General looked at Atilla.“Best way to keep her breathing and send a message?We treat her as Kane’s woman.On paper.”
I whipped my head toward them.“What exactly does this mean?”
Kane watched me, his eyes warm and steady on my profile.He remained silent, making no attempt to speak over me or decide my fate.Instead, he waited, patient and still.
General kept his voice measured.“As far as the club is concerned, you belong in Kane’s circle.Under his protection.His responsibility.No one touches you without going through him.”
“And if I say no?”
General didn’t soften it.“Then we find another way to get you out of town and hope Roth doesn’t chase.”
Hope thinned again, fragile as glass.
Spade spoke bluntly.“Men like Roth rarely let go.He wants leverage, control, punishment.He doesn’t care what you want.”
Ace’s gaze stayed on me.“Difference is, we’re offering you a choice.Roth never would.”
Choice.The word tasted strange.I hadn’t had many real choices lately.Most decisions boiled down to survive another day, or don’t.
Atilla’s stare pinned me.“Nobody forces you.You decide.We live with it.”
My body pivoted toward Kane before my mind completed the thought.He met my gaze as though we stood alone.
“You shouldn’t have to do this.”Kane’s voice was rough yet controlled.“You shouldn’t need to choose between being hunted or carrying my name.”
“I walked into this room,” I reminded him.“I put myself here.”
Kane’s jaw clenched, his anger directed at the situation.“I’d protect you either way.”
His certainty struck me harder than expected.No romance.No performance.Pure truth.Summoning courage, I asked the question which terrified me most.“Why does the label matter?”
Spade answered first.“Territory.A woman unclaimed becomes an opportunity for idiots and predators.A woman claimed becomes off limits.You have Kane’s name on you, the club’s colors on your back, and people know we’ll come for them if they fuck with you.”
General nodded.“Roth understands one language.Consequence.Claim gives consequence teeth.”
My gaze returned to Kane.“You’d want that to be you.”
Kane didn’t hesitate.“Yes.”
One word.No excuses.No pressure layered beneath.He looked ready to take a bullet for the statement and deal with fallout later.
My chest tightened in a different way.
General’s voice softened slightly.“You wouldn’t be chained here.You can walk away anytime.But while Roth remains a threat, you need a shield he respects.”
Atilla cleared his throat.“To be clear, it’s always been a permanent choice.However, Kane didn’t come asking us to protect you.You came to the gates on your own.And since you’re running from someone we want to chase out of town, it could be a mutually beneficial relationship.If, once the dust settles, you decide this life isn’t one you can handle, we’ll help you relocate elsewhere.”
A humorless laugh scraped out of me.“Nothing about this feels simple or temporary.”
Ace leaned forward.“Nothing about what Roth did feels simple either.”
Atilla’s gaze stayed steady.“Talk, Jade.What do you want?”
My mind spun.Run again.Hide again.Start over somewhere else.Except Roth already knew my face, my job, my address.He’d already proven he didn’t fear doors, witnesses, consequences.He’d already put his hands on me and promised worse.
If I said no, I walked out alone into a world where Roth hunted.If I said yes, I stepped into a world of rules, danger, loyalty, and men who scared most people.I tied myself to Kane, a man I knew in fragments -- quiet kindness, steady presence, the way he followed without crowding, the way he didn’t ask for anything.My voice came low.“I don’t want to belong to anyone.”
Kane’s jaw flexed.
