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“I recalled meeting all of you and what it was like last night at the hospital. I can’t believe it’s been less than a day since I stumbled through your gate.”

“Here, it’s time for your medicine,” he said, handing me a pill and a bottle of water. The man had been relentless with the water. I couldn’t drink enough to satisfy him. As I took it, he responded to my remark.

“It has been crazy. We’re glad you’re here, and we can help you and your babies out.”

“I’m even more glad and thankful for your help.

I know I should be working on where I’m headed, and I will, but I’m grateful you and the club have offered to let me stay for a few days.

I should leave while Deon is in jail, but it wouldn’t do any good without knowing where to go or how to get my things out of that house before he returns. ”

He stared at me for several moments. I couldn’t describe the look on his face. I was about to become anxious when he broke the silence. “Blythe, we can get your things out of the house. I should’ve thought of that. Tomorrow, we’ll go over and pack your stuff. Do you have furniture to move?”

“Whoa, hang on. I didn’t say that so you’d offer to move my stuff, Bones. It was an observation. Besides, I have no clue where I’m going yet, so I have nowhere to send it.”

“I never took it as a hint on your part. I offered because you shouldn’t have to lose your stuff to a bastard like him.

As for not knowing where you’re going, you can store it here at the compound.

Once you know, it can be sent. There’s no rush.

You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. You heard Agony.”

He was right. Agony had told me earlier that I could stay as long as I wanted.

I thanked him, but I wasn’t taking advantage of him or his club indefinitely.

I’d start looking for a place and a job tomorrow.

Even if I didn’t find a job right away, I had money saved that I could live on for a while.

I'd have to be frugal since it’d be used to buy baby things, but I’d never been a big spender.

While Deon had kept hounding me to put his name on my bank accounts, I refused.

It caused more than a few arguments between us. I was so thankful I hadn’t done it.

“I did hear him, and I appreciate it, but I won’t take advantage of you guys that way. Allowing me to stay here for a week or so is more than enough.”

“You can’t figure out where to go, arrange for housing, move, and find a job in that time, Blythe.

That’s too much stress on anyone, let alone someone pregnant.

You have your health and those babies to worry about.

You need to stay and ensure you’re all set, so Deon can’t find you.

You need your possessions. Is there furniture to move? ”

Seeing he wasn’t about to drop it, I answered, “Yes, about half the furniture is mine. The dining set and the office are mine. And the bulk of the things in the kitchen are mine, and, of course, clothing and such.”

“Will two pickups be enough to haul it? What about a bed or living room furniture?”

“Two is more than enough, but I’ll set up a mover. The living room and bedroom are his. I don’t need the club to do anything,” I objected.

“Why do that when you have trucks and free labor right here? That’s a waste of money. Save it for the babies. You leave it to me. We’ll head over tomorrow around ten o’clock. Does that work for you?”

I tried to argue, but Bones could be stubborn when he wanted. I found that out from our prior interactions. This occasion was one of those times when he refused to change his mind. After going in circles with him, I gave up. I swear I caught him smirking, but it was gone before I could be sure.

The fireworks were spectacular. I oohed and ahhed with the others.

After they were over, Bones was called away.

I needed to stretch my legs, and all the water I’d been drinking demanded that I go to the bathroom.

I made my way inside the clubhouse. There were people scattered inside and out.

I smiled and nodded as I made my way to the restroom.

I sighed in relief as I emptied my bladder.

After I finished, I washed my hands and checked that I still looked decent.

When I left the bathroom, I came up the hallway.

I almost ran into Austin and Micah before I saw them.

I got sidetracked by photos on the walls.

They’d introduced themselves to me earlier, and I was told Austin was Eliana’s PT friend.

It was through her that the two guys became friends with the club.

I was startled yet pleased to see that the club didn’t hold prejudices, such as those against gays.

“There you are. We want to pick your brain about something. Eliana told us you worked as an antique appraiser,” Micah said as soon as he stopped me.

“Yes, I did. Or I should say, I do. Why?”

“We have a crap load of furniture that I inherited from my great-aunt Tessa, who passed away six months ago. She was a fun woman, and she and I got along, unlike the rest of our family. Anyway, she left her house and all the furniture to me, much to the dismay of the rest of the family. There are pieces that I think are antiques. I’d like to know if they are and what I should ask for them before I sell any.

“Our family keeps insisting I let them go through them and pick out what they want, which will happen when hell freezes. However, I don’t want them to sit in an empty house, and I plan to sell it soon.

We wondered if you’d be willing to come to the house one day and take a look.

I’ll gladly pay you for your time. I don’t want to let something go that I shouldn’t—or for pennies.

Tessa claimed there were a lot of antiques worth money in that house, and she told me to sell them and use the money.

Micah and I want to start a family, and that means either adoption or surrogacy.

Both cost a pretty penny,” Austin explained.

“I’d love to do it. Where is the house? Here in Cherokee?” Excitement filled me. I loved finding pieces of history. I’d studied how to restore many, though I hadn’t done any of that work since I moved in with Deon. That was another example of something I allowed the bastard to take away from me.

“It’s in Bryson City. Is that too far?” Austin asked.

“No, it’s not too far. Tell me how many pieces there are and what day you might want to do it,” I stated.

We were discussing the details when Bones came hurrying into the clubhouse.

We were off in a corner in the common room by then.

We’d slowly meandered that way after we got talking.

There were people scattered around it. He seemed to be searching the room.

When his gaze landed on me, Bones made a beeline for me.

