“When isn’t he?” Haizley asked. “What did he do now?”
“I don’t what to talk about it,” I snapped. “The guards are for Karlyn.”
“Hi, Karlyn, I’m Sam. And this is Beck, Haizley, Kytten, and Indie.”
Karlyn lifted her hand timidly.
“What, am I not good enough to guard you ladies?” Indie asked.
“Oh, stop it,” Kytten said, smacking Indie on the arm.
Karlyn shrunk down in her seat, and I glared at Indie. Diesel, Aspen’s dog, slowly walked over to Karlyn and put his head on her lap. She looked down at the dog, surprise marring her face.
“He’s friendly,” Aspen offered. “In fact, he’s a therapy dog.”
“A therapy dog?” Karlyn asked, still hesitant to touch the scary-looking beast.
The women all got quiet as we waited for Aspen to answer. It was her story to tell, and I wouldn’t let anyone push her to share. But my concern was unwarranted.
“I was raped a few months ago.”
Karlyn’s head snapped up, and her eyes focused on Aspen. She didn’t say anything, but I could see she wanted to know more.
“I don’t remember it. I was drugged at a bar. But the man broke into my home and tried to rape me again. Thankfully, Gunner and Haizley were there and stopped him.” Haizley reached over and held Aspen’s hand. “They brought me to the clubhouse, but despite not remembering being raped, I was veryuncomfortable being here. Even though I knew some of the Silver Shadows from my brother’s club.”
“Your brother has a club?”
I sat quietly as I watched Aspen and Karlyn talk.
“Yeah, Zeus is my brother.” I saw Karlyn start to shut down, and Diesel must have noticed it too, because he nudged her hand until she finally put it on his head.
“Anyway, Banshee saw how uncomfortable I was and brought me Diesel. He kept the brothers away until I was comfortable talking to them. He’s been amazing at making me feel safe. Diesel seems to know exactly what I need, whether I’m scared or anxious, even when I’m angry.” She chuckled. “I found out recently he’ll take my side over Banshee.” She laughed. “Even though he’s the one who trained him.”
The door opened again, and Maureen and her daughter walked in.
“Why are we stuffed in here like sardines?” she asked. Sam stood from her seat and gave it to Maureen. Karlyn looked down at the dog. It broke my heart to see her this way.
“Because your nephew is an asshole,” I said.
“Which one? I hear I have two now!” She grinned.
“Oh, Maureen. This is Karlyn. She’s Ravage’s old lady.”
Karlyn sat up. “Oh no, I’m not... I don’t have—”
“Karlyn, I don’t have a cut either. It doesn’t stop the pain in the ass out there from calling me his,” I said.
Maureen smiled at Karlyn. “Hello, I just found out Jackson is my nephew.”
“He is?” Karlyn asked.
Maureen nodded. “His mother was my sister-in-law.” She turned around and grabbed Colleen’s hand. “This is Colleen, Jackson’s cousin.”
“I’m sorry. You’ll have to forgive my mom. She wasn’t able to have more babies after me until now, apparently.” Colleenlaughed as she pointed to Maureen’s belly. “And she always wanted a bunch. I never knew my aunt Darcy because she left before I was born. And, well, we didn’t think Ducky would ever settle down. So, she’s a little excited to be around all this family she now has.”
Karlyn smiled softly; I could tell she was uncomfortable, so I threw myself on the sword, when Kytten asked, “I want to know what King did now.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I shared with them a little about my life before I came to Diamond Creek. I told them about my mom and the picture I found after she died.
