"He'll never touch either of you again," he says, his voice a low rumble of absolute conviction. "I promise you that, Amelia."
And God help me, despite everything, despite years of broken promises and shattered trust, I believe him.
When Anna returns, ice cream smeared around her mouth and chattering about how Luna showed her the motorcycle pictures on the wall, I feel something unfamiliar bloom in my chest. It takes me a moment to recognize it.
Hope.
It's fragile and frightening. Hope always is when you've had it beaten out of you, but it's there. For the first time in years, I allow myself to imagine a future where we don't look over our shoulders. Where Anna doesn't flinch at loud noises. Where I don't wear long sleeves in summer to hide the bruises.
My phone vibrates again in my pocket, but this time, I don't reach for it. Let Derek send his threats. Let him think he's closing in. For the first time, I'm not running scared.
I'm standing my ground.
Chapter 3 - Tank
Amelia’s been through hell, but there's still steel in her spine.
The kind that doesn't bend or break, no matter how much pressure is applied. It reminds me of something my drill sergeant once said: "It's not about how hard you can hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."
This woman has been hit harder than most, yet here she is, still moving forward. For her daughter. For herself.
"We need to move you both to the safe house tonight," I say, pulling myself back to the task at hand. "Pack whatever you brought with you. We'll leave in twenty minutes."
Jenny nods. "We don't have much. Just what we could fit in my car."
"Your car stays here," I tell her firmly. "We'll take one of ours. Less chance of it being recognized if your ex has put out feelers."
Amelia swallows hard. "He has. He's already texted my mother's nursing home pretending to be concerned about finding us."
"All the more reason to move quickly." I turn to Luna. "Can you help them get ready? I need to talk to King about our next steps."
"Of course." Luna gives Amelia's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
As the women gather Anna and head toward the back of the clubhouse, I make my way to King's office. He's already there, phone to his ear, probably updating the rest of the club on our change of plans. When he sees me, he wraps up his call.
"Rage and Torch succeeded," he tells me, sliding his phone into his pocket. "Warehouse is ash, no casualties."
I nod, relieved. "Good. One less thing to worry about."
"So," King leans against his desk, arms folded. "Your sister and her friends. What's the plan?"
"Moving them to the cabin tonight. Beast will come with us as backup. I'll stay there until tomorrow, then head to Riverbrook to deal with the ex-husband."
King raises an eyebrow. "You're going to Riverbrook alone?"
"No," I concede. "I'll probably take Steel. He knows how to handle cops without leaving evidence."
"This guy's dangerous?"
"He fractured her ribs last month. Put bruises on his five-year-old daughter's arm three days ago."
King's expression hardens. "Then he's already a dead man walking. He just doesn't know it yet."
"I'm not looking to start a war with the Riverbrook PD," I say. "But I need to make sure he understands that Amelia and Anna are untouchable now."
"And if he doesn't get the message?"
I meet King's gaze steadily. "Then I'll make sure he's not a problem anymore."
