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By the time she saw the sign for Denver and realized they were taking that exit, the engine was too loud for her to ask why they were going to the city. She didn’t have much choice now, did she? Jennings was in control—and if she were honest, she needed that.
Someone to make decisions for a while, to give her a break. The hum of the tires on the road and growl of the engine soothed her to a state of mind where she could examine some of the things that bothered her most.
She hoped Danny was faring well in rehab. The fact that he hadn’t called her asking for a ride home was a huge step in the right direction. She hadn’t anticipated him trying so hard, but it seemed that witnessing a murder was just what he needed to scare him straight.
Her mind shifted to the altercation with a patient’s grandson this afternoon. She knew a person who was jonesing for a fix when she saw one. That kid’s only interest in his grandfather lay in what painkillers he received.
Wren wasn’t born yesterday—she was not letting him get his fix under her watch. The event made her question how many times he’d swindled one of the other nurses into walking away so he could swallow those pills.
She’d stood her ground even though her insides shook. As soon as he left, she’d nearly broken down thanks to the devastated look on Mr. Craig’s face. He probably wasn’t completely aware of what happened, but he didn’t want his loved one to leave either.
By the time she looked up and saw the cityscape, she was more than ready for a change of scenery. She’d pondered enough heavy stuff for one day—hell, for a lifetime. She was young and deserved whatever fun that Jennings had in store for her.
At least she hoped it was fun.
She chewed on her lip and held onto his waist tighter. What if this had something to do with the Disciples? After all, he hadn’t told her their plans…only asked if she was there to stay.
The mere idea of being with a man like Jennings long-term scared her. There was so much she didn’t know about him. So much that she could be wrong about.
But the way he looked at her, with his dark brown eyes melting her into a puddle, and the swipe of his thumb over her bottom lip left her with a deep ache of desire.
Her heart was involved now—and that terrified her even more. All the people close to her were gone. Even Danny hadn’t been in her life in a meaningful way for a very long time.
Jennings turned into the parking lot of a restaurant that looked pretty upscale. Compared to the cheap fare she was accustomed to, this place was a big departure from the norm.
He rolled into a parking spot and cut the engine. When his hand covered hers where she still gripped his waist, her eyes closed on the sensation of being cared for by someone.
She released her hold on him and slid off the bike first, allowing him to swing his leg off the bike too. He steadied her with a hand on her hip while she removed the helmet.
Suddenly, the back door of the SUV parked beside them whipped open. She threw herself into Jennings’s arms, and he tucked her head against his chest with his fingers splayed over her skull.
“It’s all right, baby. It’s just my team.”
Her nerves brought on a shiver even as embarrassment seeped in. “I’m so jumpy.”
“It’s my fault—I should have told you the plan.”
She twisted to look at the open door. The perky little redhead standing there threw her a wave. “Hi, Wren.”
She let out a low sigh and attempted a smile. “Hi, Lark.” She glanced at Jennings. “It would be good to hear about that plan now.”
He chuckled. “We’re here for a birthday celebration.”
Dismay filled her. “This place looks fancy. I’m in nurse’s scrubs.”
Lark’s grin widened. “Don’t worry—I guessed that this knucklehead wouldn’t think about how you were dressed, so I brought something for you. If you’ll just step into my portable dressing room…” She waved at the open door.
Wren tossed a look at Jennings.
“Go ahead, baby. I’ll be talking to the guys.”
At that moment, the rest of the doors opened and people piled out of the SUV. More doors opened in the black sports car on the other side of them, and Julius climbed out, looking sharp in black dress pants and a black button-down shirt. Avalynn got out too, looking as stunning as always.
With no more arguments in her, Wren climbed into the back of the SUV with Lark.
A garment bag hung there, unzipped to display a black dress.
“This will be an easy change, I promise. Take off your top.” Lark’s no-nonsense attitude sent Wren into action.
