Thunder (Hell's Handlers MC 10)

Kristy looked off into the distance as she nodded. “I know. I just don’t want to be the one to bring more trouble to their doorstep. The club’s been through a lot in the last few years.”

“They can handle it. They’re strong.” Mak smoothed a gentle hand up and down Kristy’s arm. Her friend may be brash, inappropriate at times, and over the top, but she had a heart of gold. Without her, Mak wouldn’t have adjusted as well to life in Townsend as she had. She owed Kristy for free babysitting, fashion advice, and general friendship.

“Yeah,” her voice hitched. Mak would bet if Kristy lifted those glasses, she’d have tears shining in her expressive eyes.

Drawing attention to the show of emotion wouldn’t serve any purpose, so they both pretended not to notice.

“I’ll stop by their clubhouse later on. I just need some time to…” She shrugged.

“Of course. They’ll be there when you’re ready. And let them come to you. You shouldn’t be doing more than lying around the house right now.”

As Mak turned to join her siblings in the house, Kristy grabbed her hand. “Thank you, Mak. It’s not always easy for me to keep girlfriends.” She half smiled as though it didn’t bother her, but Mak caught the subtle sadness in her tone. “Just want you to know your friendship means something to me.”

That was the second time recently that she’d been called a friend and told of her value. God, she liked it. Really liked having connections, putting down roots, bonding. “Same, Kristy,” she said, fighting to keep her voice from cracking. “Now, go get some rest.” She squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’ll stop by later and bring you something to eat.”

Once in her house, Mak spent the next hour or so getting the kids lunch, then starting on the mountain of unfolded laundry. Every few minutes, her mind drifted to Kristy. As soon as she finished the current chore, she’d make her friend a meal. Lost in her thoughts, she never heard Thunder as he came up behind her in the den.

“Hey, beautiful.” He leaned in and kissed her neck, causing her to yelp and drop the shirt of Kara’s she’d been folding.

“Holy crap,” she said in a breathy voice as she pressed a hand to her racing heart. “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” he said, flashing her his famous smile.

The plain black T-shirt he wore molded to his chest as he moved. Even the cut over top couldn’t disguise his insane physique. God, the man made her stupid with lust.

“Couldn’t resist.” He plopped down on the floor next to her and grabbed a pair of pants from the basket.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you fold.”

She blinked, eyes prickling. This would not go well if she already felt near tears and she hadn’t even spoken yet. Why couldn’t he be an asshole, just for today? “Please don’t. You do not want to fold laundry.”

His chuckle made her smile despite her sadness. “I’m a selfish bastard. The quicker you’re done here, the quicker we can fool around,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.

Argh, why did the man have to be so perfect? It made what she had to do ten times harder.

“Where’re the kids? It’s too quiet around here.”

“Too quiet?” She placed the folded shirt on a pile of others. “I’m pretty sure that’s called perfection. The younger two passed out after lunch. I don’t think they slept much last night. Too much partying with Beth and Cassie. The others are hiding in their rooms. Lee’s at the gym.”

He frowned at her. “Why do you seem weird? You’re not meeting my eyes.”

“Hm? I’m not weird.” Anxiety twisted her stomach into dozens of knots and had her hands trembling. She squeezed the shorts in her hand to stem the shakes, then forced herself to meet his gaze.

The look he gave her was one of disbelief, but he let it go. “Hey, I was thinking maybe later we could go talk to Copper, clue him in about your ex-husband.”

When her jaw dropped, he held up his hands in surrender, Emmie’s pants dangling. “You don’t have to give him any details, but it’d be good for him to know a little of what we’re dealing with in case the fucker ever shows up.”

Her arms dropped, and she blinked to keep the tears from falling.

“What?” Thunder’s eyebrows drew down in concern.

“You said we.”

Thunder curled a hand around her thigh and pulled her close. “Baby, I told you, you have the protection of the club. And of course, I said we. Your shit is my shit now, which means it’s the club’s shit.”

She shook her head so hard, the room spun. “No. My problems can’t be the club’s problems. They’re…my father and husband are extremely dangerous. And crazy when confronted. They’re well trained and have access to an armory of weapons. I can’t put that on you or your club. I won’t. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to one of you.”