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The holiday weekend has ended. It was back to work for all of us.

My job wasn’t terribly difficult and didn’t require me to be there every day to oversee the employees.

Not wanting to give me a business that would take up all my time, which would prevent me from being able to help with the club’s medical needs or work at the hospital when the mood struck, Agony had put me in charge of Souls’ Soak, our laundromat.

I thought it was an unusual choice, but amusing.

No one would ever think a doctor would run a business like that.

It wasn’t hard, and I was lucky to have good employees there.

I had the choice to work at Eliana’s clinic, but I didn’t want to overshadow her work.

It was her brainchild, and some people were skeptical that a nurse practitioner could be as skilled or knowledgeable as a doctor.

And if the doctor happened to be a man, they preferred him, even if he was a total idiot.

I didn’t adhere to that thinking. Eliana was brilliant at what she did.

I told people that all the time. However, when she asked for my help, I happily provided it.

Between Souls’ Soak, Eliana’s Pagan Promises, the club, and the hospital, I kept myself busy. As much as I might resist working as a doctor full-time or having a practice, I loved being able to help and, sometimes, heal people. It was what I was meant to do, even if I resented how I became one.

Over the holiday break, we removed Blythe’s belongings from Deon’s house. It was eye-opening to see the place, and I was thrilled she no longer had that connection with him. We erased her from his home.

I studied the place while we were there.

It was a home, but you could tell it was Blythe’s influence that made it one.

I saw her personality everywhere. Nothing indicated that a man lived with her, except for his clothes and personal care items. It was a pleasure to remove all traces of her.

I had to resist tearing up what was his.

My thoughts must’ve been apparent because Hulk approached me while we were packing and removing her belongings.

“I know you’d like to tear this place to shreds. I would, too. But we don’t want to warn the bastard that anyone might be coming for him any more than our presence at the ER might’ve. After we pay him a visit, if he continues, I say have at it,” he whispered.

“I can’t help it. This whole situation is making me see red.

I always feel for the people we help, but it’s worse this time.

How could a man beat a woman, especially one he professes to love and who’s pregnant with his children?

I don’t get it, but then, there are a lot of things and people I’ve never understood. ”

Hulk squeezed my shoulder. He knew what I was referring to. I was close to my club family, but not everyone was aware of my past. Agony, Hulk, and Dare were. I didn’t want to discuss it or be reminded of it.

“I don’t understand them either, brother. Let’s get her out of here. Remove every trace of her ever living here with the fucker.”

“I like that idea,” I told him.

We’d gotten back to work, and in no time, due to the number of hands who offered to help, we were packed, and Blythe’s things were at the compound. She kept thanking us, which we waved away.

Thinking of Deon, I smiled. He’d gotten out of jail yesterday, late in the day.

The court had a lot of cases to get through after the holiday.

It seemed a lot of people acted up and got their asses arrested.

We’d debated paying him a visit last night, but Agony said to wait and do it tonight.

Let him settle in and get pissed at the fact that Blythe had moved out while he was locked up.

I couldn’t wait. This visit was one I was determined to attend.

I didn’t go on every mission or run like this, though I did most of them.

I might be a doctor, but I was a biker, too. There was no way I’d stay behind.

Today, I took Blythe to Austin’s great-aunt Tessa’s house to see the antiques in Bryson City. I knew she was anxious to check them out. On the drive, she explained how much she loved antiques and how she became interested in them.

“I was in a foster home for the last few years before turning eighteen. It was unusual for anyone to take in a teenager. I was fortunate that an older widow wanted to do it. Her name was Lavinia. I asked her why she chose me out of all the kids needing to be fostered. She said something clicked when she read my file and saw my picture. She knew I was the one. I was taken in by her at fifteen. Vinia raised me until I was eighteen, and even after her obligation was fulfilled, she continued to allow me to live with her and paid for me to attend college. She was an amazing and loving woman. I lost her when I was twenty-three, not long after I graduated.”

I heard and felt Blythe’s sadness. I understood it. Someone had clearly shown her love, and then it was torn away. Was that why Deon was able to fool her? She’d been searching for love and attention, and he had given it to her.

