Page 12 of Savage

“Thank you,” she said softly, looking up at Savage. “I don’t know what to say.”

Savage's piercing gaze met hers, and for a moment, Savannah felt as if he could see right through her carefully constructed facade. “You don't have to say anything,” he replied. “Just remember, you're safe here. Whoever you're running from... he can't touch you now.”

Savannah bit her lip, conflicting emotions warring within her. Gratitude for his protection battled with the growingunease. The deeper she got involved with the club, the harder it was to gather information to betray them.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Savage nodded, his expression softening slightly. He set her suitcase next to the bed. “Get settled in. Dinner will be ready downstairs soon. Tater's been cooking up a storm, and I’m sure Emilee and Makenzie are eager to see you.”

At the mention of the women, Savannah's stomach twisted. Their friendly faces flashed in her mind, heightening her sense of guilt. They’d been nothing but kind to her and there she was, spying on them.

“I'll be down soon,” Savannah managed, forcing a smile.

The door closed behind him, leaving Savannah alone with her thoughts.

CHAPTER 5

SAVANNAH

Anxiety swirled in Savannah’s stomach as she slowly made her way down the stairs to the main section of the clubhouse.

“Savannah!” Mackenzie squealed from her spot on a leather couch, where she was sitting, chatting with Emilee. Emilee turned around and grinned widely.

“Come sit with us!”

Savannah hesitated, glancing over at where Savage stood. Did he expect her to stay with him? He was letting her stay in his room, after all. Maybe there was an unwritten club rule about guests needing to stick close to the member who brought them in. She scanned the room, noting Irish and Arrow at a table with their laptops and a few other members lounging in separate clusters.

As if reading her mind, he came over to her side. “Did you get settled in okay?”

“I… uh… yes?” What did he mean by settled in? She’d sat at the desk collecting her thoughts and trying to come up with a game plan. Zeb hadn’t told her exactly what information he was looking for, and she wished not for the first time, that he had. What was the right information that would pay the debt andfinally make her free? Until she figured it out, she would have to funnel everything to him, hoping it was enough. This must be what traitors feel like. Except, they normally had a cause they believed in. She didn’t. She didn’t have a lick of loyalty to The Rejects. If they weren’t threatening her family, what was left of her family anyway, she’d have run away.

“Savage!” Mackenzie called. “Stop hogging her!” Savage laughed and shook his head.

“Go ahead,” Savage said, his tone casual. “If you need anything, I’ll be at the table with Arrow and Irish.”

Savannah nodded and slowly made her way to the girls, settling into one of the oversized leather chairs adjacent to their couch.

“I love your shirt!” Emilee exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat.

“Yes! It’s adorable,” Mackenzie added enthusiastically.

“We knew Savage went to find you, but we didn’t expect him to bring you here,” Emilee said.

“Yeah, how did that happen?” Mackenzie asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Savannah bit her lip, trying to decide how much she could safely share. The truth wasn’t an option. “Um, he came to the motel and invited me to lunch,” she said carefully.

“Let me guess, The Rusty Crab?” Emilee asked.

“How did you know?” Savannah asked, surprised.

“We all love that place,” Mackenzie replied. “It’s our favorite.”

“It was great,” Savannah said shyly. “I had chocolate chip pancakes and bacon.”

“Oh my gosh! The chocolate chip pancakes are the best thing on the menu!” Emilee gushed.

“It’s one of my favorites too,” Mackenzie agreed. “But it’s definitely notthebest thing on the menu. The chicken andwaffles win. Corky lets me swap out the fried chicken for tendies. So, I get chicken tendies with a chocolate chip waffle and loads of hot maple syrup.”

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