Page 106 of Single Mom's Bikers

“Never again.” He meets my eyes over her head. “Your uncles won’t let anyone hurt you. Ever.”

“That’s what you were protecting.” Chase’s voice makes me turn. He watches Rick with Violet, his expression softening. “Every lie, every secret. It was for them.”

“Yes.” The truth comes easier now. “Everything was for them. But loving you…” My voice breaks. “That was for me. The only real thing I’ve had in years.”

Zane moves then, finally touching me. Just his hand on my shoulder, but it anchors me.

“Tell us the rest.” His voice holds more gentleness than I deserve. “All of it.”

Words stick in my throat as Violet’s cries soften. Rick still holds her, his large frame somehow gentle with my baby girl. Through the door, I glimpse Daisy watching us all with those knowing eyes.

“I drugged them.” The confession burns. “The night we ran. So they wouldn’t remember leaving. Wouldn’t cry and give us away.”

No one speaks, but Chase’s sharp intake of breath says enough.

“Rose helped arrange everything.” I wrap my arms around myself, cold despite Zane’s warmth beside me. “Safe houses across three states until we found Wolf Pike. New papers. New names. Oh, and don’t ask me about the names. I love my new name, and those of my daughters.”

Rick returns, and Violet is finally sleeping again. His eyes hold questions I’m not sure I can answer.

The front door opens before Rick can ask his questions. Rose stumbles in, one hand pressed to her bullet-grazed shoulder. Draven supports her weight, his own face bruised but determined.

“Perimeter’s secure,” he reports, helping Rose to a chair. “FBI teams have the town locked down. Death’s Head is retreating.”

“What about Luca?” The name tastes like ash in my mouth.

“Cornered.” Rose’s professional mask slips, showing real pain. “My teams have him surrounded at the paper mill.”

“Your teams.” Chase’s laugh holds no humor. “Because you’re FBI. Of course.”

“Former FBI.” She meets his gaze steadily. “I walked away when the bureau wouldn’t act on my evidence against Luca, and when they buried my reports about missing women and children.”

The realization slams me like a wrecking ball. “That’s how you found me. You were investigating him.”

“Three years undercover.” She winces as Draven checks her wound. “Building a case while watching him destroy lives. Until I saw you helping Maria escape.”

The memory surfaces—a young mother clutching her baby, terror in her eyes. I’d given her cash from Luca’s safe and directions to a shelter with hopes for freedom.

“You were his accountant.” Rose’s voice softens. “The quiet wife who kept perfect books. But you were also building escape routes. Helping others run while planning your own escape.”

“Maria made it?” I have to know. For security reasons, we never discussed this.

“Canada.” Rose’s smile holds pride. “With your money and my contacts. Just like the others you helped—Jessica. Ana. My sister.”

The brothers exchange looks at this revelation.

“Your sister?” Draven’s hands are still on her bandage.

“Hannah.” Rose’s composure cracks slightly. “Luca’s men took her when she witnessed a hit. Elena—Evie—she got her out before they could…”

She can’t finish. Doesn’t need to. We all know what Luca’s men do to witnesses.

“That’s when you chose.” I study her face, seeing the truth at last. “Between duty and conscience.”

“I chose justice.” Steel enters her voice. “Real justice, not bureaucratic bullshit that lets monsters hide behind money and power. So I helped you run. Used my FBI knowledge to hide the money you stole. Became the kind of agent I used to hunt.”

“A dirty cop.” Chase’s words come sharp.

“A protector.” Draven defends her instantly. “Of innocent women. Of children. Of family.”

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