Sugar jerked her chin in their direction. “My escorts out of the state.” Her gaze went behind me. Art, who’d been badly beaten, was standing at the back door, staring at her.
“Did you need to talk to him?”
“No. He’s probably out getting some fresh air.” She hugged me. “Don’t give up on Drew. He’ll heal and get his memory back.”
I returned her embrace. “Thank you. I hope so.”
We pulled apart at the same time when footsteps came from behind me.
“Sugar, do you have a minute?” Art asked, just as her son came out of the building and got into her car.
“Sorry, Art. I don’t have time. You take care, and I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Sugar, wait!”
“Bye, Ava.” She hopped into her car and hit the horn twice. The trio of bikers took off, and she followed.
“Damn woman,” Art grumbled as he returned inside.
Okay, this was awkward. Another man leaning against a truck caught my eye when he lit a cigarette. I’d seen him earlier. He walked with a limp.
I brushed off both men and went inside. I had my own issues to deal with, primarily my nana’s insistence we return home.
Storm was drinking a beer with Lynx and Boxer at the bar when I entered.
“Hey, Ava, can I get you anything?” Lynx set a white dishrag on the bar. He sometimes tended bar here at the club when Copper wasn’t around.
“No thanks. I’m here to talk to Storm.”
Storm dropped his chin to his chest. “What can I help you with, Ava?”
“I don’t mean to bother you.”
“It’s fine.”
“I know it’s not, but it’s my nana. She wants to go home.”
“The lockdown hasn’t been lifted.” Storm took a swig of his beer.
Boxer shook his head. “It’s not safe for you to go home. Ire wouldn’t want you to.”
“Well, Ire isn’t here, is he?” I threw out Nana’s words. “Do you really think I’m in danger?”
“Can’t chance it, Ava. Ire would unleash holy hell on the whole club if something happened to you.” Storm pinched the bridge of his nose. “The answer is no.”
“You can’t force us to stay here. You let Sugar leave town.”
“She has a point.” Lynx winked at me. “But, Ava, honey, think about Ire and what it would do to him if something happened to you. It would destroy him.”
I considered Lynx’s words. “What if he never comes back to me?”
He winced as if my words pained him. “Even if he doesn’t, none of us want anything to happen to you.” Lynx came around the bar and cautiously put his arm around my shoulders. The gesture was sweet. I trusted him. Heck, I was sure I could trust all the Knights. “Stay so we can protect you.”
Shocking myself, I rested my head on his shoulder. “It’s my nana. She wants to be home by supper.”
Lynx gave me a gentle squeeze. “I’ll talk to her.”
I perked up. “Really? It would mean a lot to me.”