Page 42 of Vargan

I slow, pulling up beside them, cutting the engine. For a moment, none of us speak. Then Ash steps forward, his scarred face somber in the moonlight.

"You made it," he says, clasping my forearm in greeting. "We were starting to worry."

"Change of plans," I say, not dismounting. "I'm going back."

Silence falls, heavy and thick. The three exchange glances, and I can read their thoughts without words. They think I've lost my mind.

"Brother," Ash says carefully, "there's law enforcement heading to that town right now. Our intelligence confirms it. If you go back, they'll take you."

"I know."

"Then why the hell would you return?" Diesel demands, never one to mince words. "We've got a tunnel route secure, papers arranged. The only thing standing in your way now is how fast you can ride."

I look back toward Shadow Ridge, though the town is hidden by miles of darkness. "They've got Savvy."

Understanding dawns in Ash's eyes. He's always been the most perceptive of my brothers. "The human woman. The one who talked to Hammer."

I nod. "She traded everything to get me out. Sold it all to Victor. But it won’t stop there. Men like him never stop."

"And now you want to, what? Ride back in and save her?" Crow asks, incredulity in his voice. "That's suicide, Crank. And for what? A human?"

The beast stirs at his tone, but I keep it leashed. These are my brothers. They don't understand—how could they? "Not just any human."

Ash studies me for a long moment. "You love her," he says finally. Not a question.

I don't answer. I don't need to.

"You go back, you're trading your freedom for hers," he points out quietly. "Is that what she would want? After what she gave up to earn you yours?"

"No," I admit. "But it's not her choice."

Diesel spits on the ground. "This is insane. We've spent a week setting up this escape. Hammer has people risking their necks to get you across. And you're throwing it away for some human who—"

"Who showed me more loyalty in a week than I've seen from most of her kind in a lifetime," I cut him off, my voice hard. "She gave up everything, Diesel. Everything. To save me—an orc who crashed into her life and fucked it all to shit."

Silence falls again. We all know what that means in a world where humans see our kind as expendable at best, dangerous animals at worst.

"Hammer can send a crew to help her," Crow, our usual voice of reason, speaks up. "Once you're over the line, we can send her to you."

"No." I bark, the word tearing from my throat. "She might not make it that long."

The others fall silent at the raw fury in my voice. They don't understand—can't understand—what's pounding through my mind. The image of Savvy alone with Royce, with no one to protect her, makes my skin burn with rage. I've seen the way he looks at her, the possessive hunger in his eyes, his need to dominate her. To punish her for choosing me.

"You don't know what Royce is," I continue, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "The things he's said about her. The way he talks about what he'd do if he got her alone." My fists clench so hard the leather of my gloves creaks. "I will not leave her there for him to—" I can't even finish the sentence, the beast inside me snarling at the thought.

Ash's expression hardens as understanding dawns. He's seen enough of the world to know what happens to women left vulnerable to men with power and grudges.

"If you're determined to do this," he says finally, "then we're coming with you."

I shake my head. "This isn't club business. I won't put more of us at risk."

"Fuck that," Crow says, surprising me. "Ironborn stand together. Always."

I look at my brothers, these men who've ridden through hell with me, who are offering to follow me back into the fire. Pride and gratitude well up, threatening to choke me.

"If we do this," I say, "we do it smart. No violence unless absolutely necessary. No giving the law any more reason to come after the club."

Ash grins, the expression feral in the moonlight. "What's the plan, brother?"

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