"Ms. Carter! Can we get a statement about the verdict? How does it feel to be vindicated?"
Before I can intervene, Beth straightens her shoulders and turns fully to face the reporter. "Justice was served today. That's all that matters."
The reporter presses closer. "Are you concerned about retaliation? Will you be entering witness protection?"
I step between them. "No further questions. She's given her statement."
"But—"
"She said no further questions." My tone leaves no room for argument.
The reporter hesitates, then backs away, signaling to her cameraman. They retreat toward the main courthouse entrance where other media have gathered.
"Sorry," Beth says quietly as we continue toward the car. "I shouldn't have stopped."
"It's okay. You handled it well." I open the car door for her. "Let's get you somewhere safe."
Once we're in the vehicle, Blade behind the wheel, some of the tension leaves my body. We pull away from the courthouse, merging into Denver traffic. In the rearview mirror, I see Dice and Viper follow on their bikes, maintaining distance but keeping visual contact.
"Where are we going?" Beth asks, her hand finding mine on the seat between us.
"Safe house outside the city that Reaper got us," I tell her. "We'll stay there tonight, then head back to Pine Haven tomorrow. Reaper thinks it's best to keep you close until we're sure there's no blowback from the verdict."
She nods, accepting this without argument. "And after that?"
I turn to face her fully. "That's up to you. What do you want, Beth?"
She looks down at our joined hands, then back up to meet my eyes. "I want to feel safe again. I want to rebuild my life. And..." she hesitates, "I want to see if what's between us is real or just a product of the danger we've been through."
"It's real," I say without hesitation. "At least for me."
A soft smile touches her lips. "For me too."
Blade clears his throat from the driver's seat, reminding us we're not alone. "Safe house is thirty minutes out. No tails that I can see."
I nod, but my focus remains on Beth. On the way her hand feels in mine, on the future that suddenly seems possible now that her testimony is complete and justice has been served.
We ride in silence for a while, the city gradually giving way to suburbs, then to more rural surroundings. Beth gazes out the window, occasionally squeezing my hand as if to reassure herself I'm still there.
By the time we reach the safe house, a modest cabin set back from the road, screened by trees, the sun is beginning to set. Dice and Viper arrive shortly after us, completing our security perimeter.
While the others secure the property and set up a watch rotation, I show Beth inside. It's similar to the northern cabin where we first took shelter, though smaller. Just the basics—a living area, kitchen, single bedroom, and bathroom.
"Home sweet home, at least for tonight," I say, setting down our bags.
Beth explores the space, her fingers trailing over surfaces as if reacquainting herself with normalcy after the intensity of the courtroom. When she reaches the bedroom doorway, she pauses, looking back at me with an expression I can't quite read.
"What is it?" I ask.
"I was just thinking about what happens next," she says. "About Pine Haven, about us."
I move to join her, keeping a respectful distance despite my desire to pull her into my arms. "Whatever you want to happen, Beth. No pressure, no expectations."
"And what about your club? Your prospect status? Won't there be consequences for..." she gestures between us, "this?"
It's a question I've been wrestling with since that first morning in the cabin. "Probably," I admit. "But I'll handle it."
"I don't want to come between you and your brothers."
