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vaguely sexy and clearly drunk way. But the scene felt a lot more subdued than she’d been expecting. Show was standing at the bar, his back to her. Len stood next to him, and he saw Adrienne. He cocked his head and said something to Show, who turned around, his brows raised in surprise.
    Then Show grinned and walked over. “Hey, little one.” He bent down and folded her up in his massive arms. It was like being hugged by Mt. Everest. “What’re you doing here? Not supposed to be in until tomorrow, right?”
    Still snugged into his chest, she hugged him back as hard as she could. He wasn’t her father—she had a wonderful father already—but she’d come to really love this giant, gentle man. When she’d first met him, he’d beat a man unconscious practically right in front of her, but he didn’t scare her even a little. “I didn’t want to stop again. Motels give me the creepies.”
    He set her back and looked down at her. “Well, I’m glad to see you. Shannon’s not here, though, hon. She’s at home.”
    “Is she still feeling gross?”
    “Not so bad as she was. Just tired a lot. She’s probably sleeping, but I can give her a call and let her know you’re in early.”
    “No—no. Let her sleep. Can I hang here for a little? Is Badge around?”
    He looked around, and Adrienne could see his hesitation. He didn’t want her here. But when he turned back to her, he was smiling. “Sure. Don’t wander much. I’ll be heading out in an hour or so, and I’ll follow you home. Sound good?”
    “Yeah. Sounds great. Is Badge here?”
    Again, there was some hesitation. “Think so, yeah. You want a drink? Beer?” He put his huge hand on her back and pushed her gently but with determination toward the bar. She let him, because she got it. Badger didn’t want to see her, and Show knew it, somehow. She’d always gotten the impression that he wasn’t thrilled with their friendship, but not in any kind of aggressive way. He didn’t get between them; it was more like he just preferred her away from the club. Maybe that was all his hesitation tonight was—her first time in the clubhouse during a party, coming in and surprising him, made Show just generally reluctant. But it felt like more.
    “A beer for the lady, Double A.”
    Double A, wearing a Prospect kutte, poured her a beer from a tap. He was pretty cute, and when he smiled as he handed her the glass, he was gorgeous. She smiled back, but then his eyes shifted to Show, and his smile disappeared. As she took a drink, she turned to see Show glaring at him. So maybe his weird vibe truly was just him not really wanting her in the clubhouse after all.
    For a while, she sat between Show and Len, drinking her beer and chatting about her drive, her father and brothers, Shannon, the house Len was building—a lot of aimless chitchat, but nice. This was not at all the party she’d expected to walk in on. There was no sign of Badger yet; maybe Show had been wrong, and he wasn’t around after all.
    Nearing the time that he wanted to leave, Show headed off to the bathroom. Then she happened to look down the bar, and she saw Badger walking into the Hall.
    To Len, she said, “Excuse me,” then turned and slid off her stool. Badger saw her as she took a couple of steps in his direction. He stopped, surprised, and stared at her.
    He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes, and he stood with a slight hunch of his shoulders. It was subtle, but she’d noticed it in January, too. Even so, he was beautiful. He had amazing hair—long and thick, dark auburn—and a full beard that felt really wonderful on her mouth. And he had the most fantastic eyes of anyone ever. Pale green. Like seafoam green. He was tall and thin, but strong, with great definition in his arms. She’d seen his chest once, when he showed her his tattoo there, and he was defined there, too. She bet he looked wonderful naked. It made her blush to think it.
    Still blushing, she smiled and said,