Page 119 of Ruger's Rage
"That's not who we are anymore," I tell her. "Not who we're going to be under my leadership."
She looks skeptical. "Pretty words. But actions matter more."
"You're right." I move toward the door. "Which is why tonight's vote will tell us both what kind of club we really are."
I'm still pondering Bailey's fate when Tildie returns, her face lighting up when she sees me.
"Sarah's awake," she announces. "Doctor says she'll make a full recovery."
Relief washes through me. "Good. Porter must be over the moon."
"He is." She searches my face. "Everything okay here? You seem... different."
I lead her away from curious ears, back to our apartment. "Everything's handled."
She catches my meaning immediately, her body stilling. "Marco?"
"You don't need to worry about him anymore," I confirm, watching her reaction carefully.
She doesn't ask for details, just nods slowly, processing. "Did he suffer?"
The question surprises me. "Would you want him to?"
"I don't know," she admits. "Part of me would. After everything he put me through, everything he took from me..." She pauses, taking a shaky breath. "But I'm trying to be better than that. Better than him."
I cup her face, struck again by her strength. "You already are, darlin'. You always were."
"Thank you," she says softly, and I know she's not just thanking me for the compliment.
She's thanking me for ending the threat, for giving her freedom without making her witness the violence that secured it.
"What about Bailey?" she asks, changing subjects. "What's going to happen to her?"
"Church tonight will decide. Viper's staying for it—we're discussing a truce between the clubs."
Her eyebrows rise. "Seriously? After everything that's happened?"
"Becauseof everything that's happened," I correct her. "Striker wanted us at war. Best way to spite him is to do the opposite."
She processes this, then smiles. "Smart, and good for Kinsey."
"How is she doing?"
"Better now that Viper's here. They seem close."
"He calls her his daughter," I say, the bond between them still somewhat surprising to me. "Seems like he's filled the father role Striker never did."
Tildie nods thoughtfully. "Everyone deserves someone who chooses them, who puts their wellbeing first. Blood doesn't always give you that."
"No," I agree, pulling her into my arms. "Sometimes family is who you choose and build with, not who you're born to."
She melts against me, her warmth a reminder of everything I fought to protect.
"What now?" she asks, voice muffled against my chest. "What happens next for us?"
"Whatever we want," I tell her, the future suddenly stretching wide open before us. "We rebuild the club. Get the bar running properly. Make a life together."
She pulls back to look at me. "Just like that? Normal life after everything?"
