Page 11 of Savage

“I don’t know what you’ve heard about MCs, but it probably wasn’t flattering. I’m not going to lie to you, and you’ve seen a little of it already, but we’re not a polite crowd. In a lot of ways, we’re a ragtag group of misfits.” Savage met her gaze as he said the next part. “But we would never hurt you. Not a single member of the Souls would ever force you to do something you don’t want to, if you know what I mean?”

Her face turned pink, and her gaze dropped to the socks she still fidgeted with. “I think so. You’re saying no one will force me to have sex with them.”

“Exactly. I’m not saying no one will ask, or try to convince you. And I wanted to warn you there will be a lot of alcohol and maybe some other things around tonight. You’re welcome to join in, as there will be plenty for everyone. I also wanted to make sure you didn’t feel like you are required to come back here tonight. If someone invites you to spend time with them, and you want to, you can, alright?”

“I just want to make sure I understand what you’re telling me.” Her voice was soft, as if she expected some kind of retaliation for what she was about to say. “You’re telling me it’s okay with you if I sleep with one of your buddies?”

He didn’t like hearing it in those words, but that was a him problem. “I’m telling you that just because you arrived with me, we’re not an item. You’re not limited to me as your only option. If you meet someone you like better, you can go with them if you like.”

Her fingers picked at the socks in her hands for a moment. “What if you find someone you want to ‘be with’?” Her voice had gone even softer, and he had to lean forward to hear her.

“Sweetheart?” He kept his voice gentle, but she didn’t respond, or even look up. “Sweetheart?” Savage repeated, this time leaning close so he could reach out and with one finger, tilt her face up until she met his gaze. “I won’t find someone else. I can promise you that. You can be assured, you come back here any time and it will be just you and me in this tent. I won’t bring anyone else back here, and I won’t be going anywhere else. Understand me?”

Something in her eyes told him she wasn’t sure if she could trust him, but she nodded anyway.

“Okay,” she said after a moment, her voice barely a whisper. “Anything else?”

“Just a couple of things. First, here’s a flashlight for you. Stick it in your pocket so you can find your way back even if you don’t come back until after dark.” He sat back on his sleeping pad took the light he’d set out for her and passed the small flashlight over to her. “And second, if someone bothers you after you say no, then come and find me. I’ll take care of them. I want you to feel safe and free to be you. Is that clear?”

She didn’t say anything, just nodded.

He watched her a moment before looking away.

“Did they show you the bunkhouse, where the bathrooms and showers are?” he asked, trying to fill the silence.

“They did.” She shuffled a few more things. “I was wondering, do you think anyone would mind if I went and took a shower now? I don’t want to be in anyone’s way, but I feel grimy.” She rolled her shoulders back. “And just a bit sore after the ride earlier.”

“I’m sure no one would mind. There probably isn’t even anyone around right now. The guys will either be out doing ranch shit or getting ready for the party tonight. There might be a couple of women around, but my understanding is only the single men live in the bunkhouse.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought about that.” Some of the enthusiasm at the idea of a shower seemed to be gone.

“Don’t worry about it. How about we walk over together and check? If there’s anyone around, I’ll ask. They might even have worked up a schedule already. We’ll go see.”

“Are you sure? You don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Let’s go.” He waited while she gathered a few things to take with her, then they put their shoes on and climbed out of the tent. He made sure he zipped it closed and together they headed for the bunkhouse.

14

Afterahotshowerand changing into clean clothes, Donna felt better than she could remember feeling in ages. She’d combed out her hair and pulled it up and out of her way. As she finished fastening it up, she wished it wasn’t so long. She’d wanted to cut it months before and had said as much to Noah. He’d flat refused. They had fought, she’d said it was her hair, she would cut it if she wanted. That had been the first time he’d hit her.

But he’s done it for the last time now, she reminded herself as she finished with her hair, gathered her things, and left the bathroom.

“Hey, are you all right?” a couple of the women approached as she stepped out of the bunkhouse and looked around.

Jailbait and Beth, if Donna remembered right. She wasn’t sure though.

“Yeah. I’m good.” She tried to paste on a reassuring smile. “I was just thinking about something better left behind.”

“What are you up to?” the woman Donna thought was Beth asked. “The guys are breaking out the alcohol and talking so we were looking for something else for a bit.”

“I need to take this stuff back to the tent, then I don’t have anything planned.”

“Let us go with you. We can talk about what to do while the men do their thing.”

“Okay.” She shrugged and turned toward the field where the tents had been set up. “Are the women not drinking?” She didn’t plan to, but she didn’t think all the women would stay sober. That didn’t really match with what she’d always heard about bikers, or with what Savage had said earlier.

“No, we’ll drink. I just prefer to wait a little longer to get started. We were planning on checking in with you, then with the ladies here to see if they needed any help getting dinner ready.”

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