“Members did ask about that at the last founders’ meeting,” Ella said through a yawn.“They wanted to make sure that former guests who had come when Club Bandit was opened to the public wouldn’t try getting in now.You got them to work on a Sunday?”
“Guess that’s when his team could fit us in.”Zee bent to help her take off her shoes.
“Are Ares and Josie coming in?”
“I think they’re getting stuff out of the car.”Zee wrapped an arm around her waist as she lost her balance.
“The pain meds they gave me are wearing off.I’m not up for company, Zee.”
“Ella...I need to make sure you’re all right.”It was the only thing he could say, and he said it, marching several feet in front of her.“I haven’t called the girls yet, like you asked, but you can’t hide this from them.”
“I don’t want them to worry.I have to tell you something.”Ella winced as she took a seat at the counter.
“Here we are!”Ares strolled into the kitchen, setting two large paper bags down.
“All this for us?Ares, she made too much food.”Zee rushed forward, thankful for the distraction.
“She emptied an entire freezer,” Ares said, the pride in his voice evident as he slung an arm around Josie’s shoulders and kissed her.
“It was the least I could do.”Josie laughed as Ares nuzzled her neck.“It’s no big deal.I’m happy to help.I’m not doing catering anymore, but I always have stuff on hand, like the roasted red pepper soup you like.I brought a couple loaves of the whole-grain bread.I thought of simple things you could warm up throughout the week by yourself.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”Zee ran a hand through his hair, hoping Ella would think Josie meant the work week.
“That’s very sweet of you, but I’ll be okay,” Ella said.
“I know it’s hard to accept help.I wanted to make your life as easy as possible.If you need anything else or have a craving, please call and ask.I don’t mind.”
“You’re a good friend, Josie,” Ella said.
“Hey, anything we can do to make your healing easier,” Ares said, his bright eyes warm.“Please call us if you need anything, Ella.I know it must be hard having Zee away from you.”
“It’s been an adjustment,” Ella said.
The doorbell chimed again, and Zee practically dove down the hall to answer it, opening the door to their friends Nick and Mulberry Laurent.
“Thanks for coming,” Zee said to Mulberry and Nick.
“Of course!What an awful thing to happen!Maybe we need to have security at the club all the time?If Erik was there like in the old days, there would have been someone there,” Nick said.
“Trust me, I thought the same thing, but this was a submissive-only class and there wasn’t a need for onsite security.”
“Accidents happen, sir,” Mulberry said, squeezing Nick’s arm.
“Yes, I didn’t mean to blame you, Zee.”
“Nothing I’m not telling myself.Thank you both for coming.I know you’re busy.”
“I will always make time for Ella,” Mulberry said, smiling at Zee.
“Ella!”Mulberry ran over to her and gave her a hug, careful not to touch the sling.“This is going to make sewing difficult.Not that I sew, but I can help you take pics!”
Zee curled his hand into a fist as he saw the realization hit her that her hobby would be impossible with her injury.
“Guess I have a holiday from work,” Ella said, her voice small.Zee’s heart twisted, with the urge to soothe away her pain.
Ares and Nick talked behind him but his focus was on Ella.
Her face lost all colour, her fingers trembled.
