Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“Good. They’ll be nice to you tonight, too.”
He guided her out into the hallway and toward the voices she could already hear. She paused, and he stopped immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t you want to lock your door?”
“Locks aren’t necessary here, Little girl. No one would think of taking another member’s stuff. If they needed something, they would ask.”
“How about someone else coming in?”
“Come with me, Ivy.” He led her to the doorway and stopped to allow her to look at the crowd assembled inside the large room. “Who’s going to get past those guys?”
She looked at the massively muscled men filling the kitchen and already seated around the table. Who would consider messing with these guys and, even if they did, who would survive? “I see what you mean.”
“You’re safe here, Ivy. Let’s stop and get something special for you. Then you’ll feel like this is your home, too,” Steele suggested.
“Like what?”
“Come look.” He drew her to a closed door. Opening it, he revealed shelves and racks filled with unique items. Blankets, cups, bowls, bibs, and a lot of things she didn’t recognize. She tried to pretend she didn’t see the padded items on the bottom shelf.
“This is Little girl stuff,” she said in amazement.
“It is. This is where your blanket came from for the shop. Tonight, let’s pick out a cup for you. Choose your favorite design and no one will use it but you.”
Ivy scanned the shelves and noticed a cup with a pretty girl with dark hair and vivid green eyes. “She looks like me!”
“Great choice.” Steele scooped it up and picked up a matching top. He also collected an item wrapped in a plastic wrapper and stashed it in his pocket.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Something for later. Come get something to eat.” Drawing her into the main area, Steele put his hands over Ivy’s ears to shield her before announcing, “Everyone, meet Ivy. She’s mine.”
A roar of welcomes and smiles flowed over her as the club members responded to Steele’s announcement. She even heard some congratulations and comments that it was about time. Ivy peeked up at the fierce-looking man next to her. Steele didn’t mean to keep her, did he?
Ivy slipped her hand into his when he dropped his protective hands back to his sides. She relaxed when he squeezed her fingers lightly. The group was mainly men, but there were several women gathered there as well. Two very different-looking young women stood and walked over to greet Ivy personally. One she recognized as Remi. Ivy had met her that morning at breakfast and also run into her again with her dad.
“Hi, I’m Carlee,” said the other woman. She was adorable and wore her hair in pigtails.
“Nice to see you again,” said the Goth-looking girl named Remi.
“Thank you for the clothes, Carlee. I’ll get them washed and back to you,” Ivy promised.
“No rush. I was glad to help. Come on. Let us introduce you to the women.”
Feeling like she should follow, Ivy trailed behind the two women, leaving Steele’s protective presence and shielding hands.
“Some are daughters like me. That’s my dad, Rock,” Remi shared, pointing to the large older man who looked exactly like his name. Even his skin seemed a touch gray.
“Is your dad a member, too, Carlee?” Ivy asked, trying to make conversation.
“No. Remi and I have been best friends since kindergarten. I grew up hanging around here. I guess I’m adopted?” Carlee answered easily, with a smile and a shrug.
“Definitely,” Remi endorsed that assertion. “You belong here as much as I do. Now, it appears that Ivy does as well.”
“Um, well… Steele’s letting me stay here while I heal. There are some bad guys out to get me,” Ivy admitted.
“It’s more than that. Steele hasn’t taken his eyes off you,” Carlee pointed out.
Looking over her shoulder back at the magnetic figure, she found him focused on her. “Steele did save me. He’s probably worried about what danger I can fall into here,” Ivy finally said, settling on what seemed to be a safe answer.
“These guys save a lot of people. Steele’s never brought anyone home. Does he think you’re his Little girl?” Remi asked bluntly.
“You all talk about being a Little girl?” Ivy whispered.
“He knows you’re his Little,” Carlee affirmed, exchanging a look with Remi. “It’s not a secret between us. We understand.”
“You’re Little, too?”
“I am. Definitely,” Carlee assured her.
When Ivy looked at Remi, the other woman simply shrugged.
“She’s a Little,” Carlee corrected with a knowing look. “Steele’s on his way. We’ll talk more later. Let me point out a few people so he won’t know what we were talking about.”
By the time Steele reached her side, Ivy’s head whirled with names. She looked up at Steele blankly. Immediately, he wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her tight.
“Don’t worry if you don’t remember who everyone is. We’ll slap nametags on our chests if we need to,” Steele assured her.