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A new tension had wound between us, though Penny, Trevan, and I had still managed to work seamlessly.

Now we were just restocking and cleaning up.

I glanced up when I felt Trevan walking directly for me, carrying a box of candles.

His big boots thudded the floor and reverberated up my legs, and my center that had been aching all day clutched.

My tongue stroked over my lips, and I shook as he approached.

Was it wrong that after the scare earlier today that I still wanted to climb him like he was my favorite tree?

Push him into catching me?

His expression darkened, and he slowed for a fraction of a moment as he went to pass, and his delectable mouth inclined my way.

“You can’t be looking at me like that, Lena.” The gruff, murmured words hit the edge of my ear, and that shiver that had taken a trek down my spine spread out to cover every inch of my flesh.

“Fuck,” he grated below his breath, “gonna be the death of me.”

I shifted to watch him disappear down the hall at the same time as Penny reappeared at the end of it. She situated the strap of her purse on her shoulder.

“Thank you so much for all you did today,” I told her. “I could not have done this without you.”

It was pure sincerity because I meant it.

Uncertainty filled her gaze, and she hoisted a self-conscious shoulder. “All in a day’s work.”

“I didn’t expect it to be so busy. Yesterday, yes, but this took me by surprise. You were hustling.”

She laughed a slight sound, and her attention dropped to her shoes. “That’s what you pay me to do.”

“But all the extra hard work is because you’re awesome. You fit right in with the rest of us.” God, I wanted to wipe the haunted look from her face. The way she always looked like she was a second from crumbling.

My voice softened. “Why don’t you come with us to my family’s house? We’re barbecuing. There’s a ten out of ten chance it’s going to be delish. You already met most everyone last night, so you can be one with the crew.”

And it would be the safest place in all of Crimson Creek.

Everyone on guard.

Sorrow rushed her face, but it was gone in an instant. She faked a bright smile. “Thank you for the invite, but I think I need to put my feet up and rest.”

Disappointment fisted my chest. I wanted her to feel like she belonged, but I realized this was all new, and, well, we were a lot. We were going to take some time to get used to. “Okay, but for the record, you are missing out.”

“No question, I am,” she whispered.

Then that same worried scowl puckered her brow again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Her attention dipped down to my bandaged knee.

“It’s nothing,” I promised for probably the fifth time today. “I’m just going to have to watch those steps.”

I’d told her that I’d fallen outside my apartment on the way in. Lied that that was why we were late and everyone was so flustered and scattered while Trevan hovered around like he was keeping me from my deathbed.

It didn’t explain the entourage of twenty-five bikers that had surrounded the area. Most of them posted across the street at Keg & Creek, though ten were stationed around the perimeter.

Just out of sight, but it wasn’t like she was oblivious.

I had a hunch she knew something was up.