Renee stared around the kitchen. She had several batches of brownies wrapped and ready to go to the party.

“What’s wrong?” Weasel asked, coming up behind her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

For the briefest moment, she allowed herself to take comfort in his touch and to just bask in being near him.

“Nothing.”

“That look on your face says something else, baby. Tell me what’s wrong?”

She sighed and bit her lip. “This party that the Soldiers are having … I don’t want to go.” She turned in his arms, staring into his eyes. “I’m not ready.”

“You can’t hide forever.”

“I know that but … this just seems so … quick. Then there’s us, and I’m not ready for that fallout yet.”

He cupped her face and forced her to look up at him. “Hey, don’t worry about us. We’ll tell Vengeance when you’re good and ready and not a moment before.”

“I don’t want to lose you or anyone else.”

“You won’t. I can promise you that. I’m here for you, and I’ll even be there if the club thinks for a second that they can say anything bad about you.”

“But I deserve it and know how protective they are over their members and reputation. I offended them,” she said and then groaned. “Ugh, just ignore me. I’m just trying to figure everything out and it’s not working. I’m torn in two over this. I want to tell the world that I’m with you, and then I’m scared because I’ve already caused a huge damn problem in the first place.” She slumped into the nearest chair, sinking her fingers into her hair.

“Stop taking all the blame. Vengeance said some shitty stuff, too. He’s to blame for this all going down as well.”

This feeling. It was threatening to swallow her whole, and she hated that. She hated being vulnerable.

“Last time I checked, Renee, you weren’t a coward.”

She dropped her hands and glared at him. “You know that is so not helping.”

“It’s not meant to help. I’m trying to make you see that you’re made of fighting stuff. You’re no quitter, and you’re behaving like one.” He spun the chair around even though she sat in it. “That’s not going to happen. Not on my watch. Brownies are a damn good start. Put on your big girl pants, and let’s go and have some fun.”

It seemed like they were there in no time, this suffocating feeling threatening to strangle her. Especially when the Grit Chapter had also arrived. She saw Bridget and Beast along with Vicky and Payne.

“Well, well, well, look at what crap has come to party,” Weasel said, teasing.

He moved away from her and she watched as he shook Grim’s, followed by Reaper’s, hands. They were twins and the rumors about them were kind of scary, kind of fucked up in what they liked doing in and out of the bedroom.

Keeping the brownies to her chest, she made her way toward the kitchen. There she saw several of the clubwomen talking, including Deanna, Amy, Eloise, and also Constance.

She knew everyone and yet felt completely isolated from them all. Waiting near a wall until all the women but Constance had left, she entered the kitchen.

“I wondered when you were going to come out of hiding.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Vengeance and I don’t keep any secrets from each other. You’re hurting and I do get that.”

“I’m not really comfortable being back. I had no idea that the Grit chapter would be here,” she said, pointing behind her.

“Yeah, it’s been a good year for both clubs, and with weddings and babies and everything. It just seemed like a really good idea to party.”

“The Soldiers have never needed a reason to party. They just love doing it. That will never change,” Renee said, laughing softly. “I’m going to go and grab a beer.”

There was no way she was going to keep on going without something to drink. She went to the cooler and grabbed herself a bottle.

“Well, hell,” Joker said, reaching in to grab a bottle of beer. “Hello, stranger.”

“Hello to you too.” She tucked some hair behind her ears and forced a smile. “Congratulations on the wife and the kids and everything. Out of everyone, I didn’t think for a second that you’d be the one settled down.”

“The kids are indeed a surprise, as I’m sure you know. Settling down, it was always on the cards with Amy.” Joker took a long swallow of his beer.

“Yeah. She’s sweet as well.”

“When are you going to grow some lady balls and stop acting like a victim,” he said.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Joker shrugged. “You think you’re the first person near this club to make a mistake? You didn’t screw us over, nor did you rat. Sure, you said a few hurtful things but I’m over it. I’m sure everyone else here is as well. Vengeance wanted you back, and we all did.” He gently pushed her in a friendly way and left.

“There you are,” Weasel said, coming up behind her. “Sorry about leaving you like that. I rarely get a chance to see the Grit guys anymore.”

“It’s fine. I’m fine. I’ve got a beer, and everything is great.”

“Then let’s go and dance.”

“What about Vengeance?” she asked, quickly looking around for any sign of him.

“He’s not here yet, and there’s nothing wrong with having a little dance.”

Weasel grabbed her arm and pulled her in close. They both held a bottle of beer, but that didn’t seem to stop him from holding her. His touch made her a little nervous but so damn aroused she couldn’t even think straight.

“You really need to relax.”

“I will.”

“When?” he asked, giving her a wink. “You’ve got to stop doing this to yourself. This is not a playground. No one is glaring at you or pointing a finger saying you should be bullied. You are fine. We’re fine, and you’re going to dance with me if you like it or not.” He rested a hand on her hip, and she took a breath. Slowly relaxing into his arms.

“See, that’s not so bad, is it?”

“I guess not,” she said, her voice thick, heavy with desire. She loved his touch more than anything else. Weasel had a great deal of power over her, whether he knew it or not. She had loved him for as long as she could remember. Never did she think it was possible to actually be able to have him, but now that she had, she didn’t want to give him up.