remembered everything.
It was Ronan.
Not the men who’d hurt me. I wasn’t being restrained. Nothing bad was going to happen.
I looked over my shoulder and smiled at how peaceful he looked. I was safe, with the man I’d fallen in love with. A biker who wouldn’t let anyone hurt me ever again. He’d gotten rid of my demons, sent them to hell where they belonged. I’d never be able to repay him for what he’d done.
I eased out of bed, careful not to wake him. After I used the bathroom and went down the hall to brush my teeth, I went to my old room. I put on panties and my warm pajamas, along with a pair of fuzzy socks. As I pawed through the drawer, I realized I had at least a dozen pair or more. Every time I saw a pair, I had to have them. If I didn’t slow down, I’d run out of space for them.
Once I was toasty warm, I hurried downstairs to make breakfast for Patriot. He always took care of me, and I tried to do the same for him when I could. Before I’d come here, I hadn’t known how to cook. I still wasn’t that great at it, but I was learning. I’d never been interested in things like making cookies or learning how to cook from scratch. Until the day I’d been snatched by the Sadistic Saints, I’d been too busy worrying about my next trip to the mall, who was dating which boy, or what I’d wear the next day to school.
Things were different now. I’d had to grow up fast, and the stuff I’d always thought was so crucial didn’t matter anymore.
Before I got started, I let Archimedes outside and put down fresh water and food. I uncovered Hatter’s cage and took out his bowls. His water bottle was still half-full so I left it alone. After I put his bird food into one dish, I stuck it back in his cage. The second dish I knew Patriot used for fruits and veggies. Hatter had his own storage tubs in the fridge. Today it looked like he’d be getting apples, grapes, and carrots. I sliced them up and dropped them into the dish before giving it to him.
“Mmm. So good.”
I smiled and reached through the bars to stroke his head. “Eat up, Hatter.”
I let Archimedes back in, then decided to get started on feeding the humans. I pulled out eggs, bacon, and a can of biscuits. I’d looked up how to make bacon in the oven after I saw someone make it that way in a movie, and now I preferred it baked over fried. I laid out the strips on a baking sheet while the oven preheated. I also preheated the toaster oven so I could make the biscuits at the same time.
After I had the bacon and biscuits cooking, I brewed a pot of coffee for Patriot. I took out some diced ham and shredded cheese to add to the eggs. Before I could get them started, I heard a knock at the front door. Archimedes stood and shook himself before leaving the kitchen. I heard a soft bark and hurried after him. Any other time, I’d have cowered and been afraid to open it, even knowing I should be safe here. Now I knew Patriot had killed all but two of the men who had hurt me. It made me realize I didn’t have to hide anymore.
I answered the door, peering around the edge of it since I was in my pajamas. Archimedes pressed against me. Smoke stood there, hands in his pockets. He rocked back on his heels when he saw me.
“Patriot is still asleep,” I said.
“Actually, I came to see you.”
My hand tightened on the door. “Me? Why would you come here to see me?”
He raked a hand through his hair. “I wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have said what I did at the clubhouse. No one here would ever expect anything from you, MaryAnne. Even before Patriot officially made you his. It was a dick move and I’m sorry.”
I opened the door a little wider. “You’re sorry?”
He nodded. “Shouldn’t have said it. The second I saw you, what I should have done was call Patriot, and make sure the club whores didn’t bother you. I won’t fuck up again, all right? You want to come drink at the clubhouse, I’ll make sure the club whores keep their distance.”
“Thank you.” Not that I wanted