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“Honestly, I don’t know what I am. I don’t know why I’m here.”

Amber sat on the bed next to me. “Hey, Dani. Remember me?”

Dani looked up at her and smiled. She put her arms out to Amber and climbed into her lap.

“She seems to remember everyone here. Dante said they were only here for a day or two.”

“That’s true. I help take care of the kids, so I’m sure that’s why she remembers me.”

I watched as Dani snuggled against Amber and closed her eyes. She was such a loving little girl. All she wanted was to love the people around her. I prayed that when she grew up, she got to keep that sweet nature. That it wouldn’t be tainted by constant disappointment in the human race.

A few moments later, there was a knock on the door. I stood up to answer it while Amber held Dani, and when I opened the door, my shoulders sagged.

“I can’t deal with you right now.”

“Sissy, we need to talk.”

“Now you want to talk? What about all the times over the past ten years where I wanted to talk? Where were you then? Not in fucking Arkansas, apparently.” I turned my back on my brother and clipped, “Go away.”

Gunner stepped into the room, carrying our bags. He must have gotten them from the car and brought them up himself to ambush me.

“Amber, could you give us a minute?”

I looked at Amber. I didn’t want to be alone with my brother. I wasn’t here to reconcile with him. I needed help protecting Dani. That was the only reason I came here.

“No,” she said, standing up and walking to the head of the bed. She made herself comfortable against the headboard, settling Dani in her lap.

“Amber.” There was a warning in his voice, but she didn’t appear threatened by it.

“Not tonight, Gun. Your sister needs to rest. That was a lot down there. Let her decompress. You can talk to her tomorrow.”

“Amber—”

“Don’t make me call King.”

Gunner growled, and Amber gave him a satisfied grin.

He looked back at me, and there was something in his eyes. Guilt, shame maybe? I gave him a blank look, and he left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

“What the hell was that?” I asked in awe.

The man I knew would never have backed down to a woman. I saw the way he spoke to our mom when she tried to force him to do something he didn’t want to. “I don’t mean to sound crass, but you aren’t a regular club girl, are you?”

Amber laughed out loud. “No, I’m not a regular club girl.”

She held Dani until she fell asleep. We didn’t talk. Just sat in silence, and I appreciated the support. I wondered if she stayed because she thought Gunner would come back. Maybe she thought I needed to be protected. Which to be honest, I was ok with. If Amber wanted to run interference between me and the club, I would welcome it. In fact, she could sleep right in this bed with me all night.

Once she was sure Dani was asleep, she laid her in the crib. Turning back to me, she caught me in a yawn, and I covered my mouth, embarrassed.

“You should get some sleep. No one will bother you tonight. King will make sure of it.”

“Thank you.”

She smiled and then walked to the door. Pausing with her hand on the knob, she turned to look at me.

“How do you know Ghost?”

“Who?”