Page 10 of Sinner’s Torment

The clinic was nice. Really nice. New floors, clean walls painted a soothing pale blue, updated equipment visible through the open doorway to the exam rooms. There was even a small play area in the corner with toys and books for kids, though it was empty at the moment.

“This place is a hell of an upgrade,” Sam said as she glanced up from her phone. “Remember the old clinic? That linoleum was so old it was practically a biohazard.”

Grace snorted. “And the magazines were from 2005. I’m pretty sure I read the same issue of People four times.”

“At least they finally got someone who knows what they’re doing,” Sam said, nodding toward the hallway where a nurse had disappeared a few minutes earlier. “Dr. Joyce is supposed to be really good. Obstetrics specialty and everything.”

I had heard. King had made the appointment himself, which told me exactly how seriously he was taking this situation. He also insisted Grace and Sam come with me, probably because he didn’t trust me not to bolt. Or maybe because he figured I needed the support.

He wasn’t wrong.

“Have you seen her yet?” Grace asked, setting the magazine aside. “The new doctor?”

Sam shook her head. “Just when she was walking through the lobby yesterday. Didn’t get a good look.”

“I saw her,” I said quietly. Both women turned to look at me, and I shifted in my seat. “When I checked in. She was talking to the receptionist.”

“And?” Grace prompted, one eyebrow raised.

I hesitated, then shrugged. “She’s young. Pretty. Looks like she knows what she’s doing.”

“How young?” Sam asked, leaning forward slightly.

“I don’t know. Late twenties? Maybe thirty?”

Grace and Sam exchanged a look, and I saw the corner of Grace’s mouth twitch.

“Single?” Sam asked.

“How the hell would I know?” I said, but I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

“She’s single,” Grace said with absolute certainty. “No ring, and she just moved here from... where was it? Omaha?”

“Lincoln,” Sam corrected. “I heard she wanted a change of pace. Smaller town, less stress.”

“She picked the wrong town for less stress,” I muttered.

Grace laughed. An actual, genuine laugh that caught me off guard. “No shit. Diamond Creek’s been a goddamn circus lately.”

“Growth spurt,” Sam said, patting her diaper bag. “Between me, you two, Kytten, Ellie and Beck, Dr. Joyce is going to have her hands full. Plus, I just know it won’t be long before Aspen or Haizley are in the family way, too.”

“Something in the water,” Grace said dryly.

“Something in the club,” Sam shot back, grinning.

I felt my cheeks heat, but I couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped. It felt strange, sitting here with these women, talking and joking like we were friends. Like I was one of them.

I wasn’t, of course. I was still a club whore, still existing in that separate tier of the hierarchy. But for the first time in five years, the line between us felt a little less rigid.

“So,” Grace said, her tone shifting to something more conspiratorial. “How long do you think it’ll take before one of the brothers makes a move?”

Sam’s grin widened. “On Dr. Joyce?”

“Who else?”

“Oh, Jesus,” I said, shaking my head. “You two are terrible.”

“I’m just saying,” Grace continued, ignoring me. “Young, pretty, single doctor moves to a small town full of bikers? She’s not going to stay single for long.”