Page 111 of Back in Black

Havoc snorted. “Leave it alone, Drew.”

“But I’d like to talk to the lady.”

A woman’s voice said, “Now, Drew, I thought you wanted to talk to Brett.”

“That, too. But since she’s here with him, I might as well kill two birds with one stone.”

Dickey said, “Still can’t control him, Ms. Noode?”

Obviously unconcerned with possible repercussions, Ms. Noode laughed. “It’s like trying to marshal a tornado. I can’t be expected to work miracles.” Then her voice firmed. “But I can promise there will benokilling.”

Drew made a sound of exasperation. “For God’s sake, I’m not going to hurt her.”

None of the fighters moved. That they would defend her like this, attempt to protect her . . . well, Audrey was humbled by their gallantry. Her own group had turned on her, and yet these men, the men she’d labeled as barbaric, thought to shield her.

It wasn’t easy, but she wedged between Dickey and Brett and stepped forward to present herself. “Mr. Black.”

“Ms. Porter.” His eyes narrowed on her. He looked a little surprised at the state of her condition. “What the hell happened to you?”

Ms. Noode elbowed him.

Audrey gulped and squared her shoulders. She would not be a victim in this. “Long story, but I’m fine.” She nodded to the woman. “Ms. Noode.”

Seeming friendly enough, the other woman smiled. “Hello, Ms. Porter.”

“Please, call me Audrey.”

“If you’ll call me Gillian.”

The men were all mute, which was somehow endearing.

Drew shook his head, collected himself, and said to Audrey, “It’s past time we had a face-to-face, don’t you think?”

“I had planned to contact you,” Audrey confirmed. She forced herself forward another step and folded her hands together to keep them from shaking. “I take full responsibility for the posting Millie put online in the name of WAVS. But I want you to know that I didn’t approve it, and I don’t condone it.”

Drew crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her. “Is that right?”

Audrey felt Brett’s hands settle onto her shoulders. She appreciated his support more than he could know. “What should have been a professional accounting of facts turned into a vicious, personal attack.”

Drew shrugged. “Similar to the attack I heaped on Ms. Christian. Problem is,” he said, “she went after the wrong people.”

Audrey flickered a look at Gillian. As Brett had told her, that awesome woman didn’t look like a victim in any way. Audrey admired her poise. “My sincere apologies to you, too.”

Gillian waved that off as unnecessary. “I think we should all talk.”

Drew looked past Audrey to Brett. “Right now is good for me. I’d like to clear the air and get all of this settled.”

Audrey looked back in time to see Brett run a hand through his hair. He’d been through so much already. But she didn’t know how to help him.

“Fine.” Brett turned back to the table of women and politely excused himself. They bade him farewell with no clinginess in sight.

“Let’s go outside where it’s quieter,” Brett said. “We can all talk there.”

Audrey glanced back at the women Brett left behind and saw that they were thrilled when Dickey Thompson rejoined them.

“Don’t worry about it,” Brett whispered in her ear, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.” They trailed out of the bar behind Drew and Gillian.

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