My eyes blink slowly as I attempt to wake up. Turning my head, I expect to see both Easton and Ward in bed, but they aren’t, I’m alone. I lie there for a couple of breaths, listening for any sound of life throughout the house. When I don’t hear Ward or Easton, my heart starts to race.

Panic rushes through me and I jump out of bed. My feet carry me quickly toward the living room and I let out a sigh of relief when I see them both sitting on the couch, their gazes pointed directly at the television.

“Morning, babe,” Ward mumbles before he turns his head toward me.

I place my hand against my chest, feeling my heartbeat as it begins to slow down. “I didn’t hear you guys, I got scared,” I admit. I know that my eyes probably look wild, and I don’t even want to imagine what my hair looks like.

Ward frowns, then his lips twitch. “Come sit with us for a minute,” he orders.

My feet automatically shuffle toward his side and I sink down on the small sofa, curling my body against his side. “I have to head to the clubhouse in about an hour, you two are coming with me,” he says, pressing his lips against the top of my head.

“Okay,” I agree with a nod.

I wouldn’t let him leave me alone anyway, not now, and probably not ever. I wasn’t joking when I told him that I didn’t want him to ever leave us. I don’t. I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel comfortable being alone again, or him being out on any kind of run, it’s really too soon to tell.

“After I take care of business at the club, we’ll go grocery shopping and shit,” he suggests.

Lifting my head from his chest, I press my lips to the side of his neck. “Okay,” I breathe.

The hand he has slung around me moves to my hip and then down a little more to grab a handful of my ass. “Go get dressed, babe,” he grunts.

I smile against his skin, shifting off of the sofa to stand. His hand stays on my ass and he squeezes me again. “You’re mine tonight,” he announces.

My breath hitches and my lips quickly turn up into a smile. I search his face. “Please,” I all but whimper.

He releases my ass but smacks his hand against it with a wink. “Go get ready, baby,” he murmurs.

Pressing my lips together, I nod before turning around and heading back into the bedroom. I’m not sure why, suddenly my body is craving him, but it is. Maybe it’s that whole near-death experience thing, I’ve heard it makes people horny, but I didn’t ever really believe it.

I felt like I’d been there before, near death, or maybe I hadn’t, maybe I’d just wanted to die. However, I never got worked up and excited. There is a difference, and now I understand it better, and I want Ward inside of me, I want to feel free and alive again.

Hurrying through my shower, I quickly throw my auburn hair up in a messy bun and decide to forego any makeup. I’m tired, and my body is physically worn-out from everything that’s happened.

I don’t have much to wear here anymore since most of my already small wardrobe went up in flames in that house. I scrounge around and find a pair of jean cut-off shorts and a t-shirt. I slip my feet into the last pair of shoes I have, a black pair of Converse and then I walk back into the living room.

I’m surprised to see that Easton is dressed and ready to go as well. “We should go clothes shopping for him today too before we hit the grocery store,” Ward announces. I bite the corner of my lip and nod.

“I should get a few things too, most of our stuff was in our bags,” I explain.

Ward’s eyes darken just a touch, his jaw ticking before he quickly relaxes. “Whatever you need, babe,” he says, keeping his voice gentle and low.

I don’t ask him what upset him because I already know the answer. I can’t imagine what he must be feeling, or thinking, so I decide to keep my mouth closed. Together we leave the house, locking the front door behind us, then head toward the clubhouse.

Our drive is only a few minutes, and as we enter the gate, I blink twice to make sure I’m seeing things clearly. There are so many bikes, and trucks, and vans in the parking area that its full—almost overflowing. In fact, where he usually parks already has a pickup truck in it. He pulls around to the side, parking next to the back door, throwing his pickup into park.

Without a word, I watch as he steps out of the front seat, then yanks open the door to the back and unbuckles Easton, taking him out and holding him close. In fact, he’s kept him right in his arms since he rescued us yesterday. I’m not complaining, I think it’s sweet, and Ward looks even hotter with a baby tucked into his side.

