Chapter 11 – Phoenix #3
But in this small room, with morning light streaming through the windows and Ivy safe in my arms, none of that matters. We have each other. We have this moment. We have hope for a future that seemed impossible just forty-eight hours ago.
And for now, that's enough.
From ash, we rise.
Together.
Hours later…
I find myself standing outside the clubhouse, phone in hand, staring at my brother's contact.
Inside, Ivy is helping Canvas prepare lunch for everyone. I watched her volunteer, watched Canvas accept her offer with a warm smile and a joke about needing all the help he could get. She's fitting in already, becoming part of the family in a way that feels natural and right.
But I need to make this call. Need to tell Carter what's happening before he hears it from someone else.
I hit dial.
He answers on the second ring. "Phoenix. Was wondering when you'd call."
"Yeah, sorry. Things have been—"
"Complicated?" Carter's voice holds a hint of amusement. "Word travels, brother. Already heard the Vipers paid you a visit this morning."
Of course he has. The MC network is faster than any news channel.
"Cole Briggs and three others," I confirm. "Looking for a woman who ran from him. A woman who's now under Iron Phoenix protection."
Silence on the other end. Then: "You going to war over this?"
"Looks that way."
"Then I'm coming." No hesitation. "I'll talk to King, bring the Savage Riders. We can be there by—"
"No." I cut him off, gentle but firm. "That's not why I called."
"Phoenix—"
"I need you to stay in Blackwater Falls," I say. "I need you to focus on Maya and Alice. Keep them safe, keep them happy. The Iron Phoenix will handle this."
"Like hell." Carter's voice is hard now. "You're my brother. You think I'm going to sit on my ass while you face the Vipers alone?"
"I'm not alone. I've got eight good men who know what's coming and are ready for it." I take a breath. "And Carter, Maya needs her father. I won't risk making her an orphan because I was too proud to handle my own fight."
The silence stretches longer this time. When Carter speaks again, his voice is rough. "This is about her, isn't it? The woman. It's not just about protection."
He knows me too well.
"Yeah," I admit. "It's about her."
"Tell me."
I lean against the brick wall of the clubhouse, watching clouds drift across the sky.
"Her name is Ivy. Twenty-six, auburn hair, green eyes. She was engaged to Cole Briggs and spent two years being used by him before she found the courage to run.” I pause, struggling to find the words.
"She's everything. Everything I didn't know I was missing. Everything I thought I'd given up on."
I can hear the smile in Carter's voice. "You love her."
"Yeah. I love her. Which is insane because I've known her less than forty-eight hours, but it's true. And I'm going to protect her with everything I have. Which means you need to stay put, keep Maya and Alice safe, and let me handle this war."
"You really think you can win? Against more than forty Vipers?"
"I have to," I say simply. "Because the alternative, watching my brothers die and letting them take her back to Cole, that's not an option. I'll burn the whole world down before I let that happen."
"Fuck." Carter exhales slowly. "You've got it bad."
"Yeah, I do."
"Okay," he says finally. "Okay. I'll stay put. Keep Maya and Alice safe like you said. But Phoenix… You call me if things go sideways. You call me and I'll be there, Savage Riders or not. Brotherhood doesn't end because we wear different cuts."
"I know." The words come out rough with emotion. "And Carter? Thank you. For understanding. For not fighting me on this."
"Just don't die, asshole. Maya asks about her Uncle Phoenix every damn day. I'm not explaining to a five-year-old why you're not coming back."
The image of my niece, her bright eyes and endless questions about sharks, makes my chest tight. "I won't. I promise."
"Good. Now go take care of your woman. And Phoenix?" He pauses. "I'm happy for you. Really. You deserve something good after everything you've been through."
"Thanks, brother."
"Love you, man."
"Love you too."
I end the call and stand there for a moment, letting the weight of it settle. Carter's safe. Maya and Alice are safe. My brother understands, supports me, and trusts me to handle this.
Now I just have to make sure I can actually deliver on that promise.
I head back inside, following the sound of voices and laughter to the kitchen. Ivy is at the stove, stirring something while Canvas chops vegetables beside her. She's smiling, actually laughing at something he said, and the sight of it makes everything worth it.
Every risk. Every battle to come. Every impossible odd. She looks up and sees me, and her whole face lights up.
"Hey," she says. "Canvas is teaching me the secret to his famous chili. Apparently, it's whiskey."
"It's always whiskey," Canvas confirms with a grin.
I cross to Ivy, pressing a kiss to her temple. "How are you doing?"
"Good," she says, and I can hear the surprise in her voice. Like she didn't expect to be okay, but she is. "Really good, actually."
"Good." I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her against my side. "Because we've got a lot of meals like this ahead of us."
She leans into me, and I feel her relax. Whatever comes next—war, blood, impossible battles—we'll face it together.
And that makes all the difference.