was sprinting for the gas station clerk for a restroom key.

I leaned my head on the steering wheel and groaned. What was that kid thinking? She could've been in there for hours. Or worse, what if we'd been in an accident with no idea she was in there? Damn kid was gonna send me to an early grave way before Spells Hollow or those biker idiots got the chance.

"Is it illegal for us to abandon a teenager at a gas station?" I muttered against the wheel.

Lindsay patted me on the shoulder as he thought for a moment, "Technically, she's not ours to abandon. But depending on how you look at it, we might be kidnappers now. So… maybe? Definitely frowned upon."

"Shit. Fine. I'm gonna get us some gas while we're here."

I huffed and dragged myself out of the car while Lindsay headed inside, probably to top-up our snack stash now that we had a third mouth to feed.

As I filled up the tank, goosebumps prickled along my arms and the clouds darkened overhead. Perfect. Rain was just what this day needed. I glanced inside the building and spotted Lindsay strolling down an aisle, but where was… Aha! Addie's little blonde head bounced up to the register.

Maybe I was worrying for nothing. After all, there was a good chance this whole "Epic Road Trip of Destiny" would end up being a dud. I've been hit in the head a lot over the years, so who knows if it was real? Besides, we could totally keep Addie safe for a day or two. The home probably wouldn't even notice she's gone with how much time she usually spent with us.

We're gonna be fine, I reassured myself. Addie's a good kid. We'll keep her close, away from danger, and out of tr—who the hell is she talking to now?

I grabbed my hoodie from the back seat, pulling it on as I sprinted over to the store. My mother-hen instincts were fully in command of my brain as I skidded inside and put myself between Addie and the tall, blonde stranger she was eagerly chatting to.

"Hey, kiddo. Did you make it to the toilet in time, or do you need me to dig out your emergency panties?" I asked her, grinning at the opportunity to play the embarrassing guardian.

If looks could kill, I'd be stuck communicating through a Ouija board for the rest of time.

"You think you're funny, but you're not," she said before pushing past me and smiling at the guy I was supposed to be saving her from.

"Haven't you heard of stranger danger, kid?" I huffed and made a grab for her arm.

Evading me like the little shit she was, she took the guy's arm and dragged him toward the front of the store.

"He's not a stranger anymore. His name is Kylen, and he's heading the same way as us. I said that you'd give him a lift."

This time, I grabbed her arm with perfect accuracy, pulling her back a few steps as my thoughts buffered. "You did what now?"

"It's called being a good salvager—"

"Samaritan," I corrected her.

"Whatever." Addie folded her arms across her chest, avoiding my gaze. "I just think we should help him out."

To his credit, Kylen looked as awkward as I was furious. His eyes were constantly moving, flicking around at anything but me and Addie, while he gently scratched the light scruff on his jaw. His clothes were well-worn—cargo pants with a casual henley shirt, muddied hiking boots, and a light rain jacket—and I wondered how long he'd been on the road. He seemed like the woodsy-type, ready to camp out wherever he was comfortable.

"Hey, uh…" Kylen stepped towards me, an awkward smile twitching at his lips while he twisted his hands together. "You really don't have to give me a ride. I get that she was just being nice. I don't actually expect you to—"

Addie spun towards him in a blonde flurry. "I'm not ‘just being nice'. It totally makes sense for you to come with us, or else you'll be walking all freakin' day!"

I couldn't take it anymore. With a quick shout to Lindsay to pay for the gas, I grabbed Addie's shoulders and steered her out into the rain, calling back to Kylen, "Excuse us a minute!"

As I tugged Addie's squirming body alongside the building, we ducked into a small alcove by a large dumpster where the rain wouldn't drench us as badly. Weird, it had started as a clear day.

"What the hell, Harlow?" Addie whined, pulling her hood over her hair.

"Oh, nuh-uh, kiddo. That's my question. What the hell is going on with you?" I asked, trying my damnedest to keep my voice level. The last thing I needed was someone overhearing, getting in the middle of this, and finding out Addie was technically missing. "First, you stowed away, and now you're inviting some rando to tag along? Addie, this trip isn't a joke."

"I know that, but you wouldn't have brought me otherwise, and you need me with you," Addie pleaded, her face serious. "Come on, you always tell me to trust my gut. I've got a good feeling about him, Harlow."

