Page 7

Blaze blows out a breath and runs a hand through his hair. “What happened when you got to the clubhouse?”

“He took me out of the car and we walked for a while… I’m not sure how far… and then when he took the blindfold off, we were standing in front of the clubhouse.”

“And he instructed you to come inside?” I ask and she nods, her eyes full of pain as she glances over at me.

“Yeah. I had no idea what was going on and I thought maybe it was just another game, that y’all were in on it with him and he was just going to endlessly torment me before killing me.”

Blaze shakes his head, pain filling his face as he leans forward and meets her gaze. “I’m so sorry that this happened to you, Veronica… I can’t help but feel like this is our fault and if there is ever anything that you need, all you have to do is ask. This club is here for you, now and always.”

“I…” she whispers, gaping at me. “I don’t blame you guys. Since he released me, I’ve been researching the club and I know the good work you do. The only person to blame here is him but regardless, I’m thankful for your support.”

“It’s a really shitty induction but you’re part of the family now,” Storm tells her and she nods, glancing over her shoulder at the closed door.

“Based on what I saw out there, it seems like a good family to be a part of.”

Chance smiles. “We appreciate you saying that.”

Silence descends over the room as we all look at each other, unsure of where to go from here, and Blaze clears his throat as he stands up and motions to the door. “Okay, well, if nobody has anything else, I’ll walk you out, Veronica.”

“Okay,” she answers, sounding more secure as she stands up and looks around the room. “If there is anything else I can help with, please let me know.”

“We will, darlin’,” Blaze assures her. She waves good-bye and Blaze walks her out of the room shutting the door behind him. Nobody says anything, each of us trying to process everything we’ve just learned. The lengths this guy has gone to in order to get back at us is extreme and I can’t shake this damn feeling that I’m missing something that is staring me right in the face but I can’t seem to figure out what the hell it is. It just continues to eat away at me, at all of us, but maybe that’s all just part of his game and this really will end with the ruins of my club and the family we’ve built littered around us.