Sweatpants two sizes too big dangle off the tips of my toes, as my legs hang over the edge of this cold medical table. Hands fisted on top of my baby bump, I grit my teeth, trying not to whine when Kade whips another excruciating stitch through my cheek. He wanted to give me a shot to numb the area, but I refused. Topical numbing was as good as I allowed. I’m not the biggest fan of needles. Especially near my face. Three minutes ago, I was on the verge of begging for one. My knife wound is too deep and jagged for glue, so I get to walk around with a four-inch line of sutures protruding from my face, and a broken nose that was recently set. That, too, hurt like a bitch. At least my cut lip was glueable. The rest, I’m not sure how bad it looks. I haven’t had the courage to peek in the mirror. I’m too afraid of what I might see, and I don’t have any energy left to make it through a total meltdown.

“Almost done,” Kade says, plastering on a nursey smile, his face the picture of perfect health. You couldn’t see that under the thick layer of blood when I first saw him. Now he looks just as handsome as I remember. Tall, lean, but not overly so. His face scruffy, yet youthful. He’s adorable, even if his blue eyes are heavy with fatigue.

We arrived at the clubhouse/compound about an hour ago in the dead of night. The kidnappers had driven me to Kentucky, a couple hours from the Sacred Sinners mother chapter, and even closer to their support clubs, which, I guess, are located in Kentucky somewhere. I’m not exactly sure. I picked up bits and pieces of whatever Ryker tried to explain.

On the journey here, I caught a reenergizing nap. Then minutes before we pulled into the gated fortress, Ryker shook me awake. Upon arrival, I was met with a handful of women who insisted on doting upon me. They call themselves Sacred Sisters, I think. Jezebel, the only one I’ve met, wasn’t among them. Evidently, my daughters are having a sleepover at her house tonight. It’s relieving to know they’ve been so well taken care of. I owe these people my sincerest gratitude for that.

Following a round of swift introductions, that I barely remember, I took a shower in Big’s clubhouse bathroom, and slid on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt that was given to me. They smell an awful lot like Ryker, but beggars can’t be choosers. Thankfully, I haven’t seen Vanessa, much less heard her grating voice since we arrived. Ryker’s been MIA, too. I’m guessing he’s doing his husbandly duties. Can’t say that doesn’t sting a bit. It does. Sure, he escorted me inside. Even got me a drink of water from their kitchen before disappearing. It’s not like I expected anything from him. You can’t expect something from somebody who’s a ghost in your life. Hell. My dad, who’s supposed to be dead, is more present than him.

The attractive bald guy from the driver seat, whose name I learned is Gunz, is the one who led Kade and me to this handy medical room that they’ve stocked to the nines. Now here I am with an ugly cut being stitched that hurts like a motherfluffer.

Kade meets my gaze. It’s watery from trying not to cry. “You sure you’re okay?”

Blinking twice to force the tears away, I incline my head a smidge. “I will be.”

“Just one more pass.” His tone’s gentle with a hint of concern. I close my eyes the moment the needle pierces my flaming skin. What feels like a hot branding iron burrows through my flesh and out the other side. Grinding my teeth, a traitorous tear slips free, and I swipe it away before he notices.

“There. All finished.” Kade clips the needle off with his scissors, then pats my knee. “You need anything else?”

“I need for this week to have never happened,” I reply dryly.

“I know.” He pats my knee once more before pulling away.

Cleaning his tray of medical supplies, Kade tosses what he needs to in the correct bins before plopping his butt on the table beside me. Without thinking twice, I lean my ear against him the very same moment his arm hooks over my shoulders, permitting me to snuggle the side of his warm chest.

“Do you have any other, ya know, areas you need me to inspect?” Kade mumbles, pressing his lips to my hair.

What’s he getting at?

“If you’re asking if I was raped, I wasn’t.”

Sure, I was, you know … touched. That’s of no medical concern. I’d rather not think about it. At all. As in … never. This week, I’d rather forget altogether. Chalk it up to a bad dream. Not something that’ll give me nightmares for years to come.

“You sure? Your clothes were…” He trails off.

I can fill in the blanks easy enough. My clothes were torn. I had no panties left. It doesn’t take a genius to deduct there was some form of defilement. One I refuse to speak about with him or anyone else. I can’t risk being placed in the dreaded victim category that Vanessa, no doubt, has happily welcomed herself in to. Bile rises in my throat at the mere thought of sharing any part of this experience with her. How Ryker handles her random bouts of childishness is something I’ll never fathom. Nor do I wish to.

There’s a soft tap at the door. I stiffen, holding my breath. Is it him?

