quickly to make certain her clothes weren’t all over the place.
“Bree, it’s wonderful to meet you. I’m so sorry for the circumstances. I know the boys will bring your son home. You must be out of your mind with worry.”
The sympathy in Blythe’s voice was genuine and nearly got her crying again. She didn’t understand, when she’d managed to stay in a semblance of control, why she was breaking down so much all of a sudden. Well, she knew, she just didn’t want to admit that a part of her was already allowing Steele to take over so that she was free to collapse with grief.
“Thank you for lending us your home,” Breezy said, blinking back the threat of tears. She tapped her lip with the pad of her finger, hoping the tiny bite mark didn’t show. She detested her voice. It was too shaky, but she did manage to stop herself from moving even closer to Steele. If she was any closer, she’d be crawling into his pocket.
What had happened to her hard-won independence? She felt as if she was reverting right back to that scared girl who had walked, pregnant and alone, into the diner, hoping for a job and guidance. She’d gotten both. She didn’t want to be this girl. She wanted to be that one.
“I’m so happy to meet you, Breezy,” Anya said. “We could use more female voices around here to even things out. I know they’ll bring your son home to you.”
Breezy managed a smile. “Thanks, Anya. It’s nice to meet you as well.” Anya seemed to genuinely welcome her, and that helped to restore a little of her confidence in spite of her tear-stained face.
“It’s so exciting to meet you,” Darby said. “I’m really sorry about Zane as well, but I know Uncle Steele will bring him home to us.”
Uncle Steele? Darby had been one of the children rescued from the human trafficking ring. The Swords had been the ones to kidnap her and her sister Zoe. There was no ill will there, only genuine sympathy. Darby was far too young to be able to fake anything. Breezy was adept at reading people. She had to be. If she’d misread any member of the club, they had beaten her. Right now, she could see that Darby was honestly concerned for her son.
“Come help,” Alena invited, moving over to make room for Breezy. “I’m making French toast. You can help Anya peel the potatoes for hash browns if you’d like, unless you want to go into the dining room with all the men. They’re annoying, but …”
“Annoying?” Maestro tossed a wadded dish towel at Alena. She caught it right out of the air and flung it back at him.
“Children,” Blythe said drolly. The others erupted into laughter. Blythe shook her head with a little grin that told Breezy she wasn’t in the least upset and was used to the type of teasing the club members did to one another. “Get out from under our feet, Maestro, or you’ll be cooking the eggs.”
Alena rolled her eyes. “I asked him to cook once. Once. He sucks at it. The house smelled burnt for a week. Every smoke detector went off and the neighbors called the fire department.”
“She’s lying her ass off, Darby,” Maestro said and kissed the top of the teenager’s head. “Don’t believe a fuckin … thing she says,” he hastily tried to correct himself at Blythe’s glare.
Darby giggled. “You’re in so much trouble.” She winked at Breezy. “Both Zoe and Emily have swear jars. Emily had hers first and I think she has enough in it to pay for college already thanks to the club and the way they talk, so Zoe’s decided she wants in on the money-making. I can’t say that I blame her.”
Maestro groaned. “I’m going broke as it is just paying Emily.” He looked around. “Neither one is in here, so it doesn’t count.”
Darby laughed. Her laughter sounded relaxed and genuine. Breezy couldn’t remember feeling relaxed when she’d been growing up and working in the kitchen or cleaning the clubhouse. She’d tried, for the sake of the other children, and she’d made jokes and laughed a lot for them, but she hadn’t felt safe enough to relax. It spoke volumes that Darby, who had gone through hell, did.
Breezy took a step toward Alena, her heart pounding. Once she joined the other women at the islands, Steele would disappear, go in with the other men and she would be alone. It