Page 37 of Carver’s Crusade

Like she was made to fit here.

That should be a dangerous thought, but instead of feeling concern, I feel content.

I tighten my hold without meaning to, grounding myself in something real. She doesn’t pull away. If anything, she leans in just a fraction more, and that small shift hits harder than it should.

I’m just starting to lose myself in it—her scent, her warmth, the slow drag of the song—when everything changes.

She stiffens.

Not subtle. Not imagined.

Her whole body goes tight against mine.

I lean back to look into her face and see she’s focused on something behind me. Turning, I spot Shield entering the clubhouse with Lenora.

“What’s wrong?” I ask Raven.

She shakes her head and smiles at me. “Nothing.”

When I continue watching her, she grimaces.

“I feel guilty because I can’t remember more about that night. I feel like I’m letting him down. Like I’m letting myself down.”

I chuckle. “You aren’t letting him down. He needs to do his job. He understands that it may take time before you remember who attacked you.”

We return to our dance, but something has changed inside Raven. She’s tense, and I don’t like it.

“Jinx is putting out dessert. Want to see what she’s made. I don’t know where she came from, but we lucked out getting her. She’s better than Kingsley, but don’t tell Kingsley that. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“Sure,” Raven says, offering me a soft smile. “Kingsley cooked for you before Jinx?”

“She used to. Jenna and Tamara took over when Grimm claimed Kingsley. They did okay, but they served the same meals because neither of them was confident enough to try anything new. I’m not complaining. I’m just really impressed with Jinx.”

“You aren’t the only one,” Shield says as he places two plates piled high with food on the table. Before taking his seat, he pulls the chair out for the pretty blonde who comes up behind him. Once she’s seated, he takes the open seat next to her. “Hi, Raven. I don’t think you’ve met Lenora. Lenora, this is Athena’s receptionist and a friend of the club, Raven.”

Raven and Lenora shake hands.

“Where’s Lana?” I ask. I turn to Raven. “Lana is their daughter. She’s the prettiest girl in the world. She takes after her mother.”

Lenora smiles at me. “Jenna offered to babysit. She’s so good with Lana. I’m considering hiring her as a nanny.”

“I think Jenna would make an excellent nanny,” Raven says. “I’ve seen her with the children at Crossroads. She has amazing patience, and they have so much fun with her.”

“That’s because Jenna is so youthful,” Lenora says. “She’s like the little sister I always wanted. I’m grateful Shield brought her here.”

“I don’t understand,” Raven says.

“I found Jenna when she was facing off with a convenience store clerk. She was starving and had no money. He caught her trying to steal from him. I was working on a case and stopped in to get gas. I paid for her food and brought her back here. She’d been in the system since she was a young girl. The day she turned eighteen, her foster parents kicked her out. She’d been on her own for over a week and was desperate. I talked Dante into letting her stay here.”

“She’s a Kutte Bunny?” Raven asks.

“No. Well, yes, but she doesn’t have sex with the guys. She just helps out around here.”

“Oh, like Jinx.”

I frown at her. “How do you know that?”

Raven blushes and stammers before answering. “I can’t say. I’m sorry.”