My mother nods approvingly. "As a good brother should. Though I raised my son better than to hurt someone he cares about."
"Yes, you did," I agree, feeling oddly touched by her confidence in me.
"Beast?" my mother repeats, catching Jenny's use of my road name. "That’s what they call you at the club, right?"
I nod, somewhat sheepishly. "Road name. Everyone has one."
"And why 'Beast'?" she asks.
Jenny looks at me with mischief in her eyes. "Yes, Derek, why do they call you Beast?"
I clear my throat, knowing I can't tell my mother the full truth—that I earned the name in underground fighting rings for my brutal efficiency, or that it later took on additional connotations among the club for my bedroom reputation.
"Because I'm big," I say simply. "And not very talkative."
My mother looks at me for a moment, then nods as if accepting this explanation. "Well, I prefer Derek. Always have."
The conversation shifts to safer topics after that, but as we're helping clear the table, my mother pulls me aside while Jenny takes dishes to the kitchen.
"I'm happy for you," she says softly. "She's a good woman. Strong. She'll keep you on your toes."
"She already does," I admit.
"I'm glad her brother is giving you a chance," she continues. "Family is important, Derek. It would be a shame if this came between them."
"Tank's protective," I explain. "But he cares about Jenny's happiness. And despite what he thinks of me, he knows I'm loyal to the club and to those I care about."
My mother smiles knowingly. "Is that what this is? Caring?"
I glance toward the kitchen where Jenny is humming as she rinses plates, looking perfectly at home in my mother's house. The sight does something to me, stirs feelings I've never allowed myself to experience before.
"It's more than that," I say quietly. "A lot more."
My mother's eyes widen slightly before her face breaks into a warm smile. "That's all I've ever wanted for you, son. Someone who makes you feel that way."
As we drive back to the clubhouse later that night, Jenny's arms wrapped around my waist, I can't help but think about how much has changed in just one week. From a fake relationship to something so real it terrifies me with its intensity.
The Iron Eagles are still out there, and Tank is watching our relationship with wary eyes, but for the first time in my life, I feel something that might be close to peace.
As Jenny presses closer against my back, her warmth seeping through my cut, I know one thing for certain: I'll do whatever it takes to protect what we've found together.
Epilogue - Jenny
Two years later
Soft morning light streams through the curtains of our bedroom as I rock three-month-old Elaine in my arms. She's finally drifted off to sleep after her early morning feeding, her tiny fist curled against my chest, dark eyelashes fanned against plump cheeks that are the spitting image of her father's.
"She's out?" Beast whispers from the doorway.
I nod, slowly rising from the rocking chair to place her in the bassinet beside our bed. "For now. She'll be hungry again in a couple of hours."
Beast crosses the room in three strides, wrapping his arms around me from behind as we both gaze down at our daughter. Named after his mother, little Elaine Murphy-Bradley is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, a perfect mix of us both with Beast's dark eyes and my stubborn chin.
"You should get some rest too," Beast murmurs against my hair. "I've got to head to the clubhouse for a meeting, but I'll be back by lunch."
I lean back against his toned chest. "I will. King said it's just a routine check-in, right? Nothing serious?"
"Just club business," he confirms. "Nothing to worry about."
