The clang of the metal door is louder than I remember.
Faith grips my hand tighter as we step into the room, the smell of disinfectant and burnt coffee thick in the air.
Oak’s already at the table, arms folded across his chest, expression unreadable.
“Sit,” he says like a command, his voice rough.
I guide Faith into the chair beside me, then drop into the seat across from her brother. These tables aren’t meant for men my size.
“You’ve got something to tell me?” he says, jaw clenched, eyes locked on me, not even looking at his sister.
Faith shifts beside me. “Oak?—”
“I was talking to him,” he growls.
I swallow. Hard. He knows. Fuck. He already knows.
“Yeah. We’re… together.” I brace myself. “It started when she moved in. I didn’t plan it.”
“You touched my baby sister?” His voice is deep now, more gruff. “My baby sister?”
Faith flinches. “Oak, please?—”
He leans in, eyes burning holes through me. “Tell me, Wrath… was it worth it?”
I open my mouth. Nothing comes out and I thank the lord for the table between us and the guard at the side.
“It’s not what you think. I love her.”
He smirks.
“Good. Because if you hadn’t touched her, I’d have called you a coward.”
Faith gasps. “Oak!”
He shrugs, relaxing into his chair. “What? You think I didn’t know?”
He points at me. “You’ve always looked out for my sister since she was a kid. I wouldn’t trust her with anyone else.”
I blink. “How the hell did you know?”
“Mum came to see me.” His face softens. “She’s going to AA. Wants to make amends. She told me what happened. What you did for Faith. You saved her, man.”
I nod once, still tense, not trusting where this is going.
He glances between us, leaning back in his chair. “You’ve always been like a brother to me. I’d be honoured to have you in the family officially. Someday.”
“Someday,” I echo. “I’ll leave the club if I have to. Whatever it takes. But I want your blessing.”
“It wasn't my choice to keep her away. I thought I was doing what was best. Club’s family.”
I nod in agreement. It’s not even the club, it’s everyone down at the Black Crow. Without Kane, I’d have probably been the one serving time right now, instead of spending time with my girl.
“Mum said you passed your A-levels.” He beams at Faith like he couldn’t be happier for her.
Faith smiles, looking down and twiddling her thumbs. I can tell she’s quietly chuffed—and so she should be.
“Mum might not show it, but she was bragging about you. Said you grafted hard for those results. No thanks to her.”
