He hadn't expected her to come to the clubhouse, especially after he'd told her to stay inside until the danger from Cusclan was over.
She hurried toward him, stopping right in front of him, searching his face as if she needed proof he was here."I didn't leave the diner alone.I came with them.I couldn't wait anymore.Please, don't be mad."
"I'm not mad," he said.
"What happened with Sonny?"she asked, breathless.
Baddy's chest tightened.She'd been scared, waiting for him to return.
He took in her wide eyes and her rapid breathing like she'd run the whole way here.
"Have you eaten today?"he asked.
She blinked, thrown off by the change of topic.Then she shook her head.
That settled it.He needed to calm her down and feed her, and then they'd deal with everything else.
"Come on."He gathered up her hand and guided her toward the kitchen.
Baker was making plates for the guys, humming off-key to Smoke on the Water, an old rock song.When he spotted Baddy and Lydia, he raised a brow.
He held up two fingers."She hasn't eaten."
Baker snorted."Girl works too hard and worries too much.You—" he pointed a spatula at Baddy, "—look like you're about to do something stupid.Sit.Eat.People think clearer on a full stomach."
Baker slid two heavy plates across the counter.Roast, potatoes, corn.It was enough to feed a small army.
"Thanks, brother," he mumbled.
"And don't go fightin' on an empty stomach," said Baker."That's how men end up dead, and women end up mad."
Lydia gave a tiny, shaky laugh.Baddy almost smiled.Baker was well-known for his off-the-wall advice, even when he wasn't asked for his opinion.
They carried their plates out to the main room, but every table was full.The guys were hanging around, eating, drinking, playing cards, and arguing over pool shots.
Baddy jerked his chin toward the door."Outside."
Lydia followed without question.
The sky had darkened since he returned, and the cool night air gave him his second wind.The lights from the garage behind the clubhouse lit up the picnic table area.He led her toward the bench.
Before Baddy could sit down, Alanis came running over, wagging her tail as if it had a mind of its own.
The dog sniffed Baddy's leg.He set down his plate.
"Hey, girl," he muttered, giving Alanis a quick scratch behind the ears.
The dog huffed happily and wandered off.
Lydia watched the exchange with a soft look he didn't have time to unpack.He straddled the bench and remained facing her.
He dug into his food.Once he'd satisfied his hunger, he said, "Sonny didn't show."
She let out a breath.Obviously, the news brought her relief."That's good, right?"
"No."He shook his head."It's far from over.For some reason, Cusclan wants you back, despite selling you to me.Not showing up is their way of fucking with my head.They won't give up."
Her brows pulled together."I don't understand why."
