Page 19 of Carver’s Crusade

Ranch lifts his chin toward Jenna behind the counter. “Two plates,” he calls.

Jenna glances up, gives him a quick nod, and already moves—no words needed.

Ranch drops into the chair beside Athena, stretching out. Athena smooths her hair back, looking very put-together as she usually does.

“Morning,” she says.

“Morning,” I answer, setting my mug down. I study her for a second, then get right to it. “How’s Raven?”

Athena’s expression softens, but there’s something thoughtful behind it. “She was back at work yesterday.”

That surprises me. “Already?”

“She insisted.” Athena folds her hands loosely on the table. “Said she wanted to be there to welcome my new patient.”

I lean back in my chair. “How was she?”

Athena tilts her head slightly, considering. “Fine in the morning. You wouldn’t have known anything was wrong.”

“But?” I prompt.

Ranch glances between us but stays quiet, just listening.

Athena exhales slowly. “After lunch… something shifted.”

My jaw tightens. “Shifted how?”

“She seemed distracted. Not forgetful, exactly, but… off.” Athena’s brows pull together. “Her energy dropped. She said she was just tired.”

“But you don’t believe that?” I ask.

Athena meets my eyes evenly. “No.”

“She refused to go home,” Athena continues. “I suggested it more than once. She brushed me off.”

Jenna arrives with two plates, setting them in front of Ranch and Athena. Ranch gives her a quick nod of thanks before sliding one of the plates closer to Athena. She murmurs something soft to him, but my mind isn’t on them.

“What happened after?” I ask.

Athena picks up her fork but doesn’t eat yet. “We closed up the office together. I walked out with her. She seemed nervous.”

“She could just be remembering what happened the other night,” Ranch chimes in.

“Maybe.” Athena takes a bite of scrambled eggs and moans. I smirk at the flash of lust that crosses over Ranch’s features. If Athena isn’t careful, Ranch will drag her back upstairs instead of letting her finish breakfast. “Jenna?” Athena calls out as the girl passes by our table with a stack of dirty dishes.

“Yes,” Jenna says, stopping at our table and offering Athena a wide smile. Jenna is a sweet girl who has lived in the clubhouse since she turned eighteen. Shield found her attempting to rob a convenience store. He brought her here when he learned her foster parents kicked her out of the house the minute she turned eighteen. He made it clear to the entire club that she wasn’t to be treated as a Kutte Bunny. We all assumed he’d eventually claim her, but we soon realized that he saw Jenna more like a little sister. However, our prospect, Laser, has had his eye on Jenna almost since the day he arrived. So far, Shield hasn’t noticed Laser’s interest, or if he has, he’s been keeping quiet about it. I figure Laser won’t make his move until after he’s become a patched member.

“These are amazing. Did you make them? I need the recipe.”

Jenna chuckles. “Not me. Our newest Kutte Bunny made them. She’s working the breakfast and dinner shift now. She’s a godsend. Tamara and I were struggling before she showed up. I don’t know how Kingsley did everything she did. She basically did the work of three Bunnies.”

A growl precedes Shield’s presence at our table. “How many times do I have to tell you that you aren’t a Bunny?” Shield asks Jenna.

Jenna rolls her eyes. “I know I’m not a sex Bunny. Even though I think that’s unfair. Neither is Jinx. She’s a Bunny, but she’s only cooking for you guys.”

I sense Athena stiffen next to me. Ranch must have felt it, too, because he glances at her.

“Something wrong? You know I don’t get together with the Bunnies, right? None of the guys force them to have sex.”