“You better be lookin’ after my girl, precious,” Spike says to Addi.

She waves her hand at him. “Yeah, yeah, we’ll be fine.”

He raises his brows at her, then moves those brown eyes toward me. “You good?”

I give him a half-smile. “Yeah, I’ve been shopping alone before...”

He gives me a ‘That’s not funny’ expression, and then reaches into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. I have my hand up before he can even open it. “Don’t even think about it, you sure as shit aren’t giving me money.”

He narrows his eyes. “Tom Cat...”

He has a warning tone, but I’m not having a bar of it. “No, I’m not taking it.”

“You know I don’t have time to argue...”

“Then don’t.” I grin, pulling Addi closer.

“Fine, but you need anything, you fuckin’ call yeah?”

“Got ya!”

“You fuckin’ behave, sugar,” Cade calls to Addi.

She blows him a kiss and then we both spin, walking off toward the stores. I’m nearly bouncing with excitement. It’s been a long time since I’ve been shopping, let alone shopping with a friend.

Addi and I duck into the first shop we find, and pull out a range of dresses and shoes to try on. For the next hour we laugh and twirl, really not that interested in buying the dresses, but having a hell of a time putting them on. We pick out the prettiest shoes and the nicest hats, and we dance around the change rooms. Addi is quickly becoming my best friend, and I’m so glad to have finally found someone I understand.

When we’re done with shopping, we head to a local café. After ordering some drinks, we get chatting about the guys and the club. She tells me how things with her and Cade are going, and how she and Jackson are becoming really close. She tells me about the Old Ladies treating her differently because she’s Jack’s little girl, and how much it pisses her off.

I tell her about Spike and me, and how we’ve finally broken the ice. We laugh, we get serious, and we have a fantastic time.

After lunch, and then head down to the beach and sit on the sand, rubbing our toes in it, and staring out at the ocean. I wonder, while we’re sitting there, if she knows anything that’s going down between the clubs.

“Do you know what they’re up to?” I ask.

She turns to me, pulling her sunglasses down over her eyes. “Who?”

“The clubs.”

She shakes her head. “No, they don’t discuss it with us. I’ve picked up a few things from hearing Cade on the phone, though.”

“And...” I prompt.

“Ciara, I love you honey, but I think they’re keeping it from you for a reason.”

I cross my arms and give her a look. “Addison, don’t make me hurt you.”

She laughs. “Seriously, I think they’re trying to protect you.”

I feel my heart begin to pound. What if something happens to Spike? Or Cade? Whatever they’re doing must be dangerous, or they wouldn’t be hiding it. Addi notices my expression and reaches out, gripping my arm. “They’re going to be fine. They know what they’re doing.”

“Don’t you worry?” I say.

“Every second of every day, but I wanted to be with Cade, and with Cade comes his lifestyle. I can probably deal with it a little easier because I’ve had a hard life. I know how scary it is for you, with them jumping back in with the man who killed your sister, but they know what they’re doing and they won’t get hurt.”

“What?” I breathe.

Her eyes widen and she slaps her hand over her mouth.

“Addison, tell me what you know, now!” I cry. My body shakes.

“Ciara, I didn’t mean to say that. Please, it’s nothing to worry about.”

“It’s nothing to worry about?” I cry, leaping to my feet. “He shot my sister in the head, in the middle of a highway. What makes you think he won’t do it to Spike just as easily?”

“Spike won’t let himself get in that kind of situation again.”

“Yes, he will. Going there at all is dangerous.”

“I don’t even know if they are going there, I just overheard...God, I’m going to get killed. I can’t believe I slipped up.”

“They’re hiding it, because they know I won’t agree.”

“They’re hiding it because they’re trying to protect you, honey.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need protecting.”

“Yeah, you do. Spike isn’t about to lose someone he loves again. He’s not going to let you get close to this.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I sigh, sitting back down. “It’s him. If I lose him...after all this...”

“Spike isn’t going to get hurt, he’s got some serious backup.”

I nod, swallowing. Her words don’t ease the fear quickly building inside of me. Part of me knew Spike was eventually going to go after the guy who killed Cheyenne, but part of me also hoped he would let it go. I don’t blame him for wanting vengeance, anyone would, but the man is dangerous and clearly insane. He doesn’t sound like the kind of person anyone should be messing with.

I put my head in my hands, knowing I have to shut my mouth about this. If I go to Spike, guns blazing, he’s going to pull away from me. I have to keep what I know under wraps, and then maybe I can figure out if there’s a way I can help him.