She tried to speak, but her throat closed up.The steady rhythm of the shop beyond the glass wall of the office faded beneath the rush of blood in her ears.
“What does he mean to me?”she repeated, mostly to buy herself time.
King nodded once.“Yeah.That.”
Mara swallowed hard.She’d known this conversation would come eventually, but she wasn’t ready for it.“He means...”She hesitated.“He means everything.”
King furrowed his brow slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.
“I didn’t plan for it,” she went on, voice trembling now.
Tears gathered before she could stop them.She brushed at them quickly, frustrated.“I thought he was just doing the honorable thing, you know?Saving the girl who can’t save herself, but he’s not like that.He doesn’t pretend to be some hero.He just is. He made me feel safe for the first time in years.Maybe the first time ever.”
Mara continued, “I figured that if I left, it would save him the trouble.Keep your club safe.But he found me packing my bag.He told me he meant what he said to you, that I’m his now, and he protects what’s his.”
King stayed silent, watching her with that steady, unreadable gaze.
For a long moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the shop outside.
Finally, King nodded.“You’re not wrong about him.He’s rough as hell, but loyal down to the bone.When he decides something’s his, he doesn’t back down.Ever,” King said.
He pushed away from the desk, straightening to his full height.“Truth is, I wasn’t sure what to make of you, Mara.Viper’s a good man, but he’s been burned bad before.I had to know if this thing between you two was real.”
Mara blinked through her tears.“And now?”
“Now I know,” King said.
Relief flooded her chest, but she barely had time to process it before King continued, “You’ve got steel in you.I can see that.If you’re staying, we’ll deal with the Serpents and Vultures.Together.I’ll talk to Viper about next steps.”
“Thank you,” Mara said, the words barely audible.
He nodded once.“Don’t thank me yet.Just don’t make me regret it.”
With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Mara standing behind the desk, dazed and a little breathless.
It took her a few minutes to gather herself before she finally stepped out into the main floor of the shop.The mechanics were working on a couple of cars, the smell of burnt rubber and oil thick in the air.
“Hey, boys,” she called, forcing a lighter tone.“I’m taking my break.Anyone want anything from the sandwich place?”
A few of them looked up.The oldest, Benny, wiped his hands on a rag.“Get me the usual.Turkey club, extra pickles.”
“Got it,” Mara said, smiling faintly.
She grabbed her phone, slung her crossbody bag over her shoulder, and headed toward the door.The sun was out for once, warm against her skin when she stepped outside.After the heavy talk with King, she needed fresh air.As she crossed the lot, her phone buzzed.
Viper:Got a surprise for you tonight.
Mara smiled before she could stop it.She texted him back quickly.
Mara:A surprise, huh?Should I be worried?
Viper:Maybe.Depends if you like surprises.
Mara:Guess I’ll find out then.I’m holding you to it.
She tucked her phone away, the faint blush on her cheeks impossible to hide.She still wasn’t used to feeling this light.
The sidewalk leading toward the sandwich shop stretched ahead, framed by pines and highway.It was a good day, the kind she hadn’t let herself enjoy in years.For the first time, she let herself hum softly under her breath.
