“Don’t you dare, Mackenzie.” Kadence’s voice echoes through the laundry room, and this time, I turn.

“It’s no problem, Kadence. It’s the least I can do. Besides, I like keeping busy.” I watch as her brow drops into a scowl at the news I’m going to be washing Hunter’s sheets.

“Please tell me you don’t always do this?”

“Err.” I turn to Hunter not sure how I’m going to get him out of this one.

“Jesus, Hunter. You’re a grown-ass man.” Kadence shakes her head putting two and two together.

“It’s not a big deal.” I try to save Hunter from the lecture he’s about to receive. “It makes the days go by.” I stop and take note of how depressing I sound.

Jesus, I’ve come to enjoy washing sheets. Call me your modern-day Cinderella.

“Go find something to do, Hunter.” Kadence turns to face the youngest member of the Knights Rebels. He doesn’t need to be told twice before hightailing it out of there. I know what’s about to come next, so I turn back and finish my load.

“You need a job.” Kadence’s next words are not what I was expecting. I was expecting my own kind of lecture, not for her to say what I’ve been thinking the last few weeks. I’m going crazy holed up in here.

“I know, but Beau doesn’t think it’s a good idea,” I tell her exactly what Beau said when I suggested it. One night after I had changed all the sheets, cleaned the kitchen, tidied behind the bar and still found myself walking around bored, I mentioned looking for a job to Beau and he quickly shut me down.

“Well, I’m sure we can think of something other than cleaning Hunter’s sheets. I mean, who knows what’s on them.”

“I honestly don’t mind.” I cringe, knowing she’s probably right. I don’t pay too much attention to who Hunter takes to his bed, but I have noticed since his main girl left him a couple weeks ago, he has a new woman on his arm practically every night.

“I know you don’t, which is what makes this even worse. You want to clean Hunter’s sheets. Girl, this is bad.” I laugh at her disgusted tone, but don’t argue anymore. She’s right. This is bad.

Seriously, who likes doing laundry anyway?

“Well, what do you have in mind?” I ask, moving from the laundry and back out to the kitchen. Besides cleaning everyone’s sheets, I’ve kept myself busy with baking. Something all the members are grateful for, even Beau when I make his favorite brownies.

“What did you do for work before you came here?”

“Before Chad I was a receptionist, and after I was a waitress.” My mind flicks to Fred and Carly. My boss and his wife from the diner I worked at in Ohio. It wasn’t the most glorified job in the world, but I miss it. My boss was a good man, and even though he didn’t know the extent of my past, he still helped me out more than anyone else has done in my life.

I need to call him, and let him know I’m safe.

“So yeah, I’m an all-round go-getter.” I force Fred and Carly out of my head and laugh at my own joke.

“What are you two talking about?” Holly looks up from the table, joining in on our conversation.

“Mackenzie needs a job.” Kadence takes the seat next to her and I move to fill my coffee cup.

“Oh, I was going to suggest something this week. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the clubhouse so clean.” She points around the kitchen. She’s right. I’ve spent virtually every day cleaning over and over.

“Not that we don’t appreciate it, but I think it’s time to step outside the clubhouse,” she adds and I nod in agreement. I’ve been here hiding out for over a month and no one has come for me. I think it’s safe to say I’m not in any immediate danger.

“Okay, so do you know anyone who’s hiring?” I move to the oven to check on the cake I’m baking. Chocolate mud cake, with orange glaze today.

“I know Jesse is,” Holly offers and I take a minute to think about it. Working with Jesse? It might work.

“It could work.”

“No,” both Kadence and Nix say at the same time. I look back watching Nix enter the kitchen and move to his wife.

“Not at the club, I mean help with his books.” Holly ignores Nix and Kadence making-out like teenagers, and explains her suggestion.

I hold in my smile as she rolls her eyes waiting for them to come up for air. After what feels like a minute, she gives up.

“Hello, important discussion happening here. Get a room.” A giggle escapes my lips when Nix pulls back from Kadence and a slight blush coats her neck.

“Sorry.” She smirks but there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I wish I’d had a marriage where my husband walked in and literally took my breath away with a passionate kiss.

“So Jesse needs help with the books?” She straightens herself, her eyes following Nix’s ass as he walks to the fridge and pulls out a beer.

“If Jesse can’t use you, you could help me out. We have three businesses to keep on top of and I’m always behind.” Nix cracks the top of his beer and bends down to check what’s in the oven.

“You own three shops?” I ask, unaware of this news. The club has been welcoming with me being here, but it doesn’t mean they talk much about their business.

“Yep.” HHe stands, his eyes coming to mine. “You making a cake?”