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And then I let him curl up next to me in bed and hold me tight.

It’s clear he needs this closeness more than I need to hang onto my anger or freak out over the fact that he might love me.

I’ll give him this tonight and deal with my own emotional drama tomorrow.

* * *

A few days later, I walk into Posey’s Lounge a little after noon with a serious chip on my shoulder. The bar opened about ten minutes ago and I hope to catch Edge before they get busy.

Edge and I need to have words, because Chase didn’t just recruit the MC’s help to fix up my dad’s trailer. They replaced the whole damn thing.

I just about lost it when Chase drove me home the next morning. Right where our nearly condemned home once sat was one that looked twice as long and wider than what was there when I left the previous morning.

The outside is a bright white with charcoal gray trim, where the old one was a dingy white with various shades of brown covering it in a mottled design from years of weathering. The inside is fresh and clean and looks like it’s never been lived in. The carpet is dark tan. The walls are crisp off-white, and the kitchen has granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and dark wood cabinets.

Even the furniture is new. I didn’t think anything would ever convince my dad to get a new recliner. He’s refused to replace his old one for years. But he seems to love the new, soft leather recliner that came with this new home.

Whereas the old trailer only had two bedrooms and one bathroom, this one has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Dad and I no longer have to share. He refused to take the bedroom with the en suite, saving that one for me. If I’d been here at the time, that wouldn’t have happened. Hell, if I’d been there, that trailer wouldn’t have happened.

The whole damn thing is a luxury that Dad and I have never experienced before. And there’s no way in hell it comes with no strings attached.

I march up to the bar, and as soon as Sally sees me, he holds his hands up in surrender. “I had nothing to do with it. Edge is in the game room.”

“Thanks, Sally.” I keep on walking, not bothering to stop and dig for more information. Sally’s quick deflection to Edge tells me all I need to know. Edge has been expecting my visit.

When I round the corner, Edge is sitting at the high-top table next to the wall that’s always left open for him. He’s leaning back in his chair with his arm propped up on the back. He’s watching the door like he’s been expecting me to pass through it.

“Lina,” he says my name with too much enthusiasm for my comfort. He makes it sound like we’re old friends when we’re anything but. “I’ve been waiting for you. Glad you finally decided to stop by.”

“Cut the shit. You had no right to swap our trailer. I told you I didn’t want anything from you.”

“Sit,” he says. His voice is commanding and leaves no room for debate. He expects me to listen to him.

I cross my arms over my chest and hold my position. “I’m just fine right where I’m at.”

His eyes narrow. “Suit yourself.

“I can’t be indebted to the club. Take it back. All of it.”

“Not happening. And you owe us nothing. There is no debt.” He takes a long pull from his beer before he calls the server over. “I’ll take another and go ahead and bring one for Lina too.”

“I don’t want a beer.” I hiss.

“Bring her a beer,” Edge’s voice booms. The server scurries off like a scared little kitten. I don’t flinch. All his behavior manages to do to me is piss me off more.

“I’m not scared of you,” I say.

“Good. ’Cause I’m not trying to scare you.”

“Then what are you trying to do?” Some of my anger dissipates, and much to my dismay, I take the seat opposite him. I am so tired of fighting everything and everyone. But I can’t let him do this for my family. “You have to understand why I can’t accept this from you.”

“I do,” he says without hesitation. His reaction surprises me.

“Then why did you do it?”

He shrugs. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Chase. The club owed him a debt.”

“What kind of debt?”

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