“Yeah?” Kade calls, a growl ripping from his throat.

“It’s Debbie,” the woman returns from the other side. I exhale, relaxing. “Whenever you’re ready, Kat, I’ll take you to your room.”

“Where’s she stayin’?” Kade’s on defense, his hand tightening around my shoulders like I’m his lifeline and he’s afraid to let go. It’s sweet. He’s mine, too.

“She’ll be in Big’s room. You’re welcome to stay with her, but I think they’re about to have Church.”

“Fuck.” Disengaging from our snuggles, Kade hops off the table in one graceful motion. Standing in front of me, he gently cups my chin in his mitts, tipping my head back to meet his gaze. “I’m gonna go to Church so I can see what we’ve gotta do next. You go with Debbie. I’ll come to bed with ya when I’m done.”

“You don’t—”

The silencing snarl Kade emits keeps me from arguing that he doesn’t have to babysit me. I’m too tired to fight. Pain will do that to a person. My cheek still throbs with the irregular rhythm of my heart.

Instead, I nod once, resolute. “Right. I’ll go with Debbie.”

Leaning forward, Kade brings his lips to my forehead, pressing a warm, tender kiss there. One that seeps in, making me buzz with contentment. He’s my best friend. The only one I’ve ever had. Aside from … ya know.

“I dunno what I woulda done if you—” he begins.

“I’m okay. Nothing that a little bit of healing won’t fix.”

My reassurance seems to work wonders when Kade pulls back, helps me off the table, slings his arm over my shoulder, then escorts me to the door. Debbie’s standing on the opposite side next to a pretty, petite woman covered in tattoos.

“You take her to Big’s room. Nowhere else. Ya hear me?” he stresses, curling me closer to his body. I hook my arm around Kade’s lower back, hugging him tighter. My growing belly nudges his hip.

Deb reaches out a tentative hand in my direction, suspending it midair. “I’m Deb, and this…” She tilts her head in the small woman’s direction. “…is Pixie. I wasn’t sure if ya remember meetin’ us when ya came in.”

A surge of guilt races through me. “I … yes … sorry. I don’t...”

Deb shrugs a shoulder, her hand still waiting. I take it into mine and give it a quick shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Kat.” She nods respectfully in Kade’s direction. “Kade.”

He lifts a defiant chin. “Debbie. Just keep her safe and outta any of this bullshit.”

Visibly offended, Debbie’s eyes crinkle around the edges as she leers at him. “She’s a sister. We take care of our own. Pix and I will stay with her ‘til you make it back. No need to worry. This ain’t our first rodeo.”

“Sure. Got it. A sister,” Kade mumbles, the muscles in his arms bulging as they attempt to cut off my circulation.

If he’s not careful, he’s gonna snap one of my bones. He’s too damn strong. I press my hand to Kade’s stomach for him to release a bit of his hold, and he does without complaint. Thank God. I exhale in relief, rolling my shoulders to loosen them. This man’s wound too tight. He needs to get laid. Maybe that’ll wash away some of his tension.

Shaking her head in apparent frustration, Debbie clucks her tongue. “We take that seriously. It doesn't matter if she’s from our chapter or not. A sister is a sister. We take care of our own. You go on to Church, and we’ll settle her in.”

I’m not sure what being a sister means, but I’m not gonna complain if that means I’ve got a couple women to keep me company ‘til Kade returns. I was alone in that damned hellhole, so the last thing I want is to be left to my own devices again. Not when I know where my thoughts will surely drift—either to Ryker or that cold, dark cell. Take your pick. I still can’t believe he held me the entire ride here. Underneath the tangy scent of blood, he still smelled of himself. A scent I’ve never forgotten.

My belly dips at the remembrance.

See, I’ve gotta stop thinking about the fool.

Growling under his breath, Kade turns to face me. I have to tilt my head way back to make eye contact. He’s frowning, a severe crease between his brows. “You gonna be okay goin’ with them?”

Feigning an encouraging smile, I nod. “Yes. Now go do what you gotta do. Just don’t take forever.” I end on a painful wink that I successfully don’t wince at. This appears to relax Kade when he drops a kiss to my forehead, glares at the two women, then leaves us. For a moment, I watch his retreating form until it disappears through a doorway.

“It might be a while. They’ve got a lot to talk about. But we’ll keep ya company.” Deb pats my shoulder before she heads in the opposite direction Kade went. The Pixie woman stays with me until I’m ready to go. It takes a moment or two for my brain to set the gears in motion, and my feet shuffle forth.

I suppose it’s time to rest and get a good night’s sleep. If that’s possible. Wish me luck.