♛Cameron Dawson ♛

Since we need to stay as far in the Kings territory as possible to prevent ourselves from running into Jack's guys that are looking far and wide for us, Ramiro agreed to let us stay with him considering we didn't have a place to go. I wasn't aware that the house he owned was so big and spacious... and beautiful. But I won't complain. Harley and I didn't have anywhere else to go and Ramiro is a great guy who I trust more than I care to admit.

"So here's your room. The bathroom is ensuite with a really fucking nice bathtub. You guys know where the kitchen and living room is so please make yourselves at home." Ramiro tells us as I drop our bags on the floor next to the bed with cream linen.

"Thank you Ray." Harley says and he offers her a smile.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" I ask once again. "I don't want to be intruding-"

"Nah," Ramiro shakes his head. "It was getting kind of annoying being in an empty house. I paid so much for this place for it to be empty most of the time. You're putting my investment to use." He offers me a grin that soothes the worry that was bundling in my chest. Glancing at the watch strapped to his wrist, Ramiro looks back up at us.

"I got to go. I'll catch you guys later. There's food in the fridge." He throws over his shoulder before leaving the room after we throw quick goodbyes at him. After I hear the front door shut, I avert my attention to Harley who is unzipping the duffle bag I packed all her clothes in. She silently begins pulling the clothing out, folding them decently before placing them in the cupboard behind her. However, I don't turn a blind eye to the way her hands tremble ferociously.

"Amado," I gently say, hoping to coax her out of the shell she's sucked herself into. But she ignores me and that's the immediate red flag that something is bothering her terribly. When she turns back to the bag to retrieve more clothing, I clutch her arm to stop her movement. Slowly, she looks up at me and when I see the glossy sheen to her eyes I frown.

"Are you worried about what happened today?" I ask and she shakes her head. "Then what's wrong? Are you scared of what Jack is going to do?" Again, she shakes her head and I can't seem to come up with another a reason. "Then what is it?"

"I pointed a gun at him." She snaps hoarsely. I know she doesn't mean to snap at me, she's just trying to reign in her emotions but it seems she's struggling to do that. She throws the shirt she was holding onto the bed before shaking her head, looking around the room. "I pointed a gun at my brother's head." She drops onto the bed, crouching down so that she rests her head in her hands. Her hair acts as a curtain so that I can't see her face anymore. Licking my lips, I crouch down in front of her, clasping my hands over hers and forcing her to look at me.

The internal turmoil is evident in her eyes and it hurts me to know that even when Cyrus doesn't intentionally break her heart, he still does. It's like she never wins.

"You did what you thought was right Harley. You can't be upset with yourself."

"I threatened to kill him, Danté. Kill him." She replies, her voice hard and bitter and her chest heaving up and down in either anger or hurt at the situation. "I threatened to kill my own brother." She closes her eyes, looking down and shutting her eyes tightly before softly whispering: "And I'm afraid I would have done it."

When Harley called to let me know that she was with Cyrus when she had to help Jee out of the warehouse because she was taken hostage, I wasn't told how exactly she did that and I never realised Harley had to threaten her brother to help Jee. But I'm running out of words to offer Harley comfort. How can I show her how to be okay with being human without forcing her to realise that that means being hurt and hurting? We're not normal twenty-odd year olds whose biggest stress is college, a pregnancy scare and when's the next party. Our lives mean we stress about whether we're going to get killed or taken, it's stressing about whether or not your family is safe from your enemy's hands. We're not living normal, ordinary lives and for that reason we're not going to be faced with the same, ordinary problems and therefore we can't resolve them with the same, ordinary solutions. This isn't how the world works. It isn't how our world works.

"There's going to be times when you're going to do or consider some questionable things in times like that, amado. In situations when you have to make quick, hard decisions. And you can't blame yourself for that. You weren't born for this life so you can't be surprised that you don't know how to deal with it. You didn't kill him. That's what matters. Stop dealing on the what-ifs." I tell her and she chews on her lip, staring off to the side while her chin wobbles. After a moment of silence, she turns to me.

