Grace.

Fucking grace.

This woman who I knew nothing about me, gave it to me, and fuck if I didn’t want to lie down in the bed with her and beg for more.

“No secret as to why I do any of this. Her asshole husband killed her.” I shake my head from all those thoughts, reach up, unclasp her hands from my neck then take a step back.

“It’s okay, Beau. I’m sure there’s more to her story, but you don’t have to talk about it with me.” She’s not offended by my retreat. If anything, she’s composed, reassuring.

“I’m not trying to hide it from you, darlin’. Just don’t like to talk about it.”

“Okay, honey,” she whispers, and then diverts her gaze back to the main room. I’m a fucking asshole, especially when she’s so fucking understanding, but I’m not getting into it with her today or here.

“Come on, I’ll show you the rooms.” I take her hand and show her through to the rest of the house.

The shelter is big enough to accommodate ten residents with full staff at any one time. With twelve private bedrooms, large enough for mothers with children, two large communal dining rooms, and an industrial-size kitchen, they will have the privacy to come and go as they please, with the option to interact with anyone else in the house in the communal areas.

“You know, I wish I had this as an option.” Mackenzie steps into one of the bedrooms and walks around.

“Wish you did too, darlin’.” I watch her face as she takes in the room, running her hand along the freshly painted wall.

“I was lucky I had Heidi, and you.” She looks up, and I take a moment to see how far she’s come. She’s no longer this jumpy, scared woman in fear of her life. She doesn’t let the past hold her back. She’s stronger, braver.

“You did good, Kenz. Even without all this.” She shrugs, like the statement is questionable. But it’s not. She’s come so fucking far.

“Maybe, but I still wish I did some things differently. Wish I never went to her that night.” She’s talking about Heidi.

“And who knows what would have happened to you then, darlin’, if you didn’t get away.”

“At least Heidi wouldn’t be missing, God knows where she is because of me, Beau.” It’s the first time she has spoken about Heidi in a while. I don’t want to upset her, but maybe she’s willing to open up about it. She’s been so shut down, I don’t know where her head is at.

“We’ll find her, darlin’.”

“I doubt it.” She worries at her lip, and I wonder what the hell that’s supposed to mean.

“I understand your doubt in the sheriff’s department, but I’ve told you before, Jackson is on our side.”

“You’re right. I’m just over reacting. Heidi probably ran off and got married.” She steps up to me, and wraps her arms around my middle. My arms instantly wrap around her, pulling her closer into me.

Her apprehension rings out loud and clear, and I understand it. After all, the last conversation she had with her friend wasn't very comforting for her. I wish I could take it away. I wish I had more information to tell her, to ease the worry in her heart.

The truth is the chances of finding Heidi are slim. But I’m not telling Mackenzie that. She’s been through so much, has lost so much. If we discover she lost her friend, too, I don't know if she will ever recover.

Not wanting to keep us in this moment, I don’t push the conversation anymore. “Come on, you’ve seen around. Let’s go.” I take her hand in mine as we move back through the shelter to start locking up.

“We’re going home?” She reaches for her bag.

“No, we gotta head to the clubhouse. Our presence is needed.”

“Great.” She sighs but grins when I turn to look at her reaction. She acts like she’s uncomfortable around them, but we both know that’s not the case. She’s starting to become part of the family. The girls have accepted her into their fold, and once the guys find out I’ve claimed her as mine, it won’t be long till they’re giving her shit over me.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a family BBQ,” I tell her as I lead her out the same way we came in. I didn’t take her to last week’s one, after Nix specifically told me to; instead, I opted to keep her in my bed, nowhere near ready to share her.

“Maybe I should just hang back at home then.” She tries to get out of it, but if I’m going, she’s coming. She’s family.

“Come on. The quicker we do this, the quicker I can have you back in my bed.” Once out, I follow behind her pulling the door closed with me before grabbing the keys out of my pocket and locking up.

“I’m serious, Beau.” I drape my arm around her shoulders and steer us back to my bike.

“And this is me showing you I haven’t had enough, darlin’.” I won’t let her try to weasel her way out of it. Before she tries to fight it more, I take her bag and stash it in my saddlebag, plant her ass on my bike, take my seat in front of her, and start it up. She stops her arguing, wraps her arms around my waist and molds her front to my back.

Just like that, she submits.

Fuck me, could she be any more perfect?

Twenty-Three

Mackenzie

“Don’t accept a drink from anyone unless it’s from Jesse or any of his staff. And don’t leave the club,” Beau reminds me of his rules while I get ready for my night out with the girls a couple of weeks later. I know he’s only looking out for me, and I appreciate it, but he needs to take a breather.