He's got blood on his hands—literally, Flint's blood—and his expression is wrecked.
"Dad."
He crosses the distance, pulls me into a hug, careful not to squeeze too hard.
"I'm so sorry, baby girl. I should've protected you better. Should've left more brothers. Should've?—"
"You came," I say firmly. "You and Shadow came. That's all that matters to me."
He pulls back, cups my face in his bloody hands. "Did they hurt you?"
"Just what you can see. Bruised face. Sore wrists. Possible concussion. But I'm okay."
"You're not okay. You were kidnapped, kiddo."
"But I'm out now." I look between him and Shadow. "Because you came for me."
A coughing sound pulls our attention over to Snake, who’s still alive.
Shiver is zip tying his hands together, and puts a tourniquet on his leg.
It’s bleeding, but I doubt they want him to bleed out.
Brothers are securing the scene, checking the property, making sure there are no more threats.
The Mojave Wolves Prez—Ghost, I hear someone call him—approaches Shadow.
"The other seven scattered when the shooting started. Took off on bikes. Damon's group cut off three of them on the road. Four got away, headed back toward Vegas probably."
Shadow's jaw tightens. "They'll report back to Venom in Houston. Tell him Flint's dead. Tell him we're coming."
Ghost nods grimly. "Probably already on the phone. You've got maybe twelve hours before Venom mobilizes his full crew."
"Then we don't have much time."
"No," Dad says. "We don't. But right now, priority is getting Grace somewhere safe. We’ll deal with Venom after."
Shadow nods, wraps his cut around my shoulders. The leather is heavy, warm, and smells like him. Like home.
"Can you walk?" he asks me.
"Yes."
"Humor me anyway."
And before I can protest, he's scooping me up, carrying me like I weigh nothing.
I should argue. Should insist I can walk on my own. But honestly? I'm exhausted. Traumatized. My legs feel like jelly.
So I wrap my arms around his neck and let him carry me.
Phantom walks beside us, one hand on my ankle—the only part of me he can reach while Shadow's carrying me.
A gesture of comfort. Of connection.
My father and my husband. The two most important men in my life. Both covered in the blood of the man who tried to own me.
And I've never felt safer.
