Chapter 43
Pale silver morning light seeped through the heavy curtains, cutting soft across the big wooden bed. I blinked awake slow, breathing deep, a warm, quiet feeling settling right through me.
I was wrapped up safe and warm. Rage lay curled round me on his side, like he’d built a wall of muscle to keep the whole world away.
One big, tattooed arm rested heavy and sure round my waist, his hand flat over my stomach, anchoring me right to him.
My back pressed close to his bare, scarred chest, his slow steady breath moving soft against my spine.
I traced my fingers gentle over the ink on his arm – every mark telling a story of this place, this family, the man he was.
Last night really had been a beautiful storm.
I’d taken charge, refused to let him treat me like something fragile, and all that wild, fierce love he’d been holding back had come pouring out.
It hadn’t been careful or quiet – it had been all of him, every part, worshipping every part of me, whispering my name like it was the only thing that mattered.
A soft little shift behind me broke the quiet.
His arm pulled just a little tighter, drawing me closer still. I felt the exact moment he woke, felt his rough stubble brush against my neck.
“Morning, sweetheart,” he rumbled, his voice deep and thick with sleep, that gravelly tone making shivers run right through me. He pressed a slow little kiss to my hair. “You doing okay?”
“Better than okay,” I whispered back, smiling soft as I turned to look at him.
He gave that low, rumbling laugh of his, the kind you feel more than hear.
“You’ve tamed the beast, Danika. Everyone knows what I’m like…
even I know what I’m like. And then you walked in here, all fire and no fear, and pulled the leash right out of my own hand.
I’ve spent months trying to be what I thought you wanted. And you just… showed me you wanted me.”
“The girls told me what to do,” I admitted with a little laugh, shifting to rest my head on his chest. “Rose said I had to be the one to take control. Said you’d never let go of that restraint yourself, no matter how much you wanted to.”
He laughed loud and rich, the sound bouncing soft round the room, pride glowing bright in his dark eyes. He ran his thumb slow along my jaw.
“Remind me to get something for that queen of ours,” he murmured, leaning in to kiss me slow and sure. “Not just booze. Something fit for her. You’re mine now, Danika. No one’s ever going to take you from this room, from me. I’ve got you on a leash now, and I’m never letting go.”
“Good,” I breathed against his lips, my heart swelling so full it felt like it might burst. “Because I’m never letting go either.”
We lay quiet for a long moment, warm and tangled together. Then I smiled a little shy.
“You know… I don’t even know your real name,” I said softly. “First time we’ve ever… and I don’t know what to call you but Rage.”
He looked almost startled for a second, then a soft sweet smile spread across his face. “Reece,” he said quiet. “Reece Carter.”
I rolled the name round my tongue. “Reece,” I said. “It suits you.”
An hour later, the world called us back.
Rage pulled on his jeans and his heavy cut, putting one of his cuts over me looking every inch the man, everyone respected and feared, but with a softness in his eyes that was only ever mine.
He tucked my hand tight inside his as we walked down the corridor, not hiding a single bit of how he felt.
The whole place was already awake and lively, the smell of fresh bread and bacon and strong coffee hanging in the air.
Tiny and Swift were leaning by the counter with mugs in their hands.
Swift caught sight of us, let out a low impressed whistle, and nodded slow at Rage.
Rage didn’t even flinch – just squeezed my hand tighter, chest puffed out like he’d won the greatest prize there was.
“Tamer! Over here!” Ivy called out cheerfully.
I looked over to see her and Rose sat round the big table by the fire. I squeezed Rage’s hand once more before letting go and went to sit with them. The second I sank down onto the cushion, they both looked at my face and just knew.
“Oh, look at her!” Ivy squealed delighted, clapping her hands soft. “I told you! I told you she’d do it!”
Rose laughed bright and proud, her blue eyes shining. “I never doubted you for a second, sister. You look wonderful. Did our beast finally learn how to behave himself?”
“He did,” I smiled, feeling warm colour rise in my cheeks as I poured myself a mug of tea. “Everything was… perfect. Thank you both for the advice.”
“Anytime,” Rose said soft, leaning back happy and content.
As they carried on talking and laughing, my mind drifted back to yesterday.
To that scan. To the two heartbeats I’d seen hidden away.
I glanced over at Rose’s bump, round and beautiful beneath her dress.
Just a little longer, I told myself. I’ll let her rest up properly, and then when she’s settled… we’ll tell her.
I looked back across the room to where Rage was stood talking with Pres.
He rested one hand easy on Pres’s shoulder, but his eyes never strayed far from me.
The old hard edge was gone. I had my work, I had my sisters, and I had the fiercest, most loyal man in the whole world standing guard right by my side.
The storm wasn’t something to run from anymore. It was mine.