Page 32 of Lady Death

“Ronin!” a woman’s voice chastised him. “Not in the old ladies’ bathroom. That’s why it’s pink!”

He chuckled. “Sorry, Chase. Couldn’t help it. This is Keres.”

With heat engulfing her face, Keres pushed her t-shirt down. “Nice to meet you,” she mumbled.

“You too. I’m Chase, by the way. I’ll step out for a moment.” She shot one more glare at Ronin before turning. “We’re going to the Poke and Tickle tonight, Keres! You’re more than welcome to come with us!”

She didn’t know what to say, but when the door closed behind Chase, Keres closed her eyes in mortification and leaned her forehead against Ronin’s chest. His chest rumbled with a little chuckle.

“Not funny,” she muttered.

“It’s a little funny.” He lifted her off the counter. “Come on. Leia said she had some clothes for you.”

“I’m not parading downstairs in just a t-shirt without panties.”

He slid one hand down until he cupped one of her ass cheeks. She slapped at it.

“Stop. No hanky-panky where everyone can just waltz in.”

Ronin slid a hand across her shoulders. “Gotcha. Hanky-panky only in private.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I’ll grab the stuff from Leia.”

“I have a therapy session in a bit.”

“Okay. I’ll hurry.”

He left and a few minutes later, she had a bag full of clothes. Picking out a t-shirt and shorts, she dressed and then picked up her phone to connect with Kori.

“How’ve you been?”

Keres stared at her therapist through the small screen onher phone and wondered how to tell her, then figured it was best to rip the bandage off. “There was a drive-by shooting. Darby died.”

Kori blinked, her eyes widening with horror and sadness. “Keres, I’m so very sorry. Where are you now? Do you have someone with you?”

“Yes, I’m with that guy from the gym I told you about. He’s part of a motorcycle club and I’m at his house.”

“Are you in danger from them?”

“Danger?”

“Motorcycle clubs don’t have the best reputation when it comes to women.”

“I’m safe. They aren’t like some of those violent clubs.” To a lesser degree they were, Keres thought. But Kori didn’t need to know that. “I had that nightmare again.”

“After Darby died?”

“Yes.”

“That’s to be expected,” Kori said consolingly. “He was your protector, the man who literally saved you from hell, and the safety net has now been yanked from under you. No one to catch you if you fall, and your mind is trying to comprehend that.”

“I realized everyone around me dies,” she whispered. “My parents. Abigail. Darby. Ronin almost died. It must be me.”

“None of this was your fault.”

“But I’m the common denominator. I’m cursed.” She thought about Ronin. The people she’d met at the club. Leia and her baby. The other old ladies.

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