You would think with all these members under one roof there would be complete chaos, but there isn’t any of that. I also would have thought Glory would be overwhelmed with so many people but that’s not the case either. If anything, she seems to be more at ease than she was before we got here last night. And although Remi can't leave to attend school until all this is over; I hope it's sooner than later, she has been enjoying herself. Remi has quickly made friends with Quinn's baby sister Katalina, but she prefers to be called Kat. We met her parents, Quinn's mom and dad yesterday. They are a beautiful and sweet couple.

Softly knocking on the bedroom door to the room Glory is occupying, I wait for her to answer before turning the handle and opening the door. Poking my head inside, I find her sitting on the side of the twin size bed. "Hey, how are you feeling this morning?"

"Aside from the tight muscles in my back and side, I feel like I need a two-hour soak in a hot bath." her eyes lock with mine, "Seriously, I feel pretty good," Glory replies as she reaches for the glass of water and the plastic pill bottle sitting on her nightstand.

Having yet stepped into the room I ask, "would it be okay if a doctor friend came in and gave a look at you this morning."

Glory pops the pill in her mouth and tips the glass up. "I don’t mind. Does this doctor look like the rest of those delicious looking bikers I met last night?"

Swinging the door open, I step inside, and Emerson walks in behind me then closes the door. "Afraid not," Emerson laughs.

"Glory, this is Emerson." I introduce the two. Emerson takes a seat on the edge of the bed next to Glory. "Dr. Evans, Grace has told me about you and the rest of the girls she's been lucky enough to become friends with. I'm happy to meet one of you finally," Glory gives her a sincere smile.

"You'll get to meet the rest of them soon," Emerson tells her. "You mind if I take a look at your side?" she asks Glory. Lifting the hem of her shirt, Glory exposes her ribs and I cringe. The bruises on her side vary in color from dark purples to reds and cover all her exposed skin on her side.

Lightly touching the traumatized area, Emerson examines her. Moving on, she cleans the stitches on the back of Glory's head. "No signs of infection, but still a little swelling. That warm bath you spoke of a few minutes ago is a great idea. It will help relax the tense muscle spasms you're having in your back."

Knocking at the door draws our attention. Cracking the door slightly open, Remi pokes her head in. "Momma, are we allowed to go outside?" she asks.

I haven’t heard Jake say otherwise but to be safe, I think I need to discuss it with him first. The compound is secluded, but that doesn’t mean the area isn’t prone to being vulnerable. Yesterday everyone was outside, and I was less worried. This morning with everyone still indoors I'd prefer her not to be out there. "Peanut, I don’t think it’s a good idea right now, but I'll see what Jake has to say about you guys going outside for some fresh air later."

A deep sigh leaves her lips. "Fine, I guess I'm going to go find Kat and hang out with her and watch some Netflix."

Crossing the room, I open the door a bit and pull her in for a hug. "I know this whole situation sucks." Throwing her head back, Remi looks at me and I push the mass of curls from her face.

"Are you and Aunt Glory coming down to eat breakfast? I helped make the French toast casserole," she smiles.

"Of course, I'm going to run her a bath then I'll head to the kitchen and help the rest of the women. Lord knows we have several mouths to feed and tons of food to cook," I tell her. Peeking around my shoulder Remi says, "See you downstairs, Aunt Glory," then rushes off to find Kat.

"That kid is my favorite person," Glory remarks.

"You're bias," I tell her and head towards the bathroom.

"Damn right I am," Glory smiles.

"Alright, ladies. I'm going to leave you to it." Standing, Emerson grabs her medical bag. "I'll see you both later. My shift starts in about two hours, and I have a feeling I'm going to have to sneak out of here to get there." She walks out the door and closes it behind her. She's right. Emerson is going to have a fight on her hands getting the men—one man, in particular, to let her leave with everything that’s going on. I hate that my baggage has affected them and permanently put everyone's life on hold for the moment. I've watched my friends overcome many obstacles over the years. The last thing I wanted to do was add to it.

"What's with the melancholy look on your face," Glory starts to move towards the bathroom.

"We are stuffed in this building like sardines because of my past, Glory. That doesn’t bother you at all?"

Pulling the shower curtain back, I turn the hot and cold water on and start filling the small tub.

