Page 34 of Torrent’s Treasure

Dragon rolled his eyes. “Of course, we’ll still have the party, but no newcomers—only people we’ve vetted before. Calliope can do the same thing that Willow used to have to do when she was little: hang out in her room,” Dragon instructed.

“The animals could keep her company,” Mav said.

Torrent was on board with that. He’d like to see how Cecilia did at one of their parties. He hoped she’d enjoy them because they were a way of life with the club, and for some reason, he cared what his newly acquired spouse thought about his life.

Marrying Cecilia was meant to be a protection for the club, but the more time he spent with her, the more he seemed to care what she thought. He didn’t understand it because he loved his brothers, and he loved Dragon, Sally, and Willow. What he felt for Cecilia was different—almost uncomfortable when he worried about her. Maybe he should ask Sally, because he didn’t like this feeling of not knowing and being unsettled.

“We’ve got a plan—let’s get this done. Send the Prospects for some food. I’m thinking I want to grill steaks and maybe some brats tonight. Let’s kick back, relax,” Dragon concluded.

Torrent was ready for a little relaxation, but he wasn’t going to count on it. The club had fought tooth and nail for what they had, and they’d do it again and again to ensure their way of life continued.

Cecilia was sitting in the corner booth with Sally and Willow. They’d had a scrumptious meal of steaks, potato salad, rolls, and coleslaw. For the first time since it had happened, she’d been genuinely hungry. She’d cleaned her plate and taken a second roll. Calliope was hanging upstairs with most of the animals. Monster hadn’t been willing to stay up there, so he’d come down with Cecilia, lying under the table with his head on her foot. Harley had offered to hang out with Calliope, and she’d happily accepted.

The Whisper who had come to their room and told Cecilia to leave was glaring again from across the room.

“So, how’s club life?” Willow asked.

“I feel safe here,” Cecilia offered, moving over as Torrent slid into the seat beside her and Maverick slid in beside Willow.

“That’s good. How’s it hanging, Daisy Mae?” Maverick teased, grabbing a cookie off the plate in front of Willow.

“Seriously? My name is Willow,” Willow snapped.

“Technically, it isn’t. It’s Daisy Mae,” Mav insisted, shrugging his shoulders.

“You’re annoying. If you all get road names, then I do too. You should be nicer. You know that a Princess in the club should be treated well,” Willow threatened.

Mav shivered dramatically. “Oh, I’m so scared.”

Willow raised her hand, motioning Dragon over from the bar. Cecilia waited to see what would happen. She and Calliope were so far apart in age that she hadn’t had the sibling bickering growing up.

“Daddy, Mav’s making fun of me,” Willow said, pouting.

Dragon frowned at Maverick. “What are you doing to your sister?”

“Why do you always assume it’s me?” Maverick whined.

“Experience,” Torrent muttered before Dragon could answer.

Dragon pointed at Torrent, nodding. “What he said.”

“Fine, I’m sorry, Willow. Now did you bring me any special brownies, gummies, or joints?” Mav asked.

Cecilia hid a smile at his expectant look, like a kid at Christmas.

“Will you be nice?” Willow countered, motioning to a case that was sitting by the booth. Mav’s eyes lit, and he placed it on the table, rubbing his hands together.

Cecilia tapped Torrent’s arm, “What’s in the bag?”

“Willow’s farm grows pot and other stuff,” Torrent told her.

Cecilia hadn’t tried marijuana. She didn’t have anything against it or people using it. It was legal in Missouri, so there wasn’t even an issue with that, but her hospital still had the right to test for it and could even fire an employee for testing positive. Cecilia had been a rule follower and wouldn’t have considered it. She could see the benefit of a gummy or a brownie because then it wouldn’t stink up the area. Weed being smoked smelled like skunk to Cecilia. She knew it didn’t for everyone but to her, it bothered her nose.

“Oh, I’ll take a couple of these,” Mav grinned, holding up a bag of gummies.

“Be careful. Those are my new strain, Willow’s Wish, and it’s stronger than some others,” Willow cautioned.

“Oh, I have a strong constitution,” Mav said, popping three in his mouth and heading toward the pool table.