Chapter 20
Pres called Church again – not just to go over threats, but because he’d seen exactly what had been playing out all week.
He’d watched the old ladies circle her like wary wolves.
Even Bones had noticed Ivy growing tense, her hackles up.
No good ever comes when the Sergeant-at-Arms is spoiling for a fight.
We’d all held our tongues though – Thorn is too innocent to see the politics, so we’d kept it quiet.
Pres tore into us proper once business was done.
It dragged on longer than any of us expected, and every minute felt like an hour.
My mind was fixed on her out there – defenceless, left alone with the very people who looked at her like she brought ruin on her heels.
It took every bit of control I had to stay seated.
I’d tear this place apart before I let anyone hurt her.
Pres must’ve seen the edge I was walking. He finished sharp, squared his jaw, and told us all to march out there and set things straight before he had to do it himself. My heart hammered wild against my ribs – I was ready to step right out and do just that.
But the second those doors swung open… we all froze.
That tense, sharp silence we expected was gone.
The common room was alive with laughter.
The old ladies were sat close round Danika, Aysel pouring drinks, Diamond piling plates high, all chatting like they’d known her a lifetime.
Ivy and Rose sat either side, beaming like they’d just won something precious.
Pres stopped dead, that iron-clad President mask falling clean off his face. He stared at his wife, eyes red rimmed like she’d been crying hard, sitting soft and easy with the very women he’d come ready to dress down.
“What in the bloody hell happened here?” he asked, bewildered, walking over to Thorn. “I came out ready to lay down the law and make them accept her.”
Thorn looked up at him, eyes shining fierce and bright. She reached for his hand, and I saw the fear melt right out of him.
“They looked at her like she was nothing but trouble, Leo. I asked if they looked at me once like that,” she said quiet but steady. “I asked them why. Why bruises count but scars you can’t see don’t? Why should she be treated any different just because her hurt isn’t on show?”
Pres stood still, stunned. He’d spent years fighting to protect her from her past, never realising she’d turn right around and use that pain to stand for someone else. He pulled her close, and I knew he’d burn the world down before he let anyone make her feel that way again.
Aysel looked up, her voice carrying clear and strong. “She belongs to the pack now, President. We look after our own.”
A roar of approval went up from the back of the room.
Ghost, Shadow, Tank – every last brother was on their feet, cheering loud enough to rattle the rafters.
What had been cold silence minutes before turned into celebration.
Prospects darted to grab fresh rounds, music kicked up, and the whole club moved to welcome her home.
I stayed where I was, watching her laugh at something Ivy said.
That bright beautiful smile – it hit me square in the chest. I wanted to cross that room, wrap her up, claim her right there in front of everyone.
But I’d wait. She didn’t need to be rushed.
I’d show her I was steady. I’d make sure she knew I wasn’t going anywhere.
She looked up then and found me through the crowd. The pink rose high in her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. Just held my gaze, soft and sure, right back.
I let out a long slow breath, a real grin pulling at my mouth. My ears were still burning bright red, and I knew I’d never hear the end of it from the lads – but seeing her finally relax, finally feel safe… it was worth every bit of teasing.
I pushed off the wall and walked over. Rested my hand light and sure on her shoulder. She didn’t flinch, didn’t pull away. Just leaned back a little into my touch and tilted her head up to give me that same soft smile again.
Let them laugh. Let them rib me until they’re blue in the face. Every brother in this room knows the rules – when one of us claims a woman, she becomes untouchable. They know exactly what she means to me.
Out there, the shadows are gathering. Whispers are spreading fast. Sterling’s reach is long, and London will come looking. Let them try. We’ll burn this whole place to ash before we let them lay a finger on her. Tonight, my little fire is safe.