When he finally releases her, his eyes are suspiciously bright. "Scared the shit out of me, baby girl," he says roughly. "When Doran called?—"
"I know, Dad. I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Not your fault some bastards decided to make a point." His jaw tightens. "We'll handle it. One way or another."
A woman appears beside them.
Fern, I assume—Dalla's mother.
She's beautiful in a way that explains where Dalla got her looks, same features, minus the scarring that covers up part of her face from a fire many years ago, and a warmth in her expression that's pure maternal relief.
She's wearing jeans and a flannel shirt, no makeup.
This is a woman who's spent decades in the MC life, who's seen things that would break most people, and who's still standing.
Still soft where it matters.
"My baby," she says, pulling Dalla from Runes' arms into her own. "My baby girl. When they called—when they told us what happened?—"
"I'm okay, Mom." Dalla's voice is thick. "I'm okay. I'm here."
"You're never leaving again. I don't care what Greer Mackenzie says. You're staying right here where I can see you."
"Mom—"
"I mean it, Dalla." Fern pulls back, her hands framing her daughter's face. "I know you love your job. I know you need your independence. But you're my child, and someone tried to kill you, and I need you close. At least for a while. Can you give me that?"
Dalla's expression softens. "Yeah, Mom. I can give you that."
Fern hugs her again, tighter this time, and I see Runes watching them with something raw and protective in his eyes.
Thisis what he fights for.
What he'd kill for.
What he'd die for.
Family.
I look away and give them privacy.
And try not to think about what it would feel like to have someone worry about me like that.
My mother left when I was three.
Da raised me alone, poured everything into making me a weapon instead of a son.
I don't know what it's like to have someone's face light up when I walk into a room.
Don't know what it's like to be held like I'm precious, like I'm loved, like I matter more than the job I can do.
Dalla has that.
Has people who would burn the world down for her.
And damn me, I want to be one of them.
The basement is exactly as Runes described: unfinished but private.
