As soon as I was safely in the staff room with the door locked behind me, I called Blade.

“Harlow, what’s up?” He answered on the second ring.

“Blade, can you spare me a guy tonight? For security at Indigo. Our guy can’t make it now.”

Without hesitation, he replied, “Consider it done.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding in. “Thank you.”

“I’ll have someone there within half an hour.”

We ended the call and I relaxed back against the door as my breathing evened out. Now all I had to do was figure out how to keep Rogue away from me while Scott was away. I refused to burden my man with anything else so there was no way I’d share with him what had happened today. Not until he got home, at least.

6

Harlow

Knives slicing my throat.

That’s what it felt like the next morning when I woke up. Rolling over in bed, I almost cried in agony as I swallowed. By the time I’d made it into the bathroom and grabbed painkillers from the cupboard, my whole body had alerted me to the fact it was also in a great deal of pain. Every muscle ached, and I could have sworn that every bone did, too.

Once I’d taken the pills, I pulled out my phone and texted Sharon who had stayed overnight next door.

Me : You okay? And how’s Lisa and Michelle?

Sharon : I’m good. Michelle is doing better today but Lisa is still sick. I’m going to go home and shower and have some sleep in my own bed before coming back to check on them. How are you?

Me : I have their cold now.

Sharon : Are you working today at the café?

Me : Yeah.

Sharon : Sorry honey. I’ve got your Indigo shift covered tonight so at least you can rest then. I’ll check in on you before I leave for work.

Me : Thank you xx

I wanted to call in sick to my mum, but I knew we’d be having a busy day today and that she had no one else to call on, so I got dressed and headed into work.

She took one look at me when I arrived and said, “Go home, baby, I can manage on my own.”

“No, you need me today, Mum.” I grimaced as I spoke and she shook her head at me.

“I’ll manage on my own.” She attempted to shoo me away, but I resisted.

Standing my ground, I said, “I’ll get better as the day goes on; that’s what always happens when I have a cold.” The heaviness in my head led me to believe this might not be true today, but no way would I let her know that.

She frowned at me until something caught her eye behind me. When the door bell sounded, I turned to find Madison entering the café with a smile on her face.

“Morning, ladies,” she greeted us.

Mum returned her smile. “Madison, will you tell Harlow she is too sick to work today?”

Madison’s smile disappeared as her gaze zeroed in on me. “Oh, no! Are you sick, too? So many people are coming down with this cold. Apparently it’s a nasty one. You should definitely go home and sleep it off.”

“I’ll be okay, and honestly, if it gets worse later, I promise I will go home.”

Mum sighed; she knew how stubborn I could be. “Fine, but I’m holding you to that.” She eyed Madison. “Do you want your usual?”

“I’ll make it, Mum. You go do your stuff out the back,” I said as I made my way behind the counter.

She muttered something under her breath as she left us to go and get the kitchen ready for the day. I began making Madison’s coffee as I asked, “Did you hear from J?”

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.