Page 18 of Echoes of Obsession

“She won’t think you’re weird, honey. Just be yourself, and I bet she will love having you as a friend.”

“Can she read?” the woman asks. When I nod, she smiles and grabs a dry-erase board out of nowhere. “Perfect. They can use this to talk. And Allie won’t think you’re weird. We need to explain to her that you can’t hear, and then you can teach her how best to communicate with you.”

After translating everything to ASL, Zoe’s eyes light up.

“She loves teaching others ASL,” I laugh.

“Have fun, Dove,” Ghost tells her slowly. “I’ll bring you lunch soon.”

Nodding, Zoe accepts the woman’s hand, and they leave down a hallway and enter through one of the doors on the right side.

“Sophie will make sure she’s comfortable,” Ghost says as I continue watching the door. “And Maddy is already in there with the kids. You’ve already met her at the club.”

“And the school,” I say. “They put Zoe in her class.”

“Yeah, we heard,” he tells me. “I’m sure everything will be resolved soon.”

“I hope so,” I sigh. “I don’t want her falling behind because her teacher cares more about a snack than his student’s education.”

“I hope you like barbeque,” an older man with kind eyes says. “Ribs are almost done.”

“Oh, uhm. Yeah. I just like food,” I laugh, patting my round belly.

I look down and frown. Where the heck is the hole?

“Pops makes the best food,” Knox tells me. “But, if we don’t get our share first, these large buffoons will eat it all up.”

“He’s not wrong,” someone laughs.

“Alright,” Knox claps his hands. “Let’s see if you can keep up. This is my man, Taylor. You’ve met Ghost and King. This isHayes, Jax, Blaze, Steel, chocolate-hating Mitchell, Parker, Ma, Pops, Reynolds, and Venom.”

“It will take me ages to remember all of your names,” I laugh nervously. “Well, except chocolate-hating Mitchell. Who doesn’t like chocolate?”

“A sociopath, that’s who,” Knox says. “My Papa always has a sweet treat hidden away for when I’m good.”

“Who is your papa?” I ask.

“Oh, uhm. Well, this guy,” he laughs nervously while pointing to the man he said was his partner.

It takes my mind a few seconds to process everything before it clicks into place.

“Oh,” I smile. “Well, good for you. A little kink never hurt anyone.”

“Unless you want it to,” one of the giant men smirks.

“Blaze,” Knox reminds me. “He and his twin, Steel, own the BDSM club on the other side of town.”

“Oasis,” I nod. “I’ve heard of it.”

“Ever been inside?”

“I couldn’t even handle the flashing lights and heat at a bar,” I laugh. “I guess the club life isn’t for me.”

“I’d wear that t-shirt,” Maddy says from the hallway. “Alright, everyone, break it up. Give the woman some space. Pops says it’s time to eat.”

“Be right back, babe,” Ghost says, holding two plates with sandwiches on them.

“Is Zoe alright?” I ask.

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