Page 66 of Rage's Heart

Lillian fixed him with a look that would’ve had lesser men shrinking away. “What I support is my daughter’s happiness. And if this man,” she gestured toward me, “makes her happy, then I will respect her choice.”

Lillian turned to me, her expression softening slightly. “Bryce, perhaps you should find McKenzie. She could use your support right now.”

The dismissal was clear. Get out before things escalated further. I nodded once, rising from my chair. I didn’t spare Jack another glance as I headed for the back door, following in Mac’s footsteps.

Outside, I scanned the backyard, spotting Mac almost immediately. She was perched on an old wooden swing hanging from a massive oak tree, her head bowed, shoulders shaking slightly.

The sight of her crying made my blood boil all over again. I wanted nothing more than to go back inside and beat Jack’s ass for hurting her like this.

That’s not what I did, though.

Instead, I made my way across the yard to where my baby was hurting. Her head snapped up at my approach, tears trailing down her cheeks. The devastated look in her eyes made my chest physically ache.

“Hey,” I said softly, kneeling in front of her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, furiously wiping at her face. “I should’ve known he’d react like this.”

“Don’t you dare apologize.“ I caught her hands in mine. “You did nothing wrong, baby.”

A fresh wave of tears spilled over. “He hates you. He hates that we’re together.”

“So what if he does?” I reached up to cup her face, forcing her to look at me. “Your brother’s opinion doesn’t change how I feel about you. It changes nothing.”

She nodded weakly, but I could see the hurt still etched deeply in her expression.

This mattered to her.

Her family accepting us mattered to her. And despite everything I’d said, I knew that Jack’s outburst had cut her deeply.

“Come here,” I murmured, pulling her off the swing and into my arms.

She came willingly, burying her face against my chest as I held her tight. I pressed my lips to the top of her head, breathing in the cherry blossom scent of her shampoo.

“Who do you belong to?” I asked her, needing her to believe it as much as I did.

“You,” she replied instantly.

“That’s fucking right you do. Nothing and no one is going to change that.”

She pulled back slightly, her tear-stained face titled up to mine. “I love you,” she whispered. “I just... I wanted so badly for him to see what I see in you.”

I brushed a tear from her cheek with my thumb. “I’m afraid you’re the only one who sees what you see, baby.”

Her nose wrinkled. “That’s not true.”

I couldn’t help but grin. She had to know deep down everything her brother and everyone else said against me or my club was true. She just didn’t want to admit. My baby was determined to turn a blind eye. And since I wasn’t a fool, I wasn’t going to do a damn thing to open her eyes. Fuck no, I wasn’t.

Mac was mine.

“I don’t think I can go back in there,” she said, pulling me from my thoughts. “Not tonight.”

“Then we won’t,” I shrugged. “We’ll say goodbye to your mom, and we’ll go home.”

She nodded, visibly relieved.

Before we could move, the back door opened and Lillian stepped out, her eyes immediately finding us on the ground under the oak tree. She crossed the yard with purpose, a frown creasing her forehead when she saw Mac’s face.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she sighed, reaching out to smooth Mac’s hair. “I’m so sorry about your brother. He means well, but…”

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