Walking into the clubhouse, I suck in a deep breath, letting it out as I cross over the threshold. I expect it to be crazy loud with music blaring, but it isn’t. There is noise, but it’s just a low hum of conversation. As we walk farther into the clubhouse, the voices get a little louder, but nothing crazy.

When we make our way into the main room, I’m surprised to see so many men around. There is a long table set up with food lining it, from pancakes to eggs and bacon. Gracie, Lea, and Ginger are standing behind it with serving spoons in their hands, doling out food to hungry men as they walk by.

The room goes scarily silent, and then every person in the room turns toward us. I hold my breath and one person begins to clap. The rest of the room joins in and then there are hoots, hollers, and whistles filling the silence around us.

I know when Gracie sees me, she practically throws her spoon across the table and I watch as she runs toward us. Her arms wrap around me and instantly I feel a warmth fill my entire body. My eyes close and I return her embrace, ecstatic to be home again.

Gracie wraps her hands around my shoulders and takes a step back, her eyes looking directly into mine. “You’re okay,” she breathes, once the room quiets down. It’s a statement, not a question, but I respond by nodding my head anyway. Everybody goes about their business, and I’m glad that the attention is now off of me.

I am okay.

I will be okay.

Gracie glances back at Ward. “I’m taking her over to the girls, drop off Easton when you go in for your meeting.” I’m surprised by her orders and when I chance looking up at Ward myself, I notice that his eyes are soft, and he’s got a grin on his lips.

“Go, baby.”

Gracie doesn’t waste even a second, her hands drop from my shoulders, and one wraps around my own as she tugs me behind her. We practically run toward Lea and Ginger. I expect Lea to be the first to greet me, but it’s Ginger.

She pulls me into her arms in a rough hug, and she doesn’t let go for what feels like at least ten minutes. When she does, I watch as she wipes tears from her eyes. “You had us worried,” she hiccups.

I’m not good with crying people, I never really know what to say. It seems a part of my empathy kind of vanished somewhere along the way from the time I was fifteen until now. Only when something happens with Easton or Ward, do I ever become emotional.

“I’m okay, we’re okay,” I smile.

She shakes her head. “This shit is finally over, right? Prescott wouldn’t tell me much, but I need to know. It’s done, right?”

I press my lips together, thinking about her question. I want to tell her that it is definitely over, but then I think about those files of women—so many women. I give her a shrug. “I don’t know for sure, but I think it might finally be over for me.”

She takes a step back and lifts her chin. “Thank fucking God. Do you know who has been working that bar during the day? Baby, that’s who. Traci is about to kill him. He leaves the place a pigsty,” she says with a wink and a smile, changing the subject.

“I plan on being back to work by Monday, boss,” I smirk.

She shakes her head, but something in my face must tell her that there’s no changing my mind because honestly, there isn’t. I need to get back to my routine. A few days off to recoup, go shopping for clothes, and finish unpacking is all I need.

I can’t sit around scared and waiting for something else bad to happen to me. I need to keep going forward, otherwise, I’ll turn back into that frightened woman I was when the nomads dropped me off here almost two years ago.

“Monday afternoon it is then,” she grins.

The topic is dropped, and I spend the next hour helping them finish serving hungry man after hungry man. I’m surprised at how many men are here, and from how many different states. I don’t recognize any of them, but I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward them.

“Glad to see you’re okay, sweetheart,” a man smiles.

I look directly at his patch and notice that his road name is Torch. I don’t recognize his name, and when I look into his face, I find that I don’t recognize that either. “I’m from California, brought in to get boots on the ground and break into the compound,” he winks. “Glad to have you home with your club and your man.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, my hands shaking, and nervousness overtakes me.

He reaches forward and wraps his hand around mine, giving it a squeeze but it does nothing to calm me down, in fact, my heart begins to beat even faster. “Got nothin’ to worry about, girl. Not from me, or anyone else here, not anymore,” he rasps. “You’re safe now.”

I inhale deeply, my eyes lifting back up to his and I give him a smile, a small smile, but it’s the only smile I have to give right now. “Thank you, Torch. It means the world to me and my son.”

