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back at her. “You can’t just kick me out. I live here.”

    “I’m not kicking you out,” Veronica said. “I’m telling you we’re going to work with the Walkers. We are going to stop fighting them. If you can’t do that, then you are free to leave. It’s your choice.”

    The men watched, looking back and forth from Veronica to Slade, waiting for direction. Of course, they all knew Slade had wanted them to work together. They probably just never expected it to actually happen. But Slade was happy that none of his guys seemed ready to take off. He wouldn’t expect any of them to do that.  

    After a few tense minutes, Christina shifted into a bear again and ran off. Veronica looked around at the rest of her clan. He could see the hurt in her face and hear it in her voice when she spoke. She was bothered that Christina had left.

    “Anyone else?” she asked.

    Veronica saw Abby’s indecision. Her and Christina had been close. Closer once Valerie died and the position of Christina’s best friend was available. She didn’t envy the decision Abby had to make now. It was either her best friend and freedom or her clan and her business.

    Abby turned to her, tears filling her eyes. “I’m sorry, V. I can’t just let her go on her own. She’ll have no one.”

    Veronica nodded. Abby ran to her, gave her a brief, awkwardly naked hug, then shifted and ran off. Veronica swallowed hard and looked at the remaining members of the group. She’d expected this, though. She had a pretty good idea that Christina would leave. Was half hoping for it. As much as she loved Christina as a sister and clanmate, she was the one always causing trouble. And she reminded her more of Valerie than any of the others. They’d been inseparable before her death and something about Christina being her dead twin’s beset friend made her special to Veronica. But she couldn’t have her causing this trouble.  

    Abby hurt worse. Though Veronica thought she’d likely leave if Christina did, she was sadder to see her go. She liked Abby a lot, though she was argumentative. In the end, she usually ended up listening to Veronica. Well, until recently with all this fighting. Her loyalty clearly lay with Christina, though, so in the end, it was better.

    She looked at her two remaining clan members. She knew Beth wouldn’t leave her in a million years. She was the one Veronica was closest to. And Robin had joined Valerie’s clan because of Veronica, so she assumed that loyalty would continue. They didn’t look confused. They looked sure in their decision.

    She looked over at the men. None of them seemed ready to take off, either. She felt a ping of jealousy at that. Slade was a much better leader. His men were much more loyal. Though it looked like one was missing. That must be the injured one, though.

    “Anyone else?” Veronica said. “Last chance. Leave now or forever keep the peace.”

    She waited for two long minutes. Then, she turned to Slade.

    “Okay,” she said. “Let’s make this happen.”

The seven of them gathered in the Harper’s living room, now dressed at least partially. The men were all shirtless. Veronica didn’t mind at all, if it meant Slade would stay shirtless. She considered offering them shirts, but then decided they were just fine as they were.

    Her and Slade stood at the front of the room. She could feel the heat coming off him and she wanted to reach over and touch him. Feel the hard muscles of his stomach, kiss his soft lips again. And again. And again. She tried to focus. This was about the clans. They had to make this work to keep the peace, and for the betterment of their business. They could get down to personal business later.  

    “I think for now, we should start with a basic peace treaty,” Slade said. “We’re all tired from days of fighting, and we’re missing Knox, so I don’t want to make any serious decisions yet. Let’s take some time to think about what we want this to be. What