That’s my girl.
“I came to talk,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension radiating through the room.
“Talk?” Morpheus laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. “After you fucking leave my brother holding his dick, now you want to fuckingtalk?”
“Yes.”
“Bullshit.” He stopped a few feet from her, his arms crossed. “You came here because you’re out of options. Because you’re scared and alone and you think we’ll just welcome you back with open arms.”
“I expect nothing from you,” Alex hissed. “I’m not here for you.”
Morpheus’ eyes narrowed. “Then who the fuck are you here for?”
She didn’t answer. But her gaze flicked to me for just a second, so brief I almost missed it before returning to Morpheus.
And that second was enough. Every brother in the room saw it. Felt it. Understood exactly why she was here.
For me.
I wanted to move. Wanted to stand up and walk over there and pull her into my arms and never let her go. Wanted to tell Morpheus to back the fuck off, that she was mine, that no one got to talk to her like that, but I didn’t. I stayed at the bar, my hands gripping the edge so tight that my knuckles turned white, my entire body locked in place because my brothers were watching me.
Cerberus had pulled the whore off his face and was sitting up, his eyes on me. Carver had shifted closer, his posture protective.Scythe was standing near the pool table, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
They were protecting me.
From her. From myself. From the inevitable destruction that would come if I let myself go to her, and I fuckinghatedit. Hated that they thought I needed protecting. Hated that they were probably right. Hated that I was sitting here like a coward while the woman I loved faced down Morpheus alone.
“You’ve got some balls showing up here,” Garrote said from the couch, his voice dripping with disdain. “After everything you pulled.”
“I’m aware,” Alex said.
“Are you?” Vortex laughed. “Because it seems like you’ve forgotten what happens to people who fuck with the Brotherhood.”
“I haven’t forgotten anything.”
“Then you’re either brave or stupid,” Cobalt said. “And I’m betting on stupid.”
Alex’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t rise to the bait. She just stood there, taking every insult, every dig, every nasty comment with the kind of quiet strength that made my chest ache.
God, I love her.The thought hit me like a freight train, stealing the breath from my lungs. I loved her. I would always love her, and watching her stand there, facing down an entire room of hostile bikers without flinching, only made me love her more.
“You gonna answer my question?” Morpheus demanded. “Or are you just gonna stand there looking pretty?”
“I came to talk to Nano,” Alex said finally, her voice cutting through the tension. “That’s all.”
“That’sall?” Morpheus’ laugh was cold. “You think you can just waltz in here and demand an audience with one of my brothers after the shit you pulled?”
“I’m not demanding anything. I’m asking.”
“Well, I’m not in the mood to grant favors.” Morpheus stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “So, here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna turn around, walk out that door, and never come back. And if I see you again, I’ll put a bullet in your head myself.”
“No.”
The word was quiet. Firm. Absolute.
The room went deadly silent as Morpheus stared at her, his expression shifting from anger to something darker. Something lethal. “What the fuck did you just say?”
“I said no.” Alex’s voice didn’t waver. “I’m not leaving. Not until I talk to Nano.”
