After settling herself on the stool at the counter, she nodded. “Yeah. And you heard from Scott?”

“I did, but I was at work at Indigo when he rang so I didn’t get to talk to him for long.” Every word I spoke sliced more pain through my throat and I wondered how I was going to make it through the day.

“They’re going to be exhausted by the time they get to Adelaide,” she said. “I hate it when they do these long rides.”

“This is the first really long one Scott has done since we’ve been together so it’s all new to me. I’ve gotta agree with you – I’m not liking it so far. And especially now that I’m sick, I’m hating it more.”

“Do you want me to come and stay with you while you’re sick?”

I looked up from what I was doing and gave her a smile. “Your mum is looking out for me, so I’m good, but thank you.”

Her eyes widened. “Mum? How? Tell me more!” It was as if she couldn’t get her words out fast enough, and I would have laughed if it didn’t hurt so much.

“Long story that I will tell you when my throat is better, but she and I are getting to know each other and she’s helping me out while Scott’s away.” I finished making her coffee and passed it to her.

“Thanks,” she said as she took her drink. “This is great, Harlow. I’m so happy for you two. And God, this might finally pull Scott into line where Mum’s concerned.”

A laugh escaped before I could stifle it, and I almost choked when I began coughing. Oh, God, make the pain go away.

Mum rushed out from the kitchen with a glass of water for me. As she passed it to me, she said in her firm tone that told me she wouldn’t be backing down, “You are going home to bed, Harlow Anne. Don’t even try to argue with me.”

I held up my hand in surrender and nodded. “I’m going,” I promised.

Madison finished her coffee and after I’d assured Mum that I would call her if I needed her, Madison walked me out to my car. The sight of a Storm member sitting on his bike a little way down the road reminded me of Scott, and I missed him a little more. I just wanted to go home and have him wrap me in his arms.

“What are you thinking?”

I found Madison watching me thoughtfully. “Just that I miss Scott. I know it’s silly because he’ll be home soon, but we’ve never been apart; I think that’s why I’m missing him so much.”

“And probably because you’re sick, too. When I’m sick, all I want is J.”

“Yeah…” I squeezed my eyes shut as I coughed. The pain was almost unbearable now so I said my goodbyes and drove home as fast as I could. Sleep and medicine were the only two things on my mind. The sooner I got them, the sooner I could start getting better. And I needed to get better fast because I wanted to take care of things while Scott was away.

What is that noise?

Make it stop.

I fumbled in the dark at the place I thought the noise was coming from. It needed to stop. The pounding in my head was only getting worse the longer the noise continued.

The more I fumbled, the more frustrated I grew until eventually my brain shifted into gear and I realised it was my phone ringing. Shifting onto my side, I opened my eyes to locate it.

“Hello?” I croaked into the phone.

God, it’s so dark.

How long have I been asleep for?

“You sound awful, baby.”

Scott.

My heart soared even as my pain kicked up another notch.

“I feel awful,” I whinged. “Can you just do all the talking, ‘cause it hurts to speak?”

He didn’t say anything for a moment and then – “Fuck, Harlow, I’m sorry I’m not there for you.” His regret rang loud in his tone.

“No, don’t be sorry, I’m okay. It’s just a cold and I’m a whinger.” I rallied every ounce of positivity I could muster in the hope he would worry less over me. “And besides, your mum is looking out for me. How’s your trip?”

“If there’s one thing I’m sure of it’s that you’re not a whinger, so don’t try and give me that bullshit that you’re fine when I know you’re not. I’m gonna send one of the boys over to look out for you.”

Shit.

No.

I sat up straight in the bed to gather myself for this conversation now. If he intended to send Rogue over, this could get messy, and messy was the last thing I wanted for Scott now. Not when he needed to concentrate on what he was doing in Adelaide.

“No, Scott, please don’t send anyone over. Your mum and Madison are all I need, and they’re here for me. I’ll be very upset if you pull one of the boys off Storm work when I know you need all hands on deck.” God, it hurt my throat to say all those words. I just prayed he would listen to me.

Silence.

I waited.

He blew out a breath. “If you get worse, I’m sending someone. And you won’t argue,” he stated forcefully and I knew to let it go. I wouldn’t get worse and if I did, I wouldn’t let on.

Time to change the subject. “So you guys are doing okay on the road?”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing there, Harlow,” he said in his bossy voice, “And yes, we’re making good time. We’ll be in Adelaide sometime tomorrow morning.”

I ignored his bossy ways. “Good. I’m happy to hear that.” And relieved.

A knock on my front door distracted me so I missed what he said next. When he said – “Harlow?” – I shifted my attention back to him.

“Sorry, there’s someone at the front door. It’s probably your mum.” I moved off the bed to pad out to the door.

“I’ll let you go, sweetheart. You ring me if you need anything and I’ll make sure you have it.”

I smiled at the love I heard in his voice. “I will. And ring me when you get to Adelaide so I know you’re safe.”

We ended the call just as I pulled the door open.

I frowned.

I hadn’t been expecting to open the door to that.

“Hello, officers.”

“Good evening, Miss. We’re looking for Scott Cole. Is he home?” Out of the two officers standing in front of me, the one who spoke looked like the nice one. The other dude looked to be the asshole.

“No, he’s away this week. Can I help at all?”

The asshole spoke next and ignored my question completely. “When is he back?”

“I’m not sure exactly. If you leave me your card, I’ll pass it on when he returns.” He had to be dreaming if he thought I’d give up any information about Scott.

His jaw clenched. “I wouldn’t advise you to withhold information from us, Harlow. This is a serious matter we’re investigating.”

He knows my name.

I shouldn’t have been surprised. Scott had told me that Storm was often visited by the cops; I’d just never witnessed it. And I figured my ties to the club President would warrant them looking into me.

Holding my chin up, I said, “I’m not withholding information. I honestly do not know when he will be back because it depends on how his business goes. I will, however, be sure to mention to him that you stopped by. Now, gentlemen, I am sick and want to go back to bed, so if there’s nothing further, I’m going to say goodnight.”

Asshole raised his brows, but remained silent. The other one nodded once. “Be sure to tell Scott we’re looking for him.”

I watched as they walked down the stairs and saw Sharon walking up them at the same time. She scowled at the cops as she passed them.

After I’d closed the door behind her, she turned and asked, “What did those pricks want?”

I shrugged. “They were after Scott, but I’m not sure why.”

She drew a long breath and as she blew it out, her shoulders slumped while her face turned white. “Fuck,” she muttered, and made her way to the kitchen table.

Following her, I asked, “Why do you look like you’re about to vomit?” Her stress fed mine, and I needed to know what was going on.

We sat at the table, and she fidgeted while avoiding eye contact so I pushed her. “Sharon, what the hell is going on?”