Page 32 of March 5

She nodded. "I will always be happy for you. Tell me everything I've missed. How did you hook up with Brett?"

"I'll tell you but wait. You need to hear this first." Mariah kicked off her shoes, put her feet on the bed, and crossed her legs. "So, tonight, Brett wanted to take me on a ride."

"Did you love it?" Her dad had given Mariah a short ride a few times on the property or from the pool to the coffee shop, but Skye had been on the motorcycle, too.

Mariah's smile glowed in the light coming in from the hallway. "It was exhilarating but short. We ended up at the clubhouse—"

"Oh, shit. Were you there when Dio—"

"That's what I need to tell you." Mariah squirmed on the bed, now facing Skye. "I noticed when we got there that Dio was drunk. Not happy drunk but shoving the other bikers around and talking smack. Even Brett had me sit near the pool table, away from everyone, because it was getting pretty wild in there. I bet there were seventy-five members inside the clubhouse tonight."

"Dad got a phone call while I was at his house having dinner. Whoever texted him wanted Dad to come and stop Dio from fighting." Her heart pounded. "I wanted to follow him so bad but dad ordered me to stay at the house or go to theapartment."

"I was there when your dad arrived." Mariah grabbed her hand again. "You should've seen it, Skye. Your dad pushed men away from Dio and they all fell like dominos. He then told Dio if he wanted to fight his demons, he'd fight him. Your dad, Skye." Mariah's eyes widened. "He was ready to kick Dio's ass."

She let go of Mariah and stretched, picking up her phone off the nightstand. "I need to call him."

"Who? Your dad?" Mariah shook her head. "He was badass tonight, and probably already home."

"No, I need to talk to Dio and find out if he's okay."

"Wait." Mariah no longer kept her voice to a whisper. "You have to hear what I heard."

"Then, spit it out. My heart is about to explode."

"Your dad kept pushing Dio. A few times, Dio fell because he was having a hard time keeping his boots under him. Your dad, though, was kicking ass and taking names. He was quite impressive, even though I was in shock."

She covered her mouth, knowing Dio must be hurting. He might not feel his back pain tonight with so much alcohol in his system, but tomorrow, he'll pay for fighting.

"Then, your dad tackled Dio, and both men were on the floor of the clubhouse, exchanging punches. That's when I heard Dio say...and I quote,'I swear, I'll never hurt her.'"

Her stomach turned. "Was he with one of the bitches?"

Mariah shook her head. "Your dad told him hewas only hurtingherby not being honest with himself."

"Her?" She rubbed her forehead. "Who were they talking about?"

"You." Mariah practically bounced on the bed in her excitement to share the news. "I know that because Dio promised to make it right with you—and he said your name. Then, your dad pulled him off the floor and made him drink two cups of cold coffee. After that, Brett wanted to take me back to the apartment, and I was ready to go because I needed to tell you everything that hadhappened."

She inhaled a swift breath. Her conversation with her dad before he left circled in her head. Had her dad talked to Dio about her?

"What do you think was going on between Dio and your Dad?"

"Dad knows how I feel about Dio. I told him and Aunt Brooke tonight before he left for the clubhouse." She blew out her breath. "They think Dio is having a hard time seeing me as a woman and not a child."

Mariah snorted. "Didn't I tell you that?"

"Well, having him see me dressed like a bitch probably confused him more than turned him on." She groaned. "I don't know what to do."

"Nothing." Mariah hopped off the bed. "I told you. It sounds like he's going to soothe your hurt feelings tomorrow once he wears off all the alcohol he drank. So, you better get your sleep. You'll want to look hot tomorrow when he shows up."

"Wait." She flung back the blanket. "You didn't tell me what's happening between you andBrett."

Mariah sighed happily. "He's...God, Skye, he's so sexy."

"You really like him?"

Her best friend nodded. "On the first night. It was only going to be a hook-up. I saw him down at The Cove when I was going to meet Ashley for a drink, but she canceled on me because she couldn't find a babysitter for her kid. I decided to get some food to-go, and then head home. But Brett showed up and wanted to know what I was doing alone. He had dinner with me and then asked if I wanted to go to his place. One thing led to another, and we had sex."