"Checking up on your empire, Mr. President?" she teases as she joins me, stretching up for a quick kiss.
"Just admiring the view," I reply, arm sliding around her waist.
The past three months have been a whirlwind of activity. After dealing decisively with Dylan—a confrontation that ended with him leaving town for a "study abroad opportunity" that coincidentally arose right after Hellfire and three other senior club members paid a visit to his father, I'd returned to Cedar Falls to present my expansion proposal.
To my surprise, Hellfire had been enthusiastically supportive.
"Been waiting for you to step up," he'd told me gruffly. "About time you build something of your own instead of just enforcing what others have built."
With his blessing and the club's resources behind me, things had moved quickly. The garage was the first step, a legitimate business that serves as both cover and genuine service to the community. Next came recruiting, the two newest Iron & Bloodprospects, Hammer and Thunder, plus three local prospects who showed promise and commitment to the cause.
The clubhouse, a renovated warehouse behind the garage, is modest but functional. One room serves as Katty's office for her newest project: a mobile library service that brings books to rural areas outside Sweetheart County's limits, funded in part by club money.
It hasn't all been smooth sailing. The Thomas family and their allies initially tried to block our permits, spread rumors about our intentions, even attempted to intimidate potential customers. But having the backing of the main chapter, plus growing support from community members who appreciate having an alternative to the existing power structure, has helped us weather the storms.
"Lilly called," Katty says, pulling me back to the present. "She's bringing lunch for everyone. Said she has news."
My sister has flourished these past months. Free from Dylan's shadow and inspired by the changes happening around her, she's gone back to college to take her second degree, with plans to help manage the garage once she graduates.
"Good news, I hope?" I ask.
Katty's smile turns mysterious. "She wouldn't say, but she sounded happy."
As if summoned by our conversation, Lilly's car pulls up in front of the garage. She emerges carrying several paper bags that emit mouthwatering aromas of the local deli's famous sandwiches.
"Food's here!" she calls out, and the mechanics immediately down tools and wash up, gathering around the small break room table.
As we eat, Lilly shares her news. She's been offered an internship with a women's advocacy group that helps victims of stalking and domestic violence navigate the legal system. It's perfect for her, a way to turn her negative experience into something powerful and healing.
Looking around the table at these people who have become family in every sense that matters. Lilly, vibrant and purposeful; Hammer and Thunder, finding new purpose in building rather than just enforcing; the prospects, eager to prove themselves worthy of the patch they'll eventually earn; and Katty, brilliant and strong beside me. I'm struck by how much has changed since that day at the Sweetheart County Fair.
"Earth to Tank," Katty nudges me, using the name that now belongs more to family than to club business. "Where'd you go?"
"Just thinking," I reply, squeezing her hand under the table. "About how sometimes the roads we take lead us exactly where we need to be, even when we had no idea that's where we were heading."
Her eyes soften, understanding perfectly what I mean. "Some roads are worth following, even when the map says they lead nowhere."
After lunch, as the others return to work, Katty and I take a moment for ourselves on the small balcony off the office that overlooks Main Street. The town stretches before us, bathed in autumn light, familiar now in ways I never expected it to be.
"Any regrets?" she asks, fitting herself against my side as we look out over what has become our domain, our responsibility, our home.
I think about the question seriously. About the greater freedom I had with the main chapter, the simpler life of following ordersrather than giving them. About the challenges still ahead as we establish ourselves in this community.
"Not one," I answer truthfully. "You?"
She shakes her head, her hair catching the sunlight. "The university position is still open. They call every few months to see if I've changed my mind."
"And have you?" I ask, though I already know the answer.
"Changed my mind about leaving?" She turns to face me fully, arms wrapping around my waist. "No. I finally found somewhere—someone—worth putting down roots for."
I pull her close, still marveling at how perfectly she fits against me, how completely she understands the man I am and the man I'm trying to become.
"I love you," I tell her, words that once seemed foreign to me now flowing easily. "Thank you for taking a chance on us."
"I love you too," she replies. "Thank you for giving me something worth staying for."
As we seal the promise with a kiss, the patch on my back—the new Iron & Heart MC insignia, a fist gripping a blooming rose—catches the sun. It represents everything we're building here: strength and beauty, protection and growth, the hard and the soft existing in perfect balance.
