Page 53 of March 5

"Figured you would."

"I'm gonna head over to her." He walked backward. "If you hear from her between now and then, get ahold of me."

Maverick dipped his chin. Dio jogged out of the clubhouse. Once he had Skye beside him, he'd need to figure out how to protect her.

Where before Maverick and Brooke were responsible for Skye, he wanted to be the one to take care of her. He wouldn't turn down their help, but Skye was his old lady now.

Chapter Twenty Two

The rumble of the Havlin members arriving filled the clubhouse. Skye nudged Mariah, looking at the women at the next table. Aunt Brooke, Daisy, Cora, Katrina, and Rachel patiently awaited the riders' arrival.

There were no other women at the clubhouse tonight. Ten members stayed behind, including Brett, who hung out with the other men by the door.

"I'll never get used to this," mumbled Mariah.

"You'll have to if you plan on staying with Brett." Skye stood from the table. "Besides, it's not always like this. It's only happened three or four times in the last thirteen years that I remember."

"It might not even matter if I can accept this way of life. I don't know how serious Brett is." Mariah leaned forward and put her elbows on the table. "We're just having fun."

"That's how it starts." She laughed. "Or so I heard."

For her and Dio, it was different. It'd taken a lifetime to get where they were now.

"Riders coming in," shouted one of the men.

Excitement filled her. She headed toward the entrance, only wanting to see Dio. It happened that she had the day off the day they were going to ride out as a club. Knowing Aunt Brooke was coming to the clubhouse to wait for her dad, she joined her.Then, after Mariah got off work at Whale's Tail, she came over with Brett. It was better to pass the time surrounded by everyone than shut inside the house or apartment with a Havlin member guarding the door.

The door opened. Men spilled inside. The whole atmosphere changed.

The tension and testosterone that came rolling in with them charged the room. She stepped side to side, searching for Dio.

Her dad strode in. Skye inhaled deeply, relieved that he came back unharmed, and then quickly stretched to her toes to continue looking for Dio when he walked into the clubhouse.

His gaze scanned the room, settling on her. She lunged forward, covering the span separating them.

A second before she reached him, he opened his arms. She flew into his embrace.

His mouth came down on her. She kissed him, glad to have him back, safe and unharmed.

There were times in her life when her dad came home, and he was different. She could never pinpoint what had changed, but it came through in the way he held himself, the way he breathed, the way he coughed, and the way he shut down, as if his need to protect his family was bigger than taking care of himself.

Luckily, Aunt Brooke had a way of bringing her dad back around. She wanted to be that strong woman Dio could depend on, and when needed, she could fix him.

By example, her aunt had taught her how to care for someone who rode for Havlin. For as long asshe could remember, she always made sure Dio was okay, too. He had no one at home waiting for him—until now.

As much as she wanted to ask him the purpose of the ride, she refrained from doing so. She squeezed him hard. Having him back was enough.

Dio squeezed her ass. She pulled her mouth off him and gazed into his eyes.

"Is everything okay?" she whispered.

"Yeah." He inhaled deeply. "Let's go home."

She looked over her shoulder, found Mariah with Brett, and waved. Dio never let go of her but turned her in the other direction and walked toward the door.

She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Is my dad okay?"

He kissed her temple. "He's good."