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“You would think you gave that little girl the world with the way she just smiled at you.”

“She’s a sweet little girl that was happy to get a gift.” I shrugged, refusing to look in her direction.

“What are you up to?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I turned to face her and immediately knew it was a mistake. I fisted my hands, hoping to prevent myself from reaching out and hauling her onto my lap.

“Are you coming over later?” she asked quietly, her gaze pinned to the tree. I heard the hope I would say yes in her voice, combined with the fear I would say no.

“It’s not a good idea.”

“That’s never stopped you before.”

“It’s becoming impossible to keep my hands off you.” I fisted my hands as they lay on my thighs.

“Then don’t,” she pleaded.

Her words cut through me, and I closed my eyes. It didn’t help. I could go blind tomorrow and I would still see the vision of Grace in my mind. She haunted my dreams as well as every fucking waking thought I had.

“Why do you do this every fucking time?” I growled low, trying to keep myself in check. Everyone in the clubhouse had seen us fight with each other. They had no idea that the anger was fueled by the sexual tension between us.

Hell, maybe they did.

Grace stood.

She looked down at me, her eyes glassy.

“If you knock on my door tonight, I won’t answer.” She turned and walked away. Grabbing her purse from the bar, she walked out the front door, and I knew just as much as she did that what she said was a fucking lie.

She knew I would knock on her door, just like I knew she would answer. We would argue like we did every time. Then, I would hold her like I never wanted to let her go.

When I first started showing up at Grace’s in the middle of the night, I slept on her couch. I just needed to be near her. Needed to know she was safe. Now I slept in her bed, holding her through the night.

It tortured us both, and I knew it made me an asshole, but I didn’t fucking care. The tenuous hold I had on my control was fading. If I didn’t do something about it soon, I would say fuck it and take what I wanted.

Consequences be damned.

Chapter Ten

Melissa

December 29, 2024, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The end of the year was closing in, and I had a lot to do before it descended. I was working late, transcribing notes and readying my books to open them up to new patients for the upcoming year, when I heard a soft knock at the door.

I looked up from my desk just as the door opened. I was surprised and confused when Dante and Danika walked through it. Loaded down with bags, he held Danika in his arms, his expression anxious and fearful.

“Melissa, I need your help,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, but frantic, nonetheless. He never used my first name. Despite telling him he could, he always addressed me as Doc, or Dr. Jefferson.

I frowned as he walked closer, setting Danika on the floor and dropping the numerous bags he carried.

“Dante?” I muttered, my eyes darting to Danika, who walked over to the water table. “What’s wrong?”

“I need you to take Danika for me.”

“What? Why?” Confused by his request, I tuned into his body language, looking for answers.

“Danny is in trouble. I need to go to New York City, and I can’t take Danika with me.” The pleading in his voice was unmistakable despite him not asking a question.