WRECKED: GODS OF CHAOS MC, BOOK FOUR by Honey Palomino

with Ryder.”
    “Wreck mentioned they were close,” she said.
    “So, how are you doing?” I asked. “Are you settling in okay?”
    “I guess so. I really appreciate how hospitable you’ve been, Grace. Thank you,” she said, her voice soft and shy.
    “It’s my pleasure, Vanessa. How are you on clothes? Is there anything at all you need?” I’d already shown her the room she’d be staying in, which was Ryder’s old room - the same room I’d woken up in with no memory at all of who I was or how I’d gotten there. I’d fallen in love with Ryder in that room, been given an entirely new lease on life. As far as I was concerned, that room was magic. I loved that it was used as a safe place for the women we rescued now. It only seemed right.
    “I’m okay for now,” she said. “I couldn’t bring much, so as not to alert Royce, but I have what I need for now. Thank you for the room.”
    “You’re welcome. You can stop thanking me, really. That’s what we’re here for.”
    “Okay,” she said, smiling at me. “I’m sorry, I’m just so grateful.”
    “I understand. I really do. Listen, if you ever want to talk or need a shoulder to cry on, I want you to know I’m here for you. We’re all here for you. Any one of us will stop what we’re doing to listen, whenever you need us.”
    “I appreciate that, but the last thing I want to do is talk about my feelings. Right now, all I can think of is annihilating Royce and his friends.”
    “That’s understandable,” Grace said. “But remember to take care of yourself, too.”
    “Trust me, taking down Royce will be the best self-care possible,” she said.
    “I get it, I do. So, listen, I have a plan to get close to Royce. Ryder and I will pose as a couple that need his investment help, and we’ll just happen to mention that we might be interested in his other services as well. We’ll do it subtly, so he thinks it was his own idea. I have a feeling, from what you’ve told me about him, that he’ll walk right into our trap.”
    “He’s so arrogant, he totally will. He thinks he’s untouchable and he can do whatever he wants. That sounds perfect, really.”
    “Great, I’m glad you approve,” I said. She smiled warmly, her green eyes lighting up with what I think was hope. “All you have to do now is sit back and watch him burn.”
    “I know you told me not to thank you again, but that sounds like the best gift ever, Grace,” she said.
    “You’re welcome, hon,” I replied. “Now - let’s eat! You must be starving!”
    “You know what? I am!”
    “Well, I hope you like cheeseburgers and fries,” I said, patting my gut. “Cherry’s an amazing cook and I’ve gained at least fifteen pounds in the last year eating her food.”
    “I’ve only eaten salads for the last ten years,” she said, inciting a pang of sadness in my heart.
    “Good God, that sounds awful,” I said. “We’ll get you nice and fat before you know it!”
    She laughed loudly, a bellowing belly laugh that echoed in the room. It was contagious and I began laughing too.
    My gaze drifted behind her and I stopped short when I saw the look on Wreck’s face.
    He was standing near the fridge, his face pale, his eyes wide, his body frozen in place as he stared at the back of Vanessa’s head.
    He looked like he’d just seen a ghost.
     
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
    Vanessa
     
     
    Dinner was chaos.
    So many people. So much food. So much booze. Laughter, conversation, and good natured ribbing amongst the Gods had me in stitches. Slade was constantly teasing Wreck, and Riot was giving Slade such a hard time, it was hard to know if they really liked each other at all. If it weren’t for the constant grins on their faces, I would have thought they’d soon start fighting.
    As it was, everyone got along famously, like one big family really. Even back when I had a family, it was still small. Just me and my Mom and Dad, and then when Mom died, it was just the two of us. Our meals were