Page 32 of Dancin' with Demons

Never in a million years did I picture my daughter and I having a moment like this, and I certainly didn’t think it would be with Renegade. Falling for him is inevitable, and my heart knows that already, and honestly, it terrifies me, but it also gives me hope for the first time in a long time.

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AfterThe Lion King,Sleeping Beauty, andThe Princess and the Frog, I left Renegade and Savior to watchThe Black Cauldronwhile I made dinner. Honestly, the last hour and some in the kitchen alone have been really nice. The last time I got to cook like this was in college before everything happened. I haven’t had a kitchen like this one in years. Tonight, I made homemade cheesy chicken bake with a salad.

“Dinner,” I holler toward the door as I set the casserole dish in the center of the table and head back to grab the salad and dressings.

Savior comes barreling into the kitchen just as I turn around, and I stop abruptly to avoid colliding with her. As she darts around the table and climbs into her chair, Renegade comes in and snakes his arm around my waist as I stretch to set the salad and all down. Standing straight again, he squeezes me to him and kisses the side of my head.

“Smells good in here, baby.” Letting go of my waist, he moves behind me and steps behind Savior to push her seat closer to the table.

He and I both sit down, and Renegade proceeds to fill everyone’s plates. He even talks Savior into trying salad with Ranch dressing, which she ends up liking and finishes it before even digging into her chicken bake. None of us is too talkative as we eat, but the quiet isn’t weird or uncomfortable. Every now and then, Savior asks Renegade something or tells us whatever thought pops into her little head, but for the most part, it’s a quiet and peaceful meal.

As we’re finishing up, the front door opens and several voices travel in from the living room.

“Renegade.” Catacomb’s voice is stern without so much as a hint of amusement in it.

Renegade sets his fork down, wipes his face with a napkin and stands. “I’ll be right back, little love.”

Savior is super focused on her food, so I stay quiet, straining my ears to try and hear whatever is about to go on in the other room.

“Hey, Prez,” Renegade says, “what’s up?”

“Just got off the phone with the Geek Squad,” Catacomb says, irritation oozing with each word, “and we might have a problem.”

“Yeah, turns out they think some of men that were at the dinner might be old Havoc Ryders,” Trickster damn near growls. “I tried to convince Prez we should just go kill them on principal, but he said no.”

“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m with Trick on that,” Renegade says, and just the thought of him going after that group of guys makes me shiver. Not that I think he’d lose, but just because that group gave me the damn creeps and something felt extremely off about them earlier today. I didn’t want to admit it, but the way they talked to me and kept trying to touch me, it did remind me too much of the Havoc Ryders.

“We can’t move on shit until we have full confirmation,” Catacomb snaps, and I can picture the look he’s giving the other two men. “The last thing I need is you two jumpin’ the gun and endin’ up dead or in jail. You’ve done enough time in the last three years, Renegade, and with Raylynn bein’ back in your life, I know damn well you don’t want to end up back in cuffs.”

“So, what’s the plan then?” Renegade asks with a huff. “She ain’t goin’ back to work but we need to find out if they’re Havoc Ryders. Then whether or not they ended up in that diner by accident.”

“Honestly,” Catacomb sighs, “I think we need to head back to Tennessee. I don’t like our odds with just the three of us and damn near a dozen of them.”

“How early you lookin’ to head home?” Renegade’s voice is tight.

“Monday.”

“Shit,” Renegade hisses, “Prez, I don’t want to scare her. I’ve just gotten her to agree to go but she thinks we have another week or two here.”

Finally, I push my chair back and stand. “Savior, stay at the table for a second.” Turning, I head into the living room, and the moment I round the corner, all three men stop talking and look up. Walking over, I stop between Renegade and Trickster, but keep my gaze on Catacomb’s face. “No bullshit, how much danger are Savior and I in if we stay here?”

Catacomb’s eyes roam over my face for a moment. “I don’t know, Raylynn, and that’s the best answer I got. If those men aren’t who we think they are, then you’re probably fine, and they’re just disrespectful dicks. But if they’re the men who took you, there’s no way they didn’t recognize you. And that means this could get real bad, real quick. You, Lacey, and three others are the only ones that got out of there alive, and we helped the other three disappear after the hospital released them. As far as they know, you’re one of the only people that could put those men in jail cells, and they ain’t gonna risk that.”

Staring at Renegade’s president, I try to find any indication in his expression that he’s over-exaggerating or being dishonest, but sadly, the sincerity and genuine concern in Catacomb’s eyes makes my stomach drop.

“Can you give me until Thursday?” I say, glancing between him and Renegade. “Before we leave the state, I need to get copies of all Savior’s stuff. Extra birth certificate, doctor and hospital records, stuff like that. There’s a few people I’d like Savior and I to say goodbye to before we come with you.” Sneaking another look at Renegade, I force myself not to chuckle at the shocked look in his eyes. I agreed to go with him when he went back to Tennessee, but we’d both had that discussion while under the impression that it would be almost a month before that happens. Now, we’re going in a matter of days.

Catacomb puts his hand on my shoulder and lightly squeezes. “I can do that.” His eyes lift to Renegade, who’s moved a little closer to my side. “How about I get a few of the brothers to convert your room at the clubhouse? Turn it into more of an apartment so y’all have two bedrooms and privacy when you’re there.”

As Catacomb moves his hand, Renegade’s arm comes around my shoulders and gently hugs me to his side. “Is four days enough time to finish a project like that?”

“It is if I tell ‘em it is,” Catacomb chuckles. “Let me go make some calls, and y’all make sure you get everythin’ done this week that you need. Let me know if Sandra and I can help, okay?”

Nodding, I raise my hand in acknowledgment, only putting it down when Catacomb turns his back to me and goes jogging up the steps to the main house. Sighing, I turn toward Renegade and tilt my head back. He’s staring down at me, his features tight.

“What’s wrong?”

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