Diesel licked his lips. “You okay? No one bothering you?”
“It’s nothing like that.”
He nodded. “Okay, princess.” For a second, Diesel lingered like he had more to say.
Diesel always called me princess, a nickname that seemed half praise and half insult.
When we were alone, I turned to Hades and sighed, taking a seat in front of his desk. “I had a dream.”
His brow arched. “What type of dream?”
“The kind that lets me know trouble is coming.” I watched his reaction as I spoke, wondering if my suspicions were true. I had been seeing a lot more of Diesel and Revenant lately. Some of the prospects, too. “Something feels off.”
Hades sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. He was a big man, muscled, hard lines, veins visible, and had that Daddy Dom aura down to a fine science. He would make some woman damn happy to have him between her thighs when he finally settled down.
I had never been interested in or attracted to him in that way. Did I joke about it with my best friend Sydney? Oh yeah. Lots of times. But I thought of him as a father figure long before my dad died. He was the one person I could go to for advice without judgment or ridicule. He never made me feel stupid or unwelcome.
Hades was a good man, even if he was an outlaw.
“You know your dad used to have dreams like that,” he reminded me. “Strange shit. He had a sense about things. Always knew when shit was about to go down.”
“He did,” I agreed. “Now I’m worried something is about to happen. What if I can sense it like he did?”
Hades dropped his arms. “Sweet girl, you don’t need to worry. There’s a whole club of bikers who have got your back. You’re one of us, and we protect our family.”
“I know that, Hades.”
“Then what’s the matter?”
“I don’t know.” I slumped back against the seat. “Just feels off. Like, there’s something I’m missing.”
His stare was intense. “You need to relax. Come to the clubhouse tonight. A few of the Graven Bastards are visiting. It’ll be fun.” He winked, and a genuine smile appeared.
“Yeah. Might not be a bad idea.”
“Void, Revenant, and Diesel will all be here,” he added, watching my reaction.
“Don’t,” I warned him.
He shrugged. “Go after what you want, sweet girl. Life is too fucking short.”
I stood, and Hades called me over, hugging me close before he dropped a kiss on top of my head.
“If any of those assholes piss you off, you have my permission to fuck them up.”
“Right,” I laughed.
“What? They would never raise a finger against you. Might as well use it to your advantage.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Good. Run along. Got some shit to sort out.”
I walked toward the door. As my hand wrapped around the knob, he spoke one last time.
“Love you, Becca. Like you were my own.”
I met his serious gaze. “I know. Feel the same about you.”
