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Comfort.
Safety.
His arms were a better haven than her home had ever been.
Then she’d wake up the next morning and he’d already be up for the day. She’d glance around and think about getting up, but she didn’t have the energy. What was the point? Her body would grow heavier as it sunk further into the mattress. She struggled to move, to breathe, to feel.
She didn’t know what to do to bring herself out of the darkness that threatened to swallow her again. She couldn’t ask for help. She’d already asked everyone here for too much already. The club had helped her with the divorce and were now keeping her safely tucked away in this room.
It wasn’t living. She was just existing.
Then her thoughts returned to Archie. He thought she was too good for him. It was the farthest thing from the truth. She had demons he didn’t know about, and she wanted to keep it that way. It was hard enough opening up to him about her marriage and what a failed experience that had been.
It was her fault.
Always her fault.
She felt worthless. What was the point? So she let the darkness wrap her up again.
CHAPTER22
ARCHIE
He closed his laptop and scratched at the back of his head. A week had gone by since they first arrived at the clubhouse, and it went by in a blurry mess. The first couple of days were like a weird family reunion. All was well on the front with laughter and smiles, but the secrets were lurking in the corners. The inevitable would come to light.
The past few days had also knocked him on his ass. After spending the nights listening and taking in everything Tabitha had been keeping bottled up, it was no wonder she didn’t leave the room during the day. She needed to rest and be able to take her mind off of things. Until they could permanently put an end to her ex, Ryan, she wouldn’t be able to truly rest.
Neither would he.
Thankfully, someone had hacked into Ryan’s security system and Archie and his team had spent the last two days watching the footage. They were trying to figure out what the next move would be. So far, nothing.
“Anything?” His dad sat in the seat next to him and passed him a beer.
Archie just shook his head. He needed to stay clear-headed right now.
“Did she talk to you?” His dad sighed. “That girl has been through more than most.”
“He needs to suffer.” He looked his dad in the eyes.
He saw the wrinkles around the old man’s eyes. The gray had taken over his head and beard. When did he get so old? Fuck, Archie couldn’t imagine what he must look like right now. The past few weeks alone had aged him a decade, it felt like.
“We’ll help take care of it. You just let me know when you want my help, son.” He stood and rested his hand on his shoulder. “You know you can always join as a nomad.”
“Not now. I have enough on my mind.”
“Fair enough.” His dad lifted his hand and walked away.
He knew his dad meant well. He also knew Tabitha had to come first. Archie wasn’t sure when his dad noticed him noticing her. One day they were friends, the next there was something there.
Lee Stryker never pushed. If it wasn’t club business, he would sit back and let the pieces fall where they may. He also understood Archie’s need to improve his life. He wanted to prove himself before he made it known to Tabitha. He wanted to be able to give her everything.
Twelve YearsEarlier - Age 20
“They’re here!”His mom shouted from the kitchen.
She’d spent the better part of the day in the kitchen, creating a Thanksgiving feast. Both he and his dad offered to help, but she shooed them out of the kitchen and told them they would only get in the way. At one point, he was able to use his height to his advantage and get stuff down for her. That was the only help he could give to his mother.
He’d barely been able to sit still as it got closer and closer to the time they were supposed to be arriving. This was the moment he’d been waiting for. He hadn’t seen his best friend in nearly two years, since he left for the academy.
