Page 10 of Ruthless Sin

"She could have died tonight," he says quietly, dangerously. "Those Outlaws—"

"But she didn't. She fought back. Put one of them down herself with those brass knuckles you gave her." I can't keep the pride out of my voice. "She's not just your little girl anymore. She's Iron & Blood, through and through."

"And what happens when this goes south?" He turns back to me. "When you two crash and burn? What happens to the club then?"

"That's not—"

"Don't tell me that's not going to happen," he cuts me off. "You're forty-three, Grant. She's twenty-one. You really think this ends well?"

"I think," I choose my words carefully, "that age means shit when it comes to what's real. Look at you and Chloe. Everyone said that wouldn't work either. A journalist getting involved with an MC president? The whole club thought she was a fed or working on some exposé. But you knew what you felt was worth fighting for."

Something shifts in his expression – a crack in the armor. "Chloe wasn't my brother's daughter."

"No, but she was everything the club stands against. A journalist, an outsider. Someone who could have destroyed everything we built." I press on. "Now she's family. Because you trusted your gut, and we all saw what everyone else eventually saw – that you make each other better."

"If you hurt her," he finally says, his voice low and deadly, "if you break her heart—"

"You'll kill me," I nod. "Get in line. Because I'd kill myself first."

He studies me for a long moment, and I see the battle playing out behind his eyes – president versus father, brother versus protector.

"Angel left," he says suddenly, running a hand over his face. "No idea where she went. With the Outlaws out there..." He doesn't finish the sentence, doesn't need to.

My heart rate spikes. "I'll find her."

"You better." His voice hardens. "And Ruthless? Get the word out. I want everyone in this room in an hour. We need to deal with this Outlaw situation before it escalates."

"All members?"

"Everyone," he confirms. "Even prospects. This involves the whole club now."

I turn to leave, but his voice stops me at the door.

"Ruthless?"

"Yeah?"

"When you find her... tell her to come home. Her room's still here if she needs it." He pauses, then adds, "And this conversation? This isn't me giving you my blessing. This is me acknowledging I can't stop either of you without destroying everything else in the process."

"I'll take it," I say quietly.

I step out into the bar, where dozens of eyes immediately turn to me, checking for blood or broken bones.

Crow pushes off the wall he's been leaning against. "Still breathing?"

"Barely," I mutter, already pulling out my phone. "Help me spread the word – Reunion room in sixty. Everyone needs to be here." I start typing a message to Angel, my fingers moving fast. "I need to find her first."

"Want company?"

I shake my head, already heading for the door. "Stay here. Help get everyone together. I'll bring her back."

Because that's what I do now. I protect her, I find her, I bring her home. Even if home looks different than it used to. Even if everything's changed.

Because some things – some people – are worth any risk.

And Angel? She's worth everything.

Chapter 5 - Angel

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