My stomach grumbles.
“Thank you,” I call out.
I move toward Knox, put my feet over the edge of the bed, and stand. “Are you coming down?”
He stands beside me, his face emotionless. He puts his arm out, signaling for me to walk out. We move down the hallway and then the stairs. Knox is close behind me. All the members of the MC and the women are sitting at a gigantic wooden table, with Reaper at the head of it.
As I move toward them, Knox is by my side. “Sit beside Elena.”
There are two spare seats between Ava and Elena, so I stride to them. Knox pulls out my chair and I sit, and he sits beside me. I glance at Ava, then Elena, and they smile back at me.
After looking at my empty plate, I look at the tacos, large plates with ground beef, and bowls with slices of tomato, lettuce, and avocado on the table. Smaller bowls hold shredded cheese and sour cream. Everyone is helping themselves, so I stand, lean over, and pick up two taco shells, then sit after filling them.
I feel Knox’s eyes on me every so often. When I finish, I grab a napkin and wipe my face, then glance at Knox. He stares back but says nothing.
“Would you like me to introduce Zara to everyone?” Reaper asks Knox.
Knox’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Are you okay with that?”
“Yes. I’d like to meet your friends.”
Reaper’s gaze returns to the table. “Excuse me.” His deep, loud voice carries over the table, and all conversations stop. “I’d like to introduce Zara to everyone.”
I lean forward to see everyone’s faces. “Well, you know Ava and Elena. Then beside Elena is Axle, who is the road captain.” Axle gives me one of his playful smiles.
“Beside Axle is Demon, the enforcer, then Cash, the treasurer.”
Demon is covered in tattoos that peek out of his shirt, with both arms and his neck covered.
“Hey,” Cash replies. He has short black hair and is leaning back in his seat in a laid-back manner.
“Then it’s Rage, a patched member.” The youngest man gives me a sincere smile.
“Twitch is head of IT security.” The man has wavy brown hair, an ear piercing, and a sprinkle of stubble. He gives me a small wave.
“And Viper is our VP.” Viper tips his head, then winks at me.
When I glance back at Bomber, he’s glowering at Viper.
I look around the table once more. “Thank you for allowing me to stay in your home”—my eyes land on Ava—“and for your hospitality.”
She blushes. “You’re welcome.”
After dinner, the conversation flows effortlessly. I listen intently to the people around me. Ava and Elena stand and grab other people’s plates, piling them on top of theirs, and walk toward the kitchen.
They come back and Elena grabs mine.
“Would you like any help?” I offer.
“No, you stay seated. It’s your birthday.”
I watch as they and the other women collect everyone’s plates and leftover food.
They then bring out bowls and spoons. I wonder if I can fit in the dessert, but I guess it depends on what it is. Ava walks out with a big smile and a gigantic cake on a tray with one pink candle. As she walks to me, my chest warms and I blink back tears.
The cake is white, with icing swirls around the top edges and multicolored sprinkles on top. I lean to the side, allowing space so that Ava can place the cake in front of me. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to,” she says through a smile.
