Page 21 of Wrath's Redemption

"Mommy!" They launch themselves at her like tiny missiles. She catches them both, somehow managing to keep her balance while they pepper her face with kisses.

She's still in her teaching clothes – flowing skirt, cardigan, hair pulled back neatly. Looking at her, you'd never guess she's an MC old lady. Never guess that under that sweet exterior is a woman who can handle club business like a boss and who rode my Harley last Sunday just to prove she could.

"How were they?" she asks, setting the kids down and moving to kiss me.

"Perfect," I tell her, pulling her close. "Anna helped Hellfire work on his bike—"

"After school, daddy," Anna corrects seriously. "Safety first."

I grin. My girl knows the rules – school comes first, then club stuff. "Right, princess. And Leon showed Angel his new karate moves."

"Can you show Mommy?" Lucy asks Leon, who immediately starts demonstrating kicks that look more like drunk dancing.

"Speaking of Angel," I say casually, "she and Ruthless are expecting."

Lucy's eyes light up. "Really? That's wonderful! When did they—"

A motorcycle rumbles up our driveway – the distinctive sound of Crow's bike. Anna perks up immediately.

"Uncle Crow!" She runs to the window. "And Aunt Emma!"

That still makes me smile. My brother falling for my best friend... all because I couldn't make it to her high school reunion.

"Take Crow," I'd told Emma three years ago, just days before Lucy walked into my life. "He cleans up nice."

"Daddy?" Leon tugs on my cut. "Can we go to the clubhouse? Please?"

"After dinner," Lucy answers for me. "If you both eat your vegetables."

I watch my family – Anna showing Emma her latest drawing, Leon climbing Crow like a tree, Lucy directing traffic in the kitchen – and feel that familiar warmth in my chest.

The war with the Outlaws is over. We won, obviously. The club is stronger than ever, with Tank and Savage finally earning their full patches last month. Every brother has found their old lady, their peace.

And me? I found everything I never knew I needed the night Lucy walked into the clubhouse with news about our daughter.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Lucy asks, wrapping her arms around my waist.

I pull her closer, breathing in her familiar scent. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."

"We're the lucky ones," she says softly. "You gave us everything."

"You gave me more," I tell her, watching Anna teach Leon how to stand like a proper biker. "You gave me a family."

She rises on her tiptoes to kiss me, and I hear Anna make gagging noises while Crow whistles.

This is my life now. Kids and kisses and family dinners. Club business and bedtime stories. A beautiful wife who isn't afraid of my darkness and two amazing kids who make me want to be better.

This is what I was fighting for all along. This is what Wrath became Wrath for – not for revenge or power, but for this. For family. For love.

For everything.

For everything.

"Uncle Crow!" Anna demands suddenly. "Tell Leon about the night daddy found out about me!"

Crow grins, settling onto our couch with Emma curled against his side. "Again, princess? You've heard that story a hundred times."

"But Leon hasn't heard it today," Anna argues, climbing onto his lap while Leon settles at his feet, eyes wide with anticipation.

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