Page 28 of Viking
“I don’t give a shit about some letter,” Savior cut me off, the calm facade cracking.“I care about this club.About the brothers who might get caught in the crossfire because you decided to play white knight.About our families would get killed because of this shit.”He jabbed a finger at the laptop screen.“Those aren’t cartel thugs or rival clubs.Those are government operators.The kind that can make us all disappear with a phone call.”
“They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t think Karoline has something they want,” Wire interjected, his voice measured.“Kris must have left evidence of whatever got him killed.If we could find it first --”
“That’s not the point,” Savior snapped, silencing Wire with a look.His focus returned to me, eyes hard as flint.“The point is, Viking broke club protocol.Brought outsiders into our sanctuary without approval.Put us all at risk.”
The truth of his words stung, but the alternative -- turning Karoline and Athena away -- had never been an option.Not for me.
“I promised Kris I’d protect them,” I said, my voice low but firm.“I gave my word.”
“And what about your word to this club?”Savior stood, moving around the desk until we were face to face.Despite being shorter than me, he radiated the kind of authority that made men twice his size back down.“Your oath was to put the Reapers first.Always.”
The conflict tore at me like physical pain.My loyalty to the club ran soul deep.These men were my brothers, my family when I had none.But Karoline, with her copper hair and fierce protectiveness of Athena, her quiet strength and unexpected vulnerability… she’d worked her way under my skin in ways I hadn’t anticipated.And Athena, so small and silent, watching the world with those solemn eyes -- the thought of anything happening to either of them made my blood run cold.
“What do you want me to do?”I asked, the question tasting bitter on my tongue.“Send them away?They’d be dead within a day.”
“Either claim them as your old lady and kid, or they’re out by tomorrow,” Savior said, his tone making it clear this wasn’t a suggestion.
I stared at him, processing the ultimatum.“Claim them?”
“Make it official.She wears your property patch, the kid becomes your responsibility in the eyes of the club.Then they’re family, and we protect our family.”Savior’s face softened fractionally.“You think I don’t see how you look at her?How you’ve been since they arrived?Half the club’s taking bets on when you’ll make your move.”
Heat crawled up my neck.I hadn’t realized my feelings were so transparent.I’d tried to keep things professional, to focus on protection rather than the way my heart rate picked up whenever Karoline entered a room.But apparently I’d failed miserably at hiding it.
“It’s complicated,” I said, echoing what I’d told Thunder earlier.“She’s grieving, scared, and responsible for a traumatized kid.The last thing she needs is me pushing for something she might not want.”
“Then uncomplicate it.”Savior growled, picking up the whiskey I’d refused and shoving it into my hand.“Shit or get off the pot, brother.Either she’s yours and the club stands behind you both, or she’s an outsider and she goes.I can’t have it both ways.”
I took the glass automatically, my mind racing.Claim Karoline as my old lady.The thought sent a rush of heat through me.I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it -- about making whatever was growing between us official.But not like this.Not under duress, with danger bearing down on us and no time for her to make a real choice.
“This isn’t just about me,” I said finally.“Karoline has to agree.She’s been through enough without having a relationship forced on her for protection.”
Savior shook his head, returning to his desk.“I’m not asking you to force anything.I’m telling you to be honest -- with her and with yourself.Because from where I’m standing, the only person who doesn’t see how you feel about that woman is you.”
I gripped the glass so hard I thought it might shatter, the weight of the decision pressing down on me.Claim them or send them away.Keep my oath to the club or keep my promise to Kris.Follow my head or follow my heart.No matter what I chose, something precious would be at risk.
I knocked back the whiskey in one burning swallow, buying time I didn’t have.
I left Savior’s office and pushed through the clubhouse door and into the night, the cool air doing nothing to soothe the fire in my veins.Brothers lingering outside took one look at my face and cleared a path, their conversations dying as I stormed past.I made my way across the compound, hands shoved deep in my pockets to hide their trembling.Claim them or lose them.Those were my options.No middle ground, no compromise, no time to ease into whatever was growing between Karoline and me.I’d known Savior long enough to recognize when he wouldn’t budge -- and the steel in his eyes tonight told me this was non-negotiable.
The ultimatum echoed in my head with each step.Either claim them as your old lady and kid, or they’re out by tomorrow.As if it were that simple.As if Karoline would welcome being claimed like property just to satisfy club protocol.As if I could ask her to tie herself to me -- a man she barely knew anymore -- while she was still raw with grief and fear.
But the alternative was unthinkable.Sending them away meant signing their death warrants.Those government operatives wouldn’t stop hunting until they found what they wanted, and they wouldn’t care who got hurt along the way.Karoline and Athena wouldn’t stand a chance on their own.
I slowed my pace, the night air finally cooling my temper enough for clear thought.This wasn’t just about my promise to Kris anymore.That had been my justification at first -- the honorable reason I could give the club, give myself, for bringing them here.But something had shifted over the past few days.The way Karoline’s smile transformed her face when Athena made progress.The quiet strength she showed, facing down danger without breaking.The trust in her eyes when she looked at me, believing I would keep them safe.
And Athena -- Christ, that little girl with her solemn eyes and silent observations.The way she’d watched me arrange stuffed animals on her bed, the tiny nod when I’d offered her a cookie at the barbecue.She deserved a chance at normal, at safety.At family.
The realization hit me with the force of a physical blow.I wanted to be that family.Not just for Kris’s sake, not just because of danger or duty or obligation.I wanted them in my life because the thought of them leaving made my chest ache with a pain I hadn’t felt since losing my parents.When had that happened?When had they become essential?
My house appeared ahead, windows glowing with warm light.I paused at the bottom of the porch steps, gathering my courage.How the hell was I supposed to explain this to Karoline?Hey, the club President says you need to be my old lady or get out, so what’ll it be?The absurdity of it would be laughable if the stakes weren’t so high.
I climbed the steps slowly, each one feeling heavier than the last.Through the window, I caught a glimpse of Karoline moving down the hallway, her copper hair loose around her shoulders.My heart gave a traitorous leap at the sight of her.Savior was right about one thing -- I’d been lying to myself about how I felt.
The door was unlocked, and I stepped inside quietly, not wanting to wake Athena if she was sleeping.I’d have to tell Karoline to make sure to keep the house secure until everything was resolved, just to be safe.The living room was empty, the TV off, but a lamp cast soft light across the furniture.A children’s book lay open on the coffee table beside an empty mug.
I found Karoline in the hallway outside Athena’s room, her head resting against the doorframe as she watched the sleeping child.The curve of her neck, the delicate line of her profile illuminated by the nightlight’s glow -- the sight hit me like a sucker punch.She’d put her faith in me and followed me into a world she didn’t understand, and now I had to tell her that world was giving her an impossible choice.
She turned at the sound of my approach, her expression immediately sharpening as she took in my face.“What happened?”she whispered, pulling Athena’s door partially closed before moving toward me.
