Page 24 of Hunter

She tracked the bikes lined up outside and landed on a few tattoo-covered men lounging near the garage, talking shit and sipping beers. They lifted chins in greeting when they spotted me. Their eyes glanced over Sadie, then immediately looked away—not out of disrespect, but because they knew better. She might not be wearing my property patch yet, but Sadie was mine. And no man here was stupid enough to test the boundaries that came with that claim.

I parked out front, cut the engine, and glanced at her. “You good?”

She nodded, her attention bouncing around from one thing to the next. “Yeah. Just…it’s different.”

“It’s ours,” I corrected, already out of the car where she couldn’t hear me, circling around to her side. “And now it’s yours too.”

I opened the door, and she smiled up at me as I helped her step out. Then I slipped my arm around her waist so no one questioned her place here—they’d know who she was to me. Her body tucked perfectly into mine, soft curves against hard edges. Just like her sweet innocence perfectly brightened my dark, gritty world.

The front door swung open, and Maverick stepped out, a squirming toddler in his arms and a smirk on his face.

“Thought I heard your growl pull in,” he grunted, his face deadpan but laughter dancing in his eyes.

I gave him a withering stare, but he ignored it and looked past me to my woman, nodding at her respectfully. “Welcome to the chaos, Sadie.”

She gave a small wave, her fingers curling against my side, but she didn’t shy away. Brave girl. She was stepping out of her comfort zone, not letting this place, these people, intimidate her. Just another reason she belonged with me.

If she was surprised that he knew who she was, she didn’t let on.

Behind Mav, Molly leaned against the doorframe, already bumping her hip into her man’s. “She’s prettier than you described,” she teased.

“I didn’t describe her,” I muttered, tugging Sadie closer. “Didn’t want to share.”

That earned a low chuckle from Maverick as he stepped aside to let us in. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of leather, pine, and something savory coming from the kitchen.

The lounge was a large space where people could gather for a party or to just hang out. It had black leather couches, a pool table, a poker table, and several big-screen televisions. It used to be utterly masculine, like a big bachelor pad, and the red leather stools lining the bar had been the only pop of color in the dark room.

But as my brothers claimed their old ladies, feminine touches had shown up here and there, making it more homey. I appreciated it now because they made the place more welcoming, and Sadie would feel more comfortable in this environment.

Laughter echoed around the common room. Old ladies sat curled up next to their men, some tucked into corners, others sprawled out on couches like they’d always belonged here.

My brothershadalways belonged here, but their women had become a part of the fabric of the Iron Rogues. And now, so would Sadie.

She hesitated for half a second, clearly aware she was stepping into someone else’s world. I leaned down and spoke low in her ear. “You belong here, sunshine. Give ’em a chance, and they’ll love you.”

Just not as much as I do. Not even fucking close.

The thought hit hard, knocking the air from my lungs for a second. But then it settled—deep and solid, like it had always been there.

I loved the fuck outta her. That wasn’t some maybe or someday thing. It was already done. And living without Sadie? That wouldn’t be any kind of life at all. More like breathing through a fucking bullet hole.

Her lips parted as we stepped inside, her gaze darting around the room, wide and curious. But not afraid. Not even close.

There was a gleam in her eyes—eager and bright like she’d just stepped into another world and couldn’t quite believe it was real. Her reaction made me chuckle under my breath. Hell, she looked like she’d just stepped onto a movie set and couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Maverick passed Luna to Molly, then dropped onto the couch and pulled his old lady onto his lap, circling his arms around her and their daughter in a possessive hold.

At the bar, Dahlia grinned as she watched Fox try to wrangle his twin toddlers—one squirming on his shoulder, the other dangling from his hand by the back of her shirt like a damn kitten. Deviant and Storm were with their women nearby, while Nevada, Savage, Inferno, and Racer sat at the bar, drinking beer and barking at the baseball game on one of the TVs.

The place was loud, rough around the edges, and filled with the kind of love only men like us knew how to give—fierce, full-throttle, and all-consuming.

I introduced Sadie quickly, keeping her close the entire time with one hand on her hip. It was a lot, and I’d been a little worried with how shy she was. But she handled it like a fucking pro, giving soft smiles and little waves, all while holding tight to my side.

As soon as we were clear, I nudged her toward the stairs, but Fox called out to me before we reached them.

I pressed a kiss on Sadie's temple.

“Give me a minute, sunshine,” I murmured, then walked over.

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