“What’s wrong?” he demanded, knowing her well enough to see there was more bothering her than Stark.
“I hate Lisa. She couldn’t care less about that little girl.”
“Do you want me to find someone we can report her to?”
“No. Jessie told me today they have to find a new home for Darcy. Lisa has decided not to foster anymore. Jessie doesn’t know how much longer she’ll be at the daycare.”
“I’m sorry. I know how attached you are to her.”
Drake carried her to his car, and Bliss opened the door before Drake put her inside. He drove home carefully.
The snow on her driveway had already been cleared by the neighborhood boy she had hired. She hated shoveling snow, and it was one of the chores she had volunteered for since Ginny did most of the cooking. As long as the job was done, Bliss didn’t think Ginny cared whether it was actually her out there shoveling or not.
Bliss got out of the car before Drake could carry her. “I can walk.”
“You sure? I don’t mind.”
“I’m sure.” Bliss’s frustrated anger was beginning to dissipate.
Drake never let her moods affect his, and his calmness managed to make her feel as if she had more control over her own emotions.
“Want a cup of hot chocolate?” Bliss asked as she opened the front door.
“Will you put a shot of whiskey in it?”
“I’ll see if I can find some.” Bliss took off Ginny’s coat, hanging it in the closet before going into the kitchen.
“Jessie says you’re doing a great job.”
She paused while pouring milk into the small pot as Drake took a seat at the table.
“When did you talk to Jessie?”
“Yesterday when she and her brothers came into the diner.”
Bliss turned the stove on to heat the milk.
“Have you met her brothers yet?”
“No,” Bliss answered absently. “Have you been out with Jessie?”
“No.”
The shocked look on Drake’s face relieved her. Jessie was a very attractive woman, and she was nice. Bliss had lost The Last Riders because of women just like her. The thought of losing Drake to another nice girl created a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Bliss scooped in the powdered chocolate and stirred the creamy liquid quietly.
“Are you jealous?”
“Yes,” Bliss admitted.
She felt his arms surround her, curling around her waist and pulling her backward against him. “You’re the only woman I need, Bliss. I wanted you every time I saw you around town with The Last Riders. I would have joined if that was the only way to get you.”
Bliss took the hot chocolate off the stove, pouring it into the mugs she had set out. “You wouldn’t have made it past the initiation.”
Bliss felt him stiffen behind her. “Why?”
“You have to fight the men to get in, and they’re good.”
“I’m beginning to feel insulted that you don’t believe I can take care of myself or what’s mine.”
Bliss opened the cabinet, taking out the whiskey she had bought for him when he had asked if they had any the last time she made him hot chocolate. “You can’t use guns. It’s bare-handed fighting, and it’s dirty. They don’t play by any rules.”
“I don’t need my gun to win a fight. I’ve fought in—”
“These aren’t high school fights,” Bliss cut him off. “Some men haven’t walked away when they’re over. They want to make sure that, if you’re a Last Rider, you can not only protect yourself but another member, as well. Besides, we’re arguing over nothing. I’m not a Last Rider anymore.”
“No, you’re not.” Drake released her, moving to the side to take his mug. “You miss it, don’t you?”
“Not as much as I did. I miss the women who have been my friends for a long time. I miss Beth and Razer’s twins. I miss the men.” At that, Drake’s face went hard and cold. “Not the sex. You’re more than enough for me,” she added hastily. “I miss Rider aggravating everyone, Lucky and Shade picking on each other, going to Viper when I need someone to talk to, Crash fixing my computer, and watching Cash fight and Razer with his kids. Mainly, I miss knowing no one would fuck with me because I belonged to them, that when I lay down at night to sleep, I wouldn’t be woken up with a disgusting piece of filth between my legs. They never took without asking, and I always knew that what I gave, I wanted to give.”
She lifted her mug, taking a sip of the warm hot chocolate. Damn, why did chocolate always make everything better?
“Sweet Bliss … I might not be able to give you everything they can, but I swear I can protect you. You only have to come to me when you need me. You went to them when you wanted something, now give me a chance to prove myself to you. I may surprise you. I even know a little bit about computers.”