“I’m sorry you lost her. Tell me about her and what you majored in in college.”

“I took art history and even archaeology courses.

I focused on periods that I enjoyed while also taking business courses.

While I did, I also worked at the antique shop and spent time at auction houses, art galleries, and museums. Vinia was always up for going with me.

It was her love of antiques that sparked my interest in the subject.

Her home was filled with them. She taught me all about them and then began to take me with her when she hunted for more.

“It was through her that I met the shop owner where I used to work. He took me on at sixteen as part-time help as a favor to Vinia. I knew he didn’t expect much from me, but I surprised him.

He was happy to have me work there while I finished high school and attended college. He shared all his knowledge with me.”

A note in her voice told me she missed that shop and the man who owned it. I had to ask because my mind wandered to a place it shouldn’t.

“Who is this guy that you worked for?”

“His name is Alfred Pennington. Doesn’t that sound sophisticated?

I liked to tease him about it. Alfred is the sweetest man.

I hated leaving him. I was such a fool, Bones.

Why did I let Deon dictate my life?” She sounded angry.

Her fists were clenched. I reached over and took one in mine.

She eased her grip, which allowed me to hold it.

“You can’t change the past, Blythe. As much as you want to, you can’t. I’ve learned that, and it’s a hard pill to swallow sometimes. You can only go forward and ensure it doesn’t happen again. So, you were telling me about Alfred,” I prompted.

She cleared her throat before continuing. “Alfred is kind and loves teaching others about antiques, like Vinia did. He has no one in his family who appreciates them. He said he wished one of his children or grandchildren gave as much of a damn as I did.” She paused.

Relief filled me with the knowledge that Alfred was an old man. “After Deon is out of your life and we know you’re safe, you don’t have to leave the area, Blythe. You can stay here. We’ll make sure you’re protected. You can go back and explain to Alfred why you left and see if he’ll rehire you.”

“I’d love that, but I don’t think Deon will let that happen. He’s too possessive, and he doesn’t like to lose. I discovered that after it was too late. He’s vindictive. He’ll want to make me pay for leaving him, Bones. I have to go somewhere he can’t find me.” She shivered.

I refrained from telling her that if Deon pushed even an inch more after his upcoming visit, he’d find himself in an unmarked grave. I’d kill the fucker without an ounce of remorse.

“Don’t count it out as a possibility yet,” I said.

We didn’t have more time to talk. We were pulling up to Tessa’s house.

I’d treated her a time or two as a favor to Austin before she passed.

She’d been a fun, irreverent, flirty woman of ninety.

I had always enjoyed visiting with her. She loved Austin and, unlike the rest of his family, didn’t care if he was gay.

She said she’d done some “alternative lifestyle” stuff in her youth, which the family disagreed with. Her motto was “fuck ‘em.”

Micah’s car was in the driveway. I parked on the opposite side of it. The house was older but had been well-maintained, retaining its marvelous character. If it weren’t here, I would’ve bought it. Austin should have no trouble selling it.

Shutting off the car, I glanced over at her. She was reaching for the handle. “Hold it. I’ll get the door,” I told her before I got out.

I paused long enough to put on my cut, then went to the other side of the SUV.

It was mine. I’d gotten it for those times I couldn’t ride my bike due to bad weather or the need to haul things or people.

She’d been surprised when I made her wait for me to open the door for her to get in.

It was clear that Deon, and possibly no man, had ever done it for her.

A hand was held out for me to take. Blythe’s hand trembled.

I hoped this wasn’t too much for her. She’d been doing well these past few days. I didn’t want her to have a setback.

“If you’re tired or feel you’ve done enough, don’t push it. Tell me, and we’ll go. Austin doesn’t care if you take more than a day to see everything.” If he did, I’d have a word with him.

“I’m not pushing things, Bones. I feel much better than I did—no more pain. You’ve ensured I won’t get dehydrated for at least a year with all the fluids you make me drink.” She smiled as she poked at me about the drinking.