“You wanna stay at the clubhouse tonight, or I can see if one of the guys can keep an eye on the house?” He moves toward his dresser and takes out a pair of boxers, stepping into them.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be fine here. And don’t bother anyone.” I know Beau has been having some of the guys come and sit out the front whenever he’s away. Something I feel guilty about.

“Not gonna leave you all night. Gotta go out to Henderson, and back. Won’t be home till early morning. It’s either clubhouse or one of the guys will come around.” The last thing I want to do is head into the clubhouse. I just want sleep.

“I’m sure I can handle one night on my own.” I shake my head at his concern. Beau has the whole place set up with a security system. I’m as safe here as I am there; besides, there’s no threat to me here. Surely by now he realizes it.

“I’ll call Hunter.” He ignores me and tugs on a pair of jeans, this pair almost black.

“No, don’t. I’ll be okay. I’ll have a bath, find something to eat and then head back to my own room,” I add, not sure what the etiquette is. We live together in the roommate capacity. Does that mean we still sleep in our own beds?

“You’re not sleeping in here?” He looks over at me, still half-dressed.

“I mean it’s your bed. I have my own bed next door.” I shrug, not really sure what to say. Does he want me to stay in his bed when he isn’t here? Do I only come in here when we have sex?

Why does sex make you stupid?

“Want you in my bed, darlin’, but if you’re more comfortable in your room, I’ll climb in there.” He sits on the end of the bed and pulls his boots on.

“You don’t think it’s weird me being here while you’re gone?” I press on, voicing my unease.

“Fuck no. The only thing wrong with the idea is I’ll be thinking about it all night. Probably have a semi half the night. Jesse will probably give me shit.”

I laugh at the image. Yeah, Jesse will so give him shit. “I’ll see how it goes,” I finally say, watching him stand and put on his cut.

“Okay, but so you know, coming home to you in my bed would be a fucking dream.” He leans down and kisses me one last time. “Be thinking of ya, darlin’.” He stands to full height, and without a backward glance, he leaves me naked in his bed.

It’s not until later when I see Hunter’s truck parked across the road I realize he didn’t listen.

It makes me fall a little more for him.

Past Mackenzie

“I don’t know what you’re fucking thinking here.” A voice pulls me out of my groggy sleep and back to reality.

The past twenty-four hours come flooding back and then I realize I’m in a hospital.

“Don’t start your shit right now, Sy,” Beau’s voice answers and I keep still, wondering what they’re talking about.

“She’s fucking dangerous. Look who she’s connected to. This is bad shit, Beau.”

Me. They’re talking about me.

“What the fuck is your problem, Sy? You think I’m gonna walk away from her? I’m following this through. If you want to leave, fine. Fuck off. But we’re all this woman has right now. I’m gonna take her out of town away from that abusive-ass husband, with or without your help.” I hold my breath, then slowly let it out as I realize this man is truly going to save me.

“I’m not saying to leave her here. I’m saying call Tiny in. Have someone else do this. I’m worried about you. I haven’t seen you like this before.”

The room falls silent, the insistent beeping of the machine grows louder the longer no one talks.

Like what?

After what feels like ten minutes I decide to give up my façade and release a soft whisper, like I’m just stirring from sleep.

“Mackenzie?” My voice is called and I slowly open my eyes. Beau is sitting in the chair next to the hospital bed, Sy standing by the door.

“How did it go?” I take stock of my body, but can barely lift my head. The drugs are doing their job. Even my face is numb.

“Everything ran smoothly. They were able to reset your arm.”

I don’t answer, but nod as I try to move myself up to a sitting position. “When can we go?” I look toward Sy and see him quietly assessing me.

Oh, God. He scares me.

“Tomorrow. They want you to stay the night here, and then once you receive the all clear, we’ll be on the road.” Beau stands and passes me the remote to control the bed.

“I’m gonna go check in with Nix. Be back.” Sy turns and leaves us alone.

“I don’t think he’s too happy,” I murmur, more to myself than Beau.

“He has his head up his ass over his woman. Just ignore him. I do.” He rests back in his chair and stretches his feet out in front of him. Faded jeans, scuffed boots. I don’t say anything for a few minutes, until I can’t help but want to engage with him.

“Beau, why do you do this? Help women.” He regards me for a long while, and I wonder if I’ve overstepped some line I didn’t know was drawn.

“Ten years ago, someone close to me lost their life because she didn’t leave.” His face darkens, his brow dipping low, and then he shakes his head clear. Like he can’t believe he just shared a little of himself.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Beau.”