"What would you have done if you were in my situation?"

"Back then? I would have shot him. I saw negotiating as a waste of time." I admit without hesitation because it's true. When you need to get something done because your own life, reputation and freedom is on the line, you do what you have to and don't entertain things like negotiations. Although, things are different now because I'm not the same person and definitely don't see things the same. "But now... now I'd do exactly what you did. Because you did the right thing." I conclude and Harley purses her lips, looking down at my hands that still envelope hers. I think she was expecting me to prove her assumptions that what she did was wrong correct.

"I shot him." She admits in a small, quite voice. "I  didn't want to hurt him."

It still blows me away that even after all the hurt he's done to her, even after everything she's been forced to face after he gave up on her like the coward he is, this woman in front of me is still brave enough, loving enough, kind enough to not want to hurt him back. To not want to do the same thing to him that he did to her. And it makes me fall in love with her all the more because she's so human.

So irrevocably, unintentionally and beautifully human.

"Where?" I ask.

"The shoulder." If I wasn't crouching in front of her, I wouldn't have heard her. I smile.

"He'll be fine. I can guarantee- without a doubt- that he's been through worse." I reply and when a stray tear escapes her eyes and trickles down her cheek, I flick it away before pressing my lips to her forehead. "You're good Harley. So, so good. But right now I think you need to rest. It's been a long day." I say and she nods, pulling her hair to one side before standing up.

"I'm going to have a quick shower." She announces, grabbing one of my shirts she claimed as hers a long time ago. I nod in acknowledgement, beginning to unpack my own things when she says: "want to join?" 

Pausing from what I'm doing, I look up at her with a soft smile before nodding. "I'll be right there."

She smiles weakly at me, walking into the bathroom. I hear the water turn on and I grab a pair of sweats after pulling my shoes off before entering the bathroom and shutting the door behind me. The steam from the water rises around the room and I peel my shirt off, tossing it into the pile where Harley's clothes are discarded before pulling off my jeans.

Pulling back the glass shower door that has fogged up and only allows me to see a blurry version of Harley, I enter and pull it back to keep the cold air out. Harley watches me carefully before handing me the shampoo and turning around. Squirting some on my hand, I rub it onto her head, using my fingers to massage her scalp as I do so. She leans her head back, letting out a content sigh and I rinse her hair when I'm done.

I move onto her back, lathering her skin with soap. The tattoo of the Phoenix that covers her scars stares back at me and I trace it lightly before getting back to rubbing the soap on her. But when I realise her body is shaking slightly, her head down, I spin her around to see red eyes and even though her face is wet from the water coming out of the faucet, I know some of those droplets are tears.

She's staring down at her wrists, I realise. Her scarred and cut up wrists that have come to take the beating from the vicious thoughts inside her head. I know why she's crying. It's because she didn't want this- any of it. And she got it anyway which is something I'll always feel somewhat guilty for because even though I love her and she loves me, I brought her into this lifestyle.

I bring one of her wrists up to my lips, placing a feather light kiss there while not breaking contact. And the look of absolute distress on her face makes me cup her cheek and pull her in for a kiss. When I pull away, she stays cradled to my chest.

"I love you Harley. And we're going to figure this out. We're going to be okay."

I can only hope she believes it.

****

I wait for Enrique outside of his house, in the lobby, where I stare outside of the window. I watch as Bruno and a girl named Keva joke about something, the girl throwing her head back before shaking her head. Bruno says something to her in response and she flips him the bird which causes him to reach for her wrist and pull her towards him where he ruffles her hair to which she scowls at. For a minute, it feels like I intruded on an intimate moment between the two but I'm unable to focus on it when Enrique comes downstairs, calling my name as he does so.

Turning around to face him, Enrique offers me a smile while one hand rests in the pocket of his pants. I smile back in response.

