sharply. “Think you can reach that female cop you’re friends with in Parkvale?”
Diesel nodded.
“We might need her tonight. I’m going to try to convince Simone to file a complaint and get a restraining order. I think she’d be more comfortable with a woman,” Quincy explained. “Can you get extra eyes on the shelter and at Simone’s work for a while?”
“Consider it done. She’ll be escorted to and from work, and I’ll set up shifts so she’s never alone.” Diesel put his phone to his ear and stepped to the side.
“Does she need a doctor?” Bones asked.
“No, but thanks,” Quincy said. “I’m heading over to make sure she stays clean.”
“We’re coming with you to patrol the area to make sure there’s no more trouble,” Bullet said, nodding to Bones, Bear, and Jed.
“Scott and I will make sure our girls get home safe,” Biggs said gruffly.
Holy cow. They worked together like an expertly choreographed dance team.
“I don’t think we need everyone, but I know better than to argue.” Quincy looked at Truman and said, “Would you mind giving Roni a ride back to her place?”
“No problem, bro,” Truman said.
As if he’d dismissed them, the guys went to their significant others. Quincy pulled Roni into the dining room and said, “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine, but the way they sprang into action makes me wonder if this is really dangerous.” She squeezed his hand and said, “Don’t lie to me, Quincy. I can take it.”
“I will never lie to you. They’re just making sure that asshole and his guys aren’t hanging around. It’s what they do, babe. The Dark Knights are here to protect people. I’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Okay, but please be extra careful, and come to my place after you’re done.”
“I don’t know how long this will take. It could be two or three in the morning.”
“I don’t care how late it is. I need to know you’re safe.”
“Okay.” He gathered her in his arms, holding her tight. “I…Thanks for understanding, babe.”
He gave her a quick kiss, grabbed his jacket, and headed out the door with the others, leaving her struggling with an unexpected lump in her throat as Truman, Gemma, and Biggs sidled up to her.
Truman said, “Are you doing okay?”
“Sort of. I’m nervous for them and Simone.”
“You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t,” Truman said.
“I remember the first time I saw the guys charge out the way they just did,” Gemma said. “It scared me.”
Roni was glad she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
“The thing is, by the end of that night I realized that all those leather-clad guys banding together like that shouldn’t have been scary,” Gemma explained. “They’re like Superman on steroids. The scary guys are the ones they’re going after and protecting the rest of us from.”
“And you don’t worry that they’ll get hurt?” Roni asked.
Gemma nodded and said, “Of course I worry, but they’re keeping people safe and saving lives.”
“Are they going to fight?” Roni asked.
“Only if they have to, darlin’,” Biggs said, draping an arm over her shoulder, a pillar of strength for her to borrow from. “Don’t you worry. By now Diesel has about thirty Dark Knights on their way to Parkvale. They’re going to be just fine.”
His voice was as rough as sandpaper and as comforting as his embrace. More pieces of Quincy’s life were falling into place, including where Quincy’s caring nature and his drive to support and help others had been nurtured. She was falling for this family as deeply as she was falling for Quincy.
Chapter Eighteen
IT WAS NEARLY two thirty in the morning when Quincy climbed out of his truck and headed across the parking lot toward Roni’s apartment. When he’d first gotten out of rehab, he’d bent Truman’s and Jed’s ears after meetings and rough days. But he’d never had anyone to come home to. Now he made an effort to leave the nightmarish reminder of his past behind as he ascended the steps toward the woman who was front and center in his dreams of the future. When Roni answered the door, eyes filled with worry but looking beautiful in sleeping shorts and a tank top, and threw her arms around him, he’d never been more grateful in his life.
“Hi, baby. Sorry it’s so late.” Truman had texted him to tell him he’d tried to get Roni to stay at their place so she wasn’t alone, and when she said she would be fine, Gemma had offered to stay with her. But Roni had insisted