Page 12 of Sweet Revenge

“I don’t work today, so I thought maybe we could make some popcorn and do some marathon binge-watching on Netflix.”

I looked up at Becs, who was considerably taller than my own five feet, two inches, and noticed her hopeful expression. She expected me to turn her down, and she wasn’t wrong. “I’m pretty tired actually.”

She nodded sadly. “Okay. I work tomorrow, but I’ll check my schedule, and we’ll plan it.”

I didn’t answer and knew all I wanted was to be alone. The rest of the elevator ride was quiet, as was the drive back to the Sinners clubhouse, but I didn’t miss the looks Becs and Gunner shared. I could see the worry on their faces, and it should’ve made me feel loved or at least liked, but instead, it made me feel small.

Feeling like an obligation was a bitch.

Gunner pulled the SUV into the parking lot and parked right outside the front doors, positioning the vehicle so my door faced the door of the club. I knew he did that for my protection in case anyone was watching and also for Becs’s protection while she helped me out. He gave a chin tip to the prospect standing outside at the door who returned it and yanked the door open, holding it while Becs and I walked through.

If I hadn’t been looking at my feet, I would’ve noticed them and maybe, just maybe, I wouldn’t have reacted. But I hadn’t seen them, so when I heard loud voices yelling my name, I jerked my arm free of Becs and covered my face with my casted arm before forcing my body backward until it hit something hard. I held my other arm, still in a sling tight to my side when I felt arms wrap around my waist. I thrashed against the body behind me until I heard a voice in my ear.

“Maggie, it’s me, baby. It’s Gunner. You’re safe.”

I stilled my body but kept my arm over my face. My breathing was hard, almost painful in my chest. I noticed the room was completely silent when Gunner’s voice once again sounded in my ear. “Everyone came to welcome you home.” He quieted his voice. “Uncover your eyes, baby, and you’ll see you’re safe.”

I dropped my arm and slowly lifted my head, embarrassment flooding me when I saw the bar area filled with people watching me, all their eyes locked on me, some full of sadness, while others held anger. When my eyes landed on Luke standing with his arm around his wife, heat from humiliation flooded my cheeks.

Bear was the first to move toward me, and he did it slowly, almost cautiously. “Maggie, sweetheart, we didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to give you a proper welcome home.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, somewhat out of embarrassment for my reaction but more out of habit, having embarrassed Snake in the past and reaped the consequences of that.

He reached out and put his hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “Don’t ever apologize for being you, sweetheart.”

I didn’t know how to do that. It felt like I’d been apologizing for who I was for a long time. My breathing was finally calming, and I realized my back was still pressed tight against Gunner’s chest. I stiffened, and I knew he felt it when he slowly moved his arms from around my waist but left both of his hands resting lightly against my hips. As my breathing slowed, I felt the ache traveling through my broken ribs most likely from throwing my body backward.

“Are you okay?” I heard from beside me and looked up into the worried eyes of Becs.

I nodded slowly. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

Bear moved away slowly, and I saw that people were talking amongst themselves. My eyes scanned the room until they once again landed on Luke who was walking toward me with his wife right by his side, her hand clasped in his. My body stiffened further, and Gunner’s hands tightened on my hips.

Luke smiled softly when he made it to me. “Hi, Maggie.”

“Hi, Luke.” I said softly.

He released his wife’s hand and swung his arm around her shoulders. “This is my wife, Kate.”

“Hi, Kate.”

She held out her hand, which I hesitantly took and shook as best I could with the cast between my thumb and finger. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

The small smile on my face dropped. I could only imagine what she heard. She either didn’t notice or pretended not to when she continued. “I’m sorry we did that when you came in. We should’ve known better. I definitely should’ve have known better.”

I tilted my head to the side. “Why?”

She frowned. “I was attacked last year outside the bar where I used to waitress on the weekends. I was skittish for a long time after that, so more than anyone else, I should’ve known you would be too.”

My eyes flicked from hers to Luke’s before making their way back. “I’m glad you had Luke then.”

“Me too.” she answered, but her expression turned sad. I didn’t know what I said that was wrong or made her sad, and I was suddenly so damn tired, I felt like I could fall over.

Almost as if he could sense what I was feeling, Gunner leaned down and spoke quietly. “Why don’t you come sit down? I’ll get you a drink.”

I nodded and let him steer me toward the bar where I sat on a stool. Gunner got me a bottle of water and opened it before setting it in front of me. I thanked him quietly, but I wasn’t even sure he heard me. A few of the members of the club came over and said they were happy to see me home, and I thanked them shyly. I didn’t really know them. I hadn’t ventured out of my room too often, and if I did, it was early in the morning when I knew no one would be up.

I took a long drink of my water, which felt good on my still healing throat. I was surprised Snake hadn’t choked the life out of me if my sore throat was any indication of how hard he’d choked me. I flinched a little when a large man wearing a leather cut sat on the stool beside me.

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