Page 57 of Claimed By The Club
He steps closer, slipping his arm around my waist. “Most of them. A few are still on perimeter duty, but the rest are inside. They want to make sure you understand something.”
Unease ripples. “Are they… blaming me?” My pulse quickens at the possibility.
Frost’s grip tightens protectively. “No. If anything, they’re worried you might blame yourself. They just want you to know where you stand.”
I swallow, glancing between Viper and Ghost, who each offer small nods of encouragement. Finally, I steel myself and follow Frost into the clubhouse. Inside, the stale air and dim lighting hit me with a wave of memory—secret meetings, tense announcements, revelations of betrayal. But this time, the mood is different. Men gather around, some seated, some leaning against battered furniture. Conversations hush the moment we enter.
Axel stands near the pool table, arms folded, looking worn but resolute. A few patched members wait in scattered positions, each bearing the scars of recent violence—bandaged arms, bruised faces, heavy fatigue. Yet they fix their attention on me with a strange mix of warmth and worry.
Frost pauses at my side, his presence solid. “All right, folks. Sierra’s here.”
I shift, swallowing the dryness in my throat. Before I can speak, Axel steps forward, clearing his voice. “We just wanted to say thanks. You’ve taken bullets for us—literally. Shot at traitors, risked your life, helped track stolen funds, and endured more than a city girl should. But you never ran. That means a lot.”
A low murmur of agreement spreads. Iron nods. “Could’ve bailed the second it got hot. But you stayed. We respect that.”
Heat blooms in my chest, tears threatening. “I— I appreciate that. But I can’t help thinking some of this damage is my fault.”
Iron frowns. “No, ma’am. Knox and Snake were rotten from the inside. They’d have turned on us eventually. Jen just gave them a reason. You actually flushed them out quicker.”
Surprise silences me. I expected bitterness, not acceptance. Another member—Rook, if I recall—chimes in. “We see your loyalty. You helped us spot the Reapers’ infiltration. You put your own neck on the line. You’re part of this club now, Sierra.”
My heart jumps, overwhelmed by their unity. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
Axel’s stern expression softens. “Then don’t say anything. Just know we stand by you. We want you here—if you’ll stay.”
I glance at Frost, who watches with a quiet intensity. Ghost and Viper flank me, silent pillars of support. The rest of the men wait for my response, and I sense the gravity of this moment. The MC is extending an olive branch, acknowledging me not as an outsider but as family.
Tears burn my eyes. “Thank you,” I manage, voice trembling. “I’ve been so scared that I’m dividing you. I don’t want to tear this club apart.”
Rook snorts. “We’re tougher than that. We don’t break so easily.” A few men chuckle. Tension lifts, replaced by a cautious camaraderie.
I wipe at my cheeks, half-laughing, half-crying. “I’ve never belonged anywhere like this,” I admit. “Even in my old life, success felt… lonely. Here, even with the danger, I feel more alive.”
Iron dips his head. “That’s what we are. A family, thrown together by necessity and choice. We stand for each other, no matter how rough it gets.”
A hush follows his words. The men offer small nods. My chest feels too tight, a swirl of gratitude and relief threatening to drown me. Finally, Frost steps back in, his voice calmer than it’s been in days. “All right, let’s give Sierra a break. She’s got a friend to visit in the hospital.”
Axel grins, the first real grin I’ve seen from him in a while. “Go on. We’ll hold the fort.”
The crowd disperses, men returning to post-battle chores or grabbing a moment’s rest. I stand there, speechless, until Viper and Ghost lead me away from the lounge. Frost follows, hand light on my shoulder.
We slip outside, bright sunlight stinging my eyes. My emotions roil, an odd mixture of relief, gratitude, and lingering fear. The reality of the last few days still weighs on me, but the MC’s acceptance feels like fresh air in my lungs.
“See?” Viper murmurs, voice warm. “They don’t blame you.”
Ghost nods. “They worry you’ll blame yourself. But we’re all in this together.”
A tremulous smile curves my lips. “I—I can’t believe they want me to stay.”
Frost steps in front of me, corners of his mouth lifting in a rare, genuine smile. “I can,” he says. “Because we do.”
Emotion chokes me. Viper tugs me close, pressing a feather-light kiss to my temple, while Ghost sets a hand gently on my back. Frost’s gaze is intense, brimming with things he can’t quiteexpress in words. My heart threatens to burst, remembering how each of them stood by me through betrayal and chaos.
“I was so afraid I’d tear you three apart,” I confess, voice tight. “But you keep proving me wrong.”
Ghost squeezes my shoulder. “We decide who tears us apart, and it’s not you.”
Viper smirks faintly. “We might have complicated feelings, but we’re big boys. We talk, we handle it.”
