Chapter Twenty - Six
Remi
The girls fill the room with noise and warmth. I can’t remember the last time I was surrounded by women who weren’t whispering, judging, or plotting my downfall.
Lexi’s on her knees in front of the wardrobe, pulling out hangers like it’s a mission. Luna’s sprawled on the bed, legs crossed, a can of Coke in her hand, while Xanthe sits at the dressing table, sorting through makeup like she’s prepping a model for a photoshoot.
“You’re definitely not wearing black,” Lexi says, holding up a short lace dress. “You’ll blend right into the rest of them. We want wow, not funeral.”
Luna snorts. “What’s wrong with the one you picked earlier? It’s classic.”
“It’s predictable,” Xanthe cuts in, flicking her wrist. “We’re going soft tonight. Think redemption. Think she’s been through hell but came out stunning.”
I can’t help it, my lips twitch into a smile. They notice immediately.
“There it is,” Luna says, grinning. “A smile. I knew you had one somewhere under all that trauma.”
“Sorry,” I say automatically, because the word still spills out before I can stop it.
Lexi waves me off. “You don’t need to apologise in this room, babe. Rule number one of Chaos women—no sorry unless you’ve actually stabbed someone’s old man, and even then, it depends on who . . . and why.”
That earns a laugh from Luna. “She’s right. Shadow could probably do with being taken down a peg or two anyway.”
I choke on a laugh that turns into a giggle, the sound strange and unfamiliar in my throat. “You’d stab Shadow?”
Luna grins. “If he deserved it. But don’t worry, I like him too much for that. He’s a pain in the arse, but he’s loyal. You picked one of the good ones.”
I look down at my hands, fiddling with the hem of Shadow’s old shirt. “I didn’t pick him. He just . . . didn’t give up on me.”
“Same thing, babe,” Xanthe says, dabbing concealer onto my cheekbone with a brush. “Sometimes the best ones don’t ask. They just stay.”
Her touch is soft, gentle where the bruises still live. “You’ve got good skin under all this,” she murmurs. “Bit pale, but we’ll call it ethereal instead of near-death.”
Lexi bursts out laughing. “Subtle, Xan.”
“It’s a compliment,” Xanthe protests.
And just like that, the room fills with laughter again. Real laughter. The kind that pushes the air around and makes my chest loosen a little.
Lexi holds up a dress. It’s deep emerald-green, soft satin with a low neckline, but not indecent. “This one,” she declares. “The colour’ll make your eyes pop. Trust me.”
I hesitate, fingers brushing the fabric. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper.
“Then it’s settled,” Luna says, hopping up to fetch heels from a bag near the door. “We’ll do your hair wavy, bit of gloss on the lips, and boom, you’ll make Shadow forget how to speak.”
Xanthe smirks. “That won’t take much effort. He already looks at you like he’s about to commit a crime in your honour.”
I snort out a laugh, blushing. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Sweetheart,” Lexi says, passing me the dress, “we’ve all seen it. The man’s practically feral when you’re in the room. It’s kind of adorable.”
Their words shouldn’t make me warm, but they do. My cheeks ache from smiling. My stomach hurts from laughing. For once, I’m not bracing for cruelty or a blow. I’m surrounded by women who look like they could break a man in half, and yet, they treat me like something worth being around.
It’s new. It’s strange. It’s everything I didn’t know I needed.
When they’re done pruning me, Luna helps zip up the dress. The satin cools against my skin, smooth and light. I glance in the mirror, and for a second, I don’t recognise the woman looking back.
Xanthe’s behind me, adjusting a curl. “Told you. Stunning.”
Lexi hums her agreement. “He’s gonna lose his mind when he sees you.”
I take a shaky breath. “I hope so,” I whisper, half to myself, because my real fear his embarrassing him in front of everyone.
Luna grins, looping her arm through mine. “Then let’s go make it official.”
The hallway hums with voices when we step out. Somewhere below, I can already hear the rumble of bikes and men’s laughter. My heart kicks up a notch.
“Deep breaths,” Lexi murmurs, squeezing my hand. “You’re not walking into a firing squad. You’re walking into your new family.”
Family.
The word hits like sunlight through a crack, and my heart swells a little. I could get used to this.
The old ladies walk beside me like a shield. Luna leading, Xanthe following, and Lexi right at my side, her hand resting on my back. It helps anchor me. Because the second we reach the main room, every head turns.
There are dozens of bikers, some with old ladies I’ve never seen before, others chatting in groups with club girls hanging off them.
I recognise the kuttes of the Hell’s Avengers mixed in with the Chaos Demons.