"You've had good feelings about farts. That doesn't mean you should invite them on a magical road trip!"

"Oh, I forgot to mention"—her eyes lit up as she completely ignored the point I was making—"Kylen's a witch! So it's already easier because you won't have to hide the sparky-sparky-zap-zaps."

My jaw dropped. This fucking kid.

"How did you already find out he was a witch? You were talking for like two seconds. Was your opening line, ‘Hey, did you know supernaturals are real? Oh, you do! Which one are you?'"

A loud rumble in the parking lot pulled me from my rant, and my stomach dropped as I saw the source of the noise. I quickly pulled Addie down to crouch behind the dumpster, holding a finger to my lips.

Relieved at her compliance, I extended the finger, wordlessly asking for just a moment, and twisted around for another look to confirm my suspicions. The Grim Hearts MC's logo gleamed white on a large biker's leather jacket.

"What's going on?" Addie whispered. "You're acting really weird…"

"Listen to me, Addie." I held her shoulders, forcing her to look me in the eyes, and hoping she'd understand how serious I was. "I don't care what your gut tells you, but the guy on the bike is bad news. Now, I need you to go back inside, grab Lindsay and your friend, and get to the car."

Addie's eyes lit up. "We're bringing Kylen?"

I nodded. "No time to fight about it. If he wants a ride, then fine. I just want us all out of here safely. Can you go get them?"

"Yeah, no problem. What are you gonna do?"

Peeking around the dumpster, I spotted my least favorite psycho standing next to his bike, completely unbothered by the rain pouring around him. He stretched his leather-clad arms across his chest one after the other, then above his head as he leaned backwards. Damn, he really was in good shape.

Bad Harlow. Again with the ogling.

"I'm the one he's looking for, so I'll circle around the back to avoid him. Tell Lindsay to be ready to floor it as soon as I make it to you guys, okay?"

"Got it. See you in a minute." She turned to head back inside before spinning back to face me. "Oh, and, Harlow?"

"Yeah, kiddo?"

Addie bounced on her heels, her lips twitching as she suppressed a mischievous grin, "When you see that I'm right about Kylen, can I adopt the dog?"

"I'm letting you bring an adult man. We can talk about the dog later."

I shooed her off and waited, crouched behind the dumpster, until I heard the faint ding-a-ling of the bell above the door.

Good, she's in.

In the gas station parking lot, my stalker tuged off his leather gloves with his teeth as he stomped past our car towards the store. And me.

I moved quickly, grateful for the pitter-pattering of rain against the dumpster to cover the sound of my boots as I rounded the corner to the back of the building. Staying low to avoid the windows, I shuffled between the wall and nearby trees, making it about halfway down before the doorbell rang out again.

Please, gods, let that be Addie leaving with the guys.

Too anxious about the situation to trust my luck, I peeked over the window frame and muttered a curse. Lindsay was still at the register with Addie and Kylen next to him. That meant the bell was… Shit!

I ducked out of sight just as I spotted a figure in a familiar leather jacket farther down the aisle, facing the windows I hid beneath. Wonderful. A chill ran down my shoulders as the rain soaked through my hoodie, but I did my best to ignore it. I just needed to keep moving, nice and slow.

Despite the barrier of brick and glass that separated us, I was painfully aware of the biker's presence. My heart pounded until I felt like I was choking on my own pulse. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself to take another step, then another, and another, until I edged around the corner to a blessed full brick wall.

The doorbell rang again, and I breathed a sigh of relief as Addie's shrill voice urged Lindsay to "hurry the fuck up." Finally, we were nearly out.

I waited against the wall until I heard our car sputter to life, and then no force in the world could have stopped me. Keeping my hood up to hide my face, I sprinted to the car and dove into the open back door, my face landing on a pair of legs.

"Drive, Lindsay!" Addie shouted, and with a screech of tires, we were off.

Sitting up, I pulled the door shut as we swerved onto the road and took a deep breath.

"Nice one, Addie. I don't think he saw me." I cast a grin to my right, expecting to find my young apprentice.

Instead, the thighs my face had been pressed into belonged to the newest member of our chaotic troupe.

Addie threw me a cheeky grin from the front passenger seat, and I barely resisted giving myself a face-palm.

Welcome to the Epic Road Trip of Destiny, Kylen.