“Uh oh, Big Bad Biker Babe alert. I could eat him with a spoon,” Austin said when he saw Bones. Micah glanced around and then shook his head.

“At least don’t say it in front of me,” Micah admonished his boyfriend.

“Hell with that. Don’t act all pious. You say the same thing. These bikers are hot as hell, and you know it. And there’s something about Bones that gets to me. I saw him wearing his reading glasses one day. Oh my God, I almost came in my pants,” Austin claimed.

I choked on my laugh, and it caused me to go into a coughing fit. Bones, noting it when he got to us, wrapped an arm around me and patted my back. He frowned. “You okay? What happened?” He directed the last question at Austin and Micah, and a scowl accompanied it.

“Hey, don’t look at us, Dr. Man. We were talking, and she suddenly choked. I think it was on her tongue,” Micah claimed.

When Bones faced me, Micah winked at me and grinned, which made it worse.

Finally, I got myself under control, no thanks to Micah. I’d have to find a way to pay him back.

“I’m fine, Bones. I inhaled wrong and then started choking. And it wasn’t on my tongue.” I squinted at Micah. He didn’t have the decency to pretend to be contrite.

“If you’re sure. What’re you three huddled in the corner for?” Bones asked.

“Austin was asking me to come to see the antiques his great-aunt left him. He was asking when I could do it. He wants to have them appraised before keeping or selling any.”

“You want her to go to Tessa’s place? Isn’t that in Bryson City?” Bones asked.

“It is,” Austin stated.

“Blythe can’t be outside the compound alone. Which day do you need her to do it?” Bones asked.

“If I do it before Wednesday, it’ll be fine. If it’s after that, I can ask if one of the prospects will go with me,” I said.

“Even if Deon is in jail, I don’t want you alone. You’re recovering. I’d feel better if you had someone with you. And though the prospects do fine in normal situations, they’re not medically trained. If you tell me which day and what time, I’ll take you.”

“That’s up to Blythe. She tells us when, and we’ll make it happen on our end,” Austin stated. Three expectant gazes landed on me.

“I don’t want to take you away from work, Bones. You’re already insisting on taking time and asking others to give up a part of tomorrow to move my belongings here,” I tried once more.

He folded his arms over his chest, pulling the fabric taut, which allowed his muscles to show more.

I caught myself staring and had to look away forcibly.

Unfortunately, I looked at Micah and Austin.

They were smirking at me. The assholes knew I’d been distracted by Bones’ chest. Then Austin threw me under the bus.

“Yeah, now that you mention it, she seems to be flushing, Bones. It’s probably best that she has someone medical along just in case. We’ll leave it to the two of you to decide, then just text or call us.”

“Yeah, that’ll work. Do you have your phone, Blythe? I’ll put in our numbers,” Micah added.

Not seeing a way out without appearing suspicious, I pulled my cell out of my back pocket and handed it off to Micah.

Micro had returned it after finding and removing the program Deon had placed on it to track me.

I had no idea it was there. Micah entered their numbers.

When he was done, they thanked me and said they’d see us later.

As they wandered away, I felt adrift. I didn’t know what to say to Bones.

Micah and Austin had forced me to acknowledge his effect on me.

I’d been suppressing it since I first saw him.

It wasn’t something I could pursue. I scrambled to think of something to say. I took the first out that came to mind.

“Bones, I’ve had fun but feel a little tired. I think I’ll go back to the house and go to bed.” I added a fake yawn to sell it.

“Damn, yeah, you need to rest. I should’ve thought to have you go earlier.”

“I can decide that or not, and earlier, I was fine. I’ve had my medications, and lord knows I don’t need any more fluids. I’ll relax. You stay. You’ve spent all day watching over me. It’s time for you to unwind and enjoy yourself.”

I walked toward the door. He fell into step with me and opened it for me.

I had to squeeze by him. His scent hit me, and I secretly inhaled it deeper into my lungs and memory.

I would always associate that scent with him and safety.

It was impossible for me to describe, but I could find him blindfolded in a room of men by it.

“I’ve had fun, Blythe. Being with you didn’t stop that. I enjoyed our talks and getting to know each other. Never think it was a chore. Let me at least walk you to the house. It’s dark, and I don’t want you to fall.”

I knew protesting would do no good, so I didn’t.

We talked about Micah and Austin until we reached Bones’ house.

Once there, he made sure the lights were on, I was all set, and I had his number.

He told me to lock the doors. I thought that was odd.

I’d found he didn’t do that. Assuring him that I would do all those things, I shut the door and watched him return to the party.

A heaviness settled in my chest. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I needed to get over it.

I slowly crept off to my bedroom. I’d take a bath, then go to bed. I was tired and hoped I’d be able to sleep. Last night had been restless with nightmares about Deon and dreams about the babies. Tonight, I wondered if I’d have similar dreams or something new… Bones.

Undressing in the bathroom. I stood in front of the full-length mirror and studied myself.

The bruises and scrapes were awful to look at.

I ignored those and studied my body and my stomach.

I wasn’t showing that others could tell, but the softness in my stomach was all babies.

Before this, it had been flat. Deon insisted I stay in shape.

He was always trying to get rid of my hips and butt.

I happened to like them. They made me feel feminine, along with my breasts.

I cradled my belly and whispered, “I’ve got you. Mommy will make sure nothing happens to you. You’ll have a good life. I can be your mom and dad.” Tears gathered at the thought of them growing up without a father, but I’d done it and survived, and so would they.