"Hate to let the real world intrude on us, but Ghost is setting up a meeting with what's left of the Copperhead leadership.I’m gonna have to go to the meeting room when they get here.”He ran his fingers through my hair, stroking the strands away from my face."Hadn’t expected it, but with Shank gone and their numbers cut nearly in half, Acid is apparently ready to negotiate.He reached out to us."
I blinked in surprise.Not because of the news itself, but because he was sharing it with me."What kind of negotiation?"
"Territory lines, mainly.Non aggression pact so long as they respect the boundaries."His free hand absently traced patterns on my bare shoulder."They crossed too many lines, but with what we did to them, they've paid a blood price.If they're smart, they'll take the deal."
"And if they're not smart?"
His eyes met mine, cold and certain."Then we finish what they started and we do it tonight."I should have been chilled by the casual way he discussed potential violence, but instead, I found myself nodding.It all made a strange kind of sense."Either way, this whole thing is done tonight.We’re still beefing up security.That attack on this compound should have been headed off, but I’m not taking chances until I know for sure."
"Because of me?"I asked quietly.
"Because of us.All of us."His hand cupped my cheek."But yeah, mostly because of you.They know who you are now.What you mean to me."
The words sent warmth spreading through my chest."And what do I mean to you, Jack Mason?"
For a moment, I thought I'd pushed too far.His expression closed off, those blue eyes growing distant.Then he sighed, his thumb brushing across my lower lip.
"Everything," he said simply."You mean everything."
I swallowed hard, unexpected tears pricking at my eyes."I'm not going anywhere," I whispered."You know that, right?This isn't temporary for me anymore."
His arm tightened around me, pulling me closer against his side."Good.Because letting you go would be the hardest thing I've ever had to do.And I've done some hard fuckin’ things."
We lay in silence for a while, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.I never would have thought I'd find my place in this world?Not just the world I’d chosen with Jack, but in life.And the strangest part?It felt right.Not just being with Jack, though he was the biggest part.But the club itself.The way they'd fought for their home, for each other.The way they'd welcomed me without question or judgment.
"What are you thinking about?"Jack's voice rumbled beneath my ear.
"Home," I said truthfully."And how this place has become that for me."
His hand stroked down my back, leaving goosebumps in its wake."It is your home.You've earned your place here."
"By shooting a man climbing through a window?"I asked, only half joking.
"By standing your ground when things went to shit," he corrected."Not everyone has the stomach for this life, Honey."
I thought about that, about the blood and violence I'd witnessed.The fear I'd felt, yes, but also the exhilaration.The clarity that came with fighting for survival.For the people you cared about.
"I think I surprised myself," I admitted.
Jack shifted, rolling me onto my back so he could look down at me.His expression was serious, those blue eyes searching mine."This life isn't easy.There's gonna be more days like today.More fights.More danger.It is what it is."
"Figured," I said, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw."Not going to say I’m looking forward to the fights, but I won’t shy away from them.I’m always going to have your back."
He bent to kiss me, gentle at first, then with growing hunger.When he finally pulled back, both of us breathing hard, he rested his forehead against mine."I ain't perfect, Honey," he warned.“But I will make you happy."
We fit together perfectly as we lay there, his large frame curving protectively around my smaller one.Outside these walls, I knew more challenges waited.But for the first time in my life, I wasn't looking for the safe option.I was ready for whatever came next, good or bad.Because I'd found where I belonged.In this biker’s arms, in this dangerous world, I'd finally found my home.
Here.With “Bloody” Jack Mason.
