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“Good girl,” Bones said, patting Lauren’s leg.

Cypher growled, he couldn’t help himself. No one should be calling his woman a good girl but him. Bones didn’t react, just left.

“What can I get for you. Do you want something to eat before you rest? I can send one of the prospects to pick up anything you’d like.”

“Is there somewhere decent to get chicken and dumplings? That sounds amazing to me right now.”

“I don’t know if there’s a place to get it, but I know the perfect person to ask.” He pulled out his phone, found the number, and placed the call.

Chapter Thirty

“You didn’t have to cook just for me, but I think that was the best chicken and dumplings I ever had. Thank you.” Lauren started to smile at Papa Smurf but stopped when her the movement reminded her of her split lip.

“Aww, it’s nothin’, sweetheart. I don’t get out of the shop and into the kitchen much but that’s one dish I’m decent at. I’m glad you liked it. You look plumb worn out. Why don’t you have that man of yours take you up and let you sleep. If you want more of this,” he tapped the tabletop with one finger, “you let me know. I’ll make you as much as you want as long as you get better.”

She tilted her head to one side as she watched him a moment. “You know, you act all gruff and surly, but I suspect you’re really just a big softie.”

“You’re not wrong,” Jenna said as she came and stood beside the table. “When you’re feeling better I’ll tell you how he helped us out by giving me a job that pays better than waiting tables in a shitty bar. Anything I can do for you for now? Want me to go pick up some clothes or anything to make you more at home from your place?”

Lauren opened her mouth to tell Jenna she’d like some of her clothes, and a few other things, then remembered she had no clue where her keys were. She must have dropped them in the struggle as they drugged her, but she didn’t know if her captors had picked them up or if they were still lying in the parking lot at the office.

“You know, I do have some things I’d like but I have no clue where my keys are.”

“They’re in your bag in my saddle bags, along with your phone,” Cypher said. “But tell her what you want, and I’ll give her the door code you gave me. If you want your bed moved to the house, or your recliner, I’ll make sure it happens. Just let us know what you need to be at home, sweetheart. I’ll get your bag in a minute.”

He hadn’t left her side since he’d found her, and she wondered if she’d even get to use the restroom alone. Not that the idea bothered her. Right now, having him close reassured her that she was okay and that this wasn’t going to happen again, at least not any time soon. She didn’t want her relying on having Cypher close in order feel safe to become a permanent thing, but she could do it temporarily. At least until she was able to move past what had happened today. Or at least mostly. She would need to find someone to talk to. And a professional would be best to help her work through it but not yet. Not when this was all quite so fresh. She’d have to put a reminder in her phone for a week, maybe two to find someone. Maybe she’d be okay talking about it by then.

“Let me go grab a note pad,” Jenna said. “I don’t want to miss anything. I’ll be right back.” She turned and hurried off.

“You want more of that, sweetheart?” Papa Smurf said, coming back to the table and motioning to the nearly empty bowl in front of her.

Lauren looked down at the bowl as she thought about it.

“Actually, yes, I would, if you don’t mind.”

“I never mind someone liking my food enough to want more. Sit right there, I’ll bring you another bowl.” He went back to the kitchen, leaving her to finish what was in front of her.

Jenna came back and Lauren started thinking about what she wanted.

“Can we make two lists?”

“Sure, but why?” Jenna asked.

“One for things I want now, tonight if we can. The other for stuff for the house. Is it furnished at all? Do we need to bring over my whole kitchen?”

“I’m not sure,” Jenna said.

“Here you are,” Papa Smurf said, sliding a full bowl on to the table in front of her.

Cypher stood. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” he said to Papa Smurf.

“Sure,” the older man said.

Lauren watched as they walked a few feet away. She kept her eye on them while she listed off several items of clothing as well as the toiletries she would need for in the morning, not bothering with makeup. She didn’t plan on wearing any for a while, at least not until she had to go back to work on Monday. She could only hope some of the swelling and soreness had abated by then. She would need to talk to Bones about that. There was more she needed to talk to him about, but she wasn’t ready to even think about that yet, so she pushed it out of her mind and focused on Jenna and the list they were making.

Chapter Thirty-One

“Can you hang around in here for a few minutes?” Cypher kept his voice low, hoping Lauren wouldn’t hear him. “I need to go talk to Hex and I don’t want her alone.” He’d seen the president head back to his office a few minutes before. Since Charlie’s birth, he wasn’t spending nearly as much time in the clubhouse, not that Cypher could blame him, but he wanted to talk without having anyone over hear them.