"I want to," I admit. "He seems different this time. More... present. Like he's finally waking up after years of sleepwalking through life."
Jacob tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, "People can change when they have the right motivation. I've seen it in the club. Men who were headed for death or prison turning their lives around because they found something worth living for."
"What's your something?" I ask boldly, holding his gaze.
"I'm looking at her."
Before I can respond, he's kissing me, his mouth claiming mine with a certainty that makes my knees weak. This isn't like our desperate kisses from last night, born of adrenaline and fear. This is passionate, thorough, a man staking his claim.
When he finally pulls away, we're both breathing hard.
"Sorry," he says, not looking sorry at all. "I've been wanting to do that all day."
"Don't apologize," I murmur, my hands still clinging to his shoulders. "I've been wanting you to."
He rests his forehead against mine, our breath mingling in the small space between us. "The safe house is stocked with everything we need to stay there comfortably for a week or more. But it's isolated. Just the three of us."
"Sounds perfect," I say, meaning it. Time away from the chaos, time to explore whatever is growing between us, time for James to continue his newfound journey toward recovery.
"King says the operation against Vulture will happen in two days. Once it's done, we'll be able to come back." His hands tighten slightly on my waist. "And then you'll have choices to make."
I understand what he's not saying. Once the immediate danger is past, I'll need to decide what comes next. Return to my old life? Stay connected to Jacob and the club? Try to balance both worlds somehow?
"We'll have choices to make," I correct him gently. "Together, remember?"
He smiles, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Together."
A knock at the open door interrupts us. Tank stands there, his massive body filling the doorway. "Vehicles are ready," he announces. "King wants you on the road before full dark."
Jacob nods. "We'll be right there."
Tank's eyes move between us, before he turns and leaves without another word.
"Guess it's time," I say, reluctant to leave the sanctuary of Jacob's arms.
"Yeah." He releases me, picking up my backpack and slinging it over his shoulder alongside his own duffel. "Stay close to me until we're on the road. Just in case."
The reminder of the danger we're still in sobers me. "Do you think the Eagles will try something tonight?"
"I don't think so. We've taken precautions, created a diversion to make them think we're heading in a different direction." He holds out his hand to me. "But I'm not taking any chances. Not with you."
I place my hand in his, the contrast between our fingers striking. His large, calloused from years of mechanical work, mine small and smooth. Different worlds, different paths, somehow converging in this moment.
We walk through the clubhouse hand in hand, finding James waiting in the main room alongside King, Luna, and several other club members. My brother looks nervous but resolute, his eyes clear for the first time in days.
"Everything set?" Jacob asks King.
"All clear," King confirms, his piercing blue eyes assessing us as a unit. "Tank and Beast will lead the decoy convoy east. You three head west in the SUV. Standard evasive routes, no stops until you reach the safe house."
Jacob nods, accepting a set of keys from King. "Communications protocol?"
"Check-in every six hours. Burner phones only, code words as established. We'll contact you when the job is done." King turns his attention to me and James. "Until then, you stay put. You don't leave the property for any reason. Clear?"
"Clear," I confirm, James nodding beside me.
Luna steps forward, pressing a small paper bag into my hands. "Some snacks for the road," she says with a warm smile. "And my personal number. If you need anything, anything at all, you call me directly."
The kindness in her gesture brings unexpected tears to my eyes. "Thank you. For everything."
