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“The old guy is unhinged. Didn’t you see what he did to Mercer’s dick?”

Grind pales and grips his crotch, checking to make sure his dick is safe and sound, probably. I ignore him, staying the course, moving with my brothers to the building we found the other day. Niko and Fox break through the locks and roll the doors open, all the shit that was in there the other day still exactly in place.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting that,” Grind mutters.

Motorcycle pipes break through the silence and I can’t help the feral grin that grows on my face.

“It’s party time!” Pops yells from the roof with a fucking submachine gun in his hand.

“What the actual fuck?” Grind mumbles, staring at Pops.

“Brace yourself, Deacon, shit is about to get real messy.”

Willa

I peek out the window one last time. I know that’s what I told myself the last time I did it. But this is definitely the last time. The very last time.

“Look, I know that you’re all in love and stuff now that you’ve let things happen, but Imma need you to sit down and stay down,” Blanche says, not looking up from her book.

“Who says I’m in love?” I ask, trying to ignore the look on Blanche’s face. The one that screams “Are you shitting me right now?”

Blanche sighs, putting her book down on the coffee table as the other Ol Ladies start huddling in on the couches of the common room. Every eye is locked on me and it’s freaking me out a little.

“Babe. Willa. We all saw the chemistry you and Mad Dog had when he whisked you away to Switch’s family farm. I get that some shit went down between you two over that lockdown, but I have eyes. Whatever you two have been doing the past little while is deeper than a physical connection.”

“Can I add something?” Lovely asks, hand raised as if in school. I nod, because why wouldn’t I? Lovely is the nicest person I’ve ever met. “I think you got scared at the farm and tried to push Mad Dog away.”

“Ugh.” I throw my hands up, and slump down on the couch with my eyes closed. “Is it that obvious?” I crack one eyelid open, only to be met with ten heads bobbing up and down.

“Willa, Judge even figured it out and that man has no idea about anything when it comes to other people’s feelings.” Kaia says with a shrug.

“Honestly?” I ask the women, who all nod again. “I got scared.” I sit up, running my hands along my yoga pants. “I’ve been in a relationship with an alpha male caveman, and he robbed me of my self worth. When I finally pulled up my big girl panties and left him it took me a long time to find myself. What I liked, what I didn’t like. What brought me joy. I’ve been on my own for a while now, in my little house that I decorated the way I wanted. Running my business. The way I felt…feel about Mad Dog. It’s,” I blow out a breath, “it steals my breath away. The only other time I’ve felt like that was with Diesel.”

“Ah. That makes sense,” Mira murmurs.

“No, it doesn't. Mad Dog’s not Diesel. Diesel is a douche and Mad Dog isn't," Chewy says walking into the room with baby Miles attached to her breast covered with a thin blanket complete with alligator print. Baby Miles also has little booties knitted to look like gator feet and it’s pretty fucking adorable.

“Chewy, Willa’s only reference for love prior to Mad Dog is Diesel. Her history would make her think the feelings she is having would produce the same outcome. Even if Mad Dog is a much better man than Diesel,” Lovely explains.

“Well, then she’ll just have to rewire her brain,” Chewy replies before looking in my direction. “You’ll have to rewire your brain. I have some conditioning exercises that may help.”

“Um, thanks?” I answer, unsure what to do with her intense gaze.

“You’re welcome.” She nods. “What’s everyone doing anyway?”

“We’re waiting for the men. And Willa is coming to terms with her feelings for Mad Dog,” Mira catches Chewy up.

“They better be good feelings. I like you, but Mad Dog is like a father to me and if you hurt him I’ll have to hurt you. No hard feelings or whatever.”

I huff out a laugh, holding up my hands. “No hard feelings, Chewy. But my feelings for Mad Dog are good feelings. Scary, but good.”

She nods thoughtfully. “I get that. My wooing of Rhodie was scary. I never knew if I was going to mess up or if he was going to think I was too much trouble. But he loves me and I love him. And now we have babies and a gator and the MC. It’s awesome.”

“Same,” Mira says, holding up her hand. “I always thought I would be too much for anyone to want to put up with me for any length of time. Then I met Tank and his quiet matches my loud. We just work.”

“I didn't think anyone would take on a mother of four kids and a shit ton of baggage,” Blanche adds.

“I had an anger problem and was between jobs when I met Jules,” Vi snorts.