Page 59 of Dancin' with Demons

“I think you need to get back to bed, princess,” he says, playfully tweakin’ her nose. “Joshua’s gonna stay the night so we can make him color with us tomorrow durin’ breakfast.”

“Hey, who says I don’t like colorin’,” the prospect says with mock indignation, makin’ the rest of us chuckle as the three of ‘em head down the hall toward the bedrooms.

“Well, I got lots of colorin’ books. Do you like The Lion King? No one’s colored that one yet.”

“Ah, I love the Lion King,” Joshua says with way more enthusiam than a fuckin’ biker should have over a colorin’ book.

Once their voices fade, Catacomb lets Sandra, Lacey, and Pint know they’re headin’ out, and I stand back to let everyone say goodbye to Ray. Once my front door closes, I go lock it before comin’ back to the kitchen to find my woman standin’ with her back to me, her hands braced on the edge of the sink, head hangin’ down.

Walkin’ up behind her, I rest my hands on her hips and she lets out a loud breath. Leanin’ forward, I kiss the top of her head and then her neck. “I promise nothin’ is gonna happen to Savior, Raylynn. I’ll die before I let anyone hurt our girl.”

Turnin’ in my arms, Raylynn kisses me hard for a split second before pullin’ away. “Let’s just go to bed. I think my brain has had enough input for one night, okay?”

Slidin’ my hand into hers, I sigh. “Whatever you want, little love.”

Ten minutes later, I’m layin’ next to her, worried that I’m losin’ her because she now knows we’re hidin’ shit. Lettin’ out a sigh, I close my eyes and try to calm my mind enough to sleep.

After a few moment, Raylynn’s hand slides up my chest as she snuggles her body against mine. “Whatever you’re thinking’, Makoa, stop. I’m not gonna leave you or anything’, I’m just scared.”

Kissin’ the top of her head for what feels like the millionth time today, I wrap my arm around her tighter. “I know, little love. I wish I could tell you not to be, but I won’t lie to you, ever. I’m sorry I can’t fuckin’ tell you everythin’. But like I said, I promise no one is gonna hurt either of you. Not while I’m here.”

“I know, babe,” she whispers, kissin’ my chest lightly.

Chapter 22

Raylynn

“So, then Renegade offered to come help in the kitchen because the jerk that was our cook literally walked out while we had a full house,” James says as my jaw hangs open in shocked amusement. “Next thing we know, he’s back there in an apron, radio going, acting like he’s worked here his whole life. The man-bun was a funny touch, too.”

I can’t help but cackle as I go back to stocking behind the counter. “That’s honestly sounds just like him. He has Savior in the kitchen often. She’s gonna be cooking on her own before she’s five thanks to that man.”

“Oh, that is so adorable,” Renee says with a smile as she stops to hand me a package of napkins. “You need to get pictures for me the next time.”

“So, how exactly did you come to meet the club,” James asks as he sprays and wipes another table.

It’s been slow tonight, especially for a Friday, but I haven’t minded. Sometimes, it’s nice to have nights that don’t make me run so much my feet throb. Plus, while I need to work and make money, I know I don’t need to hustle like I used to. I trust Renegade when he says that no matter what, he’ll always help us. If for no other reason, I know he loves Savior more than anything. I mean, he loves me, too, but if we didn’t work out, I think he’d still be around for Savior, and I wouldn’t object to it in the least bit.

“Uhm,” I say, swallowing hard, “do you guys remember like three years ago when all those girls went missing from the college? Police spent like six months looking but couldn’t figure out who was taking them?”

James snaps his fingers and points at me. “Yes, I remember that. Then one day, like three of them just walked into the hospital. They gave all the info to the cops, and cops raided some place. They never arrested anyone, but they did find the remains of a few of the missing if I remember right.”

Nodding, I stand and wipe the counter. “Yeah. I was one of the girls, but I didn’t go to the hospital. Renegade saved me. Club took care of me for a few days until I left town.”

Renee coughs and her eyes are like saucers when I look at her. “Oh, so that’s why Renegade went on the downward spiral. He had you and you disappeared on him.”

My cheeks warm with embarrassment. “Yeah. Then he found Savior and I in North Carolina, and now, we’re here.”

“Oh, what an epic love that is, child,” Renee says with a softening smile. “Hold on to that. Most people never get a love half that strong.”

As I got to open my mouth, the door to the diner is yanked open so hard it makes Renee and I both jump. Tyler, the bus boy that works the weekends, comes running in, visibly shaking and his face colorless. “Ray, you need to see this. Like now.”

His tone immediately makes me stomach knot, and I toss down my towel and move to follow him. Renee and James are on my ass as we rush out of the diner, following Tyler to the right toward the outside of the fenced employee area. As soon as my eyes land on the problem, my stomach heaves and I cover my mouth, tears coming to my eyes.

Stapled to the wood fence are blow up pictures of me— tied up, beaten, and gagged while men whose faces aren’t visible rape me.

Havoc Ryders.

Oh, God.

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