"Why would it bother me?" She shrugs. "Look, life sucks sometimes. Right now, Ronan and his merry men happen to be the ones leaching on it for all it's worth right now. So, we do what we need to do and use the help you've been given to our advantage. You were lucky enough to get away from that piece of shit and his family. Sure, two years of hiding has been tough, but you are alive. Remi is alive."

Plopping down on the toilet seat, I take in my best friends words. Peeling her clothes off, she steps into the water and lowers herself.

"Oh my god," she moans as the warmth of the water relaxes her. "You have several large badass bikers on your side. I have a feeling the De Burca family has met their match, and I for one can't wait to see all of them go straight to hell." Closing her eyes, Glory sinks a little further into the water.

"Hell would be too good for the likes of Ronan De Burca." I murmur. Standing, I announce, "I'm gonna head downstairs and get busy cooking. Come find me when you're done," I tell her before leaving her to enjoy her bath in peace.

When I make my way downstairs, I find the common area taken over by many of the member's kids of various ages playing, watching TV, or playing video games. Turning to my left, I walk through the kitchen door and find Bella, Alba, and Raine milling around trying to get brunch ready.

"Hey, Grace, thank god you're awake. We could use an extra pair of hands in here," Bella announces as she pulls waffles from the iron then ladles more batter onto the hot surface before closing it tight.

"Put me to work." Taking the hair tie from my wrist, I pull my mess of hair away from my face and secure it in a low ponytail. Glancing around the kitchen, I notice someone missing. "Where Lisa?"

"Oh, Bennett took her to the grocery store. We've run out of bread and a few other items. They should be back before too long." Alba tells me as she hands her and Bella's daughter the toys they keep throwing over the edge of the playpen they have set up on the other side of the kitchen.

Roughly an hour later we have finished cooking. The kitchen door creaks open, and Quinn pops his head in. "We got the tables set up. You ladies need a hand?"

"Thanks, Quinn," says Bella who has two casserole dishes in her hands. Walking up to her, Quinn takes them from her and carries them out to the common room. Soon after, Blake walks in to help us as well. With a little help, we get everything laid out across three tables including the paper plates and plasticware. As the mommas go about plating some food for the smaller kids first, Jake walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my middle and leans down placing a light kiss on my neck. I let my eyes close for a moment enjoying the connection. Of all the ways he touches me... this—a light caress of his lips on my neck is my favorite.

"You smell so good, Little Bird." Jake murmurs.

Hearing a shuffle behind me, I peer around Jake's arm to see Glory making her way down the stairs. "Okay, people. I smell bacon." She announces.

"I put some aside for you in the microwave just in case you didn’t make it down in time," I laugh.

"You are the best," she pauses, grabs both sides of my face and plants a kiss on my lips. The gesture is nothing unusual to me. She's done this as long as we've known each other. She can be dramatic about it, but that’s how we are. She's my ride or die bestie. However, the lip action catches the attention of a couple of other people, one being Quinn who makes his feelings known on the public display of affection.

"Do it again," he begs holding a plate full of waffles and scrambled eggs as he stares in our direction. Adding fuel to his fire, true to Glory's nature, she blows him a kiss and smiles.

"Don't encourage him," Jake chuckles. "Besides, I don’t want Demetri to kill one of my men," he lifts his chin gesturing across the room. Glory and I follow his line of sight. Completely zoned in on my best friend with a stare so intense, even I can feel the heat, is Demetri. When I lift my eyes to Glory, her death stare in his direction is in full force. He has no idea what he wants to go after. Glory is a one of a kind force of nature. Demetri better be prepared for a chase because Glory will be a hard one to catch.

"That man wants to devour you," I whisper in her direction.

"Yeah well, too bad for him. I'm not interested. I'll be in the kitchen," Glory says breaking their connection and walking away.

"Did you believe a word she said?" Jake questions me as we continue to watch everyone eat.

"Not a word," I state.

"Come on," he grabs my hand, "Let's get some food before they eat it all." About the time we grab a couple of plates the front door burst open causing it to slam into the wall creating a loud thud. In stumbles, a bloodied Bennett assisted by Austin.

"Prez, he's been shot," Austin yells.

Struggling to stand, Bennett rages, "Jake, they got Lisa. Those motherfuckers took my woman."