“Naw,” Ire shook his head, brow furrowed as if pissed. “It’s my fault. I should’ve seen you coming.” This poor beastly-sized man had been struggling since the attack. He blamed himself for what happened to the women and couldn’t get past it.
“Really, I’m okay.” My assurance didn’t seem to matter.
The three of us stood in the hallway. I rocked on my heels, thumbs in my short’s pockets, glancing at Copper. Ire stared ahead with a blank expression for several awkward seconds.
“Heard about your beatdown. Think you can give me some tips on fighting women off?” Good ol’ Copper broke the ice.
I giggled, nearly peeing my shorts. “Please. You love all the attention.” I’d only seen the kittens purring around him but I was sure he got that everywhere he went.
Copper puffed out his chest, running his thumb along his jaw. “Suppose you’re right. Where you headed?”
“Oh. Right. Upstairs. I should… I should be going.” I smiled softly and darted toward the stairs. They were right behind when I padded into the kitchen. They each grabbed a cinnamon roll on their way out.
Sugar acknowledged me first, wrapping me in a warm embrace. “My God, girl. I’d tear that bitch to shreds if I could get the key to the quiet room.”
I hugged her back. “What’s the quiet room?”
Sugar stilled. “Oh, um. Storm’s never mentioned it?”
“No.” I arched my brow. Goose flesh spread across my arms. Something about the way she saidquietroomgave me the heebie-jeebies.
“Come sit and have coffee. My nephew said to take care of you.” Sugar ushered me over to a table and poured me a cuppa.
Tina made a pouty face, giving me a gentle hug. “How are you really, honey? Storm said you were better, but you know men, they can be utterly oblivious sometimes.”
I sat, reaching for the mug. “I’m better. Mostly.”
“Mostly?” Sugar eyed me, taking a seat.
“You don’t sound very confident, honey.” Tina was on my other side.
These women were my new tribe. Sugar and Tina were like mentors teaching me what they’d learned. They had nearly twenty years of MC experience. Tara, Steph, and Kim hadn’t seen much of me over the summer. They didn’t understand my new MC life. Hell, I hardly understood it.
“Well, Storm and I are good. He proved his innocence.” I sipped my coffee.
“I’m so glad,” Sugar said. “Tina and I will help you disinfect the room. It’ll be cleaner than a hospital.” She winked.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I bit my lip and tapped my nails on the table.
“Is there something else going on?” Sugar asked, a note of concern in her voice.
My eyes darted around the kitchen, making sure no one was in earshot. “There is something else.” I sipped my coffee again, leaving Sugar and Tina hanging while I swallowed. “Something happened this morning in bed. When Storm returns, he’s going to want to talk about it.” I wasn’t sure why I felt cryptic. Tina had been physically abused before Raul. From what little she’d revealed at various times, her experience was much worse than mine with Dane. And Sugar was the most understanding person. It was safe to tell them.
Tina patted my shoulder as if sensing my struggle. “Take your time, honey.”
A nervous breath caught in my throat before I released it. “I love Storm with my whole heart. He’s my everything. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him.”
Sugar reached for my hand. “We know.”
“Except maybe giving up my secret hole…” I whispered.
Sugar blinked her hazel-green eyes, squeezing my hand. “He would never—”
“Oh, I know,” I blurted to assure them Storm didn’t pressure me. “I know he would never hurt me. It’s not that I don’t want to… I think.” A weird tremble rolled down my spine. “It’s just, well, Dane.” I grimaced as a stabbing pain pierced my heart.
Sugar covered her mouth with her free hand, eyes pooling with tears. “Jesus, Angel. I don’t want to assume anything. Did he hurt you there?”
I was so glad I didn’t need to spell it out. I nodded and sipped my coffee.