Page 70 of Nitro

“Your instincts about people are always spot on.”

“I know.”

“I’ll help you change.” Nitro’s eyes sparkle with a wicked gleam.

“Not a chance,” Nina says. “I know that look. You’re staying out here with us so we can actually leave sometime today. Don’t worry, Julia and I will bring her back before dark. You can screw her brains out later.”

“You know me so well.” Nitro grins.

“I did finish raising you.”

While they’re out in the living room chatting, I hurry into the bedroom. Daisy comes with me to take the dress to the laundry room. After she leaves, I change into a new dress. It’s a fiery red, which totally suits my mood. Kicking Crystal’s slutty ass made me feel powerful. I haven’t experienced that feeling in years. I regret the violence a little, but she deserved it.

I join Nina and Julia in the living room. “I’m ready.”

“Come here, kitten.” Nitro scoops me into my arms, dipping me dramatically before planting a salacious kiss on my lips. “Your Cookie Monster will beimpatientlywaiting to munch on that sweet pussy.”

“Gross!” Talon puts his hands over his ears. “La la la. Can’t listen to this shit.”

“You’re just jealous,” Nitro says, laughing.

“I’ll be back tonight.” I kiss him softly before heading out with Nina and Julia.

“We need deets,” Julia says after we get into Nina’s SUV.

“I didn’t like that girl from day one,” Nina says.

“She’s such a bitch. And a liar. I’m glad she’s going to be gone when I get back.”

“You’re definitely one of us,” Julia says.

“Really?” My chest swells with pride.

“Absolutely. The guys need their old lady to be strong enough to keep them in line. Nitro has no idea what he’s got with you.” Nina grins. “But I’m sure he’ll figure it out eventually.”

I smile and sit back against the buttery leather seat. Any fear I had about fitting in with the club is gone. They have accepted me for who I am. No one has tried to change me. The entire experience is so different from what happened in my marriage. Can life really be this simple? Can I be myself without worrying about everything I say or do? It’s amazing that this is even possible.

As we drive to town, Julia and Nina chat about Max, the boy she rescued from his abusive father, the same man who had Nina’s husband murdered.

“Max called me the other day. Joker’s teaching him how to play football,” Julia says.

“Who’s Joker?” I ask.

“He’s the VP of the North Dakota Chapter of Underground Vengeance. When we were trying to find a new place for Max, Joker volunteered to be his big brother.”

“Does Max live with him now?”

“No. He’s with a new family, but he sees Joker all the time. They go on rides together, and they meet up with the other kids at the MC’s barbecues and other events.”

“I’m glad he’s doing well,” Nina says. “I wanted to keep him.”

“You want to keep all of them.” Julia chuckles.

“But I can’t.” Nina sighs.

“Do you usually stay in touch with the people who move on?” I ask.

“No. It’s not protocol, but we made an exception for Julia and Max,” Nina says. “Typically, we wouldn’t even know what state the person we rescued ends up in. It’s for their safety. It’s why we have a network of clubs throughout the country. But we couldn’t bear to keep Julia and Max apart.”