Page 92 of His Loyal Rebel

She hung on to the hope that he was thinking about his future, having his own family, and that would be enough to bring him home again.

She sagged in the chair, remembering him with his niece and nephew. He was confident and loving around children. It was clear that he could handle caring for a baby.

"You have to trust him." Curley brought her back to reality. "Whip can handle himself. He puts you here, not because he doesn't think you can stay safe on your own, but he doesn't have to worry about you. That frees up his head so that he can take care of himself."

She swallowed, wanting more than anything to have that chance with him to have a family, to love him forever. To get married.

"I hope he's okay," she said quietly.

"I do, too," whispered Curley.

Several seconds ticked by as she took comfort from Curley trying to help her. If she had to be anywhere, she was glad she was where other people had the same worries.

Curley cleared his throat and scooted back the chair. "Yell if you need anything."

She nodded, feeling a tad bit lighter now that she'd shared her concerns with someone else. Taking her drink, she got up to use some of the excess energy that crippled her. It wouldn't be much longer. She could wait and be strong for Whip.

"Twyla?"

She turned and found Rick, motioning her over. Tracy was still with him. Instead of avoiding her, Whip's sister looked at her.

Hurrying to them, she raised her brows. "Yes?"

Tracy sat straighter on Rick's lap and reached out. Twyla grabbed her hand and sat down on the edge of the couch. That offer of friendship almost had her sobbing in relief. She would never want to cause Tracy any pain. Not after Tracy had been nothing but kind toward her.

"I'm so sorry." She squeezed Tracy's hand. "I never wanted—"

"It's not your fault." Tracy blew out her cheeks and exhaled. "I always knew I'd see or run into a member from that other club. It surprised me. I wasn't prepared..." She closed her mouth tightly and glanced at Rick. "I need to go get my children."

"They're fine with Nicole and Joey," said Rick.

Tracy swallowed. "Whip will be coming back at any time. Everything is okay."

She nodded, more than hoping Whip's sister was right.

Tracy leaned forward and hugged her. "Thank you for loving my brother."

A tear slipped out, and she squeezed Tracy. They parted, and Twyla walked off, needing a few minutes to herself. She wandered into the hallway. The clubhouse had become a second home to her in such a short amount of time. If what Whip promised, the people here would soon be like her family.

If someone would've asked her if she wanted to get involved with another biker after dealing with Big, she would've laughed and run the other way.

Whip changed all that.

Drawn to him from the start, she never fought hard to keep her distance or rebelled against his bossiness. There was something about him that made her feel confident, safe and wanted.

But, could she handle his lifestyle?

Everyone here tonight tried to soften the truth of what was happening away from the club, but she knew whatever Whip was doing was dangerous. She'd seen the way the others bid him goodbye.

Those goodbyes seemed too final for her comfort.

She'd tried to ignore the quiet and depressing mood around the clubhouse. There were no other women around. No music. No hanky panky. No overindulgence. Not even Angie was allowed to stay with Ringtail during a lockdown.

All of Tarkio rallied around each other, drawing their circle tighter.

The way everyone comforted her, she was glad to be here. Alone, she'd be a bubbling mess.

"Riders coming in," yelled one of the men in the other room.