"How are you?" I ask, easily falling into my mother tongue without much thought.

"I am well. Come, walk with me." He tells me and I walk beside him as he leads us outside and down the stairs. We walk along a paved pathway, the grass alongside it a striking green. "Katalina told me that you're very good with cars. That you even fixed one of her cars that's been giving her issues for quite some time."

"Yes." I nod, ignoring the way the sun beats down on the back of my neck. "Besides the fact that I love working on cars, it's what I was studying before Harley and I were forced to come to California."

Enrique glances at me, eyebrows raising in surprise. "You were studying?"

"We both were." I reply and Enrique looks down at his feet, leading me to the back of the house where there is a separate gate and driveway.

"And you had to put that on pause on for Jack?"

I nod, afraid I might say something wrong. Enrique may seem like a better leader than Jack but I won't underestimate what he can do and will do if he has to.

"When things start settling down, I think it would be great for you two to finish what it was that you were studying. I'll even help fund it."

My eyes snap up to him and I recoil in shock. "You're willing to help pay for our studies?" I ask in disbelief, not believing I heard right.

"Yes. Bruno has a degree in Physics and Adriana has a degree in Psychology. I helped pay for that because I support my members furthering and growing themselves. You need to keep the mind alive."

I don't have a response to offer him because it's insane. It's unbelievable that Enrique is willing to help Harley and I do something so good and important to us. My father would never have done that for anyone, not even me. And I don't know how to feel about that.

"But why I asked you to come here," Enrique continues, "is because we need a bunch of cars fixed. As well as a gang mechanic." When he stops, we're standing in front of a double garage that has four cars in it, Lina sitting in one of them and sucking on a lollipop. When she sees us, she hops out of the car.

"I see Enrique is pitching my idea to you."

"So, what do you say Cameron? Are you willing to be the gang mechanic instead of throwing punches?"

Glancing at him and then back at the cars, I can't help but shake my head with a laugh before looking at Katalina. He's giving me an opportunity to do something I love for this gang... why on earth would I turn it down?

"When do I start?" I reply and Enrique fishes for something in his pocket before pulling out a set of keys and giving it to me.

"Right now."

Looking down at the keys and then back up at the kindest man I have ever met in this line of business, I give him a nod of respect. "Thank you." Without any hesitation, I enter the garage and turn to an old modeled Mazda that's covered in a coat of dust. Opening the hood, I take a look inside to see the problem.

"Are you happy with doing this?" A voice asks from beside me and when I look up, I see Katalina watching me with a soft look adorning her face. I lean my hands on the rim of the engine.

"I love cars, Katalina. I'm incredibly grateful that Enrique is giving me this opportunity. Thank you for suggesting it."

It's like I told her Santa Claus is real with the way her face lights up and she grins. "I'm glad then. I'm still trying to figure out something for Harley though. I'm not sure where she'd really fit in the gang, especially now that she can't be racing." Katalina's eyebrows are pulled together as she seems to be thinking very hard about a solution to her problem and I shake my head with a smile.

"Harley doesn't belong in the gang Katalina. I doubt you'll find a place where she fits." I reply honestly and she cocks her head to the side.

"You can't mean that. Eventually she'll find a place. It just takes time."

"If she ever finds a place it's only because she has to."

Katalina offers no response and I turn to the table behind me, reaching for a tool box and popping it open. Silence stretches between us before Katalina says: "I'll leave you to it. I'll see you later Cameron."

I offer a mumbled goodbye to her before starting up on the car, feeling lighter than I have in a very long time.

****

I return to the sound of utensils and pots clanging in the kitchen, talking and the familiar sound of Harley laughing. It's odd to return to the closest thing I can call a home and feel a light atmosphere with Harley's happiness resonating through the room. Making my way to the kitchen, I walk in to see Ramiro stirring something in the pot that let's off a heavenly aroma that smells familiar while Harley puts spice on shredded meat.

