Page 7 of Savage

He jerked his chin toward the hallway on the far side of the room from us. “President’s quarters are open since I never use ’em. Has its own bathroom so you’ll have as much privacy as you want.”

Lainie smiled. “Sounds perfect. Thanks, Fox.”

A low sound from behind me cut through the room like a blade. The deep growl made me freeze, but Lainie just giggled while Fox shook his head with a sigh.

Talon moved to my side, his shoulders tense and his eyes locked on Fox as though he was seriously considering attacking his club president.

I looked at him, but he didn’t say anything. I didn’t even think he blinked while he stared at me. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe right…and it wasn’t due to fear over my situation. It was all about my reaction to the sexy biker at my side.

He stepped closer, and I noticed again how big he was. Easily nine inches taller than me, his broad shoulders were tight with tension. His hair and beard were both the same thick, sandy brown, and his gray-blue eyes filled with an intensity I didn’t understand.

But then his gaze shifted to me, the diamond in his ear catching the light from the recessed bulb above us as he tilted his head, and something in my chest stuttered.

A pretty redhead walked up to Fox and leaned against his side as she beamed a smile at us. “Hey, Lainie.”

Fox brushed a kiss against the top of her head. “Will the kids be busy long enough for you to show Lainie and her friend Tamara to our room?”

“Yup, they’re playing with Luna, so Molly told me to escape while I could.”

Fox’s lips curved into a grin that made him so much less intimidating. “Wanna bet Mav’ll check on them when he hears she’s on her own with three kids?”

“Nah, that’s a losing bet if I’ve ever heard one. He’s just as bad with her as you were with me when I was pregnant.” She turned to us and asked, “Ready to head up there now?”

“That’d be great, Dahlia.” Lainie tugged on my hand. “After classes all day and the drive, I’m wiped. And I’m sure Tamara is too since she worked for eight hours before we left.”

“I’m sure.” Dahlia gave her a quick hug, her affection for my best friend clear. “Two hours didn’t sound that far away when you left for college, but it’s been forever since we’ve seen you.”

Lainie rolled her eyes. “It’s only been three months.”

“We were all starting to think college swallowed you whole,” Dahlia teased.

“Close enough,” Lainie joked back, already falling into step beside her as though she’d never left.

I followed them across the big room and down the hall, feeling like the awkward tagalong who was out of place in their easy rhythm. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, not really. Dahlia had been nothing but nice. But I couldn’t help noticing how easily Lainie fit in here. She was as comfortable as I’d ever seen her.

Dahlia stopped in front of a thick wooden door and turned the handle. Then she pushed it open to reveal a small apartment-style suite that was bigger than I expected. Between the en suite bathroom and kitchenette, I could hide out in here the entire time I was here if I wanted. Except then I wouldn’t see Talon, which bothered me more than it should’ve. I didn’t even know the guy, but that didn’t seem to matter

“If you need anything else, just holler,” Dahlia said with a smile.

“Thanks. This is way more than I expected.”

“You’re family by extension,” she replied. “Which means we take care of you.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I just nodded and rubbed my palms over my thighs. As Dahlia and Lainie chatted about something I couldn’t focus on, I felt it again…that low buzz under my skin. I turned my head to glance at the doorway and found Talon standing there with one hand braced against the frame.

His broad chest rose and fell as though he was holding something back. He didn’t step inside, just guarded the door. Maybe it should have freaked me out, but I felt safe instead.

Any ideas I had about hiding flew out the window when Dahlia suggested, “You should hit up the kitchen after you dropyour bags in here. Sheila has been cooking up a storm since Tank told her you were coming home tonight.”

“Her famous mac and cheese?” Lainie rubbed her hands together. “With roasted chicken and glazed carrots?”

“Yup,” Dahlia confirmed with a grin. “Sadie also baked a few pies—cherry, apple, and chess.”

“Yum.” Lainie dropped her bag on the end of the bed, then grabbed mine and did the same. “We better get down there before all the food is gone. Sheila is Tank’s old lady. He’s been a patch for basically forever, and her food is amazing.”

Talon stepped away from the door, giving us room to get through.

“I could eat,” I agreed as my best friend led me back downstairs.

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