Chapter Thirty #2
Reaper’s grin had faded into something more thoughtful, more approving.
He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
“She’s got a point,” he said finally, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
“Chapman gave up the tomb. That’s not nothing.
Most men would rather die than walk away from that kind of power. ”
“He didn’t have a choice,” Zeke said, but his voice lacked conviction.
“He had a choice,” Reaper corrected, his tone sharp. “He could’ve walked away from Hope and kept his role. But he didn’t. He chose her. And that means something.”
Balthazar’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, and I saw the struggle written across his face. He wanted to protect me. Wanted to keep me safe from the darkness he knew too well. But he also knew that I was right.
“Hope,” he said finally, his voice rough. “If he hurts you—”
“He won’t,” I said firmly.
“If he does—”
“Then I will deal with it,” I interrupted, stepping closer.
“I’m not a child, Balthazar. I’m not Mom.
I’m a grown woman who’s capable of making her own choices and facing the consequences.
And I’m choosing Chapman. Not because I’m na?ve or afraid.
But because I love him. Because he’s mine.
And because no one, not you, not Zeke, not Reaper, not the entire fucking MC world, gets to take that away from me. ”
Balthazar stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded.
“Okay,” he said quietly.
I blinked, surprised. “Okay?”
“Okay.” He looked at Chapman, his eyes hard. “But if you hurt her. If you ever make her regret this choice, I will end you. Golden Line-Up or not. Reaper’s orders or not. I will fucking end you.”
Chapman met his gaze steadily, his voice rough but clear. “Understood.”
Zeke stepped forward, his expression tight but resigned.
“I was lost when I found Joan,” he said quietly.
“I walked away from everything because I didn’t know what else to do.
Joan saved me, and yes, I love her more than the patch on my back and wouldn’t think twice before walking away for her.
So I get it, Chapman. I do. But Balthazar’s right.
You hurt my sister, and there won’t be anywhere you can hide.
Not from us. Not from the club. Not from anyone. ”
Chapman nodded slowly. “I won’t hurt her.”
“You better not,” Zeke said, his voice low and dangerous. Then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but... welcome to the family, I guess.”
Charity let out a whoop of triumph, and Joy grinned, her eyes shining with tears.
Digger clapped Chapman on the shoulder and said, “Told you it’d work out, brother.”
Stella smirked and crossed her arms. “Well, that was entertaining. Anyone else want to argue about who can date whom, or are we done here?”
Reaper stood, his grin returning in full force. “I think we’re done.” He looked at me, his expression almost approving. “You’ve got spine, girl. I’ll give you that.”
I met his gaze steadily. “I learned from the best.”
He laughed, a sharp, genuine sound, and shook his head. “Chapman, you’re a lucky bastard. Don’t fuck this up.”
“I won’t,” Chapman said, his voice rough.
Reaper nodded, then turned and walked toward the door. “Digger, Sandman, let’s roll. We’ve got business to handle before we leave this godforsaken state. God, I miss California.”
Digger squeezed Chapman’s shoulder one more time, then followed Reaper out. Stella paused long enough to wink at me, then disappeared after them.
The room felt suddenly quiet, the tension draining away like water through a sieve.
Balthazar stood near the fireplace, his arms still crossed, his expression tight but resigned.
Zeke leaned against the window frame, his gaze distant.
Charity and Joy hovered near the couch, their faces bright with barely suppressed excitement.
And Chapman sat on the couch, his eyes locked on mine, his expression raw and overwhelmed.
I crossed the room slowly, deliberately, and sat down beside him. His hand found mine immediately, his fingers threading through mine with desperate intensity.
“You chose me,” he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.
“I chose you,” I confirmed, squeezing his hand. “Not because I had to. Not because anyone ordered me to. But because I want to. Because you’re mine, Chapman. And I’m yours.”
His eyes shone with unshed tears, and he leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine. “I love you,” he whispered. “God, Hope, I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” I whispered back.
Balthazar cleared his throat, and I looked up to see him watching us, his expression conflicted but softer than before. “I still don’t like this,” he said quietly. “But... I respect your choice, Hope. And I’ll support it. Even if it kills me.”
I smiled, tears slipping down my cheeks. “Thank you.”
He nodded, then turned and walked toward the kitchen, his shoulders tight with tension.
Zeke pushed off the window frame and crossed the room, stopping in front of Chapman. “Take care of her,” he said, his voice low. “Or I’ll make the Golden Line-Up look like a fucking mercy killing.”
Chapman met his gaze steadily. “I will.”
Zeke nodded, then looked at me. “You sure about him, Hope?”
“I’m sure,” I said firmly.
He sighed, then leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Okay. Then I’m happy for you. Even if I think you’re both insane.”
I laughed, the sound watery but genuine. “We probably are.”
“Definitely are,” Charity said, grinning. “But that’s what makes it fun.”
Joy bounced on her toes, her face bright with excitement. “So when’s the wedding?”
Chapman and I looked at each other, and I saw the question in his eyes.
“Soon,” I said quietly, my gaze locked on his. “Soon.”