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Victoria shook her head. “I appreciate that. We’re in a VBRO for another day, but I’m happy to hang with her at your place until Gamble’s ready to leave.”

I nodded. “Standing offer.”

She pursed her lips and twisted them to the side. “Does that stand for Ry…I mean, Nickel, too?”

I shrugged a shoulder. “Yeah, but he owes her an apology.”

She pressed her lips together. “Out of all my kids, Ryan took the most interest in my work at the law firm. I wouldn’t hold out for that apology anytime soon. He sees things in a way most MC brothers don’t.”

“He’s making that pretty clear. I hope he values her the same way she does him.”

Victoria dipped her chin. “You may not believe this, but he really does love her. He’ll come around.”

Once Mickayla was loaded into the rental, I leaned in and kissed her forehead. “They’re taking you to my place. I’m hitting the clubhouse. This gives you time with them. Cool?”

She hesitated. “Not really, but—”

“Then I’ll wait,” I said.

She sighed. “No, I heard you and Mom chatting on our way out here. I need to spend time with my parents. How long will you be?”

I leaned back. “Not more than an hour. I’ll text you if something comes up.”

She nodded. “Okay. I love you.”

“I love you, too, wild child.”

I rode into the forecourt of the compound and to the back of the clubhouse. Blood stood next to his bike, digging through his saddlebags.

I parked my bike a few feet away from him and dismounted.

“Yo! Your woman doing all right?” Blood asked.

I nodded. “As well as can be expected. She’s home, so that’s good.”

“Good? That’s excellent.”

I glanced toward the clubhouse. “Is Abby in there?”

“She is. Why?”

“Volt said she probably has the cut I asked her to order.”

Blood nodded. “Go in there and ask her.”

I eyed the clubhouse again.

“Man, why are you looking at the clubhouse like it could bite you?”

I dragged a hand through my hair. “Yesterday, eight of my brothers were down with me losing my patch. I haven’t forgotten that yet…not sure I ever will.”

Blood put a cigarette to his lips, dug a lighter out of his pocket, and lit it. “You’re gonna have to find a way to get over that.”

With a deep breath, I controlled my temper. “You didn’t look at my back yesterday. Beneath the club’s colors, I got a tat that says ‘Brotherhood Always. No Traitors.’ Volt should have made that tattoo a requirement.”

Blood took the cigarette out of his mouth, flicking away the ash while he blew out some smoke. “They aren’t traitors.”

“Feels that way - and it’ll be a while before it doesn’t.”