Their patches gleam under the low amber lights.
Their laughter rolls over the sound of music and pool balls clinking as the smell of oil, beer, and leather fills the air. It’s becoming my favourite scent.
And then, through the noise, I see him.
Shadow stands near the bar, tall and dark, his kutte open over a white T-shirt. His eyes find me instantly, and the moment they do, the noise fades.
I freeze.
He moves first, crossing the room with that slow, steady stride that’s all him, like nothing in the world could touch him. But his jaw’s tight, and his eyes are all over me—my face, my dress, my bare shoulders—like he’s memorising the sight.
The girls stop a few steps behind me. Lexi gives a small nudge, a silent go on, babe.
My feet move before my brain catches up.
He stops in front of me, close enough that I can smell him, all smoke and soap and something warm that’s become home. His voice is low, meant only for me. “You look beautiful, Rem. Stunning.”
My throat closes. “You told me to dress for the part.”
His lips twitch into the faintest smile. “You did better than that.”
Before I can say anything, Axel’s voice cuts through the room, loud, and commanding. “Alright, everyone, let’s get this show on the road!”
The laughter dies down, chairs scrape, and conversations fade. All eyes turn towards the front, where Axel’s standing with a beer in hand.
Shadow doesn’t move, but his hand slides down my arm, finding my fingers. He grips them tight, grounding me.
Axel’s gaze flicks between us, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Tonight’s about respect,” he begins, voice carrying easily through the room. “Brotherhood and loyalty.” He looks directly at me. “And it’s about knowing who stands where.”
My pulse pounds in my ears.
Shadow steps forward, still holding my hand. I glance up at him, heart racing so hard, it hurts. He gives a small nod, a silent trust me.
Axel grins. “You got something to say, brother?”
Shadow takes a slow breath, his grip on me firm but not possessive. Just solid, steady. He turns to face the crowd, all of them watching, waiting.
“Yeah,” he says, voice low but clear. “I do.” Then he lifts our joined hands, the gesture simple but powerful. “Most of you know Remi. You know what she’s been through. You know what she’s done. But none of that matters because from this moment on, she’s mine.”
The word echoes, rolling through the room like thunder. Mine.
His eyes find mine and don’t waver. “I’m claiming her. Remi belongs under this patch. Under this roof. Under my protection.”
My breath catches. My throat burns.
He takes a step closer, his voice lower but still carrying. “And anyone who’s got a problem with that can take it up with me.”
For a heartbeat, no one moves, then Axel raises his beer. “To our new old lady.”
The room erupts with cheers, whistles and laughter. Luna whoops from behind me, Xanthe grinning wide. Someone yells, “About bloody time!”
Shadow doesn’t take his eyes off me. Not once. He leans in, his breath brushing my ear. “Say something, Rem.”
I blink up at him, chest tight, voice trembling. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Say you’re mine.”
I swallow hard. My heart is hammering so hard, I can barely breathe, but I manage to whisper it anyway. “Yes.”
His smile breaks slow, small but real. “Good girl.”
He cups my face with both hands and kisses me. Right there, in front of everyone. It’s not a soft kiss. It’s rough and full and desperate. It’s a claim and a promise and an apology all at once.
The crowd roars again, banging on tables and yelling their approval.
But for me, the world goes quiet.
All I can feel is him, the warmth of his hands, the press of his lips, the steady beat of his heart against mine.
I’ve found what I’ve been craving all along.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine. “You okay?” he murmurs.
I nod, tears spilling despite my best effort. “Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m okay now.”
He smiles faintly. “Good, because this is just the beginning.”
He keeps his arm around me as Axel calls for drinks and the music kicks back in, but I don’t hear any of it.
Because right now, for the first time, I’m not the broken girl from a ruined house.
I’m Remi. I’m Shadow’s old lady.
Ragnor steps closer, shaking Shadow’s hand. “Congratulations,” he says, “About time.”
Then he turns to me, hesitating before pressing a gentle kiss to my cheek. “It’s good to see you, Rem. I’m pleased for you.” I smile, shy and unsteady. I didn’t need Ragnor’s approval, but having it feels lighter.
“Cheers, brother,” Shadow cuts in, slapping him on the shoulder. “Means a lot.”
The music is still thumping when Axel shouts something about shots. The room explodes with noise again, laughter, and the sound of glass hitting tables.
Shadow’s hand hasn’t left the small of my back since the moment he kissed me. He’s calm again. I can feel it in his touch, in the way he breathes. All the tension’s left him.
“Come on,” he murmurs, his mouth close to my ear. “There’s one more thing we need to do.”
My stomach flips. “Another announcement?”