Page 35 of Devil’s Candy

He gives me a wink. “My girl needs her strength.”

I soften a little at the words. I’m probably getting up in my head. I just don’t trust anything because I don’t trust myself.

Sitting down, he sets a plate and mug in front of me and then one for himself. We eat in companiable silence before he gets up to take a shower while I do the dishes.

A half hour later, we’re out the door. I’ve got my bag of supplies that he places in the trunk for me before we drive to the club.

When we pull into the parking lot, Rock is already waiting outside the back door.

Sver gets my bag and kisses my temple as his gaze fixes on Rock. “Have a good day today, my sweet treat.”

I sigh as I turn away, walking toward Rock. Even the nickname sounds temporary. Sweet treat. The kind you eat and forget.

Then again…so does Candy. Maybe I should change my name. People take a woman named something like Veronica seriously.

I could be a Vanessa or even a Katherine. That name makes me wrinkle my nose. “What’s the matter with you?” Rock asks, curling his lip. “Too good for this club now?”

I eye Rock with the wariness he deserves. “I was thinking of changing my name.”

“You should. With your past…and the enemies you manage to collect.” He gives me a hard stare. “You ought to make a fresh start.”

His message is more than clear. He doesn’t want me here.

“Come inside, Candy,” Angel calls from the door. “The girls are waiting.”

I skirt around Rock and head for the door. He’s always made me the most nervous, but when I get to Angel, I stop, taking a deep breath. “Thanks for having me here today.”

“Of course.” He gives a quick nod. “I’m sorry about what happened the other night.”

I touch my neck. I’m lucky there aren’t more bruises. Looking down at the ground, I scratch my foot in the loose gravel. “I’ve got shit taste in men. I know it. I’m sorry it touched you.”

“Candy,” Angel lets out a deep rumble. “Sver says you didn’t share any information about us even when he tried to get it out of you.”

I shake my head. “I would never knowingly hurt any of you. Fucked up as this is…this place is the most like a home that I’ve ever had.”

“Is that why you were so nice to Promise from the start?”

“She was going to be your wife. When you hired me, you only asked me for what was fair, and you never tried to get more. It might seem little to you but to me…” I raise a shoulder.

He claps my shoulder with his large hand. “You can always find safe harbor here, Candy. That’s a promise. And would you call my wife? She misses you.”

“Will do,” I say with a smile, and then I do something I’ve never done before. I hug Angel. It’s awkward and he stiffly pats my back until I let him go. When I step back, I can feel my face growing hot. “Just so you know, I think you might be the closest thing to a brother I’ll ever have.”

I half expect him to sneer, but his eyes grow wide.

“I know you’ve got your tight family. But for me…this place…you…”

He slaps my shoulder again. “No. I think you’re right. You certainly annoy me enough to be a little sister.”

“Just so we’re clear, I do not want to take care of you like a sister,” Rock snarls behind me.

“No one is trusting you to take care of a woman,” Angel answers for me, as he gestures for me to go inside.

I’m looking forward to today.

I’ve missed the work. I’ve actually missed the people.

And today, of all days, I could use the distraction.