Page 28 of Jace

“This is for him,” I growl, pressing the blade until blood beads. “You don’t touch what’s mine.”

Crow laughs, choking, his eyes wild.

“You think this ends with me?’ Crow shrieks. “You’re in too deep, Jace….”

I don’t hesitate.

I drive the knife home, his body going limp, and the fight drains out of the Vipers around us.

Their leader’s down, and my brothers close in, finishing the rest.

The gunfire slows, then stops, the night falling eerily quiet except for the crackle of a burning crate and the groan of wounded men.

We’ve won, but the cost is heavy—blood on the ground, brothers nursing wounds, the clubhouse scarred.

I stand, my chest heaving, and wipe my knife on my jeans, my eyes finding Caleb through the window. He’s safe. That’s all that matters.

I storm inside, ignoring the pain in my shoulder, and he’s on me in seconds, his arms around my neck, his body trembling but strong.

“Daddy,” Caleb cries, his voice breaking, and I hold him tight against me.

Caleb’s glasses are askew, his sweater streaked with dust, but he’s never been more beautiful, his fire burning through the fear.

“You’re okay,” I say, my voice rough, my hands cupping his face, checking him for any sign of hurt. “You stayed put. You did as Daddy told you to. Good boy.”

Caleb laughs and then kisses me, fierce and desperate, like he’s pouring all his fear and love into it.

I kiss him back, my hands possessive, guiding him, my Daddy Dom side grounding us both.

The clubhouse is still chaos—brothers shouting, tending wounds—but for this moment, it’s just us, our love a shield against the wreckage.

“I was so scared,” Caleb admits, pulling back, his eyes searching mine. “But I knew you’d come back. I knew you’d win. I knew you’d do it for us.”

“Always,” I say, meaning it, and I know it’s time.

I’ve been dancing on the edge too long, balancing the club and now Caleb when deep down I already knew something had to change.

I turn to Clay, who’s barking orders nearby, and pull him aside.

“I’m stepping back,” I say, my voice firm. “Protection runs, logistics, fine. But no more blood. I’ve got something bigger now.”

Clay studies me, then glances at Caleb, a rare smirk breaking his hard face.

“He’s worth it,” Clay says, clapping my shoulder. “I know how you feel. Don’t worry. We’ll work it out.”

I nod, relief hitting me like a wave, and turn back to Caleb, pulling him close.

“We’re getting out,” I say, my voice low, for him alone. “A place outside town, just us. You teach, I’ll run a bike shop, something legit. You with me?”

Caleb’s eyes shine, tears brimming but happy.

“All the way,” Caleb says, and it’s a vow, sealing us together. “I love you Daddy.”

“And I love you too, my darling little teacher boy,” I reply. “Now let’s grab a damn drink. I’ve worked up quite the thirst…”

“We can toast to the future,” Caleb giggles in delight.

And Caleb’s right, we can definitely toast to our future together. Clay’s approval means the world to me, and I know I can ride off into the sunset with my boy, still a Wolf Rider, but finally able to find some peace with the one I love…

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