“Yeah,” the last one added. “No broads as overnight guests in the territory.”
Ransom’s jaw hardened. “She’s not a broad,” he said.
“Oh, is she gonna be your old lady then?” Blue Eyes asked.
Old lady? Her gaze shot to Ransom.
“She’s not mine—”
“What the heck is going on here?”
The wall of buff men parted as Silke pushed past them, mops and a bucket in her hands. “Why are you all crowding Sabrina? Give her some space. Poor girl looks like she’s gonna faint.”
Sabrina didn’t even realize that her palms had gone sweaty, and her heart was thumping in her chest. How she didn’t really faint with all these new people around her was a miracle. Normally, even the thought of being in a room with so many people would have sent her anxiety into the stratosphere.
“You know her?” Bo asked Silke.
“Yeah, I was the one who decided she could stay,” Silke said.
The men seemed mollified, and the atmosphere in the tiny room lightened.
“Uh, sorry, Prez.” Blue eyes looked sheepishly at Ransom. “I just thought—”
“Next time, think with your head, not your dick, Axle,” Ransom berated. “Now get outta here and go into town and pick up that package from Bucky.” He glared at the other men. “And as for the rest of you, grab those mops and start cleaning up. I’m gonna head back to my cabin.” With that, he marched outside.
After the men took the cleaning supplies from her, Silke linked her arm through Sabrina’s. “You poor thing. C’mon, let’s go outside and let the boys clean up.”
They walked out to the porch. “I’m sorry I didn’t check up on you yesterday, I was pretty busy.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Sabrina assured her. “I’m sure you have more things to worry about than keeping me entertained.”
“Ransom said Cross would be taking care of you. Did he come back and bring you more food?”
She couldn’t help but wince when Silke mentioned his name. “I’m fine. He brought me breakfast this morning.”
“But you haven’t seen him?”
Her shoulders dropped. “No. But it’s okay. I mean, I’m used to being alone.” She twisted her ring out of habit.
“Yeah, but still, he shouldn’t leave you here by yourself.” Silke planted her hands on her hips. “The man brought you here, after all. He damn well better take care of all your needs.” Her jaw dropped as she must have realized the double meaning of her words. “I mean … he shouldn’t just leave you like a prisoner in solitary. You need stimulation.” She slapped her hands on her forehead. “Sorry. It’s none of my business what you and Cross are. I mean if you are, I’m not one to judge.”
Mortification made her face heat up. “It’s not like that.” At least, she didn’t know if it was like that. Or ever been like that.
“Again, not my business.” She waved her hands. “But, yeah, the man should take some responsibility for you. And Ransom! My brother should have explained to the guys who you were, at least. Though those boys are nosier than my Grandma Heloise’s quilting circle, I’m sure, given the chance, they’d be all over you like ants on a birthday cake,” she said with a laugh.
“So … all those guys live here?”
Silke nodded. “Yeah. They’re part of the Savage Wolves Motorcycle Club. My dad and some of his Lone Wolf buddies founded it.” She lowered her voice. “Technically, Lone Wolves aren’t supposed to have their own territory without becoming an actual clan, but my momma owned this land and the resort, and she let Pops and the MC live on the territory.”
“Oh. So, they turn into wolves, like Cross?”
“Yup.” Her lips pursed. “Cross explained all that already?”
She nodded. “I saw him … change. Then he explained it to me.”
“He could get in trouble with their high council. But, I’m sure he did it for your own good.”
“I don’t think he had a choice,” she said. “The night he rescued me, he had to turn into his wolf, and then he brought me here with his magic.”
Silke cleared her throat. “Is there anything I can do to help? Who tried to hurt you?”
“It’s …” Her chest tightened, thinking of that night. A chill ran through her as she thought that she might have died—or worse—if it hadn’t been for Cross.
Silke gripped her hands and squeezed. “I’m sorry, sugar. Here I am being nosy after you’ve gone through such a trial. Like I said, you don’t have to tell me, though I’ll be here when you need to talk.”
“Thank you.” She smiled warmly at Silke and wondered; beneath that strong, independent surface, what scars did she bear? She projected a confident exterior, but she saw the way her eyes turned dark when she asked about who tried to hurt her. Had she been hurt too? And that scar on her cheek …
“Now.” Silke took a deep breath. “The reason I was busy yesterday is that I was taking care of some check outs, and I had a group cancel for the weekend. We’re actually empty until the next guests come in tomorrow.”
“Oh no, I’m sorry.”
“Nah, it happens. Actually, it’s a good opportunity to do some maintenance stuff I couldn’t manage when we’re booked up.” She nodded her chin back toward inside the cabin. “I have a list for the boys to finish up today once they’re done cleaning your bathroom. Hmmm.” She tapped a finger on her cheek. “Maybe we can have a little party down by the lake once they’re done. It’ll certainly be a good incentive for them to finish up. Why don’t you join us?”
She blinked. “Me?”
“Yeah, why not? You can meet everyone, including Arlene. She’s Bo’s old lady, she’s a sweetheart.”
“I don’t know.” Her fingers twisted her ring quickly. It was one thing for them to all come to the cabin because of an emergency, and another for her to voluntarily be around new people.
She wagged a finger at Sabrina. “It’ll be fun, I
