Page 57 of Blood of Vengeance

“I’m fine.” I sighed when she gave me an exasperated glare. “I’m good—sad and waterlogged, but good.”

“So you don’t mind if I go with Mr. Tall, Gray, and Sexy AF?”

I coughed a laugh. “No. Feel free. Ride off into the sunset.”

Her eye roll could only be described as epic. “None of that. I’ve just never been on the back of a motorcycle before. If I’ve only got one chance, I’m glad it’s with someone I don’t mind holding on to.”

“Flinch would have given you a ride?—”

I couldn’t even finish the sentence before her eyebrow winged up. “You think I’m going to get all up close and personal with my best friend’s man?”

I didn’t quite know what to say to that, because no, I didn’t think that, but also, I knew I could trust her and Flinch together. I knew Flinch wouldn’t cross a line, and Zella would have murdered him if he had even tried. All thoughts that felt out of place, considering the moment.

I sighed, my head swimming a bit. “Just go ride. We’ll meet you there.”

She paused, eyes heavy with concern. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Was I? No, probably not. But also, yes. My dad hadn’t been a daily part of my life…ever. Yes, we talked on the phone often enough and he visited yearly, but there were no good-morning or good-night texts, no calls in the middle of the day just because. No real sense of stability I had a feeling more traditional parent-child relationships offered. I would be okay on my own because I had always been okay on my own. But knowing I no longer had any sort of older relatives—no grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, or even cousins—left me feeling slightly untethered. Nothing had changed much in my day-to-day life, and yet somehow everything had changed.

And none of that needed to be unloaded on Zella in that moment.

“I’m really fine. Go. Let the man give you the ride of your life…whatever that may mean.”

“Hussy,” she said then gave me a sad sort of smile. “If you need me, text me. I’ll have Cutter pull over and wait for Flinch to catch up. Promise.”

And somehow, I knew that was exactly what she would do if I needed her. “I appreciate it. Now, go.”

Zella grabbed my hand for a quick squeeze before turning and striding across the parking lot toward Cutter. Flinch caught my eye, his brow furrowed. The man’s gaze held me in the same way his arms did, warmed me without contact. I was safe in that gaze even if it was a questioning one. I had no answers for him or anyone else in that moment, none that made sense, at least. So instead of trying to think of any, instead of trying to sort through the emotional chaos within me, I headed for the man who soothed my soul with his very presence.

“All good?” he asked as soon as I came close enough.

“Of course. Zella’s riding with Cutter.”

“I saw that.” He tucked me under his arm, pulling me in for a hug that I so desperately needed. “You sure you’re okay with going back to the clubhouse?”

“Yeah. I would rather be with a group than alone.”

“You wouldn’t be alone, short stack.”

“I know. But I need to be…even less alone tonight. If that makes sense.”

He gave me one last squeeze before grabbing my hand and leading me toward his truck. “Baby, nothing in grief makes sense, but I’m here for whatever you need. Let’s head out.”

Nineteen

Locklyn

We drove onto the clubhouse parking lot an unknown amount of time later. The lot looked packed as everyone else had likely driven straight there. Flinch had taken a detour…and somehow ended up with his face between my thighs under the desert sky. Not that I was complaining. Distractions were necessary, it seemed.

“You ready?” he asked, turning to look right at me as he ran a thumb over his bottom lip. “Or do you need another distraction?”

The implication made me shiver, but I didn’t need another distraction. I needed noise and people and Zella.

“I’m ready.” I rose onto my knees and leaned across the console to plant a big, greedy kiss on his lips. Still tasting myself on them. “Let’s go.”

He smacked my ass then slid out of the truck and rushed around to my side to open the door, holding my hand as I exited. He then looped my arm through his and led me inside, keeping his head up, his back straight, and a mean motherfucking glare on his face. The man looked ready to fight.

“You okay?” I asked as we walked inside.

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