Page 37 of Dancin' with Demons

She squeals as he shifts her to the front of his chest, playfully attacking her little face with kisses. “You’re my wholeworld, little one.”

She continues to laugh loudly until he finally stops and puts her down. “Your beard tickles, Ren-Ren.”

“Oh no,” he says in mock horror, “should I get rid of it?”

“Don’t you dare,” I snap before I can stop myself, and Renegade brings his gaze to mine, a smirk already on those lips as he steps away from Savior so he’s flush against my side.

“You like the beard?” he whispers in a husky tone as he dips down and nuzzles my neck. I sigh and shiver as he runs his hand lightly up my back under my shirt. “I’m gonna take that as a yes.”

As he stands back, I playfully roll my eyes. “You’re gonna be a problem one day.”

Renegade laughs, throwing his head back. “Raylynn, you’ve been a problem in that department for years, woman.”

Before I can retort, he takes Savior’s hand and leads down the little hall, turning left into another door. I stand with my mouth open in shock for a second longer before following them, and stepping into the room, my heart stops. It’s twice as big as the bedroom she had at our apartment, and the walls are painted a beautiful light ocean blue. There’s a full-size bed against the wall across from the door that sits on a low white wooden frame that matches the dresser, end table, television stand, and three toy chests. The carpet is sand colored, and tilting my head back, I realize there’s fluffy clouds painted on the ceiling.

I’m in awe of whoever did this room for my daughter, and pretty sure my heart now belongs completely to Renegade for the fact he didn’t hesitate to complete change everything about his life to bring us into and make us feel like we’ve always belonged here.

“Can I go to sleep, Ren-Ren?” Savior yawns as she lays down in the bed that’s entirely too big for her.

Renegade leans down and kisses her head before sliding the remote off her nightstand. “Of course, little one. It’s been a long day for all of us.” Turning he clicks the television on, turns the sound down some, and puts on Moana before replacing the remote on the table. When he spins to face me, he stops, and I don’t think he realized I followed them in here. Walking over, he puts his arm around my shoulder and guides me from the room. “Let me talk to you a sec, little love.”

Back in the living area, he stops in the middle of the room and takes him arm from my shoulder. Stretching, he grabs something off the wall. As he turns back, it jingles, and I realize it’s keys. Holding them in his palm, he points to a shiny silver one. “This is to our room here. Keep that door locked at all times, even if you’re in here, okay? The big black one is to the SUV. It’s pretty much yours. I got a truck, too, and my bike. The last one is to my house. We’ll head out there as soon as possible to get you and Savior settled in there, too. I’ll be back as soon as Church is over.”

The moment Renegade moves to kiss my cheek, I turn my whole body and press my lips to his as my arms go around his neck. He groans and snakes his arms around my waist when I swipe my tongue along his bottom lip, and he kisses me hard as he pulls my body against his. After a few moments, he pulls his lips from mine, and slides the keys into my back pocket. “That never gets old.”

“What doesn’t,” I ask, confused.

“Kissin’ you,” he whispers as he does it again, just briefly. “Now, behave while I’m gone, little love.”

I yelp when he playfully swats my ass, and it dawns on me that when he’s a little rough, I like it— a lot. As soon as the door closes behind him, I walk over and lock it, remembering he said to always keep it locked.

“Good girl.” His voice is deep through the door.

“Were you standing there to see if I locked it?” I snap, not sure whether to be insulted or amused.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back soon.”

Rolling my eyes, I smile. I pick amusement. Shaking my head, I get the remote and turn the living room television on. I can’t remember the last time I sat and watched television by myself. The whole time we were in North Carolina, we just watched kids stuff for Savior. Just as I click the Netflix app, there’s a light knock at the door. Without putting the remote down, I unlock the door and pull it open only to jump so bad I almost drop the damn thing.

Standing in the hall, hands fisted on her hips, tears in her eyes, with red cheeks is my college best friend— Lacey Kariss. Her hair is longer judging by the ponytail on the top of her head that disappears past her shoulders, but other than that, she looks exactly like I remember.

“Hey, Lacey,” I breath, unable to really muster my full voice.

“Hey, Lacey,” she sneers, her eyes narrowing, “everything we went through in college, with the Ryders, here in this damn room, and you just disappear for three fuckin’ years— the only thing you can think to say is fuckin’‘Hey, Lacey’?”

“Awe, Lace,” I whisper, dropping my hands to my sides as a tear spills from her eye, “I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Yeah, well, you fuckin’ did,” she snaps as a few more tears fall. “And I should punch you right in the face. But I’m just glad Renegade brought you home.” She steps into the room and throws her arms around my neck, burying her face in my shoulder, the quiet cries muffled by my clothing.

Wrapping my arms around her, too, I bring one hand up to hold the back of her head gently. “I’m so sorry, Lacey.”

Chapter 13

Renegade

The brothers yell and jest inside Church until Catacomb calls shit to order, and already, I miss bein’ in North Carolina with the only sounds fillin’ my ears was Raylynn’s heart beat, Saviors giggle, and the calmin’ waves. This club is my family, it’s a drivin’ force in my life, and nothin’ has ever come before it— until now. Too bad the only man here who can understand that feelin’ is my president. He’s the only one that found his other half. Catacomb picks this minute to slam his gavel against the solid oak table.

“Order!” His voice rings out, the room silencin’ almost instantly.

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