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“I can calm her,” Mayhem assured.

“Not by crowding her.” Riot lowered himself to the floor, leaving several feet between himself and Delaney. “Delaney.” She pressed her hands over her ears. Riot kept his voice low. “You’re at the Madhouse. Do you remember coming here?” Her breathing remained fast. “You were on Mayhem’s motorcycle,” he continued. “He gave you his vest because you were cold.”

Her gaze flickered toward Mayhem, who stood near the doorway; every muscle in his body was tense. His expression held an agony few people would recognize, but Riot did. He wanted to help her, and he didn’t know how. “Mayhem?” Delaney whispered.

“I’m here,” he said.

She looked at Riot. “And you’re⁠—”

“Riot,” he whispered his name.

“You were outside when we got here,” she remembered. Her gaze moved to the broken door. “Someone was trying to get in.”

“No one was,” Riot assured her. “You were having a nightmare. Mayhem heard you scream.”

“He broke the door?” she asked.

“Yeah, he’s a bit dramatic,” Riot said. Mayhem glared at him. Delaney’s breathing gradually slowed, but Riot remained where he was. “Do you know where you are?”

“The Toxic Monsters’ clubhouse,” she said.

“That’s right,” Riot said.

“Those men—” she started.

“They aren’t here,” he assured.

“They’ll come for me,” she insisted.

“Probably,” he agreed. Mayhem made an irritated sound, and Riot glanced at him. “Lying to her won’t make her feel safer.”

“I wasn’t suggesting you lie,” Mayhem said.

“You were growling at her. That’s worse than lying,” Riot said.

“I don’t growl,” Mayhem growled. Delaney gave a weak laugh, and both men fell silent.

She looked embarrassed by the sound, but Riot smiled. “There she is.” Her cheeks turned pink beneath the bruises, and Riot liked that far too much.

Mayhem crouched several feet away. “Can I come closer?” Delaney hesitated before nodding. He joined Riot on the floor but didn’t reach for her. Riot noticed the effort that restraint cost him.

Delaney pulled the blanket around her shoulders. “I dreamed I was back at the house.”

“You’re not,” Mayhem said.

“How do you know they haven’t found me?” she asked.

“Because no one gets through our gate without permission,” Riot answered. “And because every man downstairs knows you’re under club protection.”

Her eyes widened. “I am?” Mayhem glanced at Riot. They hadn’t discussed it with Monster, but Riot didn’t care. Some decisions didn’t require a vote.

“You are now,” Riot said.

Delaney studied his face. “Why?” It was a fair question. Riot could have given her a simple answer. He could have said it was because the club protected women or because Mayhem had found her in their territory. Neither answer would have been the complete truth.

“Because Mayhem brought you home,” Riot said. “Anything important to him matters to me.” Mayhem went still.

Delaney looked between them. “Are you two together?” she asked. The question struck the room like a match dropped into gasoline, and Mayhem stared at the floor. Of course he did. Riot could have avoided the answer. He could have protected Mayhem from the truth for a little longer.