"It's about me, Tyler. I should be there."
"That's exactly why you shouldn't be." I move closer, needing her to understand. "Your presence would complicate things. Make him more volatile, more unpredictable."
"Or it might help him see reason," she counters. "Show him I'm serious about leaving."
I shake my head. "He's had plenty of chances to see reason, Liv. All those times he apologized after hitting you? Those weremoments he recognized what he was doing was wrong. And he did it anyway."
She flinches at the bluntness of my words.
"I'm sorry," I say, gentling my tone. "But I need you to understand. Men like Devin don't respond to reason when it comes to control. They only understand strength. Consequences."
"And you're going to show him both?" Her voice is barely above a whisper.
"I told you. Only if necessary." I hold her gaze steadily. "But you need to trust me on this. Stay here, where it's safe."
She's quiet for a long moment, her internal struggle visible in the set of her shoulders, the way she chews her bottom lip, a nervous habit I remember from years ago.
"Fine," she says finally. "But promise me you won't..." She trails off, unable to finish the thought.
"I promise I'll only do what's necessary to ensure your safety," I say. It's not exactly what she's asking for, but it's the most honest answer I can give.
She studies my face, searching for reassurance. Whatever she sees there seems to satisfy her, for now at least, because she nods slowly.
"Okay." She takes a deep breath. "So, what do we do until tomorrow? Just sit in this motel room and wait?"
The question catches me off guard. I've been so focused on the tactical side of the situation—securing Olivia, planning my approach to Devin—that I haven't thought about the hours stretching between now and then.
Hours alone in a motel room with the woman I've never been able to forget.
"We could get food," I suggest, grasping for normalcy. "There's that Chinese place you used to like on Main Street. Does it still have the good egg rolls?"
A small smile touches her lips. "Golden Dragon? Yeah, it's still there. Still has the good egg rolls."
"I could pick some up. Bring it back here." I check my watch. "It's almost dinner time anyway."
"That sounds good." Her smile widens slightly, and for a moment I see the Olivia I remember. The one who used to light up rooms just by walking into them. Before Devin dimmed that light.
I find myself smiling back despite everything. "Any requests besides the egg rolls?"
"Kung pao chicken. Extra spicy." She tilts her head. "You remember I like it spicy, right?"
"I remember everything about you, Liv." The words slip out before I can stop them, too honest, too revealing.
Her eyes widen slightly, and a flush rises on her cheeks. "I... um..."
"I'll be back in thirty," I say quickly, grabbing my keys and cut from the chair. "Lock the door behind me. Don't open it for anyone but me."
She nods, the moment broken. "Be careful."
The concern in her voice follows me out the door, settling somewhere in my chest like a physical weight. I wait until I hear the deadbolt slide into place before heading to my bike.
The ride to Golden Dragon gives me time to think, to plan. Tomorrow's confrontation with Devin needs to be handled carefully. Enough force to make the message clear, not so much that it draws unwanted attention. I need to make sure he understands that Olivia is off-limits without creating problems that could blow back on the club.
Reaper's words echo in my head. *Club comes first. But family is why we fight.*
Olivia isn't technically family. She doesn't even know how I feel about her. Never has. But she's the closest thing to family I've had since my mother died when I was sixteen. The one constant in my mind during the worst days overseas. The face I saw when IEDs were exploding and bullets were flying and I thought each breath might be my last.
I pull into the Golden Dragon parking lot, killing the engine. The familiar red and gold sign brings back memories. Late night study sessions in high school, Olivia insisting Chinese food helped her think better. Picking up takeout when her dad died, because someone had to make sure she ate. The easy friendship we had before everything got complicated.
