Page 17 of Azrael

“So explain it to her,” Renegade suggested.“Tell her how it works.Let her decide.”

I nodded slowly.That was fair.Let Zara make her own choice, with all the information.If she decided the protection of the club -- of me -- wasn’t worth the strings attached, I’d help her find somewhere else to stay.

“I’ll talk to her,” I agreed.“Explain the situation.”

Charming nodded, apparently satisfied.“Good.In the meantime, I want you and Havoc to check out the mother’s house tomorrow.Renegade, talk to your contacts in law enforcement, see if there’s anything on the woman’s disappearance they’re not sharing publicly.”

“What about the community center?”I asked.

“Day after,” Charming decided.“We don’t want to spook whoever’s behind this by showing up everywhere at once.Start with the primary scene, then branch out.”

The others nodded in agreement.It was a solid plan -- methodical, careful.The kind of approach that had kept the Devil’s Boneyard one step ahead of rivals and law enforcement for decades.

“One more thing,” Charming added, his eyes finding mine again.“If the girl decides to stay -- if she becomes yours -- you keep her out of club business.She doesn’t need to know details, doesn’t need to see things that might complicate matters down the road.”

I knew what he meant.If we found the people responsible for Mazida’s disappearance, what happened next wouldn’t be pretty.Wouldn’t be legal.And while Zara might want justice for her mother, witnessing club justice firsthand was different from imagining it.

“Understood,” I said quietly.

Charming’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, then he turned to address the rest of the table.“Anything else?”When no one spoke, he nodded.“Then we’re done here.Keep this quiet for now -- no discussing it with your women or Prospects until we know more.I’ll fill the others in after Azrael makes a decision about Zara.”

The meeting broke up, brothers rising from their seats and filing out of the room.A few clapped me on the shoulder as they passed -- a silent show of support.Havoc lingered, waiting until most of the others had left before speaking.

“You sure about this?”he asked, his voice low.

I gave him a sideways look.“Who said I was taking responsibility for anything yet?She might tell me to go to hell when I explain the rules.”

He snorted.“Doubt it.I might have gotten to my seat before you, but I saw the way she looked at you when you two came in.Girl’s already halfway to being yours whether she knows it or not.Maybe she fell in love with the legend before she ever met you.”

Before I could respond, Renegade joined us.“Just so we’re clear,” he said, “if we find whoever took her mother, they’re not walking away, right?”

My jaw tightened.“No.They’re not.”

Both men nodded, satisfied with my answer.It was one of the things I respected most about the club -- when it came to protecting women and children, there were no half measures, no compromises.

“See you in the morning,” Havoc said, clapping me on the back before heading out.“Meet at the gate by seven o’clock.”

Renegade gave me a measuring look.“Been a long time since you had a steady woman in your life, brother.Might do you some good.”

I didn’t respond to that, just watched as he followed Havoc out the door, leaving me alone in the now-empty Church.I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head.

The choice ahead of me wasn’t simple.If Zara agreed to be “mine,” it would mean pulling her further into a world she probably couldn’t imagine.A world of violence, loyalty, and rigid codes.A world where women were protected, yes, but also possessed.Well, with some exceptions.There were always those like Havoc’s woman, Jordan.But they were few and far between.

If she refused, I’d have to find somewhere else for her to stay -- somewhere beyond the compound’s protection, beyond my ability to keep her safe every minute of every day.

I rubbed my hand across my face.Then I stood, straightened my cut, and headed for the door.Time to have a conversation with Zara Colton about exactly what she’d gotten herself into.

I stepped out of Church and noticed the seat by the door was vacant.I moved to the main room, scanning the area.I found Zara sitting at a corner table, a can of soda in front of her.The Prospect I’d assigned to watch her was seated across from her, looking bored but attentive.A few of the club women cast curious glances her way, but none had approached her yet.That would change if she stayed -- they’d want to size up any new female in their territory, especially one connected to me.Thankfully, she’d have the old ladies to back her.

Zara straightened when she saw me approach, relief visible in the softening of her shoulders.The Prospect stood immediately.

“Everything good, sir?”he asked, trying to sound casual but unable to hide his curiosity.

“Fine,” I said.“You can go.”

He hesitated only a moment before nodding and retreating to the bar, where I knew he’d be pressed for information by his fellow Prospects.I slid into the chair he’d vacated, taking in Zara’s appearance.She looked tired, the kind of bone-deep exhaustion that came from days of worry and nights without proper sleep.

“Are they going to help?”she asked, leaning forward and keeping her voice low.“Will they help find my mother?”

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