Page 14 of Torgash

Fuck me. She knows exactly what she's doing.

She's not just calling out Royce—she's doing it in front of the whole damn town. Making his corruption public. Making it impossible for him to handle this quietly. She's telling everyone she's not working behind closed doors, not cutting deals in back rooms.

Watching her do it, knowing she understands the risk and doesn't give a fuck—that steel spine just got a hell of a lot more impressive.

The room erupts. She's been here less than a month. One fucking month, and she's already dug up evidence it took us months to compile.

"That's a serious accusation, Sheriff," Reb says over the noise.

"It's not an accusation. It's a fact." Nova taps the folder in her hand. "I've got copies of every document. I've spoken with the county clerk, the circuit judge, and several of the affected families. The pattern is clear and deliberate."

Reb looks stunned. "Why bring this to the town meeting instead of my office?"

"Because Royce Carvello's legal team is counting on this staying quiet." Nova looks around the room, locking eyes with people one by one. "They're betting that if they move through proper channels—judges they've paid off, lawyers on their payroll—they can reverse our progress before anyone realizes what's happening."

I glance at Savvy. She's watching Nova with the kind of respect that can’t be faked. One steel spine recognizing another. Savvy held off Victor and Royce for three years before Vargan found her. She knows what it costs to stand alone against bastards with money and power.

"What do you suggest we do?" Reb asks Nova, but his eyes dart to me.

Nova doesn't miss a beat. "First, we delay. I'll file a formal request to review all documentation with the state attorney general's office. That buys us time."

She keeps talking—legal moves, gathering evidence, getting the community involved—and I realize she's been working from the same angle we have—following the trails we've followed, building the case we've been building.

She's not just tough. She's brilliant. Scary brilliant.

She's doing exactly what I would have done. Except she can do it through the front door while I have to sneak around back.

That shouldn't heat my blood. Shouldn't make me want to see what else she's capable of. But fuck me, it does.

Her eyes find mine again, and this time there's a question in them. A challenge. She knows I've been working on this too. She's figured out that my legal background isn't just for show. That the club has been mounting our own defense against Royce's latest attack.

She's not asking for help—Nova Reyes doesn't strike me as someone who asks for anything—but she's acknowledging that we're on the same side of this particular battle.

For now.

The meeting breaks apart. People cluster together, talking fast. I stay against the wall, watching Nova work the room. She has quick words with Reb and a longer talk with Helen. She even shakes hands with old Jones, which surprises the hell out of both of them.

She knows what she's doing. She listens more than she talks and looks people in the eye when she makes promises.

What gets me is how steady she stayed after that moment when our eyes met. Like I gave her what she needed to keep going.

That shouldn't matter to me. Shouldn't tighten my chest. Shouldn't make my beast want to pace the cage, torn between wanting her on our side and knowing she's still dangerous as hell.

I push off the wall and head for the side door. Need to think this through. Figure out how to approach her without showing my hand.

Because one thing's clear: Nova Reyes isn't working for Royce. She's here to tear down what Victor built—just like us.

That knowledge changes the whole damn game.

When I look at her, something dangerous stirs in my chest. My hands want to touch her, see if that cool mask cracks. That shit has to stop.

From what I just saw, that brain could save this town or torch it.

Getting involved with her would fuck everything up. My judgment. The club's standing. One night between the sheets, and my brothers would start to wonder if I'm thinking with my dick. They'd be right to wonder.

But I can't walk away either. Losing her would be a disaster. We need her badge, her legal moves, and a spine that doesn't break.

The truth is, Nova and I could tear Royce apart. She plays by the rules, and I do whatever it takes.

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