"Strangers and dust pans"

"I'm so thankful for all your help today guys. You've really helped clear most of this up." We've cleaned the shop top to bottom. I've fixed all of the tiles. Now we're working on the door. It's really heavy and I love its old look but damn this isn't easy.

"Do you think the guys are okay?" I ask with worry in my voice. I haven't heard from Madz since this morning. I've been stress cleaning since he left. I've stressed cleaned and baked and I'm over it.

"Yeah, we would have heard from them already if something went down. Someone would have gotten a hold of us already." Axel says in a flat tone. He just gets back to work on the door.

"Yeah, I've kept my phone on and no one has called or texted me. They are fine Nova. Don't worry about them. They can take care of themselves." Beau replies and nudges me a little. I feel a little less worried after our chat.

I've done nothing but worry about them all day. It's been over seven hours. I busy myself with cleaning up the mess we made fixing the door. I pull out my phone and notice I have more angry messages from my mother.

"You can't keep ignoring me." I glance at the others and just shake my head. I set my phone aside and grab the garbage bags. Heading towards the back door I hear the front jingle.

"Nova? Nova where are you?" I set the bags down and jog towards a nervous Madz voice. He looks pissed.

"What happened?" Rushing to his side I glance at his hands and notice they are all split open. He's also got blood from a busted lip and I grab his face with my hands.

"Madz, are-are you okay? You're hurt." I close my eyes and catch my breath trying to hold back my worries. I knew this was a bad idea. He's hurt and it's all my fault.

"Nothing you need to worry about Darlin' . What were you doing in the back?" Madz just jumps over my question completely ignoring me.

"I was just taking the garbage out." I lift my thumb over my shoulders and show him the bags I had.

"No, why the fuck didn't you two take it out. She shouldn't have been out back at all. What if someone was in the alley again?" Madz asks, yelling at Beau and Axel. I see them look at each other and I can feel their fear.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. I didn't think it was a big deal. I wasn't thinking and they've taken such good care of me today. Don't be mad at them please. Lets go get you cleaned up upstairs." Pulling him towards my apartment. We head up the steps and I open the apartment door. We walk over to the bathroom.

"Is everyone okay?" I ask as I turn on the sink and carefully wash the blood from his hands. I dry them off, apply cream and wrap them up with gauze. I bring his knuckles to my lips and I lightly kiss them.

"Everyone is fine. They didn't even try to fight back. They tried to deny that it even happened. Which pissed me off even more. I told them we had proof and that changed the tune for their Prez." Madz looks away but then glances at me with a soft look in his eyes.

"I'm glad everyone is okay. Are you hungry? I've got stuff to make sandwiches for everyone down in the shop. I even baked some cookies and bread with all the help I had cleaning." I smile up at him and give him a wink. I bet I can win him over with my sweets. I turn and wash my hands.

"I could eat." Madz says with a husky voice. I was so worried about him. I'm glad they all made it back okay. We head back towards the door and walk down into the shop again.

"The shop looks great, Nova. It looks like you got a lot done. I'm so proud of you." I smile and glance back at him. I'm glad he's starting to relax some.

"Yeah, the guys were super helpful. Thanks for sending them. I really do appreciate it, Madz." I'm so happy I accepted the help. I didn't realize how much I had to do. I couldn't have gotten it done on my own. With the guys' help that was all possible.

We finally make it back down to the main kitchen and I walk over to the pantry and take out what I need for sandwiches. I've got to make a few of them since the prospects helped out. I can't leave them out.

I opened up the bread that I made along with the cookies. It feels cool to the touch so I know it's ready to be cut into slices. Madz slips behind me and starts kissing up my neck to my temple. I giggle and get back to work.

"Madz you have to let me get this done. Everyone needs to eat and then I need to let you rest. You've had a busy day." Madz just pulls me closer to him and chuckles.

"Darlin' I don't need rest. What I need is my fix of Nova. I've been gone all day and I need to take you in." He pulls away and spins me around. I see him look me up and down and a smile falls over his face.

"What?" I ask with a smile of my own. I just met this man and I've already fallen so hard.

"You are just so beautiful and I can't look away from you. I don't even want to look away from you. Now let's work on those sandwiches." He lets go of me and heads towards the fridge.

"When did you get all this? Did you leave the bakery today?" As he pulls out the deli meat and cheese. Setting it down and going back for the condiments.

"I had sent one of the prospects to go grab a few groceries earlier today and they just picked up some basics." Speaking of basics, I need to place a wholesale order so I can start getting my bakery open?

"Okay, I'm glad you didn't go out. I'd like you to have someone with you at all times for now until I know that the SSMC is done playing around. Is that okay?" Madz says with a serious face.

"I'm okay with that. The prospects were helpful and I felt safe around them. So that shouldn't be a problem." We get to work on the sandwiches and I pull out a bag of original potato chips.

We take the food towards the table and I head back to get the cups and pitcher of water I sat out. Beau and Axel wash their hands and walk towards us.

"Awe hell Nova. This looks delicious. Is this the bread you made today?" Axel asks as he rubs his hands together.

"Yes, it's been resting in the kitchen while we worked on the door." Beau grabs his plate and takes a bite of his food.

"Damn Nova, this is the best bread I've ever had." Beau moans as he slams his food. It's like this man has never had food before.

I let out a giggle and shake my head. The guys are something else. I can't wait to meet the rest of them. I'f they are all like this then I can definitely see myself liking them all.

"Nova, thanks for lunch. It was perfect. I'll be a repeat customer for sure if just the bread you made tastes this good." Axel says with a giant grin on his face as he rubs his stomach.

"Okay it's time to go back to the clubhouse you two. I need some time alone with Nova. It's been a long day and I need to have a chat with her." Madz gets up and takes everyone's plates to the sink.

"Bye Nova." Beau and Axel say together, as they grab their tools they brought with them and walk out the front door. Madz walks to the front and locks up.

"What do we need to talk about? Is everything okay?" Madz turns to me and grabs my face. He presses his lips to mine and leaves behind a tender kiss.

"Everything is perfect Darlin' . I just needed some time alone with you. Let's clean this mess up and go relax. Did the new bed come today?" Oh shoot. It did and I forgot all about it.

"Yes, it did. I had forgotten about it till now. Axel and I set it up this morning after you left. It's so comfortable, Madz. One of the best beds I've ever slept in." Even the sheets that were delivered were like clouds.

"I'm glad you like it. It's the same bed I have at the clubhouse and my home. After the days I have, it's something I need after a long day." Madz dry's the last dish and we set them back on the counter.

"I'm so glad you came back to me Madz." I lean in and hug him tightly. I never want to let him go.

"I told you once before. I'll always find my way back to you. Let me get cleaned up and we can go watch a movie or something. I'll even let you pick." Madz pulls me into him even tighter and everything just feels so right.