"Yeah, I ended up breaking my arm." Ramiro says and Harley laughs before glancing up and seeing me. Her eyes light up and I smile, making my way over to her to press a kiss to her forehead.

"Hello amado, hey Ramiro." I greet them.

"Did you speak to Enrique?" Ramiro asks and I nod, seeing Harley frown at me.

"About what?" She enquires while continuing the task at hand.

"I'll be working on cars for him for now on."

Harley looks up immediately, eyes lighting up. "Wait, are you serious?" I nod and she breaks out into a grin. "That's so great." The relief in her voice is obvious and I know she's just as happy as I am that I don't have to fight anymore.

"Yeah. Anyway, I'm going to go have a shower quickly." I announce before leaving the room and heading to the bedroom. I grab shorts and make my way to the bathroom where I have a cool, quick shower. It feels good to rid myself of the oil and dirt that stuck to my skin from working on the engine and wheels of the cars today. Rubbing the towel on my head to dry it off, I slip a shirt on and pause from folding my towel when I hear Ramiro at the front door, falling into Spanish with whoever is at the door.

"What are you doing here? You know Cameron and Harley are living here right?" Ramiro asks, trying to keep his voice softer than usual. However, when I hear the person who he is talking to reply, I'm very surprised.

"Yes. I wanted to introduce them."

My eyebrows draw together. Introduce us to who?

"Oh. Well come in then." Dropping the now folded towel on the bed, I exit the room just as Katalina walks inside and Ramiro shuts the door. My question of who she wants to introduce to us is answered when I see a little girl, who comes just above Katalina's knee, holding tightly on to Katalina's hand.

Her mother's hand.

When Ariela sees me, she shuffles behind her mom's legs, shielding herself from me and I look to Katalina in amusement. However, she isn't looking at me, she's looking at Ariela.

"Ariela," she chastises, "that's not how you greet people." The little girl peeks out from behind her mom and gives me a quick wave which makes me chuckle.

It's clear that Ariela is Katalina's child but I'm also surprised at how much you can see Enrique in her. While she has Katalina's black and messy mane, and her uncle's hazel eyes, she also has her father's pointy nose unlike Katalina's round one. She has her mother's complexion which is a little lighter than her father's and her eyes are the same downturned shape as Enrique's. The only thing that really makes her look different to her mom is the freckles on her cheeks. It's then that recognize her as the little girl I saw in the photo frame on Enrique's desk the first day I met him.

"Who is this?" Harley asks, coming into the room. She glances at me in a silent question.

Picking her daughter up, Katalina places her on her hip. "This is Ariela, my daughter."

"Your daughter?" Harley echoes in disbelief and Katalina nods, looking at Ariela in complete adoration. "I don't even know why I'm surprised anymore. Do you have any other bombs to drop on us?"

Katalina laughs. "No. This is the last one. Although, I keep this even more quiet than my marriage with Enrique. There really is only a handful of people who know about Ariela. She stays out of town with a full-time nanny and Enrique has guys watching over her constantly. But I feel like you guys should meet her. You're not just members of the gang but also my friends and Ariela is such a huge part of my life that I don't get to share with many people."

Harley smiles at the woman in front of her before stepping closer to Ariela who perks up as Harley gets nearer.

"She's super shy and doesn't like new people much but I'm sure she'll warm up to you eventu-"

Without warning, Ariela is stretching out for Harley, causing Katalina to almost drop her in the process. Harley grips her quickly, taking her into her arms.

"Oh- she's never done that before. Ever." Katalina says in surprise, watching as her daughter sits comfortably on Harley's torso, playing with a chain around her neck as if she's known Harley her whole life. Harley looks down at the content little girl with a look that I can only describe as longing and contentment.

"How old is she?" Harley asks.

"Two." Ramiro replies before saying: "can we all move into the living room? Food is ready and probably cold by now."

