Page 4 of Savage

Savage's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Don't go ruining my reputation." His gaze locked on Savannah. "And who might you be, little girl?"

Savannah's heart hammered against her ribcage. "S-Savannah," she managed, cursing the tremor in her voice. "I'm new here."

"I can see that," Savage said, his eyes never leaving hers. "The girls seem to have adopted you. So, welcome to the family."

Family.

The word echoed in Savannah's mind, a bittersweet reminder of why she was really there. She forced a shy smile, playing her role. "Thank you."

"There's your Daddies now," Savage said, nodding as Irish and Arrow joined them in line.

"What did we miss?" Irish asked. "We had to step outside for a minute and deal with club business. Were you misbehaving?"

"Who? Us?" Makenzie feigned a shock expression at the question.

"I kept a close eye on them," Savage said. "They just got in line for snacks. I wasn't about to let them get entire plates full of sugar."

"Good looking out," Arrow said. They neared the front of the line and Savannah watched as both Arrow and Irish picked up plates and helped the girls fill them with balanced snacks.

"Do you need help deciding?" Savage asked her.

"No, I'm not hungry," Savannah said, and she wasn't lying. She was too nervous to be hungry.

"Okay. Why don't I put a couple of things on a plate, just in case you change your mind," Savage said gently. She followed behind him and watched as he put cheese cubes, salami shaped into a rose, some crackers, grapes, and the cupcake she'd been eyeing onto a bright yellow paper plate.

As Savage led them to a nearby table, Savannah couldn't help but notice the way his presence seemed to fill the entire room. He was easily twenty years her senior, but there was an undeniable magnetism about him that made her pulse quicken.

"So, Savannah," he said, leaning forward. "What brings you to our neck of the woods?"

She met his gaze, stealing herself. "Just...visiting." She was trying to keep as close to the truth as she could, so she wouldn't have to remember the lies later. Last year, taking care of her mother as she battled cancer and working at the hotel inhousekeeping had taken up every single minute of her day. Since she'd passed away, her days felt empty and lonely. Her sister had moved to Denver for a better opportunity and taken her niece with her. She'd been happy for them and hoped to follow, eventually. If she could get close to The Watchmen and get the information, Zeb demanded from her... maybe she would.

As the night wore on, Savannah found herself laughing more freely, the weight of her deception momentarily lifting. But as closing time approached, reality came crashing back.

"We should exchange numbers," Makenzie insisted, pulling out her phone. "In case you need anything, okay?"

Savannah nodded, guilt twisting her stomach as she recited her number. "Thanks, really. For everything tonight."

As she gathered her things, Savannah took a deep breath. She'd made progress, but at what cost? The warmth of newfound friendships warred with the cold reality of her mission. She shouldn’t get too close to these women; they’d eventually find out about her betrayal. Could she handle the way they would look at her when they found out why she was really here? To ruin their Daddies lives? Tear apart their relationships? Wreak havoc on them? No, she didn’t think she could possibly face them when all this was done. She needed to keep a distance.

"Let me walk you to your car," Savage called as she headed for the exit.

Savannah turned, offering a small wave. "I'll be okay," she said.

"That might be true, but I'm going to walk you anyway," Savage told her.

The dark, silent night contrasted with the vibrant colors and energy pulsing behind the door. The difference was almost shocking to her system. She took a deep breath of the cold night air and let it out slowly, forgetting that Savage was standing next to her.

"You, okay?"

"I'm good. It's just... it's like a different world when you step through the doors," she admitted.

"Is it a good world or a bad world?" Savage asked.

"Oh, good!" She said quickly and realized she meant it. "It was really nice to meet new friends, and I had fun playing with them."

"Emilee and Makenzie are the best. You couldn't find better friends. I'm glad you exchanged phone numbers. I hope you can develop good friendships with them."

"Me too," she said. She knew it would never happen. Eventually, she'd get the information she needed and leave. It was too bad, because in another lifetime, Grand Ridge might have called her home. The weight of her deception pressed down on her, threatening to crush her resolve. Savage walked her to the car and told her to put on her seatbelt.

---