Chapter 15
The silence that crashed down after Rose’s question was so thick you could’ve sliced it clean with a knife.
Swift was still wheezing into his hand, the coughing fit over, shoulders shaking as he fought to swallow his laughter.
Tiny looked like he was trying to work out if he could actually disappear straight through the sofa cushions.
Across the room, Rage had a death grip on the back of that kitchen chair like it was the only thing holding him upright, knuckles white, scarred jaw locked tight, a flush creeping dark and fast up his thick neck.
My own face burned so hot I swear steam had to be rising off me. Mind blank, tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, I just stared at the tiny blonde woman sitting so calmly beside me.
Rose glanced first at my wide horrified eyes, then over at Rage’s comical panic.
She clocked Tiny and Swift ribbing him silent as anything.
Slowly the confusion faded, realisation settling soft and serious across her face.
She let out a gentle sigh, reaching over to rest her hand on mine where I still clutched my tea.
“Alright, alright, I see it,” she murmured soft and steady, smoothing the sharp edge right off the room. “I’m sorry I jumped the gun. I’m sorry Danika – truth is, I spent so long being alone till I was saved. I forget not everyone thinks the same way I do.”
A ragged breath left me. “It’s… it’s fine Rose. Just a bit of a shock.”
Across the room Rage let out a long low huff, slowly uncurling from his rigid stance, though his dark eyes stayed fixed on her with a warning look that said he wasn’t done giving her grief just yet.
Rose turned her gaze his way, then back to me, earnest and sincere.
“I didn’t mean it as a joke, and I am not trying to embarrass either of you.
It’s just… after what happened with that investigator yesterday, I know straight in my gut the clubhouse is where you belong.
That place isn’t just bikes and leather.
It’s a fortress. The one place on earth nothing and no-one will ever get past to hurt you. ”
I listened quiet, the shyness melting away under the weight of her words.
“When I was broken, when I was running from every shadow,” she whispered, curling her fingers gentle round mine.
“Leo brought me through those gates, and the brothers lined up and drew a line in the dirt. They told the world anyone that wanted to get to me went through them first. They don’t check locks three times a night there, Danika.
Inside those walls you’re guarded by the whole charter.
You’d be safe. Untouchable. I just wanted that for you. ”
A thick lump swelled in my throat. I glanced over at Rage, and saw that wild panic had drained clean away, replaced by something quiet and solemn. He gave one sharp silent nod – he wanted me behind those walls just as badly as she did, even if he was too stubborn to say it out loud.
“Anyway, don’t you worry none about the small stuff,” Rose added suddenly, brightening right back up. “I’ve already handled the hardest part. Mentioned it to Leo before Church this morning and he didn’t even argue. Said whenever you’re ready, there’s more than enough room.”
I blinked, confused. “Leo didn’t mind?”
“Oh, he wouldn’t dare argue with her about anything,” Swift cut in, finally recovering enough to grin.
“Shut it Swift,” Tiny rumbled, though a smile was spreading slow and easy across his face.
He leaned forward to explain. “Out there, Miss Danika – away from these walls – he’s Reaper.
The legend. Cold-blooded President of the Iron Angels.
Many folks are terrified just to speak the name of.
In here though? Around her? He’s just Leo, that only she can say his Christian name out loud.
She’s the only soul alive that can tell him what to do, and he melts like butter every single time. ”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Swift agreed quickly. “Outside these gates you show him every respect, follow every order to the letter. Inside? She says jump, he don’t even ask how high.”
Tiny let out a deep laugh that vibrated through the whole room. “And it ain’t just him either. Every last one of us would walk through fire if she asked us to.”
A soft genuine laugh bubbled up out of me too, as the image of that terrifying President completely wrapped round her little finger settled in my head.
“It’s true,” Rose said proudly, giving a playful little shrug.
“He pretended to think on it all of two seconds, tried giving me that serious ‘Pres’ face… so I just looked him dead in the eye and told him I was carrying his baby and my best friend needed somewhere safe. He folded faster than a cheap card table. Told me to have the prospects clear out one of the suites in the guest wing straight away.”
My heart did this strange fluttering thing against my ribs.
Moving into an MC clubhouse? It was so far removed from the quiet strict life I’d known growing up, so far outside anything I’d ever imagined for myself.
But looking round this tiny, crowded room…
I didn’t feel out of place. I felt like I belonged.
I looked over at Tiny and Swift, both watching me warm and open, like they’d happily stand guard at my door forever if it meant no one could touch me. I looked at Rose, who I’d met only once before yet was already moving mountains to keep me safe. And finally, my gaze settled on Rage.
Sunlight caught in his dark eyes, holding something deep and steady I couldn’t quite name. He didn’t speak, but the message was written clear across his face: ‘Whenever you’re ready, sweetheart. I’ve got your back.’
Somewhere out there, my father and his hired men were still hunting me, still looking for any crack to slip through.
But for the first time since climbing out that bedroom window, I didn’t feel like prey anymore.
Rose had handed me the keys to a fortress, and as I took one slow sip of tea, I realised I wasn’t even scared of where this ride might take me next.