He releases his hold on my hand and gives me a wink accompanied by a smirk. “Babe, not a hardship to save a pretty girl and her baby. Also, not a fucking hardship to bring those sick motherfuckers down,” he chuckles. He doesn’t wait for a response from me, he continues down the food line and disappears into the crowd.

A few minutes later, Ward is at my side. His hand slips around my waist and his lips press against my temple before they move toward my ear. “Have to go in for this meeting, you okay here with the girls and the prospects?” he asks.

I nod, turning my head slightly toward him and catching his lips with my own. “Yeah, baby, I’m okay here.”

Ward slips Easton into my arms before he returns my kiss, his tongue snaking out to taste my lips. I open my mouth, hoping that he’ll deepen the kiss, but he doesn’t. His teeth nip my bottom lip instead, and he takes a step back from me.

“Later, baby,” he grins.

I roll my eyes but bite the corner of my lip, my body heating with need in anticipation. He walks away from me, but I can’t keep my gaze off of his tight jean-clad ass.

I’ve never felt this way before, even with him, but I can’t wait to be with him again, to feel his body next to mine, and inside of mine. I shiver, trying to keep my focus on my task at hand, which right now, is to help clean up the breakfast.

“We need our own tech guy,” Snake announces. “I can’t get into this fucking computer,” he growls, pushing the laptop into the center of the table.

A guy I don’t recognize calmly walks over to the computer, turning to him. “May I?” he asks. He looks like he’s at least ten years younger than me, in his early twenties, blond, clean-cut hair. “I went to school for computer coding,” he grins.

We watch him work for a few minutes as Snake continues on. “I want to thank all of you for coming up here and doing this. Where are we on the women and children?”

A man from the North Dakota chapter clears his throat. “The women and children were all housed in different shelters around the city. They worked with them and got them all a place to stay for now, and crisis counselors. They said this shit would probably make the news. Of course, I made sure our involvement was kept out and paid her what you’d given me.”

“Good, good,” Snake nods.

The rest of the meeting goes by, and shit is said, but all I can think about is sinking inside of Hayden. It’s obvious that she wants me, and it feels like a lifetime since we’ve been together. I fucking missed my woman. I thought I would never see her again, and I need to feel her—to make her scream with pleasure and prove that we’re both very much still fucking breathing.

“Tomorrow night, Cash Bar is going to be closed to the public. We’re doing a send-off for you boys. Dinner, booze, and bitches as a thank you for all of your help,” Snake announces before he slams his gavel down, adjourning the meeting.

Walking out of the cramped room we hold church in, my eyes scan the bar for Hayden and Easton. I find them almost immediately. They’re sitting at one of the tables and Easton’s face is pressed against her neck while she rocks from side to side. He’s obviously napping, and watching them together, it’s so fucking beautiful.

“You gonna wife her up?” Snake asks, coming up behind me.

I grunt. “Definitely,” I say, lifting my chin.

“Good. Life she had. She deserves the goddamn world,” he murmurs.

My lips twitch, but I fight my smile. “Sure fuckin’ does,” I admit.

I walk away from him and head toward my woman. Except I’m halted when I feel cool fingers wrap around my arm. I turn my head to the side and notice that it’s Jizzy. I look from her hand on my arm then up to her face and I wait, giving her the most impassive look I can manage.

“Still missing you, Crooner,” she rasps.

I lift my chin. “Still got an Old Lady, Jizz.”

She flinches, but she doesn’t step away. “I know that. Everyone with eyes can see your name plastered on her chest. Just wanted to let you know, you get a craving, you know where to find me.” She winks before releasing my arm, turns around, and struts away.

I shake my head, making my way toward Hayden.

“Looked like a titillating conversation,” Hayden snaps.

My eyes widen, and I glance down at her red face. She’s fucking pissed, and it’s cute as shit. “Let’s go home, baby.”

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t start any shit. She knows better than to say anything in here anyway. She stands and together we walk out of the back of the clubhouse. It’s still early in the day and I’m sure we won’t be talking any further about this, at least, not until Easton is in bed. Then I have a feeling she’ll want to talk about Jizzy, but I have plans for her. Her mouth is going to be too goddamn busy to talk about some whore.