Page 32 of Storm's Deliverance

“I’ve got my lavender-scented oils, too,” another voice calls. I’m now surrounded by every woman in the club, helping me.

I choke a sob.

“What’s the matter? Are you hurting?” she asks, worried.

I shake my head. “Not that. Just...” I pause. “Everyone.” I sigh.

My mom smiles and nods, knowing exactly what I mean. “The men of this club may have their brotherhood, but each one of us women has something just as strong.”

Once back in the safety of my room, the smell of lavender wafts around the room. There’s also enough meat, cheeses, and snacks to feed an army, and all the women are sitting around, eating, drinking, and talking. I sigh, feeling safe and comforted.

Maggie sits beside me, giving me a soft, gentle smile. “He would never hurt you,” she states.

“I know. I couldn’t help it. I just reacted. I know he would never…” Pausing, I shake my head. “I would trust him with my life; it’s just.... I don’t know. He raised his hand, and my mind went there.” I shrug, swallowing.

Maggie gently wraps her arm around my shoulder. “I know. It will get easier with time. He knows this. I just think seeing you like this is upsetting him. Well, it’s upsetting all the men. They just want to fix it, and at this moment in time, they don’t know how.”

She’s right, that’s what they do. They take care of us, and when something threatens or harms what they love, they take care of it. Erase the problem. They can’t do that right now, and it’s making them all feel a little lost.

“Drink this. It will make you feel better.” Ripley shoves a cold glass filled with an orange liquid. I sniff it and cough.

“How much alcohol is in this?” I blanch.

“Ripley, she can’t have alcohol with the pain meds she’s taken,” Maggie chastises with a smirk. She takes the drink from me and takes a sip, arching her brow at her. “Kid, you need to harden up, that’s not that strong. What’s in it?” Maggie asks, looking up at Ripley as she takes another sip.

“Orange juice, pink grapefruit juice, tequila, vodka, white rum, and some triple sec.” She smiles.

“A dash of sugar syrup!” Raine yells from the other side of the room, as she stirs a large jug of the cocktail.

“Nice.” Maggie nods. “You could mix this with Prosecco and make a lovely twist on a mimosa,” Maggie adds.

I blink, looking at her. “How have you got a liver left?” I ask, completely stunned.

“Sweetie, it’s all about practice,” Mom says, raising her glass. I grin, and as my attention is drawn to Maisy, she chokes trying it, her eyes watering.

“Your bath is ready, not too hot, but it should help soothe you a little.” Mabel smiles softly.

“Thanks, Mabel, how are you?” I ask. She is away for college most of the time now.

She shrugs. “Nothing new,” she says, looking away, her cheeks heating just slightly. I don’t comment, knowing what it’s like to try and have a semi-normal life outside of the club.

“Come on, let’s get you in the tub.” Mom ushers me, holding out her arm for me to take. I stare at her outstretched arm. Ignoring it, I push myself to my feet. My ribs, hell, every muscle and joint in my body protests in agony. I grit my teeth and meet my mom’s gaze. She smirks and shakes her head. “You stubborn fucker.” She smirks. “No idea where you get it from.”