out before I can stop them. I completely ignore the suggestion that I’m some kind of troublemaker who deliberately seeks out conflict. I’ve spent my life going out of my way to avoid trouble. Since I met him, it seems to somehow find me.
“You sound like you’d be disappointed if I didn’t.” His fingers tease my backside, and he ignores my wince. His words give away nothing.
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
He gives my hair a playful tug and stops at the still open back doors to the van. Ben’s sitting on the back bench waiting for me. There’s also a bike stowed there, tied in place with bungee cords.
“Whose bike is that?” I ask curiously.
“Pip’s. The idiot busted it yesterday riding. They couldn’t get it running right, so I guess you and Ben’ll be a little crowded in there for now. Get in.” He holds out his hand to help me up.
“Wait, doesn’t Cap have to ride back there?” I ask.
“Cap’s staying behind until we come back next week. In, nosy.”
Before I can get in, Jules and Gin both come over to us. “Spidy, a word with your woman before you leave?” Jules asks.
He nods absently and goes over to Dragon who’s getting on his bike.
Hi,” I say curiously, looking at both of them.
“Ben really likes you,” Jules says in a surprisingly friendly tone. “He’s very protective of Penny these days. Doesn’t usually ask someone he’s just met to meet her.”
I smile. “I’m happy to do it.” Then I remember what Pip said yesterday about what would happen if she knew this. “If you ever need anyone for Ben Watch, let me know.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that,” she says, and I welcome the hug she offers. Then, in a much lower voice she adds, “Spider is a good man.”
“So people keep telling me,” I grumble.
She draws back, squeezing my shoulders. “Trust me, it’s there. I don’t think you realize how much you’re already changing him, girl. Or how good you are for him.”
When she releases me, Gin pulls me into a hug of her own.
“Come back anytime,” she says in an equally low voice. I’m not sure what I hear in her tone. Sympathy? Sadness? “Hang in there.”
It’s ridiculous how comforting these girls are. And it’s strange how I can feel the warmth of something else in their tones other than reassurance or consolation regarding Spider. It’s something that I’m not unfamiliar with, the kind of family and sisterhood that is overwhelmingly common among women in the Colony. Hugging them makes my throat tighten.
Since meeting Spider, the only other woman I’ve met who’s been as friendly as them is Sam. And while at the Colony, the women were usually warm with one another, it always felt a little artificial, as if it was expected of them. The kindness from Jules and Gin feels real.
“Gossip time’s up girls.” Spider comes back to us and holds out his hand, nodding for me to climb into the van. I give the girls a shrug and a wave, take his hand, and get in.
A few feet away, Monica climbs onto Diesel’s bike. I wonder if Pip is jealous seeing her ride with another man, even if she’s going with Diesel only because Pip isn’t on his bike. Knowing how possessive Spider is, I have a feeling he wouldn’t stand for having me on another man’s bike for any reason.
I lower myself slowly onto the bench beside Ben, but no matter how careful I am, my backside still feels like it’s on fire the second it hits the cushion.
“What’s wrong, Emma?” Ben asks, looking up at me with adorable concern.
My cheeks heat, and I’m suddenly glad that the inside of the van is too dark for him to see my flush. I’m visited by a strong urge to murder Spider.
“Nothing, buddy, just a little back pain.” It’s not a lie; my back and arms still ache from Spider’s roughness two nights ago.
Spider grins at our exchange. “Behave yourself,” he says as he shuts the doors.
“I will,” Ben calls, though I have the mortified feeling Spider was talking to me.
I settle gingerly back on the seat and experience a surge of warmth when Ben snuggles into my side. I put my arm around him.
Through the back window of the van, I see Spider hug Jules, a lingering embrace before he goes over and gets on his bike. I know there’s nothing going between him and Jules, especially after what she said to me, but when I consider