Page 29 of Breaker

“Listen to me, darlin’. That piece of shit is never going to touch you again, you hear me? I won’t let him.”

My voice was hard as steel even as I gentled my grip, rubbing soothing circles over her knuckles with my thumbs. She had to know that I meant every word. That I’d fight for her, kill for her, burn the whole Goddamn world down to keep her safe.

I pulled her into my arms as she crumpled forward, clinging to me like I was the only thing keeping her from flying apart at the seams. And hell, maybe I was. She buried her face against my neck, her tears scalding my skin as harsh sobs wracked her delicate frame.

“Shh, I got you,” I murmured into her hair, rubbing her back in slow, calming strokes. “I got you, Juni. He’ll have to go through me and the whole damn club to get to you. You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”

I held her like that, rocking gently until her weeping quieted to hiccupping breaths and sniffles. The need to shield her, to absorb all her pain and fear into myself was a living thing inside my chest, wild and fierce. I knew I’d do anything to keep her out of that bastard’s clutches. Even if it meant I had to put him in the ground myself.

Juniper drew back just far enough to look at me, her eyes red-rimmed and luminous. Gratitude and affection mingled with the lingering edges of despair.

“What are we going to do, Teller?” she whispered brokenly.

I leaned in, catching a stray tear with my lips before resting my forehead against hers. My eyes locked onto her own, trying to pour every ounce of resolve and devotion I felt into that one look.

“We’re going to fight, darlin’. And we’re sure as hell going to win. I promise you that.”

“I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me,” she whispered, fresh tears welling up in those stormy gray eyes. “Especially not you. And the thought of him getting his hands on those precious kids…”

My heart clenched at the raw emotion in her voice. “I’m not going anywhere, darlin’. I’m in this fight, right by your side. And just as fiercely as I’ll protect you, those kids’ parents will be doing the same for them.”

Juniper’s arms tightened around me, her slender frame molding against my body as if she were trying to anchor herself to me. I could feel the rapid beat of her heart, the way her breath hitched with each wave of emotion.

I let my mind wander to the challenges that lay ahead. Robert Murray was a formidable enemy, a man with resources and a ruthless determination to get what he wanted. But I had something he didn’t -- the unwavering loyalty of my brothers, the strength of the Hades Abyss MC. He might have some wealthy men backing him, but I didn’t doubt they’d cut him loose if they thought for one moment they might go down with him.

“You really think we can do this? That we can take on a man like my uncle and win?” she asked.

“I don’t think, darlin’,” I replied, a fierce grin spreading across my face. “I know. Because when the Hades Abyss MC sets their mind to something, heaven and hell can’t stand in our way.”

And as I drew Juniper back into my arms, feeling the steady thrum of her heartbeat against my chest, I knew that this was just the beginning. A storm was coming, a battle that would test the very limits of our strength and resolve.

But with Juniper by my side and the roar of our bikes beneath us, I had no doubt that we would weather the tempest and emerge victorious. For in the end, that’s what the Hades Abyss MC did best.

We fought. We loved. And we never, ever surrendered.

I leaned in, my forehead resting against hers, our breaths mingling in the scant space between us. “You’re not alone anymore. You never will be again. I promise you that.”

And with those words, I sealed my vow with a kiss, pouring every ounce of my devotion, my protection, and my love into the press of my lips against hers. The world fell away, and there was only us, two souls bound together by a bond that no force on earth could break.

As we parted, I saw a newfound strength in Juniper’s eyes. She nodded, her small hands gripping mine tightly as if drawing courage from my touch.

I stood and put my arms around her breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with Juniper by my side and the club at our backs, I knew we could face anything. We had each other, and that was all that mattered.

“We’ll get through this together,” I murmured, my lips brushing against her temple. “One day at a time, one battle at a time. And when the dust settles, we’ll still be standing, stronger than ever.”

Juniper lifted her head, her gaze locking with mine. In that moment, I saw the depth of her trust, the unwavering faith she had in me and in us. “Together,” she echoed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

And as we stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I felt a sense of peace wash over me, a certainty that no matter what the future held, we would face it head-on, united in our love and our determination to protect what was ours.

The shadows of the past might still haunt us, and the threats of the present might still loom large, but in that moment, none of it mattered. We had found each other, two broken souls made whole by the power of our connection, and that was a bond that nothing and no one could ever break.

Chapter Thirteen

Juniper

The shattering of glass jolted me from my restless slumber. Smoke wafted through the open window as angry shouts pierced the night. I stumbled out of bed, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

Peering out into the darkness, I saw flickering flames illuminate the Hades Abyss compound. Shadowy figures raced back and forth, hurling what looked like Molotov cocktails over the fence. The club members sprang into action, some grabbing weapons while others rushed to douse the spreading flames.