Page 64 of Twisted Road

When he lifted his head, she had that look on her face, the one he craved. Her face was lit up, her eyes shining with warmth—and love—for him, also looking slightly dazed as if he were a miracle to her. That was how she made him feel. Alive. Real. Seen. Even more than that. A good man. “Go have fun getting to know them, Wildfire, and don’t worry about anything.” He stepped out of her way to allow her to head back to the booth where Blythe and Anya waited.

Savage had already helped Seychelle into the seat beside Anya. Keys knew that Anya had been very instrumental in making Seychelle far more comfortable in the club. She hadn’t received the best of welcomes. Along with Savage’s kinks, the club members had nearly destroyed the relationship. Keys had always been happy for Savage, knowing it would take someone special to be able to live with him, but he had never wanted that for himself. Never. Until Lyric. Now he couldn’t conceive of a life without her.

Lyric made her way back to the booth, winding in and out of the occupied tables. Ordinarily, she would feel overwhelmed in such a crowded establishment, but one kiss from Keys and she was walking on air. There were several women in the room—tourists, she knew by their clothing and perfect hair and makeup—but he hadn’t even glanced at them. She knew Keys saw everything and everybody, taking in all details wherever he was, which was what made him good at his job, but she’d watched and his gaze hadn’t lingered on a single lady, not even when they stared at him with unconcealed interest.

Savage was in her way as he brushed back Seychelle’s hair with gentle fingers and leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Czar’s on the way—that means I’ll be staying. You need anything at all, you give me the sign.”

“Why is Czar coming to the Floating Hat?” Blythe asked. “He didn’t say anything to me this morning before he left.”

Lyric was suddenly very glad that Savage’s bulk was between her and the booth. There was a little bite to Blythe’s voice.

Savage straightened, his gaze glittery and hard. “Got the word on Seychelle and left the clubhouse to come here and make certain she’s all right. Czar’s meeting with the president of Headed for Hell club is in about an hour. I wasn’t going to make it back, so Czar directed him to the Floating Hat. He asked Hannah and she doesn’t mind. She said she’d set up their large table in the back for privacy.”

“He changed his plans because of Seychelle?” Blythe clarified. Now her tone was completely different.

“Don’t start, woman,” Savage said. Abruptly, he turned and stalked away.

Blythe burst out laughing. “That man is crazy about you, Seychelle. He just got the president of the club to change the meeting place because you wanted to stay. He did it in seconds and Czar complied.”

“He’s just plain crazy,” Anya said. “I think if he weren’t working, he would be sitting right here with us, and you know how he feels about tea.”

Lyric slipped into the booth beside Blythe. “How does he feel about tea?”

“He claims Blythe tried to poison him, and he’s never been a fan since,” Anya said.

“It just made him a little sick,” Blythe explained with a straight face. Her dark chocolate eyes were dancing with mischief, making it impossible to tell if she was teasing or not. “Who knew Mr. Tough Guy would be such a baby?”

“Hey now,” Seychelle rebuked. “I can’t exactly condone you poisoning my man.”

“He’s mellowed since he’s been with you,” Blythe said.

Anya nearly spewed her tea all over the table. “Lightning is going to strike you, Blythe Prakenskii.”

“You do know I can hear you,” Savage said.

Anya burst into laughter. Seychelle and Blythe joined her. Lyric wasn’t so certain about laughing at a man who looked as intimidating as Savage. She’d spent time in the town Headed for Hell claimed as their territory. She was used to the many bikers strutting around and coming into her salon, seeing them in the various businesses as well as the bar. Compared to the members of Torpedo Ink, they looked like choirboys.

The three women sitting at the table with her didn’t seem the least intimidated. When Savage had made his statement in his scary, droll voice, several of Hannah’s customers laughed nervously. Lyric couldn’t help watching the various women as they made excuses to walk past Savage and Keys multiple times. Two of the women actually dropped something right in front of Keys. He didn’t so much as glance their way, but Lyric could tell he was irritated. That meant she was going to get a lecture on women throwing themselves at men who clearly weren’t interested.

The door to the Floating Hat opened and Reaper stepped in, looked around, taking in everything and everyone before he stepped aside for Czar. When he did so, his gaze rested momentarily on Anya, and in that brief moment, his very tough features softened.

Czar exuded power just walking into the shop. Nodding to Hannah and Sabelia, he walked straight to their booth. He came up behind them and tipped Blythe’s head back and took her mouth, a crushing, claiming kiss that sent a shiver through Lyric.

Blythe blinked up at him. “You’re a surprise.”

He grinned at her. “Scoot over, babe.” Lyric got up and gestured to her seat as she sat across from them. Czar sent her a small smile of thanks. He gave Seychelle a single look from his silvery eyes. “You doing okay, Seychelle?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“We’re going to have to figure out how to better protect you. Can’t lose you or your man. We have to get serious about this.”

She scowled at him and gave him the chin lift. “Everyone’s always serious when it comes to me.”

“Seychelle.” Savage said just her name, but Lyric recognized a warning when she heard one.

Seychelle flushed and looked down at her teacup.

Czar reached for a scone. “Naturally, everyone is serious about your life, honey. You’re Torpedo Ink. If we’re not looking out for you the way we should, we’ll have to change that. It’s a priority for the club.” He leaned into Blythe. “My woman is my priority, and I’ve been letting too many problems get in our way. I swear, baby, we’re going to clear our schedules and get away together for a week or two.”