"I'm fine," I tell her honestly. "Better than fine, actually."
She notices my hand in Ryan's and grins. "I can see that. Good for you, girl."
Maria approaches us, her eyes still red from crying but looking more composed than she did in the van. "Thank you," she says quietly to Ryan. "For saving us. For everything."
Ryan nods, clearly uncomfortable with the gratitude but accepting it. "You're safe now. That's what matters."
King stands on a small platform at the front of the room, and the noise gradually dies down as everyone turns to look at him.
"Brothers, sisters, friends," he begins, his voice carrying easily across the room. "Last night, we dealt a major blow to the Iron Eagles. We eliminated their leadership, destroyed their new clubhouse, and most importantly, we brought home six women who were being held against their will."
There are applause and cheering, and I feel Ryan's hand tighten around mine.
"Vulture is dead," King continues. "The threat to our club, our families, and our town is over. We can finally move forward instead of constantly looking over our shoulders."
More cheering.
"But this victory came at a cost," King says, his expression sobering. "Shadow took a bullet protecting these women. Several brothers sustained injuries during the raid. And we can never forget the blood that was spilled to get here."
The room falls silent.
"So today, we celebrate," King says, raising a beer. "We celebrate the end of a war. We celebrate the safety of innocent lives. And we celebrate the brotherhood that makes all of this possible. To the Savage Riders!"
"To the Savage Riders!" everyone echoes, raising their drinks.
The party kicks into full swing after that. Music starts playing, food appears from somewhere, and the atmosphere shifts from somber to celebratory.
Ryan stays close to me, introducing me to brothers I haven't met yet. Chaos grins when he sees us together and makes some comment about Shadow finally getting some, which earns him a middle finger from Ryan but also a smile.
Luna pulls me aside at one point, her expression turning serious. "How are you really doing, Rachel? I know last nightwas traumatic, and jumping into bed with Shadow this morning might have been—"
"It was exactly what I needed," I interrupt. "I know it seems fast. I know it probably looks like trauma bonding or whatever psychological term you want to use. But Ryan makes me feel... safe. Worthy. Like I matter."
"Okay. As long as you're sure. Just know that we're here if you need anything—therapy, a place to stay, help figuring out your next steps. You're not alone anymore."
"Thank you," I say, and I mean it. "For everything."
Sarah and the other women gather around me, all of them looking healthier and more hopeful than they did last night. They're all leaving tomorrow: going back to families, starting over in new cities, beginning the long process of healing.
But I'm staying.
With Ryan. With the Savage Riders. With this found family that rescued me and gave me a second chance.
As the party continues, Ryan pulls me aside to a quieter corner of the room.
"You sure about this?" he asks. "Staying here, staying with me. You can still leave. Go anywhere you want. Start fresh somewhere new."
I look at this man, this shadow who stepped into the light for me. Who took a bullet without hesitation. Who shared his deepest pain and made me feel beautiful and worthy and whole.
"I'm sure," I tell him. "Maybe we're doing this backwards. Maybe we're starting at the end and working our way to the beginning. But I want to try. I want to see where this goes."
"Even though I'm fucked up?"
"Especially because you're fucked up. We match." I grin at him. "Like you said, you already took a bullet for me. Seems like a waste to not see if this could be something."
Ryan pulls me close, and I can feel his heart beating against mine. "I don't know how to do this," he admits. "How to be in a relationship. How to let someone in."
"Good thing I don't know either," I say. "We can figure it out together. Make our own rules."
