Page 75 of Property of Fox

“Of all people, Asher, I would have thought you would have been understanding.”

“Enough, both of you!” Azrael yells.

His words hang heavy in the air. The rest of the room seems to hold its breath, caught in the crossfire of our exchange.

"Asher’s right," I say into the angry silence around us. "The last thing I want to do is be the catalyst to a war.” I feel everyone's gaze on me, their skepticism coating the air like heavy smoke. "I don’t want to draw blood on your doorstep.”

“Yet, here you are asking it of us.”

“Look, I may be the asshole for saying this, but we owe nothing to this woman. Just because Fox fucked her, it doesn’t mean she gets our protection,” another member interjects. “It’s their mess. Not the clubs. The Hellions may never find out about Fox’s involvement. If or when that happens, then, we handle it.”

Fox's voice drips with possessiveness as he speaks, "Brea is mine. She belongs to me and I will protect her, even if it means going against this entire club."

Orion's eyes narrow in disagreement, "We have rules for a reason. We can't just declare someone as property without a vote."

"Did we vote on Hallie?" I interject, my voice rising in anger. My fists clench at my sides as the tension in the room escalates. This could tear our club apart, but I won't back down when it comes to defending those I care about. My eyes go wide as murmurs break out between the men at the table.

I’d seen what being claimed did to my mom. While I hadn’t been present, thank God, I’d overheard Tank reliving the details with one of the other officers. Every fucking officer took his turn with her for all the club to see. Club protection be damned. I will never allow such a violation.

“You’re not claiming me,” I speak quietly, just to him.

Fox leans in close. “You’re refusing me? I’m trying to protect you. They can’t deny you protection or send you back if I claim you. Let me do this, firefly. Please.”

“Do you accept his claim?” Azrael calls out.

I look to Fox and then to the rest of the room. Asher’s dark eyes bore into my soul as if he were trying to will me to disappear.

“Fox—” I start, but he cuts me off.

“Say yes,” he urges softly, his tone imploring me to save myself by accepting his claim. Save myself, but at what cost? The two words grip my insides like steel vise, squeezing out any rational thoughts. I can feel everyone watching me. Saying yes has consequences for everyone. Saying no means the only person that will get hurt is me.

There’s only one choice. One impossible choice.

“I do not accept his claim.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Fox's voice trembles with disbelief, his fingers clenching mine tightly. I feel his confusion, anger, and even a hint of betrayal simmering beneath the surface.

"I'm not crazy," I retort. “I'm fighting to prevent a fate that I refuse to accept for us both. I’m giving you an out to protect yourself and your club.”

Asher's anger simmers beneath his composed exterior. "You think rejecting him will keep you safe? They'll still target you. Just by being here, you've made yourself a target."

"It's my decision!" I yell, emotions swirling as intensely as Fox's seething anger.

A deep snarl rumbles from Fox as he steps closer, bridging the gap between us. "No one should have to sacrifice freedom for safety, Brea," he says softly yet resolutely.

Azrael interjects with a controlled urgency in his tone. "It’s her choice, but I see the other side of the argument, too. If, and I mean if, Brea and her friend need to be protected they can stay here a few days until we can find someplace safe to set them up more permanently.”

“I can live with that.”

The only question is, can Fox accept my decision?

FOX

Anger seethes through me,boiling in my veins until I feel like I might explode. Brea's refusal to accept my claim is like a slap in the face. Az's pathetic attempt at offering temporary protection is nothing compared to what I could have given her if she’d accepted.

As soon as the meeting is over, my rage takes over. The next thing I know, I am dragging her by the arm out of the room and straight to the room I keep here at the clubhouse. She jumps as the door slams hard against the frame behind her.

“What the fuck were you thinking, Brea? I was trying to protect you.”

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