Katalina nods, walking away after quickly snapping a picture of Ariela and Harley. Walking passed Harley, she offers me a dazzled smile as if she's still in awe of the child in front of her.

****

We're all sat at the table, eating away while conversation flows easy. Lina describes a trip her and Enrique once had to Spain, talking to Harley about the various sightings they went to go see. The whole time, Ramiro sits with a smile on his face and listens to his sister as if he's never heard the story- although I'm sure he has- and Ariela sits curled up in a ball on Lina's lap. She seems quite content to sit silently on her mother's lap, a thumb in her mouth and her legs pulled up to her chest.

Harley leans over from where she's sat next to Lina and tickles Ariela's stomach while smiling softly. The little girl giggles and tries to hide in her mother's embrace, peeking out of her hands that she covers her face with. Harley pulls a funny face before tickling her again and a loud giggle that's so beautifully innocent leaves Ariela's mouth.

I'm disturbed from seeing the love of my life interact with a child when my phone rings. Frowning, I pull it out of my pocket and after seeing the caller ID I push my chair back from the table. "I'll be quick." I announce, Lina smiling up at me and I open the door leading onto the patio outside, shutting the door behind me.

"Hey Caleb," I greet, pressing the phone to my ear. I hear shuffling on the other side of the line before his voice:

"Hey Cam, how are you?"

I slip my hand into the pocket of my jacket. "I'm alright. How are you? Did you and Auds get the test back?" I ask. Harley told me that Audrey thought she was pregnant the other day and I wasn't really shocked to be honest- given the fact that I know Audrey and Caleb could go at it like rabbits- but I am still amazed at the fact that they could potentially be starting a family. It's crazy... but in a good way.

"Actually," Caleb begins and I can hear the smile in his voice, "that's what I called you to talk about. It was positive."

"We're having a baby!" Audrey's voice suddenly comes through. My heart elates, a smile so wide it hurts making its way onto my face. They're going to make amazing parents... there's no doubt about it.

"Well shit. Congratulations guys. I'm really fucking happy for you two... you're going to be great parents."

"I mean, I don't know about Auds hey... she'll probably buy our kid a bong and give advice on the best way to smoke a blunt." Caleb jokes and I hear Audrey gasp before obviously slapping Caleb playfully and I snort, imagining Audrey been a very unique mother. Their kid is never going to have a dull moment.

"Hey, Cam?" Audrey suddenly says and I hum in response. "Is Harley there? I'd love to tell her."

Thinking about how Harley cried when she mentioned that Audrey was potentially pregnant, I know that she won't be able to give Audrey the reaction she wants. And for that, I lie: "She actually isn't here right now. But I can tell her the good news for you? Or I can ask her to call you later?"

"That's okay... you pass it along, I really want her to know. Just ask her to call me as soon as she can okay?"

"I will." I smile. "Also, if we're a little distant with contact the next few days, don't stress."

"Why, is everything okay?" Caleb's tone of voice is tersed, worried and I shake my head to myself.

"Yeah, we just have a lot of shit to do."

"Okay,"

With Audrey telling Caleb that the pizza has arrived in the background, I bid my goodbyes to the newly blessed couple and end the call. Letting out a sigh, I look down at my phone before hearing Harley stepping onto the patio and closing the door behind her. She stares down at her boots while keeping her arms crossed over her chest, coming to stand beside me. She eventually looks at me and I can see the way her throat bops slightly.

"Was that Caleb?" She asks softly and I nod slowly. Clenching her jaw, she asks: "Did they share any news?"

Pursing my lips, I nod. "Yeah. It came back positive."

Harley's face scrunches up in emotional distress for just a second before she looks away and just chews on her lip while staring at the sky.

"I'm happy for them." She says, voice thick with emotion and I reach for her, putting one hand on her arm and bringing the other to cup her cheek.

"We're going to get out of this okay?"

Harley purses her lips and nods, pulling me into a hug. I embrace her tightly, longing for the day where she no longer has to feel pain everyday.

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