Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 211(@200wpm)___ 169(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
“I know you did.” That was what made this even harder, because I knew Soren would do whatever it took to keep any children we had together safe.
His thumb brushed across my cheek. “They would know love deeper than most people ever experience. And loyalty that doesn’t break. They’d grow up surrounded by honorary uncles who would die for them.”
I searched his eyes, my heart aching with how much I wanted to believe him. His words painted a picture that felt so strong, but the fear still had a hold on me.
“I’m not ready to fully accept it yet,” I admitted. “But I’m a little closer.”
Soren pulled me closer, capturing my mouth in a deep kiss. “That’s enough for now. When I come back, we’ll talk more. I’m not going anywhere, angel. You’re mine, and I’m going to prove every day that I can keep you and our future safe.”
I nodded against his chest, still torn but feeling another crack in the wall built from my fears. The future he wanted no longer felt entirely out of reach, just terrifyingly real.
It weighed on my mind all night as I tossed and turned in bed beside Soren, being careful not to wake him because he needed to be rested for what he was about to do. But even afraid, I savored those quiet hours while he slept because his nearness held new meaning for me.
Early the following morning, I stood outside with Savannah and a couple of the other old ladies as the men prepared to ride out. Before he left, Soren found me one last time in the small crowd. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, claiming my mouth deeply in front of everyone before he swung his leg over his bike.
“Try not to worry too much, angel. I have too much to live for not to come back to you.”
I watched him ride away with the others, my heart lodged in my throat. The women around me didn’t cry or panic. They stood strong and steady, waving at their men with quiet faith and fierce love shining in their eyes.
The depth of loyalty between these women and their men was impossible to miss. They trusted this life. Built families here. And they loved hard, even knowing the dangers that came with it. Their strength was rooted deep and seemed unbreakable.
At that moment, the last of the wall my fear had caused tumbled down.
If these women could trust this world enough to love their men so completely and raise families here, then maybe I could too. The realization released some of my tension.
Savannah stepped closer and slipped her arm through mine, noticing the emotions playing across my face. “We’ve all been where you are. Scared. Wondering if we’re strong enough for this life. But you’re not alone, Delaney. None of us are. We take care of each other. And our families. Saying that it takes a village is an understatement with the Kings. You’ll never have to do this by yourself.”
I felt the truth in her words, the sisterhood that existed here beyond blood, right along with the brotherhood that was the backbone of the club.
As the last taillight disappeared down the road, I stood a little taller. My heart was still full of hope mixed with lingering fear, but I was no longer running from the future Soren wanted.
I was finally starting to believe I could be brave enough to choose this life with Soren. He just needed to come back to me safe and sound first.
17
REV
The ride into Virginia had been long, and the final approach took even longer because nobody was willing to rush the last piece. I rode point, with Edge and Kane flanking me. Drift took up the rear as tail gunner, while Axle followed in an SUV so ordinary it disappeared into traffic the second you looked away.
The darkness had fully settled, the shadows draping over the deserted road as we moved into position. The location we’d tracked Magnus to was isolated enough to offer concealment, but close enough to the city to provide easy access to the resources he depended on.
Magnus definitely had a type when it came to buildings. He preferred places that felt abandoned but weren’t truly. Structures with history embedded in the walls.
We spent nearly an hour watching.
Lights flickered occasionally behind covered windows, a side door opened once, and a shadow moved across an upstairs room.
Magnus was there. The bastard hadn’t run far enough.
I’d studied the blueprints of this building thoroughly, and they had become familiar enough that I could practically walk them blindfolded. Combined with everything I’d learned about Magnus, I had built a probable layout in my head before we ever arrived.
When the breach finally happened, it unfolded exactly the way I expected. Magnus didn’t panic or grab a weapon and start shooting. And he didn’t go charging to the nearest exit. That wasn’t who he was. Organized offenders rarely chose chaos when they could choose control. They followed plans and relied on preparation in all things, not just their killing rituals. They trusted systems.