"I love you too. Come back to me."
"Always."
Dad approaches, his expression hard. "Shadow, we're moving out."
Shadow nods, steps back from me, and I watch him transform.
Watch the man I love disappear behind the enforcer's mask.
Cold. Dangerous. Ready for whatever comes next.
Dad turns to me. "Baby girl, you stay inside the clubhouse. Siren and Sakura are staying back with you, the kids, and other ol’ ladies. A few brothers too, for protection."
"Dad—"
"No arguments." His voice is pure command. "You stay here. We handle this. Then we come back."
He pulls me into a hug, quick and tight.
"Love you, Grace."
"Love you too, Dad. Be careful."
"Always am."
Then he's gone, mounting his bike.
The convoy forms—twenty-five men on motorcycles and in trucks, a wall of leather and chrome, ready to end this today.
Shadow's in the truck now with Banshee, and he looks back at me one last time.
Our eyes meet across the parking lot.
Then he's gone.
They all are.
The rumble of motorcycles fades into the distance, and I'm left standing in the compound with Siren, Sakura, Charlie, the rest of the women and children, and three Reapers Rejects prospects who drew the short straw to stay behind on guard duty.
"Come on," Siren says, touching my arm. "Let's go inside. No point watching the road."
The clubhouse feels empty without the brothers.
Too quiet. Too still.
Siren, Sakura, and I sit in the main room.
Charlie's at my feet, cone bumping against my leg as she shifts.
The rest of the women and kids are running amuck, but I’m really focusing on the small group in front of me.
Nobody's talking.
We're all just... waiting.
I check my phone. 8:59 PM.
They should be there by now. At the lot. Facing Copperhead Kings.
