Chapter 10 - Judge #2
"Saint's face told me. Kid looked traumatized when he came back." Phoenix almost smiles. Almost. "So. You brought a civilian into the clubhouse for protection. Started a relationship with her. And now you're asking me… What? Permission? Blessing?"
"I'm telling you what's happening. Whether you approve or not, I'm with Nora. I'm going to be part of Grace's life if they'll have me. But I also know I'm your VP. I know my decisions reflect on the club. So, if you have a problem with this, I need to know now."
Phoenix is quiet for a long moment. He drums his fingers on the desk, thinking.
Then he speaks.
"You remember why I started this club?"
The question catches me off guard. "Because the Vipers became something you couldn't stomach. Because Demon corrupted everything your parents built."
"That's part of it. But the other part?" Phoenix leans forward. "I started this club because I wanted to build something good. Something that protected instead of destroyed. Something that gave men like us: broken, damaged, violent men, a purpose that mattered."
He pauses.
"You know what I see when I look at you right now, Judge?
I see a man who found his purpose. Who found two people worth protecting, worth fighting for, worth building a life around.
And yeah, the timing is shit. Yeah, it's complicated.
But you know what? That's exactly what this club is supposed to do.
Give men like us a reason to be better. A reason to fight for something that matters. "
My throat tightens.
"So no," Phoenix continues. "I don't have a problem with you and Nora. I don't have a problem with you becoming a father to Grace. What I have is respect for the fact that you found something worth fighting for beyond the club. Beyond the war. Beyond all the shit we've been through."
"Eli…"
"I'm not done." His voice is firm but not harsh. "The Vipers are going to come for them. For Nora and Grace. They know they matter to you now. They're going to use that against us. Against you. Are you prepared for that?"
"Yes."
"Are you prepared to kill for them? Because that's what it might take. Demon doesn't play nice. You know that better than anyone."
"I'd kill every Viper in that club if it meant keeping Nora and Grace safe."
Phoenix nods slowly. "Then we're clear. You protect them. We protect them. The whole club stands behind you on this. But Judge?" His eyes are serious. "Don't lose yourself in this. Don't let your feelings for them cloud your judgment when we need you tactical and clear. Can you do that?"
"I can."
"Good." Phoenix stands, comes around the desk, and offers his hand. "Then congratulations. You just became a family man."
I stand slowly, because my ribs are still screaming, and shake his hand.
"Not officially. Not yet. We're taking things slow with Grace. Don't want to rush her. We're not telling her about us yet."
"Smart. Kid's been through enough upheaval. Let her adjust to being here first. Let her get comfortable. Then when you're both ready, you tell her together." Phoenix claps me on the shoulder, my good shoulder, thankfully. "Now get out of my office and go be with them. You've earned it."
Family man. Actual family. The family I've wanted my entire life.
I'm walking toward the door when Phoenix speaks again.
"Judge?"
I turn back.
Phoenix is smiling. Actually smiling. "I'm happy for you. Really. You deserve this."
"Thank you."
"And Judge? Lock the door next time."
I flip him off as I leave, and his laughter follows me down the hallway.
I find them in the common room. Nora is sitting on the couch with Ivy, both of them watching as Grace teaches Canvas the sign for "poker." Canvas is trying his best, his large hands fumbling through the letters, and Grace is giggling so hard she can barely breathe.
Nora sees me first. She stands immediately, her eyes searching mine. "How did it go?"
"Good. Really good." I walk over to her, pulling her close despite the protest from my ribs. I keep my voice low so only she can hear. "Phoenix gave us his blessing. Said the whole club stands behind us."
"Really?"
"Really. We're good, Nora. We're safe here. Both of you."
Nora's eyes fill with tears. "I can't believe this is real. Can't believe we found this. Found you."
"Believe it." I kiss her forehead softly. "Because I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
Grace notices us and runs over, signing rapidly. "Judge! Did you talk to the president? Is everything okay? Can we stay?"
I crouch down to her level, ignoring my body's protests and sign. "Everything's okay. You and your mama can stay as long as you need. You're safe here with me and my brothers. We're going to protect you both. I promise."
Grace's face lights up. "Really? We can really stay?"
"Really."
"Good. Because I like it here. And I like you. And Mama likes you too, I can tell." She grins mischievously.
I glance at Nora, who's turned pink. "Your mama's pretty smart."
"She is. She's the smartest person I know. Well, she was. Now you're smart too." Grace pauses, then signs more seriously. "Are the mean men going to come back?"
"Maybe. But if they do, my brothers and I will stop them. Just like before. You don't have to worry, Grace. I won't let anyone hurt you or your mama. That's a promise."
"You're good at keeping promises," Grace signs. "You said you'd be okay and you are. You said we'd be safe and we are."
"And I'm going to keep keeping my promises. Every single one."
Grace throws her arms around my neck, gentler this time, mindful of my injuries. When she pulls back, she's smiling. "Can we celebrate? Can we have ice cream? Ivy said there's a really good ice cream place in town."
I look at Nora, who's laughing and wiping at her eyes. "Can we have ice cream?"
"I think we need to stay at the clubhouse for now," Nora says gently. "Until Judge and his brothers say it's safe to go out. But maybe we can have some here? Do you have ice cream here?"
"Actually," Ivy speaks up from the couch, "we do. Phoenix keeps the freezer stocked. We've got chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and I think there's some cookie dough."
"Cookie dough!" Grace signs enthusiastically. "That's my favorite!"
"Mine too," I sign back.
Grace's eyes go wide. "Really? We have the same favorite?"
"Looks like it."
"That means we're meant to be friends." Grace says it with such certainty that my heart aches.
Friends. For now, that's what I am to Grace. Her friend. Her protector. The man who keeps his promises. And someday, when Nora's ready, when we're both sure, when the timing is right, I'll be more than that.
I'll be her family.
But for now, this is enough. More than enough.
"Come on," I sign to Grace. "Let's go get that ice cream."
Grace grabs my hand and Nora's hand, pulling us both toward the kitchen. Ivy follows, already opening the freezer and pulling out containers.
Canvas looks at me over Grace's head and grins. "Cookie dough for everyone?"
"Cookie dough for everyone," I agree.
We gather around the kitchen island—me, Nora, Grace, Ivy, Canvas, and Saint who appears from nowhere the second he hears there's ice cream. Grace is bouncing on her toes, signing rapidly about all the different kinds of ice cream she's tried, making everyone laugh.
And I stand there, my ribs aching, my shoulder throbbing, my face still swollen and bruised, and I've never felt more content in my entire life.
This is it. This is what I've been searching for without knowing what to call it. Purpose. Family. Home.
Forty-three years. That's how long it took to find this.
Twenty years in the military watching people die.
Three years in a motorcycle club fighting a war.
All of it, every scar, every nightmare, every broken piece, led me here. To this moment. To this family.
Worth it.
Every